Electric Outboards just not there yet?

[adwuk]

We switched to electric 2 years ago, and won't be going back. Suzuki 2.5 and old seagull are in the back of the shed just in case, but getting very dusty. Sailing with a dog means lots of trips ashore, and our battery lasts over a week on a single charge.

 

[Helidan]

I have given serious consideration to selling my Mariner 6hp (newest model) and purchasing the Epropulsion Spirit. The Mariner is a nice engine don't get me wrong, it'll plane two up on our Seago 3.2m airdeck and sips fuel. But as others have pointed out electric is the future and not having to worry about maintenance, fresh water flushing, fuel trouble, smell, noise etc. must be worth considering a switch to e-propulsion.

 

[oldgit]

Pre loved Chinese knock off. 55 lb thrust + oldish 90 amp wet battery.
Honwave inflatable and 2.5 people.
Non tidal with about 1/2 knot of flow against boat.
Battery almost empty after 1.5 hours and around 4kms.
Just about enough power left to turn prop at end of return journey.
But so beautifully silent and peaceful en route. Sans the stink , vibration and noise of an infernal combution engine.
Went In company with another inflatable (2 adults) with new outboard and battery, a little life left in his battery on return.

 

[Alan S]

Sailors are getting soft. I've sailed for 50 years visiting hundreds of anchorages and never had any outboard engine on my tender. Remember oars? Much healthier safer and greener.
[cowers down waiting for flak]

 

[Fr J Hackett]

It's very much the same argument against / for EVs

Price
Range
weight
Convenience
There will be devotees to whom non of the above are relevant or an issue and naysayers to whom any one or more is a showstopper. You pays yer money and takes yer chance.

 

[Daydream believer]

A bit Luddite Daydream.

It’s like saying “I won’t get a computer because a friend once had a software issue. I’ll be sticking with my abacus”

Really?
Do knock the abacus. You will not get any software issues & the battery does not go flat
Abacus in use

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Sailors are getting soft. I've sailed for 50 years visiting hundreds of anchorages and never had any outboard engine on my tender. Remember oars? Much healthier safer and greener.
[cowers down waiting for flak]

You wouldn't be the chap I towed out to his boat in Glengarriff would you, he had been sitting wondering how he was going to get back to his boat after a day ashore and the wind and waves had got up and he had given up trying to row out after consistently getting soaked and blown back to the shoreline.

 

[Daydream believer]

Sailors are getting soft. I've sailed for 50 years visiting hundreds of anchorages and never had any outboard engine on my tender. Remember oars? Much healthier safer and greener.
[cowers down waiting for flak]

Must admit that as I have been laying moorings in the last 3 weeks I have been going to my launch several times. It has not seemed worthwhile having any sort of mechanical propulsion, as rowing my 54 year old Avon is just so relaxing & easy.

 

[Alan S]

You wouldn't be the chap I towed out to his boat in Glengarriff would you, he had been sitting wondering how he was going to get back to his boat after a day ashore and the wind and waves had got up and he had given up trying to row out after consistently getting soaked and blown back to the shoreline.

Been soaked to the arse many times but never needed a tow. Occasionally resorted to pulling the inflatable along the shore to windward to make the row a bit easier.
It's all about attitude. I regard sailing as an adventure sport rather than a luxury pastime.
Respect to those who don't agree.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

You row your inflatable if you want to. Half a mile in the tide, no way, for me, and I'm fit, by anyone's standards. Rowing a proper boat, a kayak, or a paddle board, no problem, but you can't carry your luggage. Nor could I carry my wife, who cannot row any more owing to wrist surgery. Inflatables are a pig to row, they're for calm, still water without an outboard.

 

[mjcoon]

... Inflatables are a pig to row, they're for calm, still water without an outboard.

Yes, and that is if they have a stable thwart and something to brace your feet against...

 

[Elessar]

A bit Luddite Daydream.

