Advice needed on electric outboard for tender

[marcochi76]

Hello,
I have researched and read all the threads about the new electric outboards.
But as this is new technologies, I'd like to receive fresh feedbacks.

I want to purchase an electric outboard for my 2.3m tender, with inflatable flat bottom.
We are usually two people in it but occasionally 3.
I do not need to go on plane, I think it is even not possible with the inflatable flat bottom?
I just need to move around the bay when at anchor and go to the beach.

I was looking at the Trustme Kicker, but wonder if it is enough to push my tender with 3 people on it.
Another option would be the ePropulsion spirit 1 plus, but that is much heavier and expensive.

Any advice?
THanks

 

[pmagowan]

Are you replacing a petrol engine? Normally you size the outboard as a comparison to the previous engine. So if you have a 6hp engine and it does the job get a 6hp equivalent electric engine, if not enough oomph get the next size up.

 

[marcochi76]

Are you replacing a petrol engine? Normally you size the outboard as a comparison to the previous engine. So if you have a 6hp engine and it does the job get a 6hp equivalent electric engine, if not enough oomph get the next size up.

I am replacing my arms
I have no engine currently.
The goal is to give my wife and guests the possibility to enjoy moving in the bay with the tender.
They all seem to be very allergic at paddling.

 

[Bouba]

The Torqeedo and Epropultion seem to be the way most people go...very very nice for propelling a dingy a bit hard on the wallet

 

[Fishtigua]

I like the look of the Mercury 7.5, looks like a proper outboard. The thing is that I wish they had designed it to rotate/swing.

Many boats have snap davits on the swim platform and having an outboard that stays on the dinghy rather than removing it every time would be brilliant. Just remove the battery and haul the dinghy up on it's side as the motor stays upright.

 

[Portofino]

Been using this mini Kota for 15 yrs .Just won’t pack up .
I think it’s a 55 lb or even lower 45 lb thrust .It’s a marine version .There are sone cheaper fresh water for trolling .So choose wisely .
Iirc was around €600 15 yrs ago ( fresh 1/2 that ) .
We just use a 55 Ah batt .Again €60_70 and its on its 2nd .

The previous tender was a 2.4 slatted flat bottom rolL up ( SSker Porto 35 ) .
Current a 2.2 but with a hard V bottom to sit better on chocks permanent on platform and not interfere with the swim ladder functioning.


Exact same usage pattern to what you are proposing .

 

[Boathook]

I've just purchased the ePropulsion spirit from Nestaway Boats and have only used it a few times with just me in the dinghy. As @Bouba mentions the credit card took a hammering.
The Trustme Kicker does seem to be low on power.
What outboard do you presently use ?

 

[Bouba]

Been using this mini Kota for 15 yrs .Just won’t pack up .
I think it’s a 55 lb or even lower 45 lb thrust .It’s a marine version .There are sone cheaper fresh water for trolling .So choose wisely .
Iirc was around €600 15 yrs ago ( fresh 1/2 that ) .
We just use a 55 Ah batt .Again €60_70 and its on its 2nd .

The previous tender was a 2.4 slatted flat bottom rolL up ( SSker Porto 35 ) .
Current a 2.2 but with a hard V bottom to sit better on chocks permanent on platform and not interfere with the swim ladder functioning.
View attachment 159032
View attachment 159033
Exact same usage pattern to what you are proposing .

I can verify that I have seen Porto in that dingy
In fact I had one for years...used it in French lakes especially EDF lakes where petrol is banned...surprisingly fast on a good surface...and lots of cheap Far East versions available

 

[tico]

I'm VV Interested in this as we use our dinghy several times each day ... to the beach etc. Currently have a 2hp o/b but rarely run at any more than tickover.
Lightness is more important. How you guys lift a 5-6 hp on and off a heaving bathing platform beats me!
Thrustme looks great for lifting, but interested to find out about reality.
Torqueedo/Epropulsion are no lighter and really expensive/poor value.... to my mind

 

[Bouba]

I'm VV Interested in this as we use our dinghy several times each day ... to the beach etc. Currently have a 2hp o/b but rarely run at any more than tickover.
Lightness is more important. How you guys lift a 5-6 hp on and off a heaving bathing platform beats me!
Thrustme looks great for lifting, but interested to find out about reality.
Torqueedo/Epropulsion are no lighter and really expensive/poor value.... to my mind

The trick to Torqeedo and Eproplution is they disassemble into easier to handle pieces...but everything you say is true...man handling an outboard off a pitching stern is madness and electric is expensive...Porto’s way is the best for economy...but you have to handle a 12 volt battery...but if you used a lithium battery you would have lightness but expense....and of course you need a way to charge (and it’s not easy keeping a generator is good working condition )
Life is a compromise

 

[marcochi76]

I have an hydraulic bathing platform, so weight of the engine is not the most critical aspect.
But I have very limited space. I fear that a tilted outboard would be too long and it would hit the side of the boat.
An electric outboard would eventually allow me to remove it at every usage and safely store it in the boat, wouldn't it?

