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ePropulsion POD Drive eSSA: the complete pod-drive system
Pod 12 and Pod 20 are self-contained thru-hull electric drives on the 96V eSSA platform — 12 and 20 kW. Everything you need for the install is here: the pod, the saildrive and steering hardware, the G-Series battery and charging, controls, wiring, and power distribution.
Swipe the tables sideways to see every column →
| Model | Continuous power | Format | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pod Drive 12 eSSA | 12 kW | Thru-hull integrated pod | Cruising sailboats and displacement hulls wanting a quiet built-in drive | $8,049 USD |
| Pod Drive 20 eSSA | 20 kW | Thru-hull integrated pod | Larger or heavier hulls needing more thrust | $10,349 |
Keeping your existing shaft? Compare the I-Series shaft-drive inboards. On the transom? See the X-Series outboards.
Everything else your POD Drive needs
The pod is the drive; these are the mounting hardware, energy, control, wiring, and distribution components that complete a 96V eSSA pod system — all here, all on the eSSA platform. Not sure what your install needs? Book a consultation and we'll spec the whole list.
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Pod mounting & running gear | |
| Saildrive Kit & Power Steering | Adapts the pod to a saildrive aperture and adds power steering |
| Propellers | Pitch options for the pod drive |
| Anodes & Anti-Cavitation Plate | Sacrificial anodes for the underwater unit |
| Energy & charging | |
| G-Series 96V Battery | The 96V LiFePO4 pack that powers the system — 10.2 or 23.5 kWh, parallel for more range |
| E100 48V Battery (5.1 kWh) | Alternate LiFePO4 pack for the Pod 12 — wired in parallel into the 96V eSSA system (IP67) |
| G-Series Charger (16A / 32A) | Charges the battery from shore power |
| G-Series MPPT (2 kW) | Charges the 96V bank from solar — pairs with hydrogeneration under sail |
| Control & monitoring | |
| Smart Controls & Displays | Throttle / side-mount control and the system display |
| Kill Switches | Safety stop for throttle or side-mount |
| GPS & Antenna Package | Adds GPS speed/position to the display |
| Wiring & communication | |
| Cables, Connectors & Bus Box | The 96V power and signal wiring that ties the system together |
| EP-CAN Extension Cables | Extends the CAN comms run (1 m / 3 m) |
| CANHub Converter | Parallels multiple chargers / expands the CAN network |
| Power conversion & distribution (installer-grade) | |
| DC-DC Converters (96V) | Steps 96V down to 12 / 24 / 48V for house loads |
| DC-AC Inverter (6 kW) | 230V AC household power from the 96V bank |
| Distribution Box 96VDC | Fused 96V DC distribution for the system |
| Distribution Box 220VAC | AC distribution for chargers / shore feed |
| Battery Isolator 96VDC | Isolates the 96V bank for service and safety |
| Rectifier 230VAC→96VDC (100A) | High-current charging from a genset or shore |
| EMS Controller | Energy-management brain for the eSSA system |
Each part links to its product page for full specs and current pricing. The big power-distribution components are installer-grade — we'll tell you which ones your install actually needs.
How to spec a POD Drive, in three questions
Power, how it mounts to your hull, and battery sizing.
Pod 12 or Pod 20?
Pick by hull weight and the diesel you're replacing. The Pod 12 (12 kW) suits most cruising sailboats; the Pod 20 (20 kW) is for larger or heavier displacement hulls that need more thrust to push through chop and current.
How does it mount?
The POD is a thru-hull unit — the leg passes through the hull and the motor sits inboard. The saildrive kit adapts it to common saildrive apertures, and power steering is available. Send us your hull type and we'll confirm the mounting path.
How much battery & charging?
Size the G-Series bank to your range, then add shore charging (G-Series charger) and/or solar (96V MPPT). The pod hydrogenerates under sail to extend range.
Why buy ePropulsion from Blue Marine
Authorized ePropulsion dealer
Warranty and support handled by us, not a ticket queue.
ABYC-certified advisors
We size the motor, battery, and charging to your boat as one system.
Free US shipping over $49
Fast shipping from Seattle and local pickup. Freight quoted for motors and battery banks.
Real people, real boats
Call (800) 628-6306 Mon–Sat — we run electric propulsion ourselves.
Planning a POD Drive install?
Tell us your hull, current drive, and cruising plans — we'll confirm the mounting path and spec the pod, battery, charging, and distribution as one system.
POD Drive FAQ
What do I need besides the pod?
At minimum: the saildrive/steering mounting hardware, a G-Series 96V battery and a way to charge it (the G-Series shore charger and/or the 96V MPPT for solar), plus the controls/display and the eSSA cables and bus box. Boats with AC loads add power-distribution components (DC-DC, inverter, distribution boxes, isolator, rectifier, EMS). The “Complete your system” table above lists every piece — we'll confirm the exact list for your install.
How is the POD Drive different from the I-Series inboard?
The POD is a self-contained thru-hull unit with its own lower leg and propeller — ideal for new installs or boats wanting an integrated drive. The I-Series is a shaft-drive inboard that reuses your existing shaft and stern gear. We can help you decide which suits your hull.
Does it fit a saildrive aperture?
With the saildrive mounting kit, the POD adapts to common saildrive apertures. Exact fit depends on your hull and existing drive, so send us details and we'll confirm before you order.
What battery does the POD Drive use?
The ePropulsion G-Series 96V LiFePO4 battery — 10.2 kWh (G102-100) or 23.5 kWh (G102-230), parallel for more range. Battery is sold separately so the bank can be sized to your boat.
Can it recharge under sail?
Yes — under sail the propeller spins the motor as a generator (hydrogeneration) and returns energy to the battery. The amount depends on boat speed and propeller.
What warranty comes with the POD Drive?
Covered by ePropulsion's 24-month limited warranty (from delivery to the first end customer) against defects in materials and workmanship under normal recreational use with proper installation and maintenance. Commercial or professional use is covered by your local statutory warranty instead. Blue Marine is an authorized ePropulsion dealer and will help with any claim.