Electric Outboard Speed (or lack of!)

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Andrewdfree

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Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a 50lbs electric outboard as a backup for my boat, and I was just wandering if anyone knows roughly how fast it would push my boat. The boat is a 14ft planing V-hull, and it weighs about 250kg. I know it won't be fast, but I only do canal cruising (for now), so I can only go at 4mph max :D

Thanks :)

PS. I don't want to consider a small outboard, as I already have one, I just want an electric one for some peace and quiet every now and then :)
 
Andrewdfree said:
Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a 50lbs electric outboard as a backup for my boat, and I was just wandering if anyone knows roughly how fast it would push my boat. The boat is a 14ft planing V-hull, and it weighs about 250kg. I know it won't be fast, but I only do canal cruising (for now), so I can only go at 4mph max :D

Thanks :)

PS. I don't want to consider a small outboard, as I already have one, I just want an electric one for some peace and quiet every now and then :)
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http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?356846-3-3-two-stroke&p=4140796#post4140796

have his hand off
its a snip, forget battery motors a total waste of money
 
I have a smallish (30 lbf?) Minn Kota which I use in an inflatable tender. Not fast, but works OK and is silent. I would have thought that a bigger one like you are thinking of would be fine.
 
We've done a good number of miles with a 38lb MinnKota pushing a fully laden 17' canoe. It would do 3 to 4 mph Ok on canals. We used to get about 16 miles range from 120 AHr (12 volt), if we kept speed down to 3 mph max. If you go to 4 mph range would drop to (guess) 5 miles.

Torqeedo = lots more miles per AHr, but they're not silent - quite a significant whine. Highly recommend Minn Kota type for silent canal cruising.
 
I use a 56lb thrust Wavehopper Stowaway outboard for manoeuvring in and around the launch areas at Rutland. It pushes my 20' Medina along OK but I couldn't estimate top end or range on the 12v battery. It did bring us back a couple of miles when we were becalmed one day last year.
 
Plenty of suggestions there but I would suggest that with a few modifications you might be able to fit decent oars and rowlocks with less cost more reliability. good luck olewill
 
See post #3. OP does not want to spend that kind of money.

A Trolling motor such as a MinnKota will do the job, but these are not cheap compared with an outboard and limited capacity. They are designed to move fishing platforms short distances in American lakes - not the same as cruising canals in a speedboat!
 
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Piers said:
Hi sailorman,

"total waste of money" - doesn't this view depend on what the buyer wants? I bought a Torqeedo and it's been a great success, meeting every criteria I was looking for. OK, more money than a petrol outboard but then boating is boating, and what appears a waste of money to some is worth its weight in gold to others.

Having had petrol outboards for over 20 years, I was fed up with their weight, their smell, their temperamental starting issues, and storing the fuel. Instead, the Torqeedo provided a lightweight solution, no smell, no staring issues, no fuel storage issues, no servicing - to me, well worth the extra.
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You forgot to mention the weight & limited capacity of the battery.
Also how does your motor fair in strong tidal flows
 
sailorman said:
You forgot to mention the weight & limited capacity of the battery.
Also how does your motor fair in strong tidal flows
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The Torqeedo with the Torqeedo solar panel will be perfect for the job. See the video in post #2.
BUT the OP doesn't want to spend the money.
 
50lb thrust will push a 14ft hull at 4 knots no problem, if the hull shape is reasonable and it is not dragging its transom.
Provided it is flat water and not into a headwind.
Also provided the prop pitch is right.
 
sailorman said:
So as an "all rounder", no good then
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FFS - the OP already HAS a conventional motor - cruising the canals can be nicer if done in silence - so either a 50Lbs electric motor will push his boat or it won't ...

Surely the pertinent questions are
1) Will it push his boat at max 4mph
2) how long will a 120Ah battery push his boat for at different speeds

Opinions on which petrol outboard he should get are therefore superfluous ...
 
fireball said:
FFS - the OP already HAS a conventional motor - cruising the canals can be nicer if done in silence - so either a 50Lbs electric motor will push his boat or it won't ...

Surely the pertinent questions are
1) Will it push his boat at max 4mph
2) how long will a 120Ah battery push his boat for at different speeds

Opinions on which petrol outboard he should get are therefore superfluous ...
Click to expand...
+1.
There have been electric boats on inland waters for a very long time.
Most tend to have longer waterlines than 14ft, to keep the resistance down.
 
The OPs boat is a planing deep V so basically unsuitable for low speed work. The Trolling motor will move it at 4mph but doubt he will have much control over direction!
 
Not really relevant to the OPs question - which was whether an electric motor would move his boat - which I think it would. It would be equally uncontrollable with a small outboard.
 
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