Elco Is Making Boating Better

 

Elco is at the forefront of electric propulsion, delivering compact, efficient, and reliable innovations with patented designs. Our flexible battery philosophy utilizes industry-leading technology, allowing seamless integration with navigation displays and wearable devices.

With decades of experience, Elco is standardizing interconnectivity in electric propulsion systems, enhancing marine technology for a better boating experience.

Our DASH Bluetooth Dashboard Display enables monitoring of system performance, including speed, RPM, and battery status via mobile devices or smartwatches. This functionality is also compatible with most marine navigation displays. By incorporating NMEA 2000, Elco systems communicate universally with battery systems, motor controllers, and other marine equipment, providing customers with a wider range of battery options compared to competitors’ proprietary systems.

As we celebrate 130 years, Elco continues to blend traditional electric motor designs with cutting-edge technology, solidifying our leadership in electric propulsion.

Elco AC propulsion: DC propulsion
Direct drive motor Yes No
Efficiency 85% to 92% 55% to 60%
Periodic maintenance 50,000 hours 2,000 hours
Only one moving part Yes No
Integrated motor & controls Yes No
Plug & Play Yes No
Water resistant to IP-65 Yes No
Cast Aluminum mount & enclosure Yes No

Not all electric motors are created equal

Elco has developed a new, more efficient series of marine propulsion systems based upon the use of super reliable AC induction motors. The AC motor has unequaled reliability, simplicity of design, efficiency and ultimately lower cost.

The efficiency of the Elco AC Motor is 85-92%, which is over 30% more efficient than a DC motor and over 40-50% more efficient than a combustion motor. You really have to experience it to believe it; schedule a demo today.

The AC motor is rated for up to 50,000 hours. With only one moving part, there isn’t much that can go wrong and the motor requires virtually zero maintenance.

Elco AC Electric Motor Compared to a DC Motor

Elco Chief Engineer Joe Fleming explains the Elco AC three phase motor and how it differs from a DC motor.

Why is our electric motor the most efficient?

The AC induction motor is more efficient than its DC counterpart by a factor of 20% to 40%, depending on the load. It creates a lot more torque, accelerates faster, and since it has no mechanical connections, other than the ball bearings at each end of the rotor, maintenance is minimal. In short, it is a simple, rugged and reliable design. Furthermore, an AC motor is more receptive to electrical regeneration – it naturally wants to regen.

 

All Electric

With the all electric configuration, an electric motor powered by batteries drives the propeller shaft. This system is ideal for day cruises in displacement and semi-displacement boats such as sailboats, launches, tenders, and sloops. Installation is simple, and the motor fits most standard motor mounts. The batteries can be strategically positioned to keep the boat balanced.

Hybrid Electric Serial

Similar to the all electric configuration, the electric motor drives the propeller shaft directly. The difference is the addition of a gas or diesel generator, which has no direct connection to the propeller shaft. Instead, the generator powers the motor and charges the batteries. This provides boaters with the option of running the motor strictly off battery power for a quiet, clean boating experience, or switching to the generator when the batteries are low. The serial hybrid-electric configuration is great for boaters who go on day cruises and want to have a backup power supply should a trip take longer than battery power alone can sustain.

Hybrid Electric Parallel

The parallel hybrid-electric configuration features a diesel or gas motor that is connected to the propeller shaft through an electric motor and a clutching system. The parallel hybrid-electric configuration allows the motor to drive the propeller directly and charge the batteries while the electric motor is inactive. With the flip of a switch, the vessel can switch to exclusively power the electric motor with batteries for situations when the motor would be inefficient.

Hybrid Electric Parallel Serial

Elco’s EP hybrid-electric parallel and serial system benefits commercial and pleasure vessels. Tugboats employed by harbor services can use a combustion motor to get where they are needed in a hurry. However, most of their time is spent idling or actively maneuvering to support other vessels. In these low-speed situations, the combustion motor can be shut down so the system can switch to the electric motor for more efficient operation.

electric boat motor
electric boat motor
electric boat motor

The EP “All Electric” System uses only batteries so there is no gas, diesel, or oil aboard this vessel. The electric motor requires no maintenance and has an expected service life of 50,000 hours. The All Electric is perfect for sailboats and other displacement and semi-displacement hulls.

Torque

The Elco EP Motor is pure torque, unlike a diesel that uses belts, pulleys, and many other moving parts. The diesel motors moving parts create losses in torque and on average, only 40%-60% of the power created is actually used to propel your vessel. –Further, the motor only reaches full torque at one particular point in the torque curve.

An Elco EP Motor contains only one moving part and provides full torque throughout most of the torque curve. The EP motor provides full torque at 1RPM, all while operating in complete silence.

Elco Electric & Diesel Torque Curve

CHARGING OPTIONS

SHORE POWER

SOLAR PANELS

WIND GENERATOR

PROP REGENERATION

hybrid electric serial - electric boat motor
electric hybrid - electric boat motor

The EP Hybrid Electric Serial System consists of both our Patented Electric Motor and standard components, coupled with a marine generator. The generator will sip fuel while recharging the batteries. This system is perfect for sailboats, lobster boats, trawlers, yachts, and more.

Torque

The Elco EP Motor is pure torque, unlike a diesel that uses belts, pulleys, and many other moving parts. The diesel motors moving parts create losses in torque and on average, only 40%-60% of the power created is actually used to propel your vessel. –Further, the motor only reaches full torque at one particular point in the torque curve.

An Elco EP Motor contains only one moving part and provides full torque throughout most of the torque curve. The EP motor provides full torque at 1RPM, all while operating in complete silence.

