does anyone use an electric trolling motor on their dingy
rather than a gas outboard motor ?? your thoughts on this ..
Thanks ,
Mike
rather than a gas outboard motor ?? your thoughts on this ..
Thanks ,
Mike
dingy motor
- Thread starter CootIam
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I have tried it, but did not like it for these reasons: Electric motor was okay in light air/current but could not really move the boat in anything substantial. Also, how are you planning to keep the battery charged?? And the battery is heavy, and unless you do something extraordinary it just sits on the dinghy floor...
we've tried battery...
Down side - battery way too heavy.
only one time b/c our gas outboard was in the shop. Really like it b/c it was quiet; a totally new experience. For some reason I really had to concentrate on how fast we were moving...approaching shore f'rinstance.
Down side - battery way too heavy.
torqeedo
I was just looking at the Torqeedo electric motors and almost got one
because of my gas motor always giving me a problem right before we go on our 3 week cruise and would need it worked on but most likely
me being bad when I store it for 3 months.
Any way was looking at the 1003s and really like how easy to transport and
light it is and reviews from people who have them really like them.
I have Gen and 2 big solar panels so thought I would be OK with charging.
But when my 8hp Yamaha 2 stroke runs it really is good and it came with so much extra equipment and it is alway the carb just needs a good cleaning.
But if down the road things change I really liked the Torqeedo.
Nick
I was just looking at the Torqeedo electric motors and almost got one
because of my gas motor always giving me a problem right before we go on our 3 week cruise and would need it worked on but most likely
me being bad when I store it for 3 months.
Any way was looking at the 1003s and really like how easy to transport and
light it is and reviews from people who have them really like them.
I have Gen and 2 big solar panels so thought I would be OK with charging.
But when my 8hp Yamaha 2 stroke runs it really is good and it came with so much extra equipment and it is alway the carb just needs a good cleaning.
But if down the road things change I really liked the Torqeedo.
Nick
Just saw a fisherman at the lake last weekend with a Minn Kota E Drive electric outboard. It looks to be their response to the popularity of the Torqueedo electric motors. Oh, well, maybe not. It still appears to require an external battery, and 48 volts at that. http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/trolling_motors/electric_outboard/edrive.aspx
The difference between it and a trolling motor seem to be that the E Drive is rated at 2hp instead of pounds of thrust. Not sure what the point really is, if you already have a high thrust trolling motor with remote speed control...
That external battery has always been a problem for me, even though a trolling motor would be fine for my 14' GP14. I guess that's why people who want electric will pony up for a Torqeedo...
Brian
The difference between it and a trolling motor seem to be that the E Drive is rated at 2hp instead of pounds of thrust. Not sure what the point really is, if you already have a high thrust trolling motor with remote speed control...
That external battery has always been a problem for me, even though a trolling motor would be fine for my 14' GP14. I guess that's why people who want electric will pony up for a Torqeedo...
Brian
Is the dinghy an inflatable or hard sided? An inflatable takes a little more power to push it through the water. If an inflatable what kind of floor, hard or pressure. How do you plan on securing the battery?
We ended up buying a 3 1/2 HP long shaft Tohatsu for our dinghy from onlineoutboards.com and love it. Very quiet and doesn't weigh that much at 40 lbs.. Probably less than lifting a battery in and out. No charging problems and will run for as long as we have gas.
The other reason for the long shaft was we can use it as a backup on the Mac in case the main outboard had a problem.
We also got a 2 stroke 7 HP Yamaha with the Endeavour that is not a long shaft so I made a riser for the dinghy transom that goes on or off quickly so that we could run either motor with their different shaft lengths easily.
...above the 3/12 is on with the short transom and here...
...you can see the extension in place,
Sum
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We ended up buying a 3 1/2 HP long shaft Tohatsu for our dinghy from onlineoutboards.com and love it. Very quiet and doesn't weigh that much at 40 lbs.. Probably less than lifting a battery in and out. No charging problems and will run for as long as we have gas.
