Electric Outboard

[jon_bailey]

Now that I have purhased a Bombard AX2 small inflatable, I was considering how to move it along.

Does anyone have experience of using electric outboards? Whilst I know that they have very limited power I also know that the alternative power source, i.e. me, has less, even when I'm doing my (poor) Steve Redgrave impression.

Only likely to use the tender for getting to the beach or pottering around Newtown creek, so the thought of a silent switch on and go power source has appeal. I already have one of those power packs which has (I believe) a 14 Ahr battery so at say 20amps I should get 30 mins of use and it can be recharged whilst on board.

Does anyone know what the typical power draw is and suggest any makes/models?


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[BrendanS]

With wonderful timing, there was a post in scuttlebutts on exactly this subject

here

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[jon_bailey]

Thanks - I searched on PBO but not Scuttlebutt, clearly not an honourable raggie like you.

Does anyone have a copy of the PBO review referred to from a couple of years ago?

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[BrendanS]

Hey, who you calling honourable? I'll scuttle your vessel in Newton Creek with my Jolly Roger flying if you carry on casting disgraceful aspertions

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[jon_bailey]

Lucky I've got my new inflatable then isn't it.

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[BrendanS]

Made a note to pack the blowpipe with extra sharp needles /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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[jon_bailey]

Could be the fastest deflatable ever. Just make sure we're pointing towards the beach not Lymington.

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[BrendanS]

Wonderful picture....prototype jet rib.

In honesty, stinkie shouldn't be sinking stinkie, we should be making plans to scuttle Bigmart....... count to 10, he'll be here any moment

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[jfm]

I haven't tried an elec outboard but they seem to fail on basic laws of physics. In the sea, with maybe wind/tide, experience says you need minimum say 2hp. Thats 1500 watts. The 20amp motor on electric outboard is 240watts, so not even close. Better get a petrol I think.

Dont worry about the "green" argument either. If as you say you are charging the battery while on board, then unless you have solar panel or a whirly wind charger you are burning fossil fuel to drive your dinghy anyways......

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