Advice needed on electric outboard for tender

[Chris H]

Interesting….I have a small , GRP bottomed rib that just fits in the garage with a 5hp Honda engine, used very little due to the hassle of lifting the engine onto the dingy when in the water.

 

[Greg2]

We inherited an ePropulsion when we bought our day sailer and I have been impressed with it. We also have a Mercury 3hp two stroke outboard and I would say the electric job is similar to that in terms of what it delivers. It has plenty of range and is easy to operate and move around as the battery just clips on and off. I would say it is ideal for what the OP wants to do.

As Tranona has said, the ePropulsion and others of the same type are in a different league to the trolling type, which require a separate ‘car’ battery. We had one many years ago and it was‘t great on power and lugging the battery around was a bit of a pain.

 

[Portofino]

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.

My Mini Kota is 15 yrs old , as I said love it to go pop and go gear shopping .Alas I have been deprived the pleasure of a “ which OB thread “ .Never mind I am coping .

The Riptide range is very marine with anode etc .Perfectly moves our 2.2 m the little distance to shore / beach etc .
The last bat it’s second in 15 yrs was around €50 from a supermarket and a 45 or 55 Ah ( cant remember ) i can lift the box with one arm .Yes you could buy a bigger .

We are an all electric boat with a geny so re charging isn’t an issue as any 220 V appliance isn’t Inc running air conditioning at anchor .Plus tend to marina mostly anyhow .

It far easier in terms of a time + motion study if you think about it…….to plug a charger into a cheapo lead acid batt at your berth ( on shore power ) than a hump a fuel can round to the marina fuel dock .In a Sod’s law way is the max distance from your berth and it’s 40 degree Med heat …only to find it’s shut or doesn’t dispense 5 L low doses .
Then return to your mother ship and assuming you find a funnel , not any funnel the correct one that doesn’t tip up 1/2 way through filling and your nicely just done teak isn’t awash with evaporating fuel …..melting / softening further the black caulk .Or worse still the spillage has disappeared down a deck drain = bilge !

Then to cap it all as others have said wrestle the weighty OB + tender into the water and begin OB carb starting tantrums .
Sure your petrol set up ( once going ) is faster , it might even plane ? But the likes of myself and ChrisH have had a day full travelling at 30 knots in the big boys toy of the mothership .We don’t need additional kicks from a kids toy .

Here is the intended use age.

Just outside Cap Ferat an area the OP and Chris H know well .

Send out for a Pizza .You know they will be back , no phone call “ it won’t start dad “

Just had to go round that sea wall into the harbour and back .We are not talking up the river Dart 10 miles on a falling tide !



My old flat bottomed tender + my old Porto 35 S Skr ,Limited space etc .

I am majoring on the intended use age identified in the opening post on this thread .Read the Q carefully .
This thread is not “ what s the plus’s and minus‘s of electric OB s and petrols outline and discuss “

Its this quote OP
“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.”

 

[Tranona]

If you can operate within the limitations of the trolling motor, separate battery devices then fine. They just don't give you the kind of performance, simplicity, reliability, range that a "proper" electric outboard does.

The two different approaches (and the newer styles) exist because consumers are capable of differentiating and choose the type that suits them.

You don't need a long rambling post with lots of pictures to justify your choice.

I read the question and explained the alternatives (as have others) so that the OP is better informed about the pros and cons and can make his own decision.

 

[greg131187]

We have an E-Propulsion and I'm converted vs petrol. The two parts make it easy to handle with confidence around a bouncing dingy and it stores under the bed in the cabin. This season I've only had to charge it once and the battery display removes any range anxiety. No vibration, super quiet no smell and my wife can jump in start it no problem with a press of the button. The other day we had 2 adults and 3 kids in a 235 air deck and it moved well with confidence in some small waves.

 

[Portofino]

If you can operate within the limitations of the trolling motor, separate battery devices then fine. They just don't give you the kind of performance, simplicity, reliability, range that a "proper" electric outboard does.

The two different approaches (and the newer styles) exist because consumers are capable of differentiating and choose the type that suits them.

You don't need a long rambling post with lots of pictures to justify your choice.

I read the question and explained the alternatives (as have others) so that the OP is better informed about the pros and cons and can make his own decision.

I disagree with you .
I have stressed the sea water versions and don’t confuse with FW .Riptide is the branding name .
There are zero limitations for the intended use age pattern out lined .Talking from experience hence the pics .Anyhow pics brighten up threads .
Plenty of performance to go to shore etc .Uber simple in fact far simpler than the more expensive “ proper “ alternative E motors .
Cheaper esp the Bats .Bat availability is every where btw unlike expensive Li ion .Plus you can choose what size to suit lifting etc .
15 yrs old , I mean how reliable do you need it to be ? Its waaay past any reliability test regime.

