Just Bought an Electric Outboard

seadaddler · Mar 22, 2012

Great

I saw those electric motors at the boat show and was very impressed for sure and will be buying when I can change over.
Nick

Sailm8 · Mar 22, 2012

I am more interested to hear about the new propane outboard. Would like to read a real user review. Anything would be better than my Honda 2hp 4 stroke. Finally sold it and the extra carb I had to keep soaking in order to use it.
http://www.golehr.com/marine.php

Stu Jackson · Mar 22, 2012

Dink - Good for you

Debate? What debate?

It's really your choice, and in all of the discussions I've been involved with about electric motors for dinghies, the answer has ALWAYS been: It all depends on how you intend to use the boat.

If it works for you, that's just wonderful, and you posted very good reasons for your choice. :dance:

Only one I had some fun with was: 3. No more carrying petrol on board and finding the can empty just when you need it...

What's that shorthand for piss poor planning? Heck, you could replace that with: "I forget to charge the dink's batteries and..."

Enjoy and let us know how it works for you.

tommays · Mar 22, 2012

2011 Versions: 520 Wh Li-Ion high-performance battery

Its gonna last for 520

which is not very long unless your willing to go < 3 knots as at max speed its run time is 35 minutes

In very hot weather, both the 503 and the 1003 may run under reduced power after running over 30 minutes at full throttle. This is a temperature protection mode to prevent battery overheating.

And does not like hot weather

In 2011, Torqeedo upgraded both Travel motors to a new lithium manganese system for less weight and better performance. These new LIMA batteries take 15 hours to fully charge from empty to full. To maximize their service life, minimize battery exposure to high temperatures and do not store fully charged for long periods. When not in use, keep out of the sun and store in a cool place. For long term storage, a charge status of about 50% is optimal. By following these guidelines, your Travel motor's battery should last 6 to 10 years.

kloudie1 · Mar 22, 2012

That Lehr engine looks fine .. Obviously it is a Tohatsu that has been converted and marketed by the Lehr folks .. Should be a great little engine based on Tohatsu's reputation..

Lake Superior Sailor · Mar 22, 2012

Still running OMC folding 3 hp. Never missing a beat! After 30+ years why would I stop?...Dale

BillyK · Mar 22, 2012

sailm8 said:
i Am More Interested To Hear About The New Propane Outboard. Would Like To Read A Real User Review. Anything Would Be Better Than My Honda 2hp 4 Stroke. Finally Sold It And The Extra Carb I Had To Keep Soaking In Order To Use It.
http://www.golehr.com/marine.php

I Want That!

paul1938 · Mar 22, 2012

I bought a 1003 to go with my 10' porta-bote. I plan to use it just for short hops around Cat Harbor. Main reason for buying was light weight, no gas on board, an no repair bills on old OB. 28 lbs. is a lot easier to handle even disregarding the fact that it breaks down into 3 pieces, largest of which is 14lbs.

Benny17441 · Mar 22, 2012

My concern would be the same one I have always had with trolling motors. They perform fine in calm waters but just lack the power to fight off any moderate current or opposing wind. The power of electric motors is rated in pounds of thrust. This measurementt is based on a static force and it is not convertible to horsepower. When using trolling motors the rule of thumb has been that a motor with 75 lbs of thrust mimics the performance of a gas engine of 1HP. To mimic a 3HP gas engine it would need over 200 lbs of thrust. It certainly sounds good but go ahead and test it and let us know how it performs under adverse conditions. I agree with Stu it all the depends on the intended use for the motor and it may be just fine for a dinguie for rides to shore but I see it advertises as capable of propelling a 3000# displacement boat and feel uneasy on its ability to run from a storm in choppy conditions. Certainly some of the features and ease of use and transport are very attractive.

Bill Roosa · Mar 22, 2012

Hey Benny
If you have wind why not just use the sails?
It will also steady the boat in the chop.

