Time to buy a new outboard.

Ian_Edwards

Ian_Edwards

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I'm thinking of buying new outboard this autumn, probably taking advantage of the Southampton Boat show offers.
Seriously thinking of going electric.
The boat has a 5kvA generator, and 5kWh of lithium batteries, 140amp alternator and 180 W of solar, so there's no shortage of electrical power.
I'd like to get rid of petrol on board.
I only use the outboard for short trips from the boat at anchor to the shore to go for a walk, shops, or for a coffee or a meal. Usually no more than 200m.
It needs to be able to push a 2.7m inflatable (with inflatable floor and keel) with 3 people on board, no need to go fast, very rarely any appreciable tide.
The electric outboard market seems to be getting more competitive with new offering appearing.
Any views of what's the best option?
It doesn't have to be the cheapest, but needs to be very reliable and easy to use and charge.
Please don't come back with, buy a secondhand 2 stroke, been there, done that, and have the tool kit and all the spares, I want to get away from all that.
 
200 metres?

I would paddle/row.

PS 200 m is well within the area buoyed off for swimmers on mediterranean beaches during summer time.
You should not be anchored so close to shore!
 
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I was looking at a thrustme kicker. But as I couldn't get one before our summer cruise I am going to hold off for a bit...like you say Southampton boat show could be good.
 
I'd go with an battery operated (I have a 2.7m Zodiac). I made the choice of Torqeedo two years ago and wouldn't change back to 2 stroke. Advantages are : peace and quite when using; disassembles into three light weight parts so easy to hand up and down to dinghy; no issues re which way to place it and can easily be stored below deck; no annual service costs; recharge on board or take battery home - buy a spare battery if you are worried but once you are used to it I doubt you'll ever have any range anxiety issues - you always have the oars as back up anyway. Downside - they aren't cheap.
 
westernman said:
200 metres?

I would paddle/row.

PS 200 m is well within the area buoyed off for swimmers on Mediterranean beaches during summer time.
You should not be anchored so close to shore!
Click to expand...
Why is that relevant?
I sail the NW of Scotland!
And
A 2.7m Inflatable with 3 people on board is very difficult to row!
 
Chiara’s slave said:
Very difficult… that must be the understatement of the year! An outboard of some sort is the only way to make progress, especially if theres any wind or tide.
Click to expand...
If there is wind and tide and 3 people on board a 2.7m inflatable, an electric outboard is not going make it.

With 3 people on board my 2.6m inflatable, we can make very good progress with one person on each side paddling (not rowing) with the oar.
Almost as good as with the 2.5HP outboard.

For 200m, even if windy, I would not bother with the faff of installing the outboard on the tender.
As you said, I don't have too much in the way of tides down my way.
 
westernman said:
If there is wind and tide and 3 people on board a 2.7m inflatable, an electric outboard is not going make it.

With 3 people on board my 2.6m inflatable, we can make very good progress with one person on each side paddling (not rowing) with the oar.
Almost as good as with the 2.5HP outboard.

For 200m, even if windy, I would not bother with the faff of installing the outboard on the tender.
As you said, I don't have too much in the way of tides down my way.
Click to expand...
People seem to manage with electric outboards at our moorings, similar distance and most certainly with a fair bit of tide, and so far this year, unending wind. We use an ancient 2hp 2 stroke, cos we already had it. I’d love to replace it with an electric one. Not some feeble bit of trash from Ebay though.
 
Either torqeedo or europulsion are the main ones. There is a new French make, Temo, that I keep seeing advertised or in the new gear sections of pbo, etc. Ones like a stick with a prop on the end and the other is more outboard shape with an adjustable height transom bracket.
Possibly time for another comparison test by a boaty mag.
 
We find our Epropulsion to be excellent. We cruise the same area and use our dinghy in the same way as the OP. We charge it via our inverter when there is surplus solar energy from the panel array. The big positives are:

1. Quiet
2. No petrol aboard
3. Its light
4. Very reliable, no starting issues
5. It’s clean, can be put in any locker in any orientation

Wouldn‘t go back to a combustion engine jobby.
 
I have a Torqeedo...I use it on a 2.6 aluminum hulled RIB...it’s very effective, quiet, instant starting, enough range etc etc...but the downside is if there is a technical problem...it’s very very eye wateringly expensive... and that is if it can be fixed, otherwise it’s a write off, all fifteen hundred’s worth...also, unlike a conventional outboard, where you can fix it yourself or find a mechanic on any street corner, there are only a very few repair centers for Torqeedo in any one country. To be fair, some of the problems were design or manufacturing flaws that have probably been ironed out of the system.
So, this is not a recommendation to get one, or not to get one, just get into it with your eyes open.
 
Ian_Edwards said:
I'm thinking of buying new outboard this autumn, probably taking advantage of the Southampton Boat show offers.
Seriously thinking of going electric.
The boat has a 5kvA generator, and 5kWh of lithium batteries, 140amp alternator and 180 W of solar, so there's no shortage of electrical power.
I'd like to get rid of petrol on board.
I only use the outboard for short trips from the boat at anchor to the shore to go for a walk, shops, or for a coffee or a meal. Usually no more than 200m.
It needs to be able to push a 2.7m inflatable (with inflatable floor and keel) with 3 people on board, no need to go fast, very rarely any appreciable tide.
The electric outboard market seems to be getting more competitive with new offering appearing.
Any views of what's the best option?
It doesn't have to be the cheapest, but needs to be very reliable and easy to use and charge.
Please don't come back with, buy a secondhand 2 stroke, been there, done that, and have the tool kit and all the spares, I want to get away from all that.
Click to expand...
I would go electric. I’ve just bought a mariner 3.5 4 stroke and it’s turning out to be a pain. It floods in a blink of an eye, it’s ridiculously heavy. For the distances you mention I think it’s a no brainer. My only concernscwith electric are the usual range anxiety and some doubts over physical robustness. I may well be in the queue with you at the boat show
 
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