The other reason for the long shaft was we can use it as a backup on the Mac in case the main outboard had a problem.
We also got a 2 stroke 7 HP Yamaha with the Endeavour that is not a long shaft so I made a riser for the dinghy transom that goes on or off quickly so that we could run either motor with their different shaft lengths easily.
...above the 3/12 is on with the short transom and here...
...you can see the extension in place,
Sum
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]============================[/FONT]
Our Endeavour 37
Our MacGregor 26-S Pages
Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida
Mac-Venture Links
I tried an oldeer Minn Kota on my 8.5 inflatable and it worked ok but the battery does not last long. It beats rowing but not for any real distance. I put an 8hp 2 strk Nissan on it because the price was right and like Sumner it can be used in an emergency on the big boat. Not onky that, it is just plain fun getting it up to plane and we can get to other coves surrounding Catalina without having to come off the mooring or worrying where we are going to drop anchor.
Solar Panel Charging
An electric outboard motor for the dinghy is on my list of things to look into.
Our cruising area has very few places where one can buy gas. Also, I don't particularly like carrying gas on board because it takes up space on the limited deck space (can't stow it below deck), the outboard requires a minimum of two gas containers (one for the outboard and a larger backup), messing around with stowing and mixing oil for the 8hp outboard, and then there is the hassle of disposing of the unused gas at the end of the season.
The plus side of the electric outboard would be that I could dump my excess charging capacity from the two 130W solar panels into the outboard battery.
Unlike you guys down south who run gas generators to support the air conditioner, I have to run the diesel forced air heater. Because of the heater there is more of a need to carry a tad more diesel and since it doesn't use that much electricity the solar panels handle it plus refrigeration, lights, and keeping the electronics (computer, cameras, iPad, etc.) charged up. Except for a few times, the solar panels have provided all the power we need without having to supplement it with the engine alternator.
If the existing panels couldn't keep up then another panel could always be added and this would be preferable to dealing with storing and running after gas.
Like I said, this is something to look into. Every time I go into Fisheries Supply and walk past their electric outboard display I think about it.
An electric outboard motor for the dinghy is on my list of things to look into.
Our cruising area has very few places where one can buy gas. Also, I don't particularly like carrying gas on board because it takes up space on the limited deck space (can't stow it below deck), the outboard requires a minimum of two gas containers (one for the outboard and a larger backup), messing around with stowing and mixing oil for the 8hp outboard, and then there is the hassle of disposing of the unused gas at the end of the season.
The plus side of the electric outboard would be that I could dump my excess charging capacity from the two 130W solar panels into the outboard battery.
Unlike you guys down south who run gas generators to support the air conditioner, I have to run the diesel forced air heater. Because of the heater there is more of a need to carry a tad more diesel and since it doesn't use that much electricity the solar panels handle it plus refrigeration, lights, and keeping the electronics (computer, cameras, iPad, etc.) charged up. Except for a few times, the solar panels have provided all the power we need without having to supplement it with the engine alternator.
If the existing panels couldn't keep up then another panel could always be added and this would be preferable to dealing with storing and running after gas.
Like I said, this is something to look into. Every time I go into Fisheries Supply and walk past their electric outboard display I think about it.
I replaced the 2.5 2 stroke on my Avon Redcrest with a minnkota 55 and love it !!!
Quiet....NO maintenance...No Stinky gasoline to buy !
The AGM 40A battery lasts almost 2 hours at 2/3 power , pushing the dink at 3 knots and weighs no more than the 5 gallons gas tank it replaces.....
Quiet....NO maintenance...No Stinky gasoline to buy !
The AGM 40A battery lasts almost 2 hours at 2/3 power , pushing the dink at 3 knots and weighs no more than the 5 gallons gas tank it replaces.....
We too utilize a MinnKota (40# thrust) on our 9'6" Achilles.
Love the convenience and lack of racket, and no need to carry gas.
