I am planning to buy a small dinghy and a motor for the dinghy. I've read a little about and seen the new electric outboard called a "Torqeedo." It claims to have a "revolutionary" new technology. I was wondering if anybody on this list knows anything about this motor. Thanks. John R.
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John- There is really a nice write up in the 07' West Marine catalog on these motors. The neat things about these motors are that the are light weight and fold up into a small bag. There endurance is remarkable for the size of the motor. Its built in battery lasts for I think 15 miles. One model is like a 2HP motoe and there is a model like a 6HP. Cool product, but a little pricey. I guess there is a cost for convienence. Rob Hessenius
Electric motors
I have to agree with Ross on the gas vs electric. I know the electric sounds very appealing on the surface, but you have to recharge the battery, and you will find that 15 miles isn't a lot, and I am sure that this range is under ideal circumstances. With my little 2hp Suzuki, I fill the built in tank, and throw a quart oil bottle of gas in the dinghy. That will run me just about all day, don't have to worry about a dead battery. If I want to really do some running, I put two quarts of gas in there.
I have to agree with Ross on the gas vs electric. I know the electric sounds very appealing on the surface, but you have to recharge the battery, and you will find that 15 miles isn't a lot, and I am sure that this range is under ideal circumstances. With my little 2hp Suzuki, I fill the built in tank, and throw a quart oil bottle of gas in the dinghy. That will run me just about all day, don't have to worry about a dead battery. If I want to really do some running, I put two quarts of gas in there.
Check out the Honda BF-2
while not electric it is a 4 cycle air cooled 2hp. I got one this spring after my "old crusty" died and wasn't repairable. I'm very happy with the BF-2. 4 star emissions, up to 100mpg, centrifugal clutch, light as a feather and starts on the FIRST pull every time even after sitting for two weeks. I'm in salt water so the air cooling is a bonus without worrying about lifespan and impellers. Go to the Honda website and read about it. I saw the Torqeedo at Defender. Cool yes but I wonder how many cycles you'd get out of the battery and how much it would be to replace it. I don't have a good place to charge it either.
while not electric it is a 4 cycle air cooled 2hp. I got one this spring after my "old crusty" died and wasn't repairable. I'm very happy with the BF-2. 4 star emissions, up to 100mpg, centrifugal clutch, light as a feather and starts on the FIRST pull every time even after sitting for two weeks. I'm in salt water so the air cooling is a bonus without worrying about lifespan and impellers. Go to the Honda website and read about it. I saw the Torqeedo at Defender. Cool yes but I wonder how many cycles you'd get out of the battery and how much it would be to replace it. I don't have a good place to charge it either.
what to put it on
Thanks to everybody for their help. As they say, "no good deed goes unpunished", so here's my next question: As for a dinghy/tender for a sailboat, I'm thinking of getting one of the porta botes (folding boat). Aside from all the positive things I have read about them (of course, on the porta bote web site), one main consideration for me is the fact that we have a couple of dogs. My feeling is that getting an inflatible is just asking for trouble in the form of punctures. Any thoughts on this one? John
Thanks to everybody for their help. As they say, "no good deed goes unpunished", so here's my next question: As for a dinghy/tender for a sailboat, I'm thinking of getting one of the porta botes (folding boat). Aside from all the positive things I have read about them (of course, on the porta bote web site), one main consideration for me is the fact that we have a couple of dogs. My feeling is that getting an inflatible is just asking for trouble in the form of punctures. Any thoughts on this one? John
British Seagull
If you want thifty, a salty look, about four moving parts, a great support network for a dinghy outboard consider British Seagull. Around since 1931 these wild looking motors have been more dependable then anything else put out on the market. Its just many cannot get past the look of the seagull motor!! Its not for contemporary tastes like a nice streamlined Honda outboard pushing that nice new Zodiac. In this day and age of electronic ignition, hard to do-it-yourself repairs and the cost of new outboards, the British Seagull is worth a look. Its simple, dependable, thrifty and even a caveman can work on em. Bob 30 Catalina
If you want thifty, a salty look, about four moving parts, a great support network for a dinghy outboard consider British Seagull. Around since 1931 these wild looking motors have been more dependable then anything else put out on the market. Its just many cannot get past the look of the seagull motor!! Its not for contemporary tastes like a nice streamlined Honda outboard pushing that nice new Zodiac. In this day and age of electronic ignition, hard to do-it-yourself repairs and the cost of new outboards, the British Seagull is worth a look. Its simple, dependable, thrifty and even a caveman can work on em. Bob 30 Catalina
British Seagull
They don't manufacture the engines anymore. I believe they stopped sometime in the 90's. They are still around selling replacement parts, though. I fell in love with the engines when I was contemplating building a Stevenson Weekender. The Seagull really looks great on the back of those boats.
