The lithium-ion batteries used in electric boats vary depending on the type of boat, so it's impossible to say which lithium-ion battery is best; a comparison must be made after using similar types of electric boats. There are many types of electric boats, such as electric fishing boats, electric sightseeing boats, and electric kayaks, but generally they can be divided into two main categories: unmanned model electric boats and manned practical electric boats.
1. Unmanned model electric boat
There are many types of model electric boats, generally divided into high-speed model electric boats and constant-speed stable electric boats. The lithium-ion batteries used in these electric boats are of different types.
High-speed model electric boats use high-rate lithium-ion batteries that support high-current discharge. These batteries provide the electric boat with strong, explosive power and are often used in recreational racing or competitive settings. They require high-performance lithium-ion batteries and are also sensitive to battery weight, so high-performance pouch polymer lithium-ion batteries are generally used. Stable-speed electric boats, on the other hand, do not have high requirements for battery discharge; they only need to meet certain working or recreational conditions. However, battery weight is still important, so standard pouch lithium-ion batteries are sufficient.
In other words, the only lithium-ion batteries used in unmanned model electric boats are pouch-type lithium-ion batteries. Steel-cased 18650 lithium-ion batteries or square aluminum-cased lithium-ion batteries are too heavy to be used.
2. Practical electric boat for passenger transport
The batteries used in manned practical electric boats are power-type batteries, and the lithium-ion batteries used are relatively large individual battery packs. Similar to model electric boats, larger battery capacity and lighter weight are better, so pouch lithium-ion batteries are preferable. However, there are several types of pouch lithium-ion batteries, generally including general pouch polymer lithium-ion batteries, pouch high-rate polymer lithium-ion batteries, pouch lithium iron phosphate batteries, and pouch high-rate lithium iron phosphate batteries. These can also be further divided into room-temperature lithium-ion batteries for use at room temperature and low-temperature lithium-ion batteries for use at low temperatures. Ultimately, the appropriate pouch lithium-ion battery should be selected based on the actual usage requirements of the manned practical electric boat.
For practical electric boats that operate at stable speeds and carry passengers, such as electric sightseeing boats and electric fishing boats, which are price-sensitive and prioritize economic efficiency, lithium-ion batteries, specifically lithium iron phosphate batteries, are preferable. This is because lithium iron phosphate batteries are more cost-effective in terms of price and lifespan, while also meeting the requirements for power supply and range.
The batteries used in high-speed, passenger-carrying electric boats must first meet the requirements of high-current discharge performance. Therefore, the lithium-ion batteries used in electric boats are special high-rate batteries. There are two types of high-rate lithium-ion batteries: polymer lithium-ion batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries. In terms of high-rate discharge performance, polymer lithium-ion batteries are better than lithium iron phosphate batteries, providing stronger power. Of course, they are also the most expensive. So, the choice depends on the high-speed requirements of the electric boat.
