Electric PWC

I fine the electric propulsion has the same problem than the steam propulsion:
Very effective BUT the energy generator.
To generate power outside an engine is always the difficulty. The engine is the easy part.
It is the reason why the internal combustion engine is so practical, powerful, easier and efficient. Yes it has a gas tank, but it is far less a problem than having an outside source of energy.
The submarine and aircraft carrier use steam because they find a good source of steam with the atomic steam generators

 

Hi, Skyak:

About fuel cells:
They operate on hydrogen containing substances, so your mileage and efficiency will vary: Expensive 100% hydrogen gas is best, lightest and most permeable substance negated by the huge weight/bulk of the metal high pressure tanks to be carried on board. Methane CH4 goes downhill fast at second place at 25% hydrogen, again need pressure tanks but might work with lighter high pressure CF tanks. Then it goes downhill to ethane C2H6 -20%, propane C3H8-18%, methanol CH3OH 12.5%, etc. On board storage without tanks as hydrides goes to even lower % hydrogen....

Hope this helps.

 

How about electric rail, don't see any petrol bullet trains ;-), though some of the slower ones are diesel-electric.

P

 

It will be difficult to have a boat on rail.
That said where come from the electricity for the train? DC locomotives typically run at relatively low voltage (600 to 3,000 volts)*
Answer: petrol, coal, and other huge electrical nuclear power plants.
The diesel electric are used extensively on countries like the US due to the coast of building the electrical catenaries and other electrical transmission to the locomotive.
The diesel electric are the very best locomotives to pull these long freight trains.
I took this quote from the wikipedia:

*Wikipedia source

 

Thanks Jeremy and everybody for your comments.

In fact, it is a great challenge to find sustainable applications for mobility, including boats. Also, the problem is the infraestructure that would be necessary to implement, not only with electric outlets, thinking in fuel cells, where Fueling stations today will range from 250k€ to 1 million.

 

I saw a dude on butchered old PWC with two trolling motors and I guess at least two batteries in the hull. He was 'semi-planing' as best I could tell at about 8-10mph. While the hull was quite ugly it did seem like a 'nice ride', sitting upright and scooting right along, with just barely audible gruggling noise from the wake.

I'd like to see a roto-molded electric low powered PWC for restricted areas and 'safe and sane' speeds, maybe with a kickup Torquedo instead of impeller for more efficiency, with optional basket for safety around swimmers


Or something like this but in PWC riding position and electric instead of 7hp.
http://www.mokai.com/the-mokai-es-kape/