Electric outboards

[Dave_Knowles]

Hi,

Has anyone experience of electric outboards? I have been told that you can't use them in salt water is this true?


<hr width=100% size=1>Dave

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk> My Cleopatra - now with it's own Discount Chandlery</A>

 

[pvb]

Depends...

Some of them are built with more corrosion-resistant materials and encapsulated electronics, to cope better with salt water. Examples include Minn Kota's Riptide series and MotorGuide Saltwater series. I've no experience of electric outboards, but it seems they don't have much thrust and are really only suitable as quiet trolling motors for lake fishing, rather than for use in tidal waters.

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[boatless]

I used one a fair while ago, and was actually extremely impressed. OK it was just a small one on a little solid dinghy, but it had no trouble coping with the Thames at Bourne End, and a bit of wind. Very very quiet, the engine itself being immersed.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[cliff]

lifting a battery ( or 2 or more) in and out of the dinghy, recharging. I prefer a petrol outboard. 4 stroke if on inland waters or reservoirs.

Depends on what you want it for. Many "new" ones on the market but the price is steep and the primary power type seem to be 36 or 48 volt.

Try a google on electric outboards - there are many sites and lots of information. If I remember mercury do one 12v version for tenders but you still need to take care of the battery.

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[Dave_Knowles]

The main reason is we have a 4hp 4 stroke at the moment which is used on a small dory to get us out to our boat but lifting it on and off due to it's weight is difficult and not to good on the back. I therefore thought that an electric outboard which is light maybe the answer. The only other problem is the tide can be 5knts and would an electric outboard push against that OK?



<hr width=100% size=1>Dave

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk> My Cleopatra - now with it's own Discount Chandlery</A>

 

[ex-Gladys]

As mentioned earlier, the batteries (you will have to take them off to recharge) will certainly be heavier than a 4hp...

<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"

 

[ChrisE]

Last time I looked the highest powered electric o/b was about 1hp equivalent and I'd be surprised if it could get you would be able to make headway against 5 knots of tide. By comparison our 3hp Yam Malta can just about do 5 knots pushing a 9 foot Avon inlfatable with two up and the usual crud going to/from our mooring.

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[cliff]

Looked at some 4~5hp electric => 48V therefore 4 batteries per bank.

I have a couple of 4 HP 4 strokes and yes they can be a little on the heavy side Small block and tackle on the boom solves that and it is good practice for MOB recovery! The sprogs have it down to a fine art recovering the outboards from the tenders.

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[bruce]

try net search for the minn kota site, think it is a .com site, have used a 32 lb thrust on a 23'swing keel on lakes and docking in still/slow water. would rec. the minnkota 50+ thrust if purchasing new. mine is about 10 years old and been in salt water off and on during that time, would not recommend leaving in water when not in use, and are very quiet.

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