About 6 years ago we changed from our 60-pound Tohatsu 9.8 two-stroke to a 3.5HP 30-pound Suzuki because I needed to take the engine on and off the dinghy each time we used it. That routine was “getting old” and so am I.
Of course we couldn't get on plane with the Suzuki, and as a single cylinder 4-stroke it ran pretty rough. It was noisy too. So after a few years (despite the expense) I bought a Torqeedo 1103. We’ve lived without planing for about 6 years of use, including a trip up the east coast from Ft Lauderdale to CT this spring. We’ve also gotten over the range anxiety issue. It’s just not a problem for us. Quiet, clean and easy to transport. There is no pull-starting impediment for my wife. We just don’t get there fast.
Our new boat has davits and there’s no need to dismount the dinghy motor each time, so this weekend I put the long-cherished Tohatsu 2-stroke back into service, (thinking of the Torqeedo as my backup). The Tohatsu is smelly and not as quiet as I remembered it. Last night we were out to watch fireworks and it was vividly apparent (in the beam of a flashlight) how much smoke was being put out. My wife and I decided together that we’re going to switch back to the Torqeedo and get rid of the 2-stroke ICE.
So here’s the question: Would you sell it, knowing that some people consider it a rare sought-after model because it‘s smooth running and has a superb power-weight ratio? Or would you junk it, forgoing $ to reduce pollution on our planet?
Of course we couldn't get on plane with the Suzuki, and as a single cylinder 4-stroke it ran pretty rough. It was noisy too. So after a few years (despite the expense) I bought a Torqeedo 1103. We’ve lived without planing for about 6 years of use, including a trip up the east coast from Ft Lauderdale to CT this spring. We’ve also gotten over the range anxiety issue. It’s just not a problem for us. Quiet, clean and easy to transport. There is no pull-starting impediment for my wife. We just don’t get there fast.
Our new boat has davits and there’s no need to dismount the dinghy motor each time, so this weekend I put the long-cherished Tohatsu 2-stroke back into service, (thinking of the Torqeedo as my backup). The Tohatsu is smelly and not as quiet as I remembered it. Last night we were out to watch fireworks and it was vividly apparent (in the beam of a flashlight) how much smoke was being put out. My wife and I decided together that we’re going to switch back to the Torqeedo and get rid of the 2-stroke ICE.
So here’s the question: Would you sell it, knowing that some people consider it a rare sought-after model because it‘s smooth running and has a superb power-weight ratio? Or would you junk it, forgoing $ to reduce pollution on our planet?
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