Crossing an Ocean with Confidence with E-Drive

How Integrel E-Drive powered Breakaway’s 29 Day Atlantic Passage 

After completing her maiden voyage across the Atlantic, we caught up with Chris Rouzie, owner of the Balance 482 Catamaran Breakaway, to hear first-hand how the dual Integrel E-Drive system performed during the 29-day, 10,000 km (6000-mile) crossing from Cape Town, South Africa to Grenada in the Caribbean.

From slashing charging time in half to quieter manoeuvring and significant fuel savings, Chris’s experience shows exactly how E-Drive is transforming life onboard during long ocean passages.

Consistently Fast Miles Across the Atlantic 

The Breakaway logbook revealed an impressively consistent run, including five consecutive days of 200-230 nautical miles. Helped by the favourable Brazilian current, the figures rank Breakaway’s journey among the fastest Cape Town-Grenada passages for a production catamaran of her size. Good conditions certainly played their part, but the boat’s well-balanced sail plan and highly efficient energy management were decisive factors.

Efficient, High-Output Daily Charging

Power management becomes critical on long passages, especially as you move west into warmer waters and air-conditioning turns from luxury to necessity. Chris quickly settled into a simple daily charging routine.

At typical cruising speeds above 1600 RPM, the E-Drive system on Breakaway was charging at around 19-20 kW. The result? Daily charging time was cut by roughly 50%, reducing engine hours, noise, fuel consumption and time spent managing energy. Read more about E-Drive power generation efficiency here

A Winning Combination: E-Drive + Diesel 

When motoring was required, Chris discovered the sweet spot was to run one diesel engine together with one E-Drive. This hybrid approach proved significantly more fuel-efficient and consistently added about one extra knot of boat speed for very little additional fuel burn.

Over the entire 29-day passage, Breakaway only consumed around 380 litres (100 gallons) of diesel. Chris had carried extra jerry cans as a precaution, but he never needed them—he arrived in Grenada with 60–70 % of his tank capacity still untouched.

Precision and near-Silence in Close-Quarters Manoeuvring 

Before heading offshore, Chris used the E-Drive system extensively in pure-electric mode while docking in Cape Town. The difference was striking: instant torque from zero rpm, no clutch engagement ‘jump’ at 800 RPM, and dramatically lower noise levels. The smooth, predictable power delivery provided by E-Drive down to 300 RPM gave him far greater confidence in tight spaces. 

Looking ahead to Caribbean cruising, Chris is particularly excited about ‘stealth mode’ early-morning departures and silent anchoring—slipping away at dawn without waking the entire anchorage with noisy engines and roaring blowers.

Enhanced Comfort Thanks to Greater Battery Capacity 

Installing the Integrel E-Drive system also prompted an upgrade of the lithium battery bank from 24 kWh to 36 kWh. The crew could now run multiple air-conditioning units all night without worrying about draining the battery bank. This upgrade fundamentally improved comfort at sea, particularly in tropical conditions. 

Because charging was so quick and effective, Chris felt confident specifying a relatively modest solar array (around 1,800 W) rather than the 3,000+ W many similar catamarans carry. A 20–30 minute charge using E-Drive easily replaced what would typically require a full day of solar production.

Chris’s Top 5 Benefits of Integrel E-Drive (So Far) 

After two months of use—and with the caveat that his list may reorder once he starts typical Caribbean anchor-up, anchor-down cruising—Chris ranks the advantages as:

1. Double the charging speed + 50% more battery storage 

The combination of rapid charging (19-20 kW) and increased battery capacity (36 kWh) have transformed daily energy management and slashed engine run-time. 

2. Greater efficiency — around 30% less fuel consumed

Fewer fuel stops, greater range security, and no need to carry jerry cans. 

3. Extra speed for minimal additional fuel cost 

One diesel + one E-Drive consistently outperformed a single diesel engine providing an additional one knot of boat speed. 

4. Superior control when docking and manoeuvring 

Smooth engagement from 300 RPM and instant torque make close-quarters handling easier and safer.  

5. Much quieter propulsion

Dramatically reduced noise and vibration, whether motor sailing for days or creeping out of an anchorage at sunrise. 

Additionally, in locations such as Grenada—where diesel costs around $1.30 per litre ($5 per gallon) and shore power costs approximately $0.76 per kWh—Integrel’s analysis shows power generated by E-Drive is 60% cheaper than shore power. 

What’s Next for Breakaway? 

Chris is now island-hopping through the Caribbean, where short day sails, frequent anchoring and marina manoeuvres will put the electric side of the system through its paces. We’ll check back in a few weeks to see how the priorities have shifted once silent, instant power becomes part of everyday life.  

For now, Breakaway’s rapid, comfortable and ultra-efficient Atlantic crossing is compelling proof that advanced hybrid propulsion has well and truly arrived for serious blue-water cruising. 

Interested in learning more about installing Integrel E-Drive on your own catamaran? Get in touch— we’re happy to share the detailed numbers and answer any questions.