Dinghy power: trolling motor or "electric outboard"?

[Loren]

We have the 8.5' Ranger hardbody dinghy, with the standard Weaver davits. Question: how to power the dinghy--besides oars. Our use: short trips--traveling ship to shore, exploring hideaways--like that. Max load: two to four adults (max 800 lb, I'd guess), plus battery. We want to go electric. Will a trolling motor do the job?

We love the Torqeedo Travel 503 & 1003 (http://www.torqeedo.com/us/electric...or-inflatables-dinghies-yachts-up-to-1-5-tons), but they seem like overkill. And the price...!

So far, we've explored 12V transom-mount trolling motors made by
Minn Kota
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/trolling_motors/saltwater_transom_mount/riptide_transom.aspx
and
Motor Guide
http://www.motorguide.com/store/product/saltwater-use/varimax

Your thoughts, wisdom, and recommendations solicited. Many thanks.

 

[knotflying]

I think the major drawback with Minn Kota or motor guide is you need a standard deep cycle battery, which you will have to recharge somehow. I own a Torqeedo and it works well with my inflatable and two peoplel. You do not mention what system you use to store your dingy. If you have standard davits then each time you use your dingy you will have to also load your battery in addition to mounting the motor. If you have the Hurley Davit and the dingy is lying flat, why not go with standard gas? You can leave the engine mounted and store the gas in the dingy, but it sounds like you already decided you don't want gas. If I were to go electric I would go Torqeedo, no heavy battery, very light to handle, battery can be charged very conveniently and easy storage. However with any electric motor you may not be happy with speed or distance from charge. However, electric beats rowing! :lol: It's all about compromise!

 

[jimschu]

I have the R-29 with a pacer lift so am able to store the 8.5" hard bottom on the cabin top.
With a 4 hp Johnson 2 stroke the dinghy would plane with one person. However between having to store gas aboard and the noise i sold the motor.
I have an older Minn-Kota electric outboard with a smaller 12 deep cycle battery. Over the next couple of days I will be using this combo for the first time. The down side will be charging the battery when riding the hook. I think the charger probably wont work good with a single solar panel and the inverter
I am curious to see the run time on the battery, and will use one of the slow settings on my test.

Jim

 

[SlackwaterJack]

Long before there was Torqedo, I used a Minkota on a Walker Bay dingy in San Diego Harbor for several years. I used 2 AGM garden tractor batteries (one at a time). Each was good for about 3 hours run time. The small (6x9x8h) batteries were easier to handle and store. For short trips and around the marina I'd just put 1in the dingy while the other one charged

 

[walldog]

I have the R-29 with a pacer lift so am able to store the 8.5" hard bottom on the cabin top.
With a 4 hp Johnson 2 stroke the dinghy would plane with one person. However between having to store gas aboard and the noise i sold the motor.
I have an older Minn-Kota electric outboard with a smaller 12 deep cycle battery. Over the next couple of days I will be using this combo for the first time. The down side will be charging the battery when riding the hook. I think the charger probably wont work good with a single solar panel and the inverter
I am curious to see the run time on the battery, and will use one of the slow settings on my test.

Jim

Be careful with the charger on the inverter. The Pro Mariner 20 standard on Ranger Tug 27s will fry itself on the inverter.....do not ask me how I know. I think that the inverter will also eat the smart coffee makers. Not having a pure sine wave makes delicate electronics act up.

 

[Crewdog]

I saw this gadget in the Sea Eagle catalog, might be able
To be mounted on the bimini top, or may be able to get just the power fIlm panel:

http://www.seaeagle.com/accessories/solar-panels/solar-canopy

 

[knotflying]

If you have a solar panel installed, you can run a cable to the house battery and keep it charged up that way. That's if you don't mind having a battery sitting in the cockpit.

 

[walldog]

I bought a used Torqeedo 801 from a couple on a Krogen here at Cap Sante. So far we love it (I am sure I would love the 1003 even more). We cruised all over Fisherman Bay at Lopez and used less than 30 percent of the charge. Around an hour or so. We did go slow and at the Max distance level on the throttle. We like not having to turn the motor around for reverse as we have to with our 2.5 Suzuki. The 801 actually moves our washtub dinghy faster than the Suzuki however not as long. grins.