Parabordi
Well-Known Member
SPot on, that's why I bought it, I have a four stroke Mariner 4 which was back breaking. this is now a breeze!
Electric outboard
- Thread starter pessimist
- Start date
Moodysailor
Well-Known Member
My thoughts on electric O/B:
1 - At the moment, the price/performance gap is still quite large (Torqueedo/E-Propulsion are approx. 3hp, equivalent IC is a few hundred cheaper). What I believe will happen is that the performance gap will close before too long, but I believe that there will always be a premium to pay for electric.
2 - The very lower end of the range (occupied by the 2.5/3.3 IC and current crop of electric) will probably go the same way as the trends over the last 10+ years, there will be premium brands occupying and competing in the same space, and others beneath them for varying budget levels. WYSIWYG will be in effect here - if you want good warranty, service & support - you'll pay for it on the sticker price.
3 - The next big shift will be when the next technological leap occurs, but this will still have to be paid for by the consumer. But make no mistake that the big players are investing a lot in R&D currently.
4 - It is inevitable that some parts of IC will die out eventually, but no need to panic buy just yet as the leisure market hasn't made it on the radar in the big picture. It's likely to be a result of market forces (lack of overall sales from the big markets that use the same engines, etc) rather than direct legislation.
5 - Don't discount the possibility that electric propulsion is just a transition, and the final green power solution may yet to be presented
1 - At the moment, the price/performance gap is still quite large (Torqueedo/E-Propulsion are approx. 3hp, equivalent IC is a few hundred cheaper). What I believe will happen is that the performance gap will close before too long, but I believe that there will always be a premium to pay for electric.
2 - The very lower end of the range (occupied by the 2.5/3.3 IC and current crop of electric) will probably go the same way as the trends over the last 10+ years, there will be premium brands occupying and competing in the same space, and others beneath them for varying budget levels. WYSIWYG will be in effect here - if you want good warranty, service & support - you'll pay for it on the sticker price.
3 - The next big shift will be when the next technological leap occurs, but this will still have to be paid for by the consumer. But make no mistake that the big players are investing a lot in R&D currently.
4 - It is inevitable that some parts of IC will die out eventually, but no need to panic buy just yet as the leisure market hasn't made it on the radar in the big picture. It's likely to be a result of market forces (lack of overall sales from the big markets that use the same engines, etc) rather than direct legislation.
5 - Don't discount the possibility that electric propulsion is just a transition, and the final green power solution may yet to be presented
pessimist
Well-Known Member
T hanks everyone, some interesting information/observations. Have just lashed out on a copy of YM so I'll see what hey have to say.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
In my local Tesco yachtie mags are in the bottom rack and hidden at the back which also might give problems. Might say something about the popularity of these publications to casual buyers even in a place like Poole.
DoubleEnder
Well-Known Member
FWIW I have used an epropulsion outboard on a 10 ft RIB and it was a revelation. Powerful, smooth, very quiet, easy to carry and fit…. Fantastic. I know it’s expensive but oh so much nicer, both for the people using it and anyone else in the vicinity.
mattnj
Well-Known Member
well the ePropulsion is 1Kw max, (which give no doubt a dodgy range)... and that is 1.34hp so it's not "easily as powerful as a 3hp" you mean nowhere near as powerful?
a good old petrol 3.5hp will pump out max power all day long for a few litres of evil petrol..
pvb
Well-Known Member
I always thought that power ratings on petrol outboards were, shall we say, optimistic?
mattnj
Well-Known Member
Bru
Well-Known Member
Oh the obsession with going fast ... I don't care about going fast, I want to get there cheaply!
Having bought the YM issue today, most interesting
Not sure the piggy bank is going to run to one of the really good ones but interesting to note that some of the trolling motors, which I can afford, are now better able to cope with salt water (stainless steel fittings instead of mild steel) and I don't need lots of power so that's now looking like a viable option
Having bought the YM issue today, most interesting
Not sure the piggy bank is going to run to one of the really good ones but interesting to note that some of the trolling motors, which I can afford, are now better able to cope with salt water (stainless steel fittings instead of mild steel) and I don't need lots of power so that's now looking like a viable option
mattnj
Well-Known Member
It's nothing to do with going fast it's about knowing the facts....and if you want cheap....get a £200 petrol one!