I am not justifying my choice it just happens to be ( from the info disclosed thus far ) the identical use age pattern on more / less the same type of boat(s) . The pic s were to show the typical range involved .

Pizzas were still warm btw .

Now if we were on a bigger boat anchored further out like the big blue 40 M SY , then it will come as no surprise we would have bigger petrol powered toys , sorry tender and maybe expect to range into nearby Monaco ten miles away for lunch - save moving the mother ship .Or expect a tender to plane to pull skiers etc .But we are not we are on a ( in the pics ) a 12 M sports cruiser anchored close in .

 

[marcochi76]

Thanks all for your very informative comments.
Everything is super clear.


@Portofino : next time you are around send a message. I am an Itama lover.

 

[marcochi76]

She is waiting for my decision:

 

[owen_b2]

We’ve got both the Epropulsion and Thrustme kicker.

The Epropulsion is far too heavy for my liking, the motor unit itself is 11kg which makes it tricky to transfer from tender to big boat on my own. Added to that, the electrical connector between the battery and motor is woeful - very poorly specified for the job imo, and plenty of people on the fb owners forum are saying the same. Ours has now packed up on only its third season and I’m in the tedious process of trying to get it fixed.

The Thrustme is light enough for my 10 year old to carry and happily pushes our 2.3 airdeck along. It’s half the power and range of the eprop but that’s fine for our use case - pootling the half mile to the mooring and pootling to a beach or pub. Though it feels like a much less refined package than the eprop it’s far better than rowing! The enclosed prop is much more vulnerable to seaweed than an open one. Can’t say anything about longevity yet.

 

[tico]

Thanks Owen.... any idea how far you can travel at ~half speed/how long the battery lasts on the Thrustme?

 

[marcochi76]

Added to that, the electrical connector between the battery and motor is woeful - very poorly specified for the job imo, and plenty of people on the fb owners forum are saying the same. Ours has now packed up on only its third season and I’m in the tedious process of trying to get it fixed.

Hello Owen,
I read somewhere that the connector has been improved on the last version
is it true?

 

[Helidan]

Last year we purchased the ThrustMe Kicker. We only needed a small outboard for the relatively short journey between the pontoon and our mooring. The first thing I would say about the Kicker is its lightness, you can lift it with one finger! Battery life is pretty decent as long as you're not using full power. The bluetooth remote makes controlling the motor extremely easy. It's not exactly a powerhouse but easily copes installed on a 2.5m 3DTender Twin V-shape with two adults and luggage whilst fighting wind and tide.

 

[Plum]

Last year we purchased the ThrustMe Kicker. ....... It's not exactly a powerhouse but easily copes installed on a 2.5m 3DTender Twin V-shape with two adults and luggage whilst fighting wind and tide.

And how long will it run for in those conditions?

 

[Helidan]

And how long will it run for in those conditions?

35-40 mins, there are a few variables in play as you can imagine. Kicker range can be extended with a simple 12v leisure battery and the cable they sell.

 

[owen_b2]

Hello Owen,
I read somewhere that the connector has been improved on the last version
is it true?

Apparently it was plastic originally, which got brittle and was changed to metal at some point- the Spirit 1.0 Plus has always had the metal bodied connector afaik though. It's still useless! 4 of the 8 pins are 0.9mm and impossibly small to clean when they get corroded. A pathetic rubber cap is meant to just push on to keep the male plug dry when separated from the battery but it falls off if a gnat farts nearby.

Thanks Owen.... any idea how far you can travel at ~half speed/how long the battery lasts on the Thrustme?

I'm getting just over an hour at half power, 2 - 2.5 kts in flat water so about 4km range - thats with one and a half people in a 2.3 airdeck.

 

[tico]

That would be fine for our usage with the huge benefit of light weight, many thanks

 

[marcochi76]

I've finally ordered the kicker. I will tell you my impressions as soon as received
Thanks!

 

[tico]

Do let us know how you get on with it.

 

[Driver]

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.

Hello, does it have direct drive or geared drive, please and how much do you want for it?

 

[Pete7]

I disagree with you .
I have stressed the sea water versions and don’t confuse with FW .Riptide is the branding name .
There are zero limitations for the intended use age pattern out lined .Talking from experience hence the pics .Anyhow pics brighten up threads .
Plenty of performance to go to shore etc .Uber simple in fact far simpler than the more expensive “ proper “ alternative E motors .
Cheaper esp the Bats .Bat availability is every where btw unlike expensive Li ion .Plus you can choose what size to suit lifting etc .
15 yrs old , I mean how reliable do you need it to be ? Its waaay past any reliability test regime.

Perfect, we have just bought a second hand Riptide for a very similar use. 75Ah LifePO4 battery in a box is light enough to easily lift with one hand, so should be good to go in the Spring.