Electric outboards - are they any good?

[hobiecat]

I wondered what experience forum users had of these and if they think they are any good - and for what purpose they used them for

 

[dfleminguk]

I've used one as an auxillary for my tender, pretty good bit of kit, quick and simple to use. Not exactly the most powerful things around though... but reliable untill the battery dies. Know a few mates who use them for night fishing too ideal as they are so quiet. Wouldnt have really thought they were ideal as a sole use of propulsion though other than on a pretty small tender for using round a marina?

Dave

 

[muchy_]

Bought one last year for the tender and it's great. If you are going to cover any distance then a petrol one would be better but having said that I have travelled a few miles up river with it. But that was on a hot sunny day and the motor being silent makes for a lovely day out with a picknic.
Mainly I use it for anchoring and going ashore because it's so easy and light to set up. Would recommend it for that purpose.

 

[TrueBlue]

My local swindlery - who had never seen me before, and therefore owed me nothing, and I him, offered thse sage words of advice:-

IHO he said "we" over here (he is not from these parts) don't use our electrics for what they are intended. That is they are made for "trolling" (Not an experssion for sexual encounters, I hope) - that is motoring very slowly in chase of indigent fish.

Makes sense, "slow electric motor will make miniscule battery last longer if you don't even think of pushing pedal to the metal".

OK, nice quiet drive, but tiny motor power, silly even tinier battery to lug around and recharge. Look at the US web sites plying these wares and you will see the sense of his dictum.

That's one swindlery that I will revist - on occasion.

Mess room ready, must go.