If I am certain that the kicker had enough power to safely push 3 people, I would go for it.
An epropulsion is an investment...

 

[Bouba]

There are some exotic solutions..

 

[Poignard]

The Torqeedo and Epropultion seem to be the way most people go...very very nice for propelling a dingy a bit hard on the wallet

They need necessarily not be hard on the wallet.

I have an unused Torqueedo 1103, still with its original packing, that I bought early in 2021 that I might be induced to part with at considerably less than the price currently being asked by chandleries etc.

 

[Portofino]

I have an hydraulic bathing platform, so weight of the engine is not the most critical aspect.
But I have very limited space. I fear that a tilted outboard would be too long and it would hit the side of the boat.
An electric outboard would eventually allow me to remove it at every usage and safely store it in the boat, wouldn't it?

If I am certain that the kicker had enough power to safely push 3 people, I would go for it.
An epropulsion is an investment...

View attachment 159041

Here’s a pic of mine on the tender .Its so light you can lift it easily with one hand .
Pretty compact for storage off the tender .Under a cockpit seat .


Passerelle acts as a crane for it .
We have had 4 up + dog in this .

 

[Bouba]

Here’s a pic of mine on the tender .Its so light you can lift it easily with one hand .
Pretty compact for storage off the tender .Under a cockpit seat .

View attachment 159055
Passerelle acts as a crane for it .
We have had 4 up + dog in this .

I’ve had sandwiches bigger than your dog

 

[marcochi76]

Very interesting your setup Porto, thanks.
So, I have been reading about the Minn Kota and they seem to be a different concept than the ePropulsion.
ePropulsion are marketed as "electric outboards", meaning than they can push the boat faster
Minn Kota are "trolling motors", designed to push harder but at slower speeds. They loose efficiency when trying to go faster than 4mph. Which seems to be super ok to me.

For a non planing tender with flat inflatable bottom maybe a "trolling motor" like the Minn Kota would make more sense?

But than it comes the concern of weight.
Minn Kota website suggests to use batteries with minimum 110Ah rating. THose seem to be super heavy!

 

[Portofino]

Our 45 or is it a 55 Ah bat gives 3 hrs on position 5 .We normally cruise on 3 or 4 .
lift the bat box in / out with one hand .You don’t need a massive batt for tender use within 200 m of the shore .

 

[paradave]

Can recommend torqeedo for the usage you describe.

 

[Tranona]

Very interesting your setup Porto, thanks.
So, I have been reading about the Minn Kota and they seem to be a different concept than the ePropulsion.
ePropulsion are marketed as "electric outboards", meaning than they can push the boat faster
Minn Kota are "trolling motors", designed to push harder but at slower speeds. They loose efficiency when trying to go faster than 4mph. Which seems to be super ok to me.

For a non planing tender with flat inflatable bottom maybe a "trolling motor" like the Minn Kota would make more sense?

But than it comes the concern of weight.
Minn Kota website suggests to use batteries with minimum 110Ah rating. THose seem to be super heavy!

You have captured the essence of the difference between "cheap" electric and the more expensive. The "cheap" such as the Minikota and Bison were never designed for use as yacht tender motors but as their name implies as trolling motors on small sport fishing boats for low speed work or holding a boat in position while fishing. Usually powered by the parent boat's battery which is then charged when the main engine is running. For use as standalone propulsion on a dinghy they need a separate battery which gives a limited range, and the power available is also limited. While it is true that newer versions are more powerful and even made of materials that might stand up to use in salt water, they are still poor substitutes for petrol outboards.

On the other hand Torqeedo and E propulsion are specifically designed as alternatives to petrol outboards for tenders so are self contained and have the power to provide comparable performance at displacement speeds while still giving adequate range. Inevitably this technology is expensive, just like electric cars if you want comparable performance to petrol or diesel in both speed and range.

The newer offers such as the Kicker take a different approach and should be seen as an alternative to rowing, being low power and limited range, but self contained.

The reality is that electric suffers from poor energy density storage - that is if you want power and range you need large heavy batteries. Each of the three main approaches offer a different compromise and it is really up to you to choose one that matches your expectations in terms of speed, range, convenience and cost. If you are used to a 2-3hp petrol outboard then only a Torqeedo or E propulsion will do. If you want an alternative to rowing then a Kicker type might be an alternative. In between if you are prepared to put up with poor motoring performance, limited range short life and the hassle of charging and carrying around an expensive lithium battery that needs a freestanding charging facility a trolling motor will do.

 

[limecc]

I suggest a 70lb Watersnake with 100Ah Lithium would do the job nicely to drive any size tender. I use it as an aux on my 4.55m open console boat and it drives it very well (with passengers) without breaking the bank. £270 for motor (ebay), £70 for battery box (ebay) and £280 for the battery (Amazon). It's got an anode for saltwater, is brushless, only 10kg, equivalent to 1hp, draws up to 70A so should be good for several hours use at a more modest setting between charges.