Anyone have real world experience of electric trolling motors used as an outboard?

[Adios]

I need something for tender duty and auxiliary use on a GP14. I see this is quite new to the market MS20 - marine-engines - Yamaha Motor

Apparently made by Minn Kota (anyone know if true or where made?) and it has the digital maximiser which seems very useful but only for low speed pottering, puts the power on in pulses which reduces power waste that otherwise occurs at low power settings for some reason. Compared to the Minn Kota saltwater version its a bargain price.

Here is some comparison between petrol, electric and rowing. At the end they do timings for various thrust motors which are all about the same.

I'd love to go electric, petrol outboards are horrible to listen to. But I'm nervous about power for estuary use and range. But tests aside does anyone have any real world experience to share on going electric? Does the boat stop dead in any chop? Is it impossible to have enough battery capacity to make it work?

Batteries also are heavy, though can store at the bows to help with trim. or very expensive if lithium. Could be another £400. But if it had a fair range and was up to the job I'd cough up for it. Anyone done the maths on batteries and range?

All thoughts welcome!

 

[agurney]

I used an electric motor on a wheelyboat (aluminium, flat bottomed) while fishing on a loch a few years ago. There was a gentle breeze , and after a few drifts (less than an hour of motoring) I had to struggle ashore to replace the battery (heavy duty traction). It might be OK for short tender trips in calm water, but that's about it.

It's not just the power you have to consider; for example, landing a dinghy on a beach it's normal to haul it above the strand line, or up a rocky shore - add to that having to carry a, say, 100AH battery over slippy rocks. Even lowering that weight from a yacht into a dinghy isn't trivial.

The technology's continually evolving, but for me it isn't there yet.

 

[dleroc]

I used one for 2 years on my dinghy with a golf trolley battery. They are no good in salt water as corrosion got inside very quickly and ruined it.

 

[fredrussell]

My friend used one on his tender. I was very impressed with it. But bear in mind two things. 1. It’s heavy - his weighs 13 kilos without the battery, and 2, He spent £400 on a lithium battery for it.

 

[Adios]

I used one for 2 years on my dinghy with a golf trolley battery. They are no good in salt water as corrosion got inside very quickly and ruined it.

Yes I expected so and didn't think I could skimp and buy a regular one. The one on the link is a salt water version though. Double the price so I would hope its significantly better. Apart from that how was it while it lasted?

 

[Adios]

I used an electric motor on a wheelyboat (aluminium, flat bottomed) while fishing on a loch a few years ago. There was a gentle breeze , and after a few drifts (less than an hour of motoring) I had to struggle ashore to replace the battery (heavy duty traction). It might be OK for short tender trips in calm water, but that's about it.

It's not just the power you have to consider; for example, landing a dinghy on a beach it's normal to haul it above the strand line, or up a rocky shore - add to that having to carry a, say, 100AH battery over slippy rocks. Even lowering that weight from a yacht into a dinghy isn't trivial.

The technology's continually evolving, but for me it isn't there yet.

By the sound of it the digital maximizer is a significant evolutionary jump on the motor side. Lithium batteries are nearly half the weight but are around £1000 for 100ah that gives a couple of hours use even for a small trolling motor but even then just the battery weighs the same as a small 2 stroke petrol outboard. It would take a whole new battery technology or a doubly efficient motor technology to make a big difference. I guess used electric car batteries might be something coming that could make it more affordable.

I'm thinking a system with an hour range from a single 60ah lithium (£400-500, weighs 10kg) might not quite cut it. Half an hour going against the tide to get to a mooring isn't unusual use.

 

[Adios]

My friend used one on his tender. I was very impressed with it. But bear in mind two things. 1. It’s heavy - his weighs 13 kilos without the battery, and 2, He spent £400 on a lithium battery for it.

This Yamaha one I linked to is 10kg but that means its probably less powerful than the one he had. But still a small 2 stroke is about the same. But how was the noise? I'm assuming as the motor is underwater its practically silent. I think some inconvenience or limitation is worth it to have that I just can't decide how much.

 

[Adios]

A Tohatsu 2.5hp 2 stroke has a 1.4L fuel tank. Running at a slow speed giving similar power to the electric motor how long would the fuel last? I like the sound of this rough outboard consumption rates, 2 hp 4 stroke, (honda BF2B)

The noise isn't so offensive when its ticking over as well.

