Torqeedo purchase ?

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Crowblack

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Cogitating on a purchase of a Torqeedo outboard, (603 or 1103) usual reasons, instant start, not having to carry fuel etc, etc.

Thing is compared to my Mercury 3.3 two stroke it looks BIG and DEEP particularly for my round tail Avon - the top of the Avon's outboard bracket is not that far out of the water.

Anybody use one with a round tail Avon and experiences please ?

My other concern is can the Torqeedo's make progress against a spring tide to get back to the boat after chucking out time ?
 
E-outboards are very popular over here on the river for trolling ..... you can always tell them - the tiller / controller is so high up compared to a normal outboard.
I only used one once on an inflatable - and my arm got tired being elevated so high.
It had a moveable clamp - so the leg could be set for the transom ... no idea on brand ...
 
Refueler said:
E-outboards are very popular over here on the river for trolling ..... you can always tell them - the tiller / controller is so high up compared to a normal outboard.
I only used one once on an inflatable - and my arm got tired being elevated so high.
It had a moveable clamp - so the leg could be set for the transom ... no idea on brand ...
Click to expand...
My crew has a trolling motor, which works extremely well on the dinghy. It was originally as you describe, but it was easy to remove the control head, cut down the GRP leg and reassemble with shortened wires, and now it's normal outboard side..

Probably not a good idea to try with a Torqeedo, though, in case the powdered unicorn droppings leak out.
 
Maybe someone can explain why the control head is so high up ? Is it so you can use on any height transom .. that they have adjustable depth ?

But quite often here on the river - various boats have these mounted on the bow ... with conventional O/BD on the transom. Then of course the height is needed to clear the stemhead.
 
Crowblack said:
Cogitating on a purchase of a Torqeedo outboard, (603 or 1103) usual reasons, instant start, not having to carry fuel etc, etc.

Thing is compared to my Mercury 3.3 two stroke it looks BIG and DEEP particularly for my round tail Avon - the top of the Avon's outboard bracket is not that far out of the water.

Anybody use one with a round tail Avon and experiences please ?

My other concern is can the Torqeedo's make progress against a spring tide to get back to the boat after chucking out time ?
Click to expand...
Depends on the spring tide I guess - we have a 1003 which replaced a Yamaha 2.5. I’d say the Torqueedo has slightly more grunt. The battery don’t last long if you max it out, maybe 30 minutes, but with judicious use it lasts a long time eg we just did a two week cruise without recharging, using it between ship and shore including chucking out time in eg Dart, Salcombe, Fowey and we still had over 30% charge at the end (the bigger - now standard? - battery).
 
setting the trolling to one side ;)
I have an epropulsion on a Avon Redcrest. I suspect my comments are valid for Torqueedo too. I had to fit a length of 1" timber to the top of the outboard braket to simlify the fitting of the motor (not essential, just easier); they come in different shaft lengths, short or extra short is what you need. Pwer delivery is good, you just have to stop equating power with deafening noise, will it plane your dinghy.. probably not. Best source of info is Electric Outboard Motors – Nestaway Boats
 
If you're in the market for something like a Torqueedo you might also look at Epropulsion Spirit here :https://epropulsion.uk/spirit-plus/

I think they have a shorter shaft, comprable performance & may be a fraction cheaper.
I'd love one but unfortunately I've no personal experience as both are way beyond my budget.
 
Refueler said:
E-outboards are very popular over here on the river for trolling ..... you can always tell them - the tiller / controller is so high up compared to a normal outboard.
I only used one once on an inflatable - and my arm got tired being elevated so high.
It had a moveable clamp - so the leg could be set for the transom ... no idea on brand ...
Click to expand...
On my old trolling motor, I cut the shaft down to size. Not a big job
 
Refueler said:
Maybe someone can explain why the control head is so high up ? Is it so you can use on any height transom .. that they have adjustable depth ?

But quite often here on the river - various boats have these mounted on the bow ... with conventional O/BD on the transom. Then of course the height is needed to clear the stemhead.
Click to expand...
Used a Torqeedo on a trailer sailer and a tender. On the tender it does sit high. (and gives a lot more power than needed). On the trailer sailer it looked very small and low so I think it depends what it replaces. It was designed for many boat types. I find it is very long rather than high, especially as the control shaft is rigid rather than hinged. Means you can sit well forward in a tender but it took half the cockpit in the other boat. I think the real plus is that it's clean and comes apart for easy stowage rather than getting in the way on pushpits etc. If you can charge it underway using surplus engine charge then you almost get the fuel for free but secure the battery so it doesn't pop holes in your interior. I'd also rather change the odd impellor and clean the carb than strip a torqeedo - they are delicate and fiddly to maintain, and expensive. I think it depends how much you will use it and how important stowage is. I don't see a Torqeedo taking 6 months of daily use for years without needing expensive servicing. For occasional use, a much better bet removing that "will it start?" moment.
 
Over here are plenty Chinese motors in the fishing shops. Price is attractive and people i have spoken to say they work OK. As to how long ??

From RC - now that we have Brushless motors - the list of applications is mushrooming daily.
 
Refueler said:
Over here are plenty Chinese motors in the fishing shops. Price is attractive and people i have spoken to say they work OK. As to how long ??

From RC - now that we have Brushless motors - the list of applications is mushrooming daily.
Click to expand...
Don’t say that! I’m waiting for my Chinese Tesla to arrive....
 
Crowblack said:
Cogitating on a purchase of a Torqeedo outboard, (603 or 1103) usual reasons, instant start, not having to carry fuel etc, etc.

Thing is compared to my Mercury 3.3 two stroke it looks BIG and DEEP particularly for my round tail Avon - the top of the Avon's outboard bracket is not that far out of the water.

