About me
Tom is a retired aquatic ecologist and a hobby boat builder who has built 20 boats ranging from Rob Roy canoes to the St. Pierre Dory. I built my first electric dory 30 years ago at a time when the only technology available was golf cart batteries and fork lift motors. I also converted a pick-up truck to electric in 2006 and drove it for 8 years (until the body gave out - it was a 1987 Nissan pick-up). As the technology of electric propulsion improved I kept updating my dories, and now have built three. In 2024 I purchased a 22' C-Dory cruiser and converted it to all electric propulsion using two 3kW electric outboards. One of my goals was to see if it is possible to convert a standard boat design to e-propulsion with minimum modifications to the hull. And, yes, I was able to convert the boat with no alterations to the hull or cabin. With the batteries I have installed, I can now cruise about 40 nautical miles at 4.4 knots or 80 nautical miles at 3.5 knots.
