We investigate some operation characteristics and energy efficiency of the BLDC motor system driven by different two types power conversion method depends on same battery source for applying to electrical motor propulsion system of a small ship. Also, we suggest an estimation manner of operating performances such as total running distance and operating speed of ships from basic discharge voltage characteristics of batteries. Through some experiments, direct power conversion was better than indirect method on the view point of energy efficiency and the voltage discharge characteristics could be used as important design factor for estimating operating performances of small ships driven by electrical motors.