My new Torqueedo

[2013PrincessV39]

Hi All,

We've just taken delivery of our new Torqueedo electric outboard to replace our 2.5hp Suzuki which kept clogging from lack of use.

It's a 4hp equivalent and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these before I even unwrap the thing, as its my first electric engine by land or sea.

Thank you for any advice!

J

 

[Piers]

I've had one for the last few years. They are simply terrific.

 

[MoodySabre]

I think they are great. Just apply the power gently because a Torqueedo has lots of torque!

 

[Nigelpickin]

Had one for three years.

They are great but bear in mind
Charge time is slow, around 12 hours for a full charge, keep it topped up.
WOT will sometimes be your only option in high currents, your range can be reduce dramatically.
It's easy to pinch the battery, you might want to buy a small backpack if you are going to tie up on unknown potions.
Keep the connectors clean and dry, a condom is very useful in this respect.

Other than that I think that they are excellent and would go back to one if we downsize our tender in the future.

 

[Dirtyrat]

I agree that they are fantastic, and it's great not to have petrol lying around on our boat anymore as it feels much safer.
I'd buy a spare prop if I was you, as they are made of plastic. I hit a rock under the brown water that I couldn't see, and one of the blades sheared off. It is easy to order a new one, but my tender was out of action for a week waiting for the spare to arrive. If I'd had a spare ready, I would be back in action within 15 mins.
Overall, really pleased with it for the little trips I do.

 

[Momac]

A friend has one and I did use it for a short spin . Perfectly okay for slow speed use.
It survived being submerged when the dinghy became inverted in sea water , while a petrol engine may well have been ruined.

 

[Due South]

I love mine, simplicity at its best.
The ultimate in my view is to have two batteries, I intend to buy a second next season.

 

[bedouin]

What sort of range/endurance do you get out of these?

They are expensive compared to petrol and from what I can see the small ones don't have a weight advantage. Do they do a small model with external battery (i.e. so you are not tied to them for replacements)

 

[Piers]

I love mine, simplicity at its best.
The ultimate in my view is to have two batteries, I intend to buy a second next season.

Quite agree. A second battery has worked well for me. Range-wise, I've never had a problem. The LED display tells you your range as you go.

 

[No Regrets]

It isn't 4hp. My friend has one, and it fails dismally compared to by rather cheaper Mercury 3.5hp.

In every way.....

 

[RupertW]

Best thing for us as replacement for a 5hp. It isn't as powerful at all but we never used the full 5hp power in the tender as journeys tend to be no more than half a mile through an anchorage and the battery can do 10 return trips at the kind of polite top speed I would use between other anchored boats.

The biggest advantage is the reason we bought it - 3 separate parts than can be held one handed when climbing into the dinghy rather than an awkward 35kg load. The second was never having to go searching for petrol as we just top up from the ships battery, or occasionally a marina AC.

The third advantage was that I never have to leave the boat to go on shopping trips any more. My wife never fully trusted a pull-cord as a way to start an outboard so I would have to go with her every time. Fine if that meant leaving me in a bar, of course. But having an engine that starts just by turning the throttle means I'm superfluous.

So overall great, and I don't see ever buying a second battery as I can top it up any time without much depleting the ship battery bank.

 

[bedouin]

The downside of course is that must have a much shorter service life than a petrol. Lion batteries have a finite life, not sure how they will last in that configuration. I would be a lot happier with one that would take an external 12V source as well/instead. I can be pretty confident of being able to source 12V batteries in 20 years time whereas replacements for the specialist torqueedo unit will probably not be available.

 

[RupertW]

The downside of course is that must have a much shorter service life than a petrol. Lion batteries have a finite life, not sure how they will last in that configuration. I would be a lot happier with one that would take an external 12V source as well/instead. I can be pretty confident of being able to source 12V batteries in 20 years time whereas replacements for the specialist torqueedo unit will probably not be available.

If you are looking for a 10 or 15 year lifespan then you probably aren't a Torqueedo customer. I fully expect something better and newer to be along in 3 or 4 years and then again a few years later. Same as with TVs and computers. We will eventually get to stable universal technology for electric outboard but we are a few innovations cycles away from that now.