Nic
I made the same argument for oars. It is even better than electric and gas because:
1) They don't weigh much and you don't have to lug heavy batteries, motors, gas cans around or recharge/refill them.
2) Range is unlimited.
3) No draft issues.
4) Provides a nice work out to keep you in shape.
5) It is fun watching others try and use them for the first few times.
6) Literally turns on a dime.
7) Zero maintenance (at least after 8 years I've not done any and they "run great.")
8) They can double as depth sounders when you run aground and need to find which side deep water is on.
9) Inexpensive, I made mine from left over stuff from the building of the dingy. $0.00 beat that!
10) Environmentally friendly, zero pollution and totally recyclable
11) Silent
12) Safe and swimmer friendly, no getting torn up by the prop issues
13) Can be used as an excellent “repel all boarders” weapon
14) Stow in the boat when not in use.
15) Will absolutely not crap out on you or give you fits when you need to “deploy the kedge anchor”
16) With the attachment of a mouse trap on the end can be used to retrieve a lose line without going up the mast.

I’ve timed myself and with two adults in an 8’ hard shell I can cover a mile in about 8 minutes in calm water.

Benny17441 · Mar 22, 2012

Hey Bill, you are right, people pay good money for rowing machines to get some exercise. Just don't get caught downstream or downwind of your intended destination or you may have to sign up for the X-Treme classification of the sport.

Gary_H · Mar 22, 2012

I have oars and they work fine but, with oars you have to sit in the boat different and have to have clear sweep room inside the boat to row properly so your passengers will have to be arranged to account for that.

Benny17441 · Mar 22, 2012

Do not pin your hopes on alternative sources of energy. We are great financial engineers and we have figured a way that each new source of energy will be more expensive than the one it replaces. Capital improvements, multiple layers of contractors and consultants, a large payroll to go with new tiltles and the financial markets speculators will insure that. At no time in our history has a new form of energy been less expensive to the consumer than the one it replaced. The only thing that we can hope for is that it is cleaner and perhaps that we can get a piece of the action. Cheaper is not an option.

stephen Penny · Mar 22, 2012

The electric motor is my choice after oars.

CPseudonym · Mar 22, 2012

I own a Gem neighborhood electric vehicle and use it to buzz all over town. Commute to work, grocery shopping, general around town driving. I figure the gas saved in a typical month will power my little Evinrude 4.5 for about five years. My boat is a toy, if it needs a little dino juice to help it along I'll feed the beast.

I would be interested in a report from someone with a season or two of use with one of these electric outboards though. My Gem car has a 40 mile range but the motor overheats and shuts down at about 13 and has to cool for about a half hour before starting off again. That could be a problem in a marine environment IMO.

MrBill_FLL · Mar 23, 2012

can we get an update in 6 months?

the time to recharge, and run time being keys.

Bill Roosa · Mar 23, 2012

Benny
I've gotten cought downwind and downcurrent on several occasions and did not find it that difficult to get back to the boat.
One of the little known things about choosing your oars it get them long. Short ones are kinda like 1st gear, lots of power but not speed, great for getting the anchor out in high wind and chop. Long oars are like 4th gear, lots of speed but you have to really pull on them (or row slower). I go with the long ones as we normaly only row while at an anchorage where wind and current are not that big an issue

Gary H
Your correct. I've not found that to be much of a problem. The first mate gives steering directions and then once on course I use her head and some distant landmark to stay that way. And we get to sit facing each other instead of looking at the back of her head.

Benny17441 · Mar 23, 2012

I have to admit I have never been much of a rower as inflatables are just to hard to row. Perhaps is the short oars I have been using Thanks for the heads up on the longer ones, I might try them. Prefer the inflatables for the stability and load carrying capacity. What do you row? Pulled into the Quantico Marina one time to get fuel. Middle of the week, not much going on. Had dropped our trailerable in Alexandria to watch the DC 4th of July fireworks and sailed down the Potomac to Tangier Island. Hauled out in the Solomons Navy Rec Area.

Sumner · Mar 23, 2012

nick said:
Hope this generates some debate............ just plug into the solar charged battery bank when you have finished for the day. (400 ah available)...

Just curious are you using this cruising where you are going to have solar recharge the batteries or do you day sail and go back to shore power to charge?

If solar how many and what size are the panels? I would think it would take a lot of solar to recharge daily if you use the dinghy much. We sometimes don't use ours for 2-3 days at a time and then not much, so maybe solar would do it depending on your other needs.

I'll also be interested in a report after some use,

Sum

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