It’s like saying “I won’t get a computer because a friend once had a software issue. I’ll be sticking with my abacus”

The know nothing naysayers always have a mate with a bad experience. Anecdotes over facts. Coppercoat and anchors have kept the debate going for years and now it’s electric motors.

 

[Elessar]

I’d love one, but have anxiety. The tide runs at 2.5 knots at our mooring, and its 800m up or down tide of the landing, so at about 4 kn, its a bloody long slog back against the tide.

That’s a reasonable concern. Out of interest what power petrol outboard do you use?

 

[adwuk]

I’d love one, but have anxiety. The tide runs at 2.5 knots at our mooring, and its 800m up or down tide of the landing, so at about 4 kn, its a bloody long slog back against the tide.

Our only experience with the electric outboard similar to this was from the last mooring at Coll (approx 700m to the jetty) into a 30 knot wind with a 3.2m dinghy, 4 up and dog. We used 25% of the battery on the way in, and 2% on the way back! When we kept our boat on a mooring at Cargreen we had a 5hp Suzuki on the back of a 3.2m dinghy so that we could fight the tide. I'd say that the electric outboards aren't up for that yet. Normally we have the smaller 2.4m dinghy with 2 + dog, and are only travelling short distances (200-400m), which is where we used to use the 2.5hp Suzuki.

 

[dunedin]

I agree that theft is a big issue, increasingly so. We do what we can within reason to prevent theft by physical measures. Also, once away from the densely populated areas (Clyde) we feel that the risk reduces when out west. After that it’s down to the insurers to deal with it I’m afraid, one can’t cruise in fear of the outboard being nicked……

I don‘t … because I have an old outboard bought on eBay over a decade ago. But we do leave it attached to the dinghy from April to November, and leave unattended when ashore on countless occasions.
Suspect many insurers might not cover a. 2 grand electric outboard for that sort of usage.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

That’s a reasonable concern. Out of interest what power petrol outboard do you use?

1978 Yamaha 2hp, LOL. Its not the HP but the endurance. Waterline speed is waterline speed, after all. Planing is bad form amongst moorings

 

[Yealm]

Can you charge their battery easily from the usual onboard Diesel engine? And if so how long from flat would you have motor for to charge- an hour or so?

 

[Elessar]

1978 Yamaha 2hp, LOL. Its not the HP but the endurance. Waterline speed is waterline speed, after all. Planing is bad form amongst moorings

Haha wasn’t expecting you to waterski to your boat but 3 knots into a 2.5 knot tide is tiresome.

My limited use of an e propulsion suggests it’s not as good as a 4hp but better than a 2.
If your 2 does the job I’m fairly sure an e-propulsion would.

Battery state indication is good.
Magnetic kill cord makes it hard for casual joy riders.
Take the battery will you to avoid theft in dodgier places. Or get a lockable thwart to put it in.
The battery even floats if you drop it in.
And it always starts. I’ve lost count of the number of times I end up swearing at outboards.

I currently have a 15hp 2 stoke and that’s fun in open water. But I can use iits power about twice a year. I swear at it far more often.

Seriously considering an e propulsion. I’d like just a bit more power to punch a tide which is why I’m pausing. But if you like a 2 then try and borrow one maybe. They really are good.

 

[Elessar]

Can you charge their battery easily from the usual onboard Diesel engine? And if so how long from flat would you have motor for to charge- an hour or so?

There as a DC - DC charger available which charges at about 60 watts. A third of the speed of the mains charger.

The battery is 1276 Wh (Watt Hours) so that suggests around 20 hours empty to full. I’ve no direct experience but no way can you fully charge it in an hour.

If you can sail at over 4 knots you can tow the dinghy to charge it on some models.

No doubt though that they are best suited to those who have easy access to mains power and even then you would need to charge overnight.

 

[adwuk]

Can you charge their battery easily from the usual onboard Diesel engine? And if so how long from flat would you have motor for to charge- an hour or so?

Ours has a DC charger, which connects to a lighter socket. It puts in 6% an hour, on a 915Wh battery.