I'm simply making the point people are not honest about what they are. Cheap electric outboard....hhhmmm.
Personally I'd love one....and am lucky enough to afford one....but I won't get one as mine get totally abused, left outdoors all year in a rack, chucked about on floor....oh and I've had a few nicked ..
Kelpie
Well-Known Member
I'll throw my tuppence worth in here.
I saw a 68lb Bison for sale secondhand last year and at £100 thought it was worth a pop. Initially used it with an old car battery. Was pleasantly surprised and later upgraded to a 60Ah LiFePo4 battery from Sterling (£280). That should provide an hour's range, although to date I've only needed about a third of that. Due to output current limits I couldn't use a smaller battery.
I recently did a little test on my 11ft rigid dinghy. The Bison managed 3.9kt, my 3.5hp 2T 5.5kt. So obviously a noticeable difference, but most of the time I don't personally need the extra speed.
It's all horses for courses, for a total spend of under £400 I think the Bison is worth having. I won't be heartbroken if I drop it in the sea, out it gets stolen. SWMBO can actually start it meaning she can use the dinghy independently. And it's so civilised and quiet.
A Torqueedo would obviously be better, but I should hope so at 4* the price or whatever they are.
Pete7
Well-Known Member
You mean oars?
John_G
New Member
We used an electric trolling motor for out dinghy. Purchased at a yard ("Boot") sale, it got us from the boat to shore just fine, but not so great for long distances. Lightweight and quiet, used solar and wind generator to power.
Bru
Well-Known Member
Thanks Kelpie and John_G, real world experience is invaluable in making an informed decision and my mind is now made up - a trolling motor and a Sterling battery it's gonna be
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Yes, it is the availability of the lithium battery that brings trolling motors into the frame for a larger number of people.
Kelpie
Well-Known Member
I do like this setup but a couple more points if you're going to go down this route: whilst advertised as being suitable for saltwater use, my Bison is starting to show signs of corrosion. Nothing serious, and I have been leaving it out in the rain for several months now, but don't expect the build quality to be up with more expensive options. I'd not be surprised if mine is falling apart in three to five years. You might look after yours better of course
One particular thing to watch out for is the cable ends. When you disconnect the battery the ends of the cables will end up in the bottom of the dinghy. Try to avoid this, as the saltwater will corrode the terminals. You'll notice the heat building up if they get bad. I've now re-crimped both leads. I think progressively cutting off an inch of cable and fitting a new end is standard maintenance... but I do try to take more care now to keep them dry.
You could do something clever with an Anderson plug I suppose, which would make the whole thing a bit more user friendly.
Final point: I suspect that the prop on a trolling motor is designed for thrust rather than speed. It doesn't seem able to get above about 4kt no matter what dinghy I use or how heavily loaded it is. Maybe it's possible to fit a different prop, but I haven't looked in to that.
Bru
Well-Known Member
I'm an electrical engineer ... the electrics will be sorted 
One of there'd things I took away from the YM article is the availability of several trolling motors with stainless rather than mild steel fittings. That's the corrosion problem largely sorted
The thrust / speed issue isn't an issue afaic. 3 to 4 knots will be more than satisfactory
Much gratitude for the info and advice. Extremely useful
One of there'd things I took away from the YM article is the availability of several trolling motors with stainless rather than mild steel fittings. That's the corrosion problem largely sorted
The thrust / speed issue isn't an issue afaic. 3 to 4 knots will be more than satisfactory
Much gratitude for the info and advice. Extremely useful
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Plum
Well-Known Member
Tried two shops to buy YM so will have to buy that edition online. Could you tell me which edition I need, please. Unlike in a shop I can't flick through the content before purchase. Thanks.I'm an electrical engineer ... the electrics will be sorted
One of there'd things I took away from the YM article is the availability of several trolling motors with stainless rather than mild steel fittings. That's the corrosion problem largely sorted
The thrust / speed issue isn't an issue afaic. 3 to 4 knots will be more than satisfactory
Much gratitude for the info and advice. Extremely useful
www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
cpedw
Well-Known Member
It's Oct 2021 #1394. I got the last, well thumbed, copy at WH Smith, Euston, yesterday.