The battery for the dink lives in the swim step hatch opposite the propane locker, so it's fairly quick and easy to load it in the dink when we need it. When the battery is in the hatch, it's connected in parallel to the start battery to charge when at the dock or motoring.
We have gone a full weekend out and about without killing the battery just running back and forth to shore (and tooling around the anchorage). I guess if I had the bucks for a Torqeedo, I'd consider it. But, the darn things are pricey - so I'll be sticking with what I have.
I guess it depends on what your needs and budget are.
Love the convenience and lack of racket, and no need to carry gas.
The battery for the dink lives in the swim step hatch opposite the propane locker, so it's fairly quick and easy to load it in the dink when we need it. When the battery is in the hatch, it's connected in parallel to the start battery to charge when at the dock or motoring.
We have gone a full weekend out and about without killing the battery just running back and forth to shore (and tooling around the anchorage). I guess if I had the bucks for a Torqeedo, I'd consider it. But, the darn things are pricey - so I'll be sticking with what I have.
I guess it depends on what your needs and budget are.
I've been using a Torqeedo motor on my dinghy for the last several seasons in fresh water and generally like it. Currently I'm using the 1003.
The important thing to remember with the Torqeedo 1003 is that it is really only a 4HP motor... if you have a large dinghy this might not be the right motor for you. My dinghy is the old West Marine RU3... a 7 1/2 foot, three person (often overloaded to four) inflatable with a plywood flat bottom. According to the Torqeedo's integral GPS (which is a great feature!), I usually went about 3 knots and range was never close to an issue for me (I think it was capable of 5 miles fully charged in flat water and medium or light air). Not exactly a speedboat, but lots of the blame can go on the hull type rather than the motor.
I loved how easy it was to store... after drying it I frequently stowed it below on a settee or bunk (no oil, gas, or grease anywhere!). Since you can load the motor onto the dinghy separately from the battery, I could easily install it while alone (I don't have davits). And no gas to store, no spark plugs, no carbs to clean, and it's fairly quiet.
One challenge... charging time from empty to full is nearly 18 hours, and as equipped the charger only accepts AC power as it's input. However, I've used a cheap modified sine wave inverter successfully with this system. I also plan on making a plug to charge directly from 12V to the Torqeedo battery (an aftermarket cigarette lighter type plug exists), hopefully improving charging efficiency.
Obviously another challenge with the Torqeedo is price. Yikes!
The important thing to remember with the Torqeedo 1003 is that it is really only a 4HP motor... if you have a large dinghy this might not be the right motor for you. My dinghy is the old West Marine RU3... a 7 1/2 foot, three person (often overloaded to four) inflatable with a plywood flat bottom. According to the Torqeedo's integral GPS (which is a great feature!), I usually went about 3 knots and range was never close to an issue for me (I think it was capable of 5 miles fully charged in flat water and medium or light air). Not exactly a speedboat, but lots of the blame can go on the hull type rather than the motor.
I loved how easy it was to store... after drying it I frequently stowed it below on a settee or bunk (no oil, gas, or grease anywhere!). Since you can load the motor onto the dinghy separately from the battery, I could easily install it while alone (I don't have davits). And no gas to store, no spark plugs, no carbs to clean, and it's fairly quiet.
One challenge... charging time from empty to full is nearly 18 hours, and as equipped the charger only accepts AC power as it's input. However, I've used a cheap modified sine wave inverter successfully with this system. I also plan on making a plug to charge directly from 12V to the Torqeedo battery (an aftermarket cigarette lighter type plug exists), hopefully improving charging efficiency.
Obviously another challenge with the Torqeedo is price. Yikes!
Cootlam,
You might want to review my short Youtube video on testing a Torqeedo. It's at;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lxXKGqvs_8&feature=share&list=TLgFae7FLHCkKTp9lQZxSLGhlgDJs4HamD
They may be equal to 4 Hp for torque in the water but not for speed. My 3.5 HP To-hot-to will plane my PB, but the Torqeedo will not (as seen in the video).
Hope it helps!
