Hugo and thermal engines are not good friends. He was already in trouble when he was sailing his Ecume de Mer in the Caribbean. His Yanmar had failed him and he had finished his trip sailing only. On his Mini 650, it's his little outboard that struggles to start. And finally, the engine of his van, which is his home during his preparation for the Mini Transat, also has cooling problems. We might as well say it, Hugo does not have the "mechanical hand".
To solve his problems, he embarked an electric outboard motor ePropulsion. If the electric motor with its integrated battery is not a real novelty in itself, it is especially the possibility of using it in a hydro-generator version that interests Hugo. Indeed, if he uses the motor when leaving the harbor, he can then recharge what he has consumed after one hour of sailing under sails. And thus have enough energy to return to the harbor afterwards.
Hugo carried out these tests during a tough delivery trip to La Rochelle, during which he was forced to take refuge in Yeu, not wanting to put too much strain on the equipment. Indeed, the wind was blowing at more than 35 knots and the waves were over 4. Impressive from a small 6.50 m sailboat..
