Built as a ‘plug and play’ platform that requires no hull modifications, Yanmar’s SDe- series of electric saildrives models fit directly into existing engine compartments as a drop-in replacement for traditional combustion engines that effortlessly integrates into the current standard YANMAR platform – an approach that gives sailing enthusiasts the power of choice to adopt electric propulsion easily and efficiently, while retaining the performance and reliability associated with Yanmar products.
The SDe range includes three models – the SDe7 kW, SDe10 kW, and SDe15 kW – delivering power outputs of up to 15kW for sailboats up to 40ft (depending on application and displacement). The system operates on a 48V electrical platform, ensuring seamless integration and a reliable power source.
INDUSTRY RECOGNITION
The E-Saildrive SDe series has received an impressive welcome from the industry, having been awarded the prestigious Innovation Award in the Alternative Propulsion category at the 2025 Miami International Boat Show.
The E-Saildrive range comes in three sizes
The Innovation Awards jury was impressed by E-Saildrive SDe series’ advanced design, ease of integration, and commitment to sustainability.
The Miami award followed the E-Saildrive SDe series win in two esteemed DAME Design Awards in the ‘Propulsion & Dynamics’ and ‘Environmental’ categories – praised by the DAME Awards jury for its design, straightforward integration, and ease of installation.
“Winning both the DAME Design Awards and the Innovation Award in such a short time is a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of our team,” says Yanmar’s CEO, Wouter-Jan van der Wurff.
“These awards underscore the hard work and dedication of our team in developing an electric propulsion solution that empowers greener sailing. We’re excited to see how the E-Saildrive series will inspire sustainable innovation in the marine industry.”
UNIQUE FEATURES
- Repowering – No hull modification needed – effortlessly integrates into the current standard YANMAR platform
- Perfect for Repowering from YANMAR YM and GM engines, giving boaters the power of choice between electric or diesel
- Simple maintenance – Fewer parts than an internal combustion engine means reduced maintenance requirements
- Our in-house designed cooling system is fully integrated within the saildrive and functions as a single compact solution. This unique feature ensures optimal performance and longevity
ADVANCED CONTROL SYSTEM
As one of the world’s most established marine engine manufacturers, Yanmar is renowned for the reliability and performance of its HVO-approved combustion engines – and the SDe series is designed to this same standard of engineering.
Matching the advancements of the SDe Series is a new control system VC30, compatible with Yanmar’s range of common rail engines. The display unit is an ultra bright and colorful 4.3” optically bonded TFT display with IPX7 waterproof rating, and anti-fog coating. Control heads are available as a side mount or top mount with a modern alloy design.
With minimal maintenance compared to a combustion engine and access to the existing Yanmar global support network of over 2,000 distributors and dealers in over 130 countries, the E-Saildrive SDe series offers a solution for those new to boating and the more experienced sailor.
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