OceanVolt ServoProp AV: Regenerative Saildrive for Bluewater Sailing
OceanVolt's ServoProp AV combines electric propulsion with under-sail regeneration — recovering up to 1 kW while sailing — making it the preferred choice for long-distance cruisers wanting to reduce diesel dependency.
The OceanVolt ServoProp AV is a variable-pitch saildrive that uses blade-pitch control to switch between propulsion and generation modes without a shaft brake or clutch. When the boat is sailing at 5 knots or more, the system automatically feathers to a regenerative pitch angle and recovers between 200 W and 1,000 W depending on boat speed and load — enough to run navigation electronics, autopilot, and cabin lighting indefinitely under sail.
In propulsion mode, the AV delivers 10 kW, 15 kW, or 20 kW continuous depending on the variant selected, drawing from a 48 V LiFePO₄ pack. The variable-pitch propeller allows the motor to operate near its peak efficiency point across a wider throttle range than a fixed-pitch equivalent, which typically extends range by 10–15% compared to a fixed-pitch motor of the same continuous rating.
Benefits for bluewater sailors are substantial. On a 10,000 nm circumnavigation with 6,000 nm of sailing passages, a 20 kW ServoProp AV with a 30 kWh pack could recover 600–800 kWh from regeneration — offsetting a significant fraction of motoring energy and potentially eliminating generator dependency in the tropics where sustained trade-wind sailing is the norm.
The system pairs with OceanVolt's Battery Management and Energy Management units, which log pack state, power flows, and regeneration history. Installation requires a saildrive-compatible hull cutout, and OceanVolt provides templates for the most common saildrive aperture sizes. European retail pricing for the 20 kW AV motor and controller without battery starts at approximately €9,500.