Electric outboard motors

[SteveB_Sigma33]

I've been trawling through the T'interweb looking at electric outboard motors. There seems to be very little information on them.

Am I right in saying that you should not use all of them in the sea. Can't seem to find any documentation to confirm or deny that.

I have a mariner 2.2Hp which I need to get fixed (believe the coil is knackered) and I'm wondering if it's worth spending the money on it if I can replace it with one of these electrickery things.

Does anyone know any good or bad things about them?

 

[Ecosse120]

Article in this months PBO on electric outboards

 

[SteveB_Sigma33]

Will buy a copy, but was there any sweeping statements?

 

[pvb]

Consensus...

The consensus of opinion seems to be that electric outboards can be useful as trolling motors on fishing dinghies on lakes, but don't usually have enough thrust to be usable on yacht tenders in tidal waters. Even a big electric outboard only has about the same thrust as a 1hp petrol outboard.

Not all electric outboards are designed for saltwater exposure. MinnKota Riptide models and MotorGuide Saltwater Series are supposedly protected for use in saltwater.

To get a highish thrust, you generally need to go for a higher voltage motor, and this means having to carry two or even three 12v batteries in the tender. Then there's the task of handling and recharging the batteries.

There is a new approach to electric outboards, using an integral lithium-manganese battery. It's called the Torqeedo, and the Travel 801 version is probably worth considering for a tender. At around £1000, it's not cheap though (but what "marine" product is?).

 

[Evadne]

Re: Consensus...

I've been running a 24lb thrust motor on our rigid tender for nigh on ten years now. Its more than adequate for getting up and down the creek, about a mile or so each way, as long as it's not blowing a hoolie, although slower and quieter than a petrol jobbie. If it is blowing (and we don't go sailing in hoolies as a rule) then I supplement it with the oars.

I'd replace it with a 36lb model if it ever gives up the ghost, that would knock the endurance at full power down to an hour from the 60Ah battery, but that is all I need. Not having to carry any petrol at all, in car or boat, plus ease of starting are the real plusses for me.

 

[PEJ]

I've got one but I only use it for going ashore and mucking about in rivers. I've got a solar panel thingie for keeping the battery topped up but I haven't tried it out yet. I got the motor from Lakeland Electric Boat Centre, Cumbria, 01768 840211. Very helpful and knowledgeable bloke.

Panel from Maplins.

 

[Gumpy]

I had one ( still have its in the garage) and it was fine for messing about on a river in a folding dinghy but not for much else.
The 2.5hp tohatsu that replaced it pushes the inflatable at twice the speed..........

Julian

 

[DaveS]

I would endorse Evadne's comments. In particular, using an electric o/b in conjunction with rowing is quite a practical solution when the wind's contrary. I've used a Minn Kota 30 for 3 years and, though it's designed for fresh water, seems to work OK in the sea. I do rinse it with fresh water at the end of the season, and touch up any scratches to keep the rust at bay. The worst part is the transom clamps which appear to be made of unprotected mild steel: I keep them covered in Duck Oil.

 

[Slow_boat]

Steve,
I'd be interested in the Mariner if you decide to get rid.