An exciting hybrid conversion project utilising an HM3350 from Transfluid on the historic vessel, the Western Flyer, made famous by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts.

Built in 1937 in Tacoma by the Western Boat Building Company, the vessel was constructed for sardine and Alaskan salmon fishing and continued to work as a commercial fishing vessel until 1993. Since 2014, it has been working as a fisheries research vessel. 

In June 2022, its owners began the hybridisation project, using the HM3350 hybrid module to provide the vessel with electric propulsion and hydraulic power. 

Read the full article  in the National Fisherman here  and discover how this is an ideal solution for workboats with an irregular duty cycle. 

Length: 23m

Weight: 1360kg

Displacement: 13.5l

Main Engine: John Deere 6135 AFM85

Engine Power HP: 425

Hybrid module: Transfluid HM3350 (2 x 50kW motors)

Battery capacity: 700kWh

Gearbox: Twin Disc 6:1

Normal operating speed: 3k/h (6-8hrs)

Max. speed: 8 k/h (2-3hrs)