They don't manufacture the engines anymore. I believe they stopped sometime in the 90's. They are still around selling replacement parts, though. I fell in love with the engines when I was contemplating building a Stevenson Weekender. The Seagull really looks great on the back of those boats.
Love my Seagull1
We keep one in Croatia and we've had it since around 1972, when it was already 10+ years old. Still fires up every year with the most I ever had to do was clean out the main jet which had dried out 2T oil and resin clogging it. Pollutes like heck with its 25:1 ratio and leaves a cloud of smoke and a film of oil on the water, but we love it!
We keep one in Croatia and we've had it since around 1972, when it was already 10+ years old. Still fires up every year with the most I ever had to do was clean out the main jet which had dried out 2T oil and resin clogging it. Pollutes like heck with its 25:1 ratio and leaves a cloud of smoke and a film of oil on the water, but we love it!
I don't think gas...
in a used oil container is not a good idea..pressure can build and blow the container, or the top off the container. Oil containers are not manufactured to hold pressure. They make 1 quart fuel containers that they sell at camping stores for just that purpose.. Didn't want to leave this tread with a potential fire hazard. Also, Tom on the main Trailer sailor forum just bought one of those electric outboards for his Precision 15. He hasn't used it yet, but if you stay tuned to his trials and tribulations, I'm sure you will quickly know how good or bad it really is. You can find that at http://www.trailersailors.com and go to the main forum.
in a used oil container is not a good idea..pressure can build and blow the container, or the top off the container. Oil containers are not manufactured to hold pressure. They make 1 quart fuel containers that they sell at camping stores for just that purpose.. Didn't want to leave this tread with a potential fire hazard. Also, Tom on the main Trailer sailor forum just bought one of those electric outboards for his Precision 15. He hasn't used it yet, but if you stay tuned to his trials and tribulations, I'm sure you will quickly know how good or bad it really is. You can find that at http://www.trailersailors.com and go to the main forum.
Fire Hazard
HHHHMMMMMMMMMMM Been using this method for years, and have never noticed any swelling from heat expansion. Never had a problem. Maybe it's dependent on the brand. I use Castrol, in everything, and it comes in white bottles. Some brands come in black, which would get much hotter than the white. Whatever, it works good for me. I only do this when I plan on being out and about long enough to use the fuel in the built in tank and have to add. So the quart of gas most of the time isn't on board, and when it is, is only there for a few hours. I do not use the quart oil bottles for normal storage, and only fill them about 3/4 when using one.
HHHHMMMMMMMMMMM Been using this method for years, and have never noticed any swelling from heat expansion. Never had a problem. Maybe it's dependent on the brand. I use Castrol, in everything, and it comes in white bottles. Some brands come in black, which would get much hotter than the white. Whatever, it works good for me. I only do this when I plan on being out and about long enough to use the fuel in the built in tank and have to add. So the quart of gas most of the time isn't on board, and when it is, is only there for a few hours. I do not use the quart oil bottles for normal storage, and only fill them about 3/4 when using one.
Seagull
They don't make them any more, and haven't for a few years now. You can still buy used ones. Check Ebay, there are a currently a few on there and they are really cheap. Parts are still very very easy to get since the company still makes part for just about every motor from 1931 to the end of production.
They don't make them any more, and haven't for a few years now. You can still buy used ones. Check Ebay, there are a currently a few on there and they are really cheap. Parts are still very very easy to get since the company still makes part for just about every motor from 1931 to the end of production.
