This is the beginning—not just of our blog, but of a new chapter in our lives and in our boat.
If you’re reading this, you probably already know we’re Francis and Crystal, two sailors (and scuba divers) with a dream of sailing around the world with purpose. But before we can leave the dock for good, we’ve got a big mission close to home: converting our boat to 100% electric propulsion—and sailing the San Juans all summer long.
Saying Goodbye to Gasoline
A few weeks ago, we hauled the boat out for a full refit. At the heart of it was one big decision: remove the old Atomic 4 gasoline engine entirely and replace it with a clean, quiet, zero-emissions electric motor. That meant unbolting the beast, disconnecting every crusty wire and hose, and yanking the whole system out like an infected tooth.
It was messy. It was brutal. It was beautiful.
There’s something symbolic about pulling out an old engine—parting with the noise, the fumes, and the dependency. That thing leaked more than just oil. It leaked stress. It meant being tethered to fuel docks and spending too many hours troubleshooting mechanical ghosts. When we finally lifted it out and watched it roll away, it felt like the start of something freer.
Installing the Electric System
We’re now running a Thunderstruck 12kW AC motor, paired with a custom mount, shaft adapter, and a regenerative throttle system. It’s fed by four 12V 300Ah LiFePO₄ batteries wired in series for a 48V system, all managed by a 250A BMS and protected with a 250A DC breaker.
Cooling is handled by a closed-loop glycol system, and we’ve added inline temperature and current sensors so we can monitor performance on the fly. It’s not just quiet—it’s sleek. When the prop spins now, all we hear is the water. That silence? It’s addictive.
Charging is a hybrid approach. We’ll be using solar, shore power when we’re docked, and eventually integrating a small auxiliary generator for backup. But the goal is to sail as much as possible. Motor only when we have to. Keep it clean. Keep it simple.
Plans for the Summer: San Juans, We’re Coming
With the electric system nearly complete, we’re turning our attention to this summer. Our goal: a full season exploring the San Juan Islands. It’s the perfect testing ground for the boat and for ourselves—protected waters, tidal challenges, anchorages, dive sites, and that incredible Pacific Northwest beauty.
We’ll be sailing, diving, collecting water samples, and continuing to dial in our systems. It’s our shakedown cruise before the bigger jumps. We’re treating it like our trial-by-water—a chance to figure out what works, what breaks, and what we love most about this lifestyle.
Expect videos, blog updates, and photos from anchorages, engine compartments, and maybe even underwater.
We’re just getting started—and we’re doing it Sinseriously.
See you out there,
– Francis & Crystal