Making the Electric Switch
Rod and Karen Hentz, May 28th, 2024
My partner and I bought our 1982 Catalina 30 in 2013 and, for the next few years, sailed from Pier 39 Marina. Soon after moving the boat to Richardson Bay Marina, we had the biannual haul-out at Spaulding. We learned a lot about Spaulding’s history, and I almost signed up for their wooden pram building class. We were even more impressed with Spaulding’s staff and their care of our boat. We especially appreciated Spaulding allowing us to move ladders and climb aboard to do our own work during off hours. We loved the 30 but grew to hate our increasingly unreliable Atomic 4 (A4) gas motor—so much so that we tried (unsuccessfully) to sell the boat cheap. We investigated swapping the A4 for a diesel, but the transition would be really expensive; then my partner suggested an electric motor.
One day last Fall, we left Fish, the restaurant next door to Spaulding, and went into the shop to ask advice. The floor manager was there, stopped what he was doing, and we started a conversation. Coincidentally, he mentioned that Spaulding was interested in adding conversion to an electric motor to their “toolbox.” We exchanged contact information.
A few weeks later, I received a call from Spaulding’s general manager asking if we would like to be the “alpha” test: their first electric-motor swap. He put me in touch with a company in Southern California and, together, we settled on the appropriate motor and battery combination for our Catalina 30 and type of sailing. Once the decision was made, the Spaulding general manager (GM) took total charge and even offered a little price-reduction in exchange for us being the first install. We received special attention from everyone involved at Spaulding during the ordering and delivery process and scheduling the date for the install.
Spaulding’s GM convinced the president of the electric-motor company, Mike Gunning, to come to Spaulding and oversee this first installation. On a weekend in late November, my partner and I fired up the A4 for the last time. It started, and we motored to Spaulding where they had arranged a docking space. That next week, with the boat still in the water, a crane lifted out the A4; and Spaulding’s very excellent yard foreman and his crew installed the electric motor, all in about 2 days. Once out of the water, the yard foreman and crew patched a small Catalina “smirk” (familiar to all owners of older Catalinas) and replaced a failing shaft.
We appreciated their careful inspection and level of concern and willingness to take the time to discuss the problem and the solution. One rainy day, the GM and I climbed aboard and, for the first time, connected battery to motor, turned the key, and…didn’t hear anything, because the motor was so quiet. We motored back to the marina with the biggest Catalina “smile” ever.
I can’t say enough good things about Spaulding, especially their GM and shop foreman (best boat mechanic ever!). On Thursday, May 30th Spaulding will be hosting a presentation by Mike Gunning of Electric Yachts demonstrating the pros of making the switch to electric. Spaulding hosts many educational presentations for the community.
Consider making a donation so they can continue to provide these educational opportunities. Also, I’m happy to talk to anyone curious about our experience with Spaulding or interested in converting their boat to electric. E-mail me at vrhentz@me.com.
