Dinghy motor, Torqueedo

[Lehill]

Thinking of buying a Torqueedo 3.5 hp for my 9 foot dinghy on our R31 CB. Would rather not deal with having a gas can on board. Anyone have any experience with this motor or suggestions?

 

[WA6BTK]

We used our Torqueedo all last summer in the PNW. Two suggestions: If you have the Torqueedo to where it's handy, configure a 12 vdc charging cord from the cockpit to its battery so that when you are passage making with the big boat, the outboard battery is taking a charge. If you wait to check the battery status when you want to use the motor, you may find that the Torqueedo battery is dead or dying. The second thing to know is that you have about 60 minutes of outboard time (less at WOT). Keep that in mind when you dinghy from the tug on an excursion. Last summer, we were docked at Telegraph Harbor. By the time we went out to Clam Bay to look around and then over to Thetis Marina for a drink, we had to be towed back to Telegraph. Fortunately, we were with Ranger Gray and they did the towing. Otherwise, we would have been doing some rowing.

Stu

 

[WA6BTK]

Lehill,

After I posted, I looked at the Torqueedo website. They are saying the outboard will give you more use time than what I stated. So, either my battery isn't getting enough charge time, or it's faulty. Maybe some other owners will weigh in with their experiences.

Stu

 

[bradcarolR29S]

We were in the same situation last summer shopping for an outboard for our dinghy. I researched the Torqueedo and found the reviews to be quite mixed and highly polarized. People either loved them or thought they were junk. In light of that, we went with a 2.5 HP Lehr propane outboard. We love it and as we already used propane for cooking, no different type of fuel was added. They are also about half of what a Torqueedo costs.
Brad

 

[Lehill]

Thanks both Stu and Brad. I had the same reservations and questions about battery duration. Although I really like the idea of easy stowing and no gasoline with the Torqueedo I am thinking it won't be enough juice to spend much time in the dinghy. Will consider the Lehr as an option. Much appreciated....Lance

 

[knotflying]

I have had the Torqeedo for a couple of seasons. I have definitely gotten more than an hour out of a charge, but I was not going WOT. I keep mine always topped off. I would say that the better use is for anchoring out and going to a dingy dock or a short run to shore. I would not want to use it for long exploration excursions. I have been fortunate to be buddy boating with another Torqeedo owner. So we will all pile into one dingy and carry a spare battery. 😀
For the purposes stated it is great, quiet, light and easy to mount on the dingy. Probably if I was going combustion I would go with the Lehr. As we all know, life and especially boating, is all about compromise.

 

[Bill & Donna Sibbers]

We have had our Torqueedo motor for about 5 years. First with a Walker Bay and now with a Portland Pudgy. The original battery was faulty and the company replaced it at no cost a couple of years ago. We use the economy mode for our excursions until we are with-in rowing distance of home base, then open it wide up. Out an hour and still can't run the battery dry without full throttle cruising. On our Ranger Tug 31 we plug the AC charger into a small inverter plugged into the 12volt outlet intended for a freezer under our starboard cockpit hatch. Always charged and ready to use. Though I like the idea of the Lehr for benefits mentioned, I simply don't want the oil change and maintenance associated with an internal combustion engine. The new Torqueedo models are outstanding. If we ever need to replace, I would definitely buy again. Great technology company. For what it's worth.

 

[RandyCindy]

Our Torqueedo failed after about 10 hours of use. I called a couple service centers and they said there was an issue with them leaking and the water damaged the motor. One of the service centers even said they stopped selling them. I contacted the headquarters in Chicago and they agreed to repair it free even though it was out of warranty by a few months. The performance is good, better than the 2 hp Honda we had and much quieter. It's nice being able to take it apart and store it in the cave. However, with all that said I'd probably not buy another one since it's not real reliable and the range is always a concern.

 

[dialtone]

When I compared I settled on the Honda 2.3hp. It is loud (air cooled) but so reliable and range is never an issue. I also mount it on swim platform railing and it is a dream to use/mount. Always starts too!!

 

[The Masons]

We considered all of the above options for our Portland Pudgy and wound up going with the 2.3 hp Honda as well even though it does means having to carry gasoline. The Lehr doesn't make a long-shaft in the lower horsepower so that one was crossed off the list. Even though we have experience with electric drive systems (we converted our old sailboat from diesel to a 6.5kw system from Electroprop) we still opted for the Honda as it was inexpensive, economical (though it sounds like my old lawn mower) and is light enough to easily remove and stow on the swim platform rails.