Yanmar Unveils Its First Electric Propulsion Product For Emission-Free Sailing

Yanmar Marine International, a leading marine engine manufacturer, has launched its first-ever electric propulsion product, the E-Saildrive, for emission-free sailing.

The product was introduced globally at the Cannes Yachting Festival and the Newport International Boat Show to make electric boating more accessible to sailing enthusiasts.

The E-Saildrive is designed with a plug-and-play platform for easy installation and connection, avoiding the need for complex hull modifications.

The product features a cooling system, an integrated gear, a motor, and a motor controller, allowing a smooth transition to 100% electric sailing.

Video Credits: YANMAR Marine International B.V./Linkedin

The global launch introduces the three models of the E-Saildrive: the SDe7, SDe 10, and SDe 15, each capable of producing up to 15kW of power for sailboats under 40 feet, depending on the vessel’s application and displacement.

The E-Saildrive is a direct replacement for Yanmar’s YM engine, one of the most widely used engines in sailboats. This allows boatbuilders to offer both electric and combustion engines.

Customers who want to refit their sailboats with the E-Saildrive can do so without making any hull modifications.

Regarding user experience, YANMAR has equipped the system with a modern control design, including a 4.3″ optically bonded TFT display with an IPX7 waterproof rating and anti-fog coating. Control heads are available on both side and top mounts, ensuring flexible installation.

YANMAR is known for the reliability and efficiency of its HVO-approved combustion engines. The E-Saildrive series upholds this engineering standard with lower maintenance requirements than traditional combustion engines.

Boaters will also benefit from YANMAR’s extensive global support network, which comprises over 2,000 distributors and dealers in 130 countries.

Floris Lettinga, Director of Sales and Marketing at YANMAR Marine International, highlighted the importance of the E-Saildrive’s launch, saying it represents an important step in decreasing the environmental impact of sailing.

Lettinga said that YANMAR’s new electric propulsion system is packed with innovative features to help boaters easily switch to emission-free sailing and that the company’s dealer and distributor network would provide worldwide technical support.

Reference: Yanmar