A question had been posed regarding the potential use of electric engines in boats competing in yacht races and their ability to comply to the Special Regulations. 

Using a Challenger 39 as an example:

Electric Motor for a Challenger 39

1. While the Special Regulations are currently aimed at hydrocarbon fuelled motors, any alternative technology, such as electric motors, would still need to meet the essential requirements of those regulations. Focussing on the engine performance aspects, the two key requirements would be the ability to reach the required speed and to then be able to sustain that speed for a prescribed period. 

Specifically, the 2017-2020 Special Regulations require:

2. Applying these regulations to a Challenger 39 yacht for which the waterline length is 9.75m (LOA is 11.89m) would then require an electric motor to be capable of achieving a speed of 5.6 knots into a 12 knot headwind. Secondly, the stored electrical energy always available must be sufficient to maintain the boat’s required electronics and to be able to run the motor at the above speed/wind conditions for a period of 8 hours.

The Special Regulations can be read at https://www.sailingresources.org.au/safety/specialregs/

By Ray Shaw https://www.sailingresources.org.au/safety/safety-committees/