Why Buy a Hybrid?
In the automotive world, Hybrids are sold mainly on their ability to save fuel. For a marine vessel, Hybrids have many more advantages:
- In the right application, a considerable amount of fuel can be saved. See the Hybrid Efficiency section for more details.
- Marine craft have an increasing demand for kW’s of electrical power. A Hybrid can provide this in a very compact space at a low cost. The functions of a propulsion engine and a separate generator can be combined in one unit.
- Periods of whisper-quiet propulsion, entry and exit to sensitive areas with no noise or pollution (marinas, nature reserves, mother ships, etc.).
- Enhanced slow-speed manoeuvring. Very slow propeller speed is possible with rapid acceleration. Large amount of power for electrical bow/stern thrusters.
- Redundancy: If you have dirty fuel or the engine/gearbox fails, you can use electric drive to get you out of trouble. If the hybrid or batteries fail, you still have conventional propulsion via the engine and gearbox.
- Greater engine efficiency means fewer greenhouse gasses. Regeneration under sail can reduce/eliminate the use of a generator. Solar, wind and mains power can contribute to the overall power budget.
About Hybrid Marine
Hybrid Marine has been developing advanced hybrid systems since 2002. From leisurely inland canal boats to commercial barges to fast offshore sailing catamarans, our hybrids have found many applications and have been well-proven.
Our parallel hybrid systems result from extensive research and provide an integrated power and propulsion solution for small marine craft.
In 2007, we were the first in the world to introduce a production parallel hybrid to the marine market. Since 2008, we have been working with Beta Marine UK LTD to provide complete parallel hybrid systems for both inland and offshore craft based on their range of marine diesels.
For the last decade, we have also worked closely with Barrus Ltd (the sole importer of Yanmar engines in the UK) to develop hybrid systems based on the popular range of Yanmar marine diesel engines.
Hybrid Marine has been delivering and supporting hybrid propulsion systems since 2007, and our patented parallel hybrid systems deliver quiet electric propulsion without sacrificing the full power available from the diesel engine. Our system packages deliver hybrid propulsion and domestic power from a single integrated solution, and we have many satisfied customers using our systems. See our Case Studies for further information.
Hybrid Marine has won a number of awards for its products and the boats powered by them. See our Awards page for more info.
A Brief History of Hybrid Marine
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2002 : Commenced research into the use of Hybrid technologies in the marine environment. 2003 : Prestigious D.T.I. SMART award funded a feasibility study. 2004 : Experimental Hybrid system constructed and completed sea trials. 2005 : First Patent for pulse charging methods (GB2417378). 2006 : Developed technology for a high-feature/low-cost parallel Hybrid system. 2008 : UK government award to commercialise Hybrid technology. 2008 : First product to market in conjunction with Beta Marine. 2009 : Commenced work with E.P. Barrus developing hybrids for Yanmar engines. 2009 : Practical Boat Owner: Green product of the year 2010 : Second patent for parallel hybrid control methods (GB2447274). 2011 : Practical Boat Owner: Green Award, Jeremy Rogers “Calypso” 2013 : Worldwide sales of Hybrid systems. 2013 : Introduction of Brushless, liquid-cooled technology. 2014 : UK Patent filed for Multimode Hybrid (GB1420899.5). 2015 : International Patent filed for Multimode Hybrid (PTC/GB2015/000318). 2016 : Introduction of further cost-reduced systems. 2017 : 100th hybrid system sold 2017 : Entered the European Commercial barge Market 2018 : British Guild of Travel Writers, best European project. 2019 : Interreg, 2 Seas, Implementation of Ship HYbridisation (ISHY) 2023 : Joint venture with Barrus Ltd to form Hybrid Marine International Ltd |