Anybody use one with a round tail Avon and experiences please ?

My other concern is can the Torqeedo's make progress against a spring tide to get back to the boat after chucking out time ?
Click to expand...
I had a Torqeedo 1003 (predecessor to 1103) and found it not to be anything like as powerful as a Tohatsu 3.5. Maybe half as strong. Didn't use it with an Avon but my short-shaft version fitted as well as the T3.5 in a Tinker Tramp and Bic 345. A shortcoming I fgound with the 1003 was that the throttle had an obnoxiously annoying delay between turning the twist-grip and the motor starting to turn. Only a few seconds but it always made me think it was not goig to go at all, don't know whater they've changed that since (presumably just a software change required).

I also don't know whather Torqeedo have also successfully fixed the issue the early versions had where the prop could break free from the shaft and because there was no way to hold the shaft position fixed, it was impossible to remove to replace the weak link in case of a rope entanglement ? I wouldn't buy a Torqeedo where that was a possibility because I suffered the problem and didn't get any recompense from the supplier who still have my 1003.

IMHO, the best reason for having an electric outboard is that you want to run your yacht without storing petrol onboard. If you have solar or other means of recharging the battery then they make some sense. Otherwise I would not bother paying around 6 times the price of a second hand T3.5 two stroke. Just my opinion...

Boo2
 
Boo2 said:
I had a Torqeedo 1003 (predecessor to 1103) and found it not to be anything like as powerful as a Tohatsu 3.5. Maybe half as strong. Didn't use it with an Avon but my short-shaft version fitted as well as the T3.5 in a Tinker Tramp and Bic 345. A shortcoming I fgound with the 1003 was that the throttle had an obnoxiously annoying delay between turning the twist-grip and the motor starting to turn. Only a few seconds but it always made me think it was not goig to go at all, don't know whater they've changed that since (presumably just a software change required).

I also don't know whather Torqeedo have also successfully fixed the issue the early versions had where the prop could break free from the shaft and because there was no way to hold the shaft position fixed, it was impossible to remove to replace the weak link in case of a rope entanglement ? I wouldn't buy a Torqeedo where that was a possibility because I suffered the problem and didn't get any recompense from the supplier who still have my 1003.

IMHO, the best reason for having an electric outboard is that you want to run your yacht without storing petrol onboard. If you have solar or other means of recharging the battery then they make some sense. Otherwise I would not bother paying around 6 times the price of a second hand T3.5 two stroke. Just my opinion...

Boo2
Click to expand...

We have the 1103 travel and by several acounts it is a significant step up from the 1003 partly driven by the competition from ePropulsion. The direct drive is very quiet and this has removed the delay you mention. The breakable prop link has been changed. The motor won't get you on the plane but has a lot of low down torque.

I agree about the advantage of no longer storing petrol. Our LFP house pack gives us more efficient use of solar and that is available to charge the Torqeedo.

It is very controllable, so much so that my wife insists on driving it having refused to operate our Tohatsu 3.5hp 2 stroke for the last decade.
 
Last edited:
Supertramp said:
… they are delicate and fiddly to maintain, and expensive. I think it depends how much you will use it and how important stowage is. I don't see a Torqeedo taking 6 months of daily use for years without needing expensive servicing.
Click to expand...
8 1/2 years and still going fine, including 3 years of 6-8 months daily use in the med. Zero maintenance except for 1 prop change which was my fault. Already saving up for a new one when it finally dies!
 
Poey50 said:
We have the 1103 travel and by several acounts it is a significant step up from the 1003 partly driven by the competition from ePropulsion. The direct drive is very quiet and this has removed the delay you mention. The breakable prop link has been changed. The motor won't get you on the plane but has a lot of low down torque.

I agree about the advantage of no longer storing petrol. Our LFP house pack gives us more efficient use of solar and that is available to charge the Torqeedo.

It is very controllable, so much so that.my wife insists on driving it having refused to operate our Tohatsu 3.5hp 2 stroke for the last decade.
Click to expand...

Hi, Poey 50,

What do you use the 1103 on as I've also got a hard transom 2.3 Wetline in nice nick tucked away I could use it on.

Could you also tell me what it's like against the tide ?

Thanks,

David.
 
Crowblack said:
Hi, Poey 50,

What do you use the 1103 on as I've also got a hard transom 2.3 Wetline in nice nick tucked away I could use it on.

Could you also tell me what it's like against the tide ?

Thanks,

David.
Click to expand...

We use ours on a 2.3m hard transom inflatable and it's fine. People often assume that they lack power but it's all in the low to mid-range and can push surprisingly well up to hull speed.
 
The big problem with the Redcrest is that it was designed for a 13" shaft, 2" shorter than "standard" short shaft. The Seagull 40 Minus/Featherweight was designed specifically for the Redstart/Redcrest with the sorter shaft. Anyone who has used an outboard on a Redcrest will have found 2 things. First the lack of buoyancy means the engine sinks low when starting causing back pressure and poor starting. Second the flexible nature of the floppy floor means that any real power results in the stern bending under and bow rising, made worse when using a standard shaft which inevitably puts the prop lower down.

Far and away the best motor for a Redcrest is a Featherweight, although a 40+ with a collar spacer under the powerhead will be OK, and probably a bit better if you carry heavy loads. other than that more recent 2hp 2 strokes a good and of the current crop of 4 strokes, the Honda 2.3 would be my choice.

As for using a Torqeedo, first thing is to raise the height of the motor board by adding a piece of hardwood 40-50mm thick to the top. The prop will inevitably be lower in the water than a petrol outboard because of the larger diameter prop so care in shallow water. However a bit bizarre using a moter tthat costs 10 times what the dinghy is worth and maybe better to get a hard transom or at least an airdeck round tail.
 
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