CHARGING OPTIONS

AC GENERATOR

SHORE POWER

SOLAR PANELS

WIND GENERATOR

PROP REGENERATION

hybrid electric parallel - electric boat motor
electric hybrid - electric boat motor

The EP Hybrid Electric Parallel System consists of both our patented motor and standard components, coupled with a combustion motor. Silently cruise or flip the switch and use the combustion motor, all while simultaneously re-charging the batteries. This system is perfect for all boats up to 85’ looking to take advantage of environmentally friendly propulsion.

Torque

The Elco EP Motor is pure torque, unlike a diesel that uses belts, pulleys, and many other moving parts. The diesel motors moving parts create losses in torque and on average, only 40%-60% of the power created is actually used to propel your vessel. –Further, the motor only reaches full torque at one particular point in the torque curve.

An Elco EP Motor contains only one moving part and provides full torque throughout most of the torque curve. The EP motor provides full torque at 1RPM, all while operating in complete silence.

CHARGING OPTIONS

COMBUSTION MOTOR

SHORE POWER

SOLAR PANELS

WIND GENERATOR

PROP REGENERATION

hybrid electric parallel serial - electric boat motor
electric hybrid - electric boat motor

The EP Hybrid Electric Parallel and Serial System provides the best of all three EP combinations. Cruise silently for hours on the Elco electric motor, or quietly run the AC generator while keeping the batteries charged. You could also flip the switch and fire up the combustion motor, which charges the batteries from regeneration created by the Elco Electric Motor. This system is perfect for all inboard applications.

Torque

The Elco EP Motor is pure torque, unlike a diesel that uses belts, pulleys, and many other moving parts. The diesel motors moving parts create losses in torque and on average, only 40%-60% of the power created is actually used to propel your vessel. –Further, the motor only reaches full torque at one particular point in the torque curve.

An Elco EP Motor contains only one moving part and provides full torque throughout most of the torque curve. The EP motor provides full torque at 1RPM, all while operating in complete silence.

CHARGING OPTIONS

COMBUSTION MOTOR

AC GENERATOR

SHORE POWER

SOLAR PANELS

WIND GENERATOR

PROP REGENERATION

At Elco, we work closely with our customers to develop eco-friendly, value adding solutions that will fully meet specific requirements. Our award winning design team has over 100 years of combined experience. Furthermore, we partner with best of breed industry engineers and Electric Vehicle (EV) innovators to make sure every aspect of these highly confidential projects are covered. We utilize our existing market leading technologies from our highly efficient electric propulsion system, with products adapted and integrated to meet design and performance requirements.

Our role covers all major activities – design, project management, procurement, testing, and safety assessment. We are currently working with numerous manufacturers throughout the world, so their customers can experience the undeniable benefits of going electric. Read more about our award winning electric and hybrid designs below.

Hunter 27e with E-Power Electric System

The Hunter 27e with the E-Power Electric System remains entirely the same as the company’s very popular standard H-27 except for the diesel motor which has been substituted with the Elco EP-12, an electric inboard boat motor that offers the same amount of thrust as the H-27′s normal 14hp diesel motor.

The electric inboard boat motor offers the advantages of being truly “green” in that it does not emit any emissions, noise, vibrations, heat, or fumes as it operates solely on battery power. The batteries offer 6 to 8 hours of power to the motor before they will need to be recharged. The batteries can be charged either traditionally by connecting to shore power or by the use of the “Energy” option that incorporates an arch that holds 3 high efficiency solar panels incorporated into the bimini and a wind power generator. The environmentally friendly 27e affords its captain and crew the same great sailing performance as that of a standard H-27 with the added benefit of being truly a green sailing vessel.

electric boat motor

Hunter 36h with E-Power Electric Hybrid System

The Elco E-Power Electric Hybrid System is a game changer for sailboat propulsion. Hunter and Elco developed the boat as part of a shared commitment to green technology solutions and innovation that improves the overall sailing experience. The Elco E-Power Hybrid System offers sailors more than just environmentally conscious cruising. The AC motor lowers motor operating and maintenance costs, eliminates the carbon monoxide and fumes present with traditional motors, runs cooler, quieter and weighs far less than gas or diesel motors. In addition, AC electric motors offer an advantage over DC models due to the lack of brushes and moving parts, which require regular maintenance and can wear out. The EP-40 has only one moving part and is completely sealed, making it highly water resistant to guard against moisture damage, or corrosion.

According to Steve Lamando, CEO of Elco, “Hunter is a well-known brand with a global reputation for customer-driven innovation. The Hunter team’s input into the development and integration of the E-Power System has been invaluable.

electric boat motor

New York State Tug Repowered with Electric

 

The boat’s new electric motor was designed by Elco Motor Yachts, LLC, of Athens, New York.“By partnering with the private sector, New York State is transforming an 86-year old tug boat into a cleaner, greener and more modern zero-emission vehicle,” Governor Cuomo said. “Projects like this demonstrate our commitment to protecting the environment and show how this continued dedication is laying the groundwork for a clean energy economy of tomorrow.”The project makes use of a 1928 tug boat, now used as a dredge tender, for removing buoys and other canal work. Previously running off a 1980s-era diesel motor, the boat is now powered by a battery-powered all-electric power-train system. The all-electric system eliminates exhaust emissions and the potential for fuel spills, while lowering maintenance costs and reducing noise. The result is a more environmentally- and economically-sustainable solution.

Most Significant Boat of the Year by Workboat Magazine

Tender 4, the first electrically powered workboat in the New York State Canal System, has been selected as one of the Significant Boats of the Year by WorkBoat Magazine for advances in technology and design. The vessel was repowered earlier this year with twin Elco EP-10000 electric motors through a project conducted by the New York State Canal Corporation (“Canal Corporation”), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), New West Technologies, and Elco Motor Yachts, a leader in electric and hybrid marine propulsion for more than 120 years.

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