Yes. I gave up on my 5hp Honda on my Mariner because I couldn't get it started when I needed to. I needed to get a guest back to the dock for an appointment in light airs, or the wind died and we cooked, or we couldn't get away from the dock. Did everything I was told - used non-ethanol gas exclusively, ran it dry at the end of the day, added Stabil to the gas tank. Had the carb cleaned once, and was getting ready to do it again. I was going to a Mariner Rendezvous in Connecticut and needed a reliable motor for the draw bridges and possible light airs.
So I broke down and bought an Epropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus, long shaft. I was very reluctant to spend $2500 plus tax for a motor for a boat worth $3K. But I broke down and did the deed. My review:
By far the best improvement I have made to Sweet P. Motoring is actually a pleasure - if I don't feel like sailing or the wind is very light, I just motor cruise for the fun of it. Starting is turning the twist grip tiller arm. No more shoulder pulling and swearing, and guessing what choke setting to use. No longer have a gas tank sitting in the footwell of the cockpit, which frees up space for guests in the cockpit. And I simply twist the throttle the other direction to put the motor in reverse. No more leaning over the transom to shift gears.
The Spirit with a 1 kilowatt motor is equivalent to a 3hp gas outboard. In the company of other Mariners (19 Mariners total, I was the only electric), I couldn't quite keep up with the 5-6hp gas motors with both of us flat out. I was about 1/2 a knot slower. But I was much faster than the boats whose motors wouldn't start or quit.
But there is no point in dragging the big wake trying to do 5.7 kts instead of 5.2 kts. Cruising at 4.1 kts and 400 watts gives me 12 nautical mile range, 3 hrs on a full battery, with a little reserve. And cutting back to 3.7 kts at 300 watts increases the range slightly and gives 4hrs on the battery. Much more range unless the gas outboard has a separate gas tank. Can hear each other talk (and can hear people talking on nearby boats too), doesn't disturb the birds. Weighs 42 lbs with battery instead of 60 lbs, and can carry battery separate from motor (one part in each hand). No worrying about tilting the motor to the correct side when carrying in the car. Don't need water to test. Drove just fine against a 4kt tidal current in the Niantic River to get under the open railroad bridge.
Drawbacks:
- cost. I didn't expect the benefits to be so great, so the cost is not so unbearable now. For cruising for several days, I would probably want a second battery which adds another $1100. At least the Spirit batteries float, although I don't intend to test that feature. A new 5-6hp 4 stroke gas outboard with external tank would cost $1800+.
- I forget the motor is running while I am hoisting sails because it is so quiet. Then all of a sudden the motor lower unit is being dragged as I pick up speed under sail, making noise.
- Because I have to rotate the motor to tilt it up on the existing outboard bracket to clear the transom and the water, the steering lock pin (I like to steer with the boat rudder) can't be used. I rely on steering friction to keep the motor straight ahead. This works at all power settings as long as the motor is pretty straight to begin with. If I start off at an angle, high power will drive the motor to a bigger angle.
- Range anxiety was very strong when I first got the motor. But after making some speed/power runs using GPS and the motor readouts, I realized I actually had 3 hour/12 mile range under most conditions. I simply take this as a factor when planning trips. I greatly prefer range anxiety to starting anxiety!
Fred W
Stuart Mariner #4133 Sweet P
Yeopim Creek, Albemarle Sound, NC
