Torqeedo
- Thread starter Quoddy
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Looks interesting... I think if my little 3.5hp 2-stroke dinghy motor ever goes out, I'll likely replace it with one of these self-contained electric motors instead of a heavier 4-stroke.
--Michael
--Michael
I was wondering the same thing. I know they make motors big enough for me - my 4hp mercury has always had enough oomph for me (when the prop stays in the water, of course). Any idea how long they last on their battery? I'd hate to be caught too far from the marina when the wind dies.
What about weight? With the battery built in, will it be heavier than the mercury 4.0?
Also - has anyone heard of a motor that can be charged be dragging the prop through the water? Sort of a "regenerative sailing" feature?
What about weight? With the battery built in, will it be heavier than the mercury 4.0?
Also - has anyone heard of a motor that can be charged be dragging the prop through the water? Sort of a "regenerative sailing" feature?
Well
If you can handle the fact that the built in battery cost 562 dollars and you really need a spare to get very far
If you can handle the fact that the built in battery cost 562 dollars and you really need a spare to get very far
I would think that it would be more cost effective to get an electric trolling motor. You would then be able to configure a battery bank to meet your needs. It would be easier to move two smaller weights (battery and motor) to a dink from a sailboat. However, the torqueedo is kind of facinating.
Torqueedo... yawn.
I worked at West Marine and I think we sold one of these in 2 years. There simply is not the thrust for anything like a proper yacht of any decent size. The pic in the WM catalogue shows a '6-HP' Torqueedo on the back of a 3500-lb Alberg Kittiwake/Sea Sprite. I doubt this motor would push this boat at 2 knots for more than 10 minutes before it had killed a size-24 battery. The one with the attached battery, reputed to be worth about 2 HP, is even worse. Using Torqueedo's specs I once calculated that two people in a small dinghy or inflatable could cruise at about 2 kts for about half an hour on one... and that's not taking into account that it would slow down as the battery waned.
Seriously-- and all wishful thinking aside, please! --the Torqueedo as I became familiar with it is simply not a replacement for a gasoline-powered outboard motor of any respectable size for use on an actual yacht. For a canoe, for a pedal boat, for a small dory used on very protected waters (i.e., lakes with no current or wind issues), I'm sure it's fine. (I would be sure to take oars or paddles with me though.) For anywhere there might be chop or wind or weight, or for a trip of any duration, all common sense has got to conclude that it's out of the question.
And for eco-conscious people out there, remember that ALL electric power increases society's dependency on nuclear reactors, because that's where we're (still) getting most of our electricity from-- just something to consider.
I worked at West Marine and I think we sold one of these in 2 years. There simply is not the thrust for anything like a proper yacht of any decent size. The pic in the WM catalogue shows a '6-HP' Torqueedo on the back of a 3500-lb Alberg Kittiwake/Sea Sprite. I doubt this motor would push this boat at 2 knots for more than 10 minutes before it had killed a size-24 battery. The one with the attached battery, reputed to be worth about 2 HP, is even worse. Using Torqueedo's specs I once calculated that two people in a small dinghy or inflatable could cruise at about 2 kts for about half an hour on one... and that's not taking into account that it would slow down as the battery waned.
Seriously-- and all wishful thinking aside, please! --the Torqueedo as I became familiar with it is simply not a replacement for a gasoline-powered outboard motor of any respectable size for use on an actual yacht. For a canoe, for a pedal boat, for a small dory used on very protected waters (i.e., lakes with no current or wind issues), I'm sure it's fine. (I would be sure to take oars or paddles with me though.) For anywhere there might be chop or wind or weight, or for a trip of any duration, all common sense has got to conclude that it's out of the question.
And for eco-conscious people out there, remember that ALL electric power increases society's dependency on nuclear reactors, because that's where we're (still) getting most of our electricity from-- just something to consider.
Torqueedo 1003 on Dinghy
I just bought one few weeks ago for my Dinghy. I have also in mind that it could help if my outboard yamaha 8CV fails again..
If you go slow the battery would last easily 6 hours and more, if you go fast, it can end in 30 minutes only. So it's really good for low speeds or for very short run at max RPM.
So far I'm very satisfied as it seems it will fullfill its purpose : a light and convenient dinghy engine.
I wrote a full article with consumption numbers, photos an even a vidéo on my Blog. I will continue to report about it during the summe season.
Follow : Trying Torqueedo 1003 on Dinghy
(note : the article is an automated translation from french. take some distance with the words...)
Hi Sailboatownbers,
I just bought one few weeks ago for my Dinghy. I have also in mind that it could help if my outboard yamaha 8CV fails again..
If you go slow the battery would last easily 6 hours and more, if you go fast, it can end in 30 minutes only. So it's really good for low speeds or for very short run at max RPM.
So far I'm very satisfied as it seems it will fullfill its purpose : a light and convenient dinghy engine.
I wrote a full article with consumption numbers, photos an even a vidéo on my Blog. I will continue to report about it during the summe season.
Follow : Trying Torqueedo 1003 on Dinghy
(note : the article is an automated translation from french. take some distance with the words...)
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