“I’m not super green... I just think it’s a better product.”

For Jonas, switching to electric propulsion was never about making a statement or saving the planet. He does not consider himself particularly green, and he is not convinced that sailing around with an electric motor is going to change the world.

He simply believes he has found a better product.

Together with his wife and their German Shepherd, Jonas sails a Hercules 38 built for what he describes as performance cruising. The boat is capable of doing around seven knots upwind, but for Jonas, sailing is not about getting from A to B as quickly as possible.

In fact, the longest passages are often the ones he enjoys the least.

“I think long passages can get pretty boring. We prefer sailing along the coastline, where there is something to look at and where we can stop at different places along the way.”

For now, their plans mainly involve exploring Denmark and, in the coming years, possibly Sweden and Norway. But further into the future, Jonas can easily imagine pointing the bow south and following the European coastline towards Portugal.

And would he trust his Searine system for a trip like that?

“Yes, I don’t see why not. As long as you’re not planning to run the motor for four days straight, it works perfectly.”
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80 nautical miles – and no range anxiety

Jonas and his Hercules 38 have been among the first boat owners to test the Searine M360° system in real-world conditions.

His boat is equipped with a 64 kWh Searine B48 battery pack, and at a sensible cruising speed of around 6.5 knots – close to the hull speed of the Hercules 38 – Jonas estimates a range of at least 80 nautical miles.

That is not just a number from a calculation. He has tested it.

“We recently sailed from Lynæs to Anholt, which is around 80 nautical miles, and it was almost entirely under motor. It worked perfectly.”

Despite using the motor frequently and deliberately pushing the system to see what it can do, Jonas says that range has never been a serious concern.

“We have absolutely no range anxiety. We can easily do 80 nautical miles on one charge, and realistically, how often are we going to motor for more than 12 hours straight without putting the sails up?”

Even when actively testing the limits of the motor and the battery system, Jonas says they rarely arrive with less than 40 percent battery remaining.

Charging does require a little more planning than filling a diesel tank. But according to Jonas, the solution is usually straightforward.

“Of course, you have to think about where you can charge in the harbour. I normally just call the harbourmaster before we arrive and ask which pontoon has the most amps.”
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The feature that really makes the difference

Ask Jonas what he likes most about the Searine system, and his answer is clear.

The manoeuvrability.

The M360° drive rotates allowing the propulsion direction to follow the steering of the boat. For Jonas, this is one of the features that truly separates the system from a conventional diesel engine.

“The fact that it can rotate is what I really like about the system. And with the latest updates Searine has made, I honestly think it’s a brilliant solution and I don’t see why all sailing boats shouldn’t have this system.”

Interestingly, the fact that the system is electric was never the deciding factor.

“It’s not important to me that it’s electric. I’m not super green, and I don’t think I’m changing the world by sailing around with an electric motor. I just think it’s a great product – and a better solution than a diesel engine.”
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No smell. No soot. No diesel maintenance.

There are, however, some advantages of electric propulsion that Jonas has quickly learned to appreciate.

Especially when spending time in the cockpit.

“It’s just much nicer than sailing with a diesel engine. When you’re sitting at the back of the boat, there are no fumes, no diesel smell and no black soot on the stern.”

Then there is the maintenance.

Or rather, the lack of it.

“I can’t be bothered with filters, belts, oil and all that stuff. I don’t know a diesel boat that doesn’t smell of diesel. This one doesn’t.”

Removing the old engine setup also meant removing the Hercules 38’s 400-litre diesel tank.

“Four hundred litres is a crazy amount of diesel to carry around. So we’ve saved a lot of weight there as well.”
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Hydrogeneration? “The idea is damn good.”

The Searine system can generate electricity while the boat is sailing, using the drive to recharge the batteries through hydrogeneration.

Jonas likes the concept – even if, in his case, he has not really needed it.

“It works, and the idea is damn good. I just never run out of power, so for me, it’s actually less relevant.”

What he does appreciate is that hydrogeneration is integrated directly into the propulsion system.

“I’ve seen all sorts of alternative solutions with wind turbines, solar panels and arms you throw into the water to generate electricity. Here, it’s built into the system. That just makes a lot of sense.”

The same pragmatic attitude applies to the Searine app.

“I don’t really use the app that much. I normally put my phone away when I’m sailing.”

Instead, Jonas relies on the throttle and display, where he can monitor speed and power consumption.

“That’s what I use. And it works.”

For a couple sailing with their dog, exploring coastlines, stopping in different harbours and occasionally covering longer distances under motor, the Searine system has proven itself in real-world use.

There is no diesel smell. No exhaust fumes. Less maintenance. Exceptional manoeuvrability. And, so far, for Jonas and his wife more than enough range.
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Facts about Jonas

Home marina: Horsens Marina.  

Boat: Hercules 38  

Boat name – Carbonaden

Displacement: 6 ton.  

Length: 11.60 meters (38,06 ft)

Motor Refit  

Sailing together with his wife and his german sherped