Diesel-Electric Hybrids Vs. Electric: Sailing’s Auxiliary Power Future

While diesel-electric hybrids and full electric systems offer promising benefits for both sailors and the environment, the current cost barriers make those technologies inaccessible for most. Hopefully, as those systems become more popular, the price will come down and more of us can have those squeaky-clean and quiet engine compartments.

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Parallel hybrid setup. Image courtesy of Ortomarine.
Parallel hybrid setup. Image courtesy of Ortomarine.

How do we reduce and even eliminate our sailboat's carbon dioxide emissions when using auxiliary propulsion and electrical HVAC systems?

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Clifford Burgess
Clifford Burgess’s interest in the ocean, boats and in particular sailboats started in his late teens. He served four years as crew aboard a 40-ft. fishing vessel in the waters off Nova Scotia, which ignited his passion for being on the ocean. His introduction to sailing began with windsurfing, followed by a Hunter 30T, which he owned for 14 years. His current sailboat is a 28-ft. catamaran, which he sailed from Nova Scotia to Florida in the 2023 season. Clifford’s DIY approach is applied to his sailboat maintenance and he has extensively upgraded his vessels for cruising.