Free Seagull Outboards
Heard a Seagull story some time ago. Before the Second World War, the Canadian navy ordered a couple of million Seagulls. After the War, they still had a million in surplus inventory. As the Navy was not happy with the quirkiness of the Seagull and better new American models were coming out, they apparently dumped 800,000 in the ocean off Halifax. They may still be there today. Ready to start up.
Heard a Seagull story some time ago. Before the Second World War, the Canadian navy ordered a couple of million Seagulls. After the War, they still had a million in surplus inventory. As the Navy was not happy with the quirkiness of the Seagull and better new American models were coming out, they apparently dumped 800,000 in the ocean off Halifax. They may still be there today. Ready to start up.
ELECTRIC
Electric propulsion appears to be a great idea for tenders. After fooling with an old trolling motor I bought a new 30lb thrust motor and a small AGM battery. I put these on a small Zodiac. There are several advantages over my Nissan 5hp.No noise .No starting problems. No fumes. Although it doesn't seem like your really boating without the aroma of gas, 2 stroke oil and sea water. Removing the old motor to put it on the boat was a big problem. The new setups weight is divided into two parts , battery and motor. Easier to store and no crane to lift it. No fuel spills, the AGM can be tipped in any direction. If your towing the tender you can get away with just removing the battery because the motor is so light weight. It's really fun to silently and effortlessly glide along to your destination. Electric has much in common with sailing. The battery is presently recharged from house current but soon will be recharged from solar panels , making it a no combustion ,zero carbon system! There are not that many opportunities to go to zero carbon as easily and relatively cheaply as this. The Zodiac is a Cadet 240 and the battery is around 35ahr deep cycle. The motor and bat cost around 100$ each. Ultimate range on the battery hasn’t been determined. Going 3/4 to 1 mile with the motor set on high appears to drain the battery about 10%. It powers into wind and waves .I haven’t setup a system for recharging on the boat yet but this should work like recharging any other battery. Solar ,wind ,or generator powered by carbon or water could be used. I don’t know how well the West Marine motors would perform ,but they would have some of the same advantages of the system I’m having fun using.
Electric propulsion appears to be a great idea for tenders. After fooling with an old trolling motor I bought a new 30lb thrust motor and a small AGM battery. I put these on a small Zodiac. There are several advantages over my Nissan 5hp.No noise .No starting problems. No fumes. Although it doesn't seem like your really boating without the aroma of gas, 2 stroke oil and sea water. Removing the old motor to put it on the boat was a big problem. The new setups weight is divided into two parts , battery and motor. Easier to store and no crane to lift it. No fuel spills, the AGM can be tipped in any direction. If your towing the tender you can get away with just removing the battery because the motor is so light weight. It's really fun to silently and effortlessly glide along to your destination. Electric has much in common with sailing. The battery is presently recharged from house current but soon will be recharged from solar panels , making it a no combustion ,zero carbon system! There are not that many opportunities to go to zero carbon as easily and relatively cheaply as this. The Zodiac is a Cadet 240 and the battery is around 35ahr deep cycle. The motor and bat cost around 100$ each. Ultimate range on the battery hasn’t been determined. Going 3/4 to 1 mile with the motor set on high appears to drain the battery about 10%. It powers into wind and waves .I haven’t setup a system for recharging on the boat yet but this should work like recharging any other battery. Solar ,wind ,or generator powered by carbon or water could be used. I don’t know how well the West Marine motors would perform ,but they would have some of the same advantages of the system I’m having fun using.
Just because
someone takes saftey precautions doesn't make them afraid to wake up in the morning. There is a reason why gas cans have pressure release valves. That nothing bad has happened yet is irrelevant. As they say in the mutual fund brochures "Past performance is not an indicator of future results." Plus, an electric motor is far more environment freindly than any two stroke. That's why two strokes are no longer made.
someone takes saftey precautions doesn't make them afraid to wake up in the morning. There is a reason why gas cans have pressure release valves. That nothing bad has happened yet is irrelevant. As they say in the mutual fund brochures "Past performance is not an indicator of future results." Plus, an electric motor is far more environment freindly than any two stroke. That's why two strokes are no longer made.
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