The electrification of sailing yachts is steadily emerging as a credible alternative for sailors seeking greater simplicity, onboard comfort, and more sustainable boating.
In Saint-Malo, France, Geoffrey Matazcynski chose to equip his Muscadet with a TEMO OUTPOD·1000 electric propulsion system. An experienced racer, accustomed to high-performance sailing yachts and Class40 offshore racing boats, Geoffrey shares his first impressions after several outings under power and sail.
Boat Specifications
Model: Muscadet
Type: Coastal cruising / racing cabin sailboat
Category: Monohull
Length: 6.40 m
Intended Use: Family and coastal sailing
A first electric propulsion experience built around clear requirements
For Geoffrey, this project represented his first experience with electric propulsion.
His objective was straightforward: find a reliable, user-friendly solution that could be easily integrated onboard without turning the boat into a complex refit project.
This is precisely what attracted him to the OUTPOD·1000. From the outset, the project was driven by three key requirements:
- Simple installation
- Immediate ease of use
- Seamless integration with the yacht's existing architecture
A Plug-and-Play installation designed for refit projects
Unlike some extensive electric conversions, the OUTPOD·1000 has been specifically engineered for straightforward integration into existing sailing yachts.
On this Muscadet, the installation made it possible to:
- Preserve the boat's original structure
- Avoid additional hull penetrations
- Minimize technical modifications
The system is based on a safe and robust 48 V architecture, with components designed to work together from the outset.
The result is a clean integration of the motor, controls, and battery bank without unnecessary complexity.
Installed Configuration
Propulsion System: OUTPOD·1000
Motor Power: 1,300 W
Nominal Voltage: 48 V
Battery Bank: 1 × Powertech Powerbrick+ 48 V / 105 Ah (5.38 kWh)
Charger: Home Charger for PowerBrick+ 48V Battery + Onboard charger
Instant Familiarization
One of the aspects that surprised Geoffrey most was the system's ease of operation.
The OUTPOD·1000 has been designed to be intuitive, even for sailors with no prior experience of electric propulsion:
- Instant start-up
- Simple controls
- Clear display interface
- Immediate throttle response
Getting underway takes only a few seconds: switch on the power supply, turn the key, and propulsion is instantly available.
This simplicity is particularly valuable during harbour manoeuvres and family cruising, eliminating the need for pull starts, unreliable engine starts, or handling a heavy outboard motor.
A battery architecture designed for sailing yachts
Another key reason for choosing the OUTPOD·1000 was its ability to integrate with a dedicated onboard battery bank.
Unlike portable electric outboards, this configuration allows owners to:
- Size the energy storage precisely to their needs
- Optimize weight distribution onboard
- Preserve the yacht's overall balancE
On the Muscadet, the batteries were installed close to the vessel's centre of gravity, providing several advantages:
- Improved stability
- Better sailing performance and handling
- No excess weight on the transom
Silence and Comfort Underway
The most immediate change is undoubtedly onboard comfort.
With the OUTPOD·1000:
- No engine noise
- No petrol fumes
- No vibration
- No fuel storage onboard
On a compact sailing yacht where an internal combustion engine can often dominate the onboard environment, the comfort gains are particularly noticeable.
The quiet operation also transforms both harbour manoeuvres and time spent underway.
Range aligned with real-world usage
The boat is equipped with approximately 5 kWh of 48 V lithium batteries.
At full power, this represents roughly five hours of operation. In practice, however, observed endurance has been significantly higher. During sea trials, the following results were recorded:
These figures illustrate how electric propulsion can effectively cover the vast majority of real-world auxiliary propulsion requirements encountered by coastal sailors.
An integrated energy system
The 48 V battery bank is not dedicated solely to propulsion; it also supplies the vessel's 12 V onboard electrical system.
This architecture offers several benefits:
- Simplified electrical installation
- Shared energy resources
- Reduced overall onboard weight
Looking ahead, the boat will also be able to take advantage of hydrogeneration while sailing, allowing battery recharging under way.
A new approach to auxiliary propulsion
This project illustrates the ongoing evolution of recreational boating.
Rather than attempting to replicate every aspect of an internal combustion engine, electric propulsion introduces a different way of using auxiliary power aboard a sailing yacht—one that is simpler, quieter, and more closely aligned with real-world sailing practices.
For Geoffrey, the conclusion is clear:
Preserve the sailing performance of the boat while significantly improving comfort, simplicity, and day-to-day usability.
Watch Geoffrey's full feedback and discover the OUTPOD·1000 in action aboard his Muscadet.
Planning an electrification project?
Get in touch with the TEMO team and discuss your sailing yacht conversion project today.
