Making Room for 300 Pounds of Power (MJ Sailing - Ep 362)

We're prepping our catamaran engine beds for a brand-new hybrid propulsion system—an electric motor in one hull, and a 300+ pound diesel-electric hybrid in the other. In this episode, we tackle fiberglass reinforcements, fairing work, and reveal how we plan to move the hybrid engine into place without a crane.

Back when our engines from Hybrid Marine first arrived, Matt shared his plan to rig up a pulley system in the overhead to lower the diesel-electric hybrid into the guest hull. But as always, our viewers came through with even better suggestions—so today, Matt walks through the new method we plan to use to move this 300+ pound beast into place.

Before we can install anything, though, we need to fully prep the engine beds. Over in the port hull, we’ve upsized to a larger diesel engine than originally planned, which means cutting back some foam and reinforcing the area with more fiberglass for strength.

Once that’s done—but before our motor mounts arrive—I jump into the fairing process in both hulls. The guest hull, where the diesel hybrid will go, will eventually be lined with sound-deadening foam, so I focus on smoothing out the base and lower hull sides.

But the real fairing workout happens in the owner’s berth, where our electric motor will be installed. I’m not kidding when I say I’ve gone through nearly four gallons of epoxy fairing compound in that space alone. It’s finally close to ready for primer—and I can’t wait to see how much that transforms the space!

We hope you enjoy the progress!