Greg
You might want to review my short Youtube video on testing a Torqeedo. It's at;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lxXKGqvs_8&feature=share&list=TLgFae7FLHCkKTp9lQZxSLGhlgDJs4HamD
They may be equal to 4 Hp for torque in the water but not for speed. My 3.5 HP To-hot-to will plane my PB, but the Torqeedo will not (as seen in the video).
Hope it helps!
Greg
Nice video and and an off topic question. What were you using to take the video? Very nice picture and sound quality. Thanks,
Sum
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Our Endeavour 37
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Sum,
We took the video with a Sony TD10. It shoots in 3D that we use at home. I then down convert it during editing for posting on Youtube. I edit a lot out that I think would not be interesting or is just trash.
THANKS for the complement.
Greg
HI Greg,
Just watched your video test ….
Your camera operator did a good job of holding the camera steady, too.
In the review you said that you'll wait and see if they come out with a model that would plane your dinghy. Well, after looking at your video I saw this one and it appears they do have a model that would plane it.
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm9pY8O4KlU
And I mean the model of outboard, not the model that is operating it!
By the way, some of the lakes in Europe, at least in Austria, prohibit gasoline powered boats so that's probably why the electric technology is coming along as well as it is.
Anyhow, watch the video and see if that one would plane your boat.
Did I say that was a nice video? I'll say it again. Good job!
Just watched your video test ….
…. and, very nicely done.
Your camera operator did a good job of holding the camera steady, too.
In the review you said that you'll wait and see if they come out with a model that would plane your dinghy. Well, after looking at your video I saw this one and it appears they do have a model that would plane it.
Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm9pY8O4KlU
And I mean the model of outboard, not the model that is operating it!
By the way, some of the lakes in Europe, at least in Austria, prohibit gasoline powered boats so that's probably why the electric technology is coming along as well as it is.
Anyhow, watch the video and see if that one would plane your boat.
Did I say that was a nice video? I'll say it again. Good job!
John,
I did see a couple of the models that would get our dink up on the plane. BUT, the ones that would require I carry 2 (two) car size batteries and they recommend group 31! WAY mor than I want to deal with on a regular cruising situation!
THANKS for the complements on the video. Jill was handling the camera as I did the test. She thanks you also!
Greg
I did see a couple of the models that would get our dink up on the plane. BUT, the ones that would require I carry 2 (two) car size batteries and they recommend group 31! WAY mor than I want to deal with on a regular cruising situation!
THANKS for the complements on the video. Jill was handling the camera as I did the test. She thanks you also!
Greg
We use only a trolling motor and have for years. A fully charged battery will give us a week of cruising power. In that I mean, we cruise for a week and all the going to shore or cruising the coves is covered. A full charge lasts about 3 hours and max speed is probably about 4 knots. You can buy a MinKota that will do the job for about $180. A saltwater Riptide goes for around $400. But, a salt water WaterSnake goes for about $180. If you're only cruising on long weekends, you can't beat it. And so quiet! We've "motored" up to egrets without startling them.
Don
Don
Thanks to all with your replies .. I am leaning towards an electric for now .. Being a newby , I appreciate the help .. I have another question ; does anybody pull their dinghy behind them while sailing ?? I have a 26' Macgregor and no davits to load it all the time .. Thanks
Yup. Tow it all the time. Stored on the foredeck when in port.
The upside to towing (in my head) is that if someone were to go OB I can let the dink loose at about the same time that it gets to the person in the water. Even if they can't haul themselves into it, at least they have something to hold onto until we flip a 180 to come pick them up.
So we lose 1/2 knot while sailing. If I was in a hurry, I wouldn't have bought a sailboat in the first place.
The upside to towing (in my head) is that if someone were to go OB I can let the dink loose at about the same time that it gets to the person in the water. Even if they can't haul themselves into it, at least they have something to hold onto until we flip a 180 to come pick them up.
So we lose 1/2 knot while sailing. If I was in a hurry, I wouldn't have bought a sailboat in the first place.
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