Electric Outboard Motor for Cat22?

[Zinger88]

Has anyone made the leap to using an electric outboard motor with their Catalina 22? Something similar to a Torqeedo XP for example (Torqeedo XP). I'm trying to determine if the advertised 5 hp equivalent is enough to push a Cat 22? I lake sail with minimal to no water current so I'm thinking it would work, but wondering if someone has actual real-life experience/knowledge with one?

Fair winds....
Zinger88
~~~ _/) ~~

 

[pgandw]

I have the hp equivalencies of the electric outboards to reasonably accurate when it comes to using for sailboat auxiliary. On my 19ft Mariner, most use 4-6hp gas outboards, which push them to hull speed and then some, dragging big wakes. The 3hp outboards don't quite reach hull speed, but are fine otherwise. And the 1-2hp outboards are used by the racers to get out to the course, and then removed from the motor mount.

In my case, I chose a 3hp equivalent Epropulsion Spirit. However, battery usage is a lot more dependent on boat speed (throttle) than gasoline usage on a gas outboard. My range varies from 12nm at 4kts to 18nm at 2kts. And range drops to less than 6nm at 5.5kts. This takes some getting used to - don't go as fast as you can. I've shot the 4kt currents in the Niantic River (Long Island Sound) just fine.

If you would be satisfied with a 5hp gas outboard, the Torqueedo XP will do just fine. Just realize slowing down preserves battery and increases range. And with the quiet of the electric, slowing down to "smell the roses" is quite enjoyable. I motor more with the electric than I did with the gas outboard.

just my experiences
Fred W
Stuart Mariner 19 #4133 Sweet P

 

[Zinger88]

Thanks for your response, Fred. I'm currently researching all the available options on the market and may pull the trigger soon...

 

[SVEclipse]

No expert on electric motors, but for longer trips a small generator to keep the battery full might be useful. I have one that I take on weekend trips to run A/C. My model: Sportsman 1000w Generator - light enough, runs great, and is surprisingly quiet. V good val for the low-price (IMO).

 

[morbidfollower]

No expert on electric motors, but for longer trips a small generator to keep the battery full might be useful. I have one that I take on weekend trips to run A/C. My model: Sportsman 1000w Generator - light enough, runs great, and is surprisingly quiet. V good val for the low-price (IMO).

That sounds like a decent idea, which A/C unit are you running?

 

[SVEclipse]

That sounds like a decent idea, which A/C unit are you running?

A Zerobreeze MK2 without the tiny capacity battery ... I found mine on Ebay, unused, boxed, for less than half-price. Will be using it this weekend at Kentucky Lake. Not heavy, just got to route the heat and intake flexi pipe out if running it inside, I usually place it in the cockpit and route the front vents in (cold and recirc). Will try to remember take a pic of the setup.

 

[Zinger88]

I have the hp equivalencies of the electric outboards to reasonably accurate when it comes to using for sailboat auxiliary. On my 19ft Mariner, most use 4-6hp gas outboards, which push them to hull speed and then some, dragging big wakes. The 3hp outboards don't quite reach hull speed, but are fine otherwise. And the 1-2hp outboards are used by the racers to get out to the course, and then removed from the motor mount.

In my case, I chose a 3hp equivalent Epropulsion Spirit. However, battery usage is a lot more dependent on boat speed (throttle) than gasoline usage on a gas outboard. My range varies from 12nm at 4kts to 18nm at 2kts. And range drops to less than 6nm at 5.5kts. This takes some getting used to - don't go as fast as you can. I've shot the 4kt currents in the Niantic River (Long Island Sound) just fine.

If you would be satisfied with a 5hp gas outboard, the Torqueedo XP will do just fine. Just realize slowing down preserves battery and increases range. And with the quiet of the electric, slowing down to "smell the roses" is quite enjoyable. I motor more with the electric than I did with the gas outboard.

just my experiences
Fred W
Stuart Mariner 19 #4133 Sweet P

Fred,

I wanted to give an update on my quest for an electric outboard for a Cat 22. I recently purchased the Torqeedo Travel XP and have found that it will push a Cat 22 with no issues at all. As mentioned previously, I lake sail and thus only deal with minimal to no water current. I totally agree with your advice of slowing down to preserve battery and increase range and have found that I can motor away from the marina to the location where I typically hoist the sails and have ample battery remaining for the return. It's also fun to leave the marina 'quietly' while turning heads of people wondering "Where's the engine noise?"

If anyone is thinking about making the jump to an electric outboard for your Cat 22...go for it!



Fair winds....
Zinger88
~~~ _/) ~~

 

[Matt Parfitt]

I'm trying to decide between the ePropulsion Spirit Evo and the more powerful Torqeedo Travel XP. I mostly just motor from my mooring to the main channel and then back on to the mooring. But I want something that can tackle tides and fairly windy conditions. Any advice? Thanks!!

 

[pgandw]

I'm trying to decide between the ePropulsion Spirit Evo and the more powerful Torqeedo Travel XP. I mostly just motor from my mooring to the main channel and then back on to the mooring. But I want something that can tackle tides and fairly windy conditions. Any advice? Thanks!!

Unless you are mounting the remote, the Evo gains you nothing over the standard Spirit. The battery charging by the prop on the Evo does nothing until you are sustained sailing over 4-5 kts (take a look at the Epropulsion's curves). The Spirit 2 gives more power, and fixes a couple of annoyances from the Spirit 1.

The Spirits have forward and reverse right on the motor tiller (rotate one direction for forward, the other for reverse) so unless you have wheel steering there is little need for a remote throttle/shift.

I have successfully motored against 4kt tidal current/15kt winds going out the Niantic River into Long Island Sound, at about 2/3 throttle (650 watts). Normally motor at anywhere from 250-400 watts (3-4 kts by GPS) for battery conservation, which gives a reliable range of 12+ nm on full charge. Top speed with the Spirit (by GPS) is 5.5 kts, hull speed is 5.6 kts, which Mariners with 4-6 hp gas outboards can achieve (and drag a tremendous wake and make all kinds of noise).

I have not used a Torqeedo, so cannot comment. When I bought my Spirit, the Torqeedo cost 25% more, and had more complaints than the Spirit.

Fred W
Stuart (ODay) Mariner 19 Sweet P

 

[Matt Parfitt]

Fred, thanks. I got myself a Spirit 2, for the extra power and the extra features. I'll leave a little review here once I've had a chance to try it out. I'm most looking forward to the push-button start and the quiet motoring. -- Matt (Blue Pearl, Catalina 22 Mark II)