30 ft sailboat
Repower sizing guide

30-foot sailboat electric repower

Sized for typical 30-footers around 4–5 t displacement targeting 5–6 knots under power.

Start sizing this boatPre-filled with realistic defaults
Fits boats like
Catalina 30Beneteau First 30Hunter 30Albin Vega 27Contessa 32Sadler 29Westerly Konsort

Not an exact match? The wizard adjusts to your real numbers — these are reference hulls for the typical sizing.

10–15 kW
Continuous power
12–18 kWh
Battery pack
120–180 A @ 48 V
DC current
20–35 nm
Cruise range
What this replaces — vs a 25 hp diesel
At 50 h motored per season (typical cruiser). Slider on the full summary lets you adjust.
Diesel displaced
142 L
per season
CO₂ avoided
381 kg
per season
Quieter
−23 dB
52 vs 75 dB(A)

What this segment looks like

Why a 30 ft sailboat is a sensible repower target

A 30-foot cruising sailboat is the sweet spot for electric repower. Displacement is usually under 5 tonnes, hull speed sits around 6.5 kn, and a 10–15 kW continuous motor gives plenty of headroom for harbour manoeuvres and a calm-day passage at 5 kn.

  • 10 kW continuous handles 5 kn easily; 15 kW gives reserve for short sprints and current.
  • 48 V is the practical default — keeps cable runs reasonable and stays inside ABYC consumer limits.
  • 12–18 kWh of LiFePO4 fits forward of the existing engine bay on most 30-footers.
  • Saildrive replacements (e.g. Bukh, Volvo MD2) bolt up cleanly with adapter plates.
Read next

Related sizing guides

How many kW does a sailboat need for electric propulsion?

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Battery sizing for electric boat range: kWh, Ah, DoD, and reserve

How to size battery energy for cruising, daily sailing, or hybrid use—without getting surprised by reserve, DoD limits, and charge time.

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How many kW does a sailboat need?

Practical sizing guidance for DIY sailors.

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Frequently asked questions

30 ft sailboat — common questions

Quick answers to what most owners ask before starting a repower.

How many kW does a 30-foot sailboat need for electric propulsion?+
For a typical 30-foot cruising sailboat at 4–5 tonnes displacement, 10 kW continuous is enough to make 5 kn comfortably. Stepping up to 15 kW gives meaningful reserve against current, wind, and short bursts to hull speed.
What battery size do I need for a 30 ft electric sailboat?+
12–18 kWh of LiFePO4 covers most weekend cruisers. That's roughly 1.5–2.5 hours of continuous 5 kn motoring at 80% depth of discharge — well within the typical engine-on time on a sailboat.
Is 48 V enough for a 30-foot boat?+
Yes. At 10–15 kW continuous, 48 V keeps cable cross-sections reasonable (50–70 mm²) and stays inside ABYC limits. Going to 96 V isn't needed unless you're targeting >20 kW.
Can I keep my existing shaft and propeller?+
Usually yes for shaft-drive boats — you may want to repitch the propeller for the new motor's torque curve, but the shaft, stuffing box, and stern tube are typically reused. Saildrive boats need a leg adapter.
What does an electric repower cost on a 30-footer?+
Mid-range projects fall in €15k–25k all-in (motor, batteries, BMS, charger, controller, cabling, install). DIY can come in well below; turnkey installer-managed jobs run higher.
Other segments

Different boat?

35 ft sailboat40 ft sailboat40 ft catamaranElectric launchTrawler yacht

Size your 30 ft sailboat now

Wizard pre-filled with realistic defaults for this segment. Free to run; PDF from €29.

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