I have to say I'm really annoyed that the EU banned decent quality little 2 strokes which were made (at least assembled) in the EU and now allow Chinese made modified strimmer outboards to be imported. Just shooting ourselves in the economy as usual.

edit: Talking of chinese. 3.6HP 2 Stroke Outboard Motor Fishing Boat Dinghy Engine CDI Water-Cooled UK | eBay What the hell is going on. Now we have proper 2 stoke outboards for sale again but ONLY if they are made in China. Half the price new of what old Tohatsus are going for. Lower quality = won't last as long = more polluting overall. But I digress.

 

[pcatterall]

Out of interest the Torquedo didnt seem so much better than the trolling motors. Is there a big difference in the prices?

 

[Adios]

Out of interest the Torquedo didnt seem so much better than the trolling motors. Is there a big difference in the prices?

Massive difference in price. I wouldn't read too much into that test though as the boat was so badly trimmed.

 

[Rappey]

I have a tiny loadstar inflatible with inflatible floor and keel.
12 knts with a tohatsu 3.5 2 stroke (13kg)
I'm happy to put up with the noise for speed . Range depends on how much extra fuel I take.

 

[Adios]

I have a tiny loadstar inflatible with inflatible floor and keel.
12 knts with a tohatsu 3.5 2 stroke (13kg)
I'm happy to put up with the noise for speed . Range depends on how much extra fuel I take.

Sounds like fun! That does make it clear that 3.5hp is way more than needed though. These 1hp equivalent electric motors are probably enough power aren't they.

 

[Tim Good]

We have a Torqeedo 1103 and it’s transformed trolling. Not only is it totally silent because it doesn’t have a gearbox, it can go more slowly than our petrol outboard in its lowest tickover setting.

It’s lighter and easier to move as it doesn’t have X weight of fuel in it and can disassemble in seconds.

Also no servicing or messing about changing oil.

Totally transformed fishing for me.

 

[Rappey]

That does make it clear that 3.5hp is way more than needed

I totally agree with you on that. I've tried many dingys and getting one to plane with a 3.5 is nearly impossible.
Most the time more throttle just digs in the stern more for a larger wash.

 

[Tim Good]

I totally agree with you on that. I've tried many dingys and getting one to plane with a 3.5 is nearly impossible.
Most the time more throttle just digs in the stern more for a larger wash.

A decent 3.5 with a light dingy and the right prop got me on the plane and up to 12kts without too much issue but I am only 60kg.

 

[Plum]

Yes I expected so and didn't think I could skimp and buy a regular one. The one on the link is a salt water version though. Double the price so I would hope its significantly better. Apart from that how was it while it lasted?

There are a number of them claimed to be for saltwater use but none I found claimed to have stainless steel drive shaft. I found one that said it had a zinc anode which turned out to be a zinc washer between nut and propeller. As soom as the motor shaft corrodes, the lip seal becomes ineffective and the motor housing fills with water. These findings have so far put me off buying one, but still looking.....

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Bouba]

I have used trolling motors (50 ft pounds I think) with lead acid leisure batteries. I had a cheap one from Asia (€100). Yes they work, and they work well. But they work better in a lake, at sea keep the dinghy small.
Now I use a Torqueedo, no comparison but neither is the price

 

[sgr143]

We've been using one for about 4 years, though less-often recently as we now have a walk-ashore mooring. A Bison 65lb (or is it 62? anyway); it's been fine. I wrote about this in 2018, in this thread:
Bison Trolling Motor

 

[Mister E]

I have used a cheap Trolling Motor for about 5 years and have found it very good.
The motor is Not that heavy, I use a 50 amp hour leisure battery with an Anderson Plug to connect them. The dinghy has launching wheels so I do not carry them.

It will push against a 2 to 3 knot tide and handles wind and well but will be slow. Still faster than rowing the inflatable.

I have not tested it in gale force wind or a very large swell.

 

[Adios]

We've been using one for about 4 years, though less-often recently as we now have a walk-ashore mooring. A Bison 65lb (or is it 62? anyway); it's been fine. I wrote about this in 2018, in this thread:
Bison Trolling Motor

Any corrosion since then?

Buying a few smaller golf batteries sounds like a reasonable way to go. Not too expensive, not too heavy, not more expensive than buying one bigger one strangely. Take as many as is needed for the job. I think though I'll always want to have a petrol outboard as well as I like exploring the backwaters and shallow bits by dinghy.