This paper aims at investigation some operating characteristics and energy usage efficiency of a induction motor and a BLDC motor considering electric propulsion system in a small ship based on battery source. At first, performance curves of discharge voltage from the battery and current from each motor according to the load variations were analyzed. Next, variations of motor torque and rotational speed versus load change at each motor were analyzed. Finally, efficiency of energy usage of the battery and available navigation distance were compared each other. Through some comparisons and analyses, it was cleared that the BLDC motor is more suitable for the motor of the electric propulsion system in small ships based on battery source. It is expected that the results can be used as useful data for design of the electric propulsion system with batteries.