dingy power

[kskogerson]

Is an electric motor a good alternative to gas power? The gas can takes up as much space/weight as a battery so this may be a mute point? The motor itself seems lightweight enough. Anyone with experience with an electric alternative?

Kent

 

[HRowland]

Hi Kent,

The Torqeedo's work well. I have a Travel 1003S. They are very light and easy to use. No gasoline storage issues. Search for Torqeedo on this forum and you will find a number of discussions. Quite a few of us have them.

Howard

 

[JamesTXSD]

Pluses and minuses with either propulsion method. Dependent on the dinghy and how it is carried on the boat, you have to schlep the heavy battery back and forth on each use. If you're making a short run to shore, you don't have to carry extra fuel with the outboard. The battery has a finite power use capacity; a gas motor can run indefinitely, as long as you keep adding fuel. The electric is quiet compared to an outboard. If you are at anchor, you will be running the generator to charge the dinghy battery. Less of a concern if you usually stay in marinas and have power. No need to carry another fuel onboard with the electric.

If push came to shove (pun intended), you could hip tie the dinghy to your tug and move it (slowly) with an outboard on the dinghy. The electric is going to be hard pressed to serve the same duty, at least for any length of time.

Your use will determine which will work best for you.

Jim B.

 

[knotflying]

All of Jim's points are spot on. I had a gas 3.5 HP for my dingy and just went electric. What I like about the electric is that it is much easier to mount the shaft because it is so light without the battery. No gas to carry. I made a charge cord directly from the 12v socket so I just keep it plugged in and it is always topped off and in the cave. Depending on how fast you want to go it can go several miles on a full charge and it is just as fast as my gas engine. I kept my gas engine for now and will ultimately decide after a season of use. Boating is about tradeoffs.

Mike Rizzo

 

[tlkenyon]

Oars. No extra fuel. No extra electrical demand. Lightweight. Fitness opportunity. Quiet. Variable speed. Cheap.

Just sayin'

😀 😀

 

[baz]

Oars. No extra fuel. No extra electrical demand. Lightweight. Fitness opportunity. Quiet. Variable speed. Cheap.

Just sayin'

😀 😀

Sounds just like the Portland Pudgy with it's sailing kit and oars. :lol:

I also have the Torqeedo 1003L and can't say enough good things about it. I've had it since 2010 and have had no issues with it. At low speed it will take me 15 miles easily, which is my requirement for handling emergencies.

 

[Zundels]

Adding to the point of using the dingy power for other purposes, we chose to go with the fuel option as it doubles as the reserve power for the R-25. In the Gulf of Alaska we need an alternate power source with one main engine in the boat. The eight horse power kicker also works great as the power for dingy when we shuttling people to shore for a hike on a nearby island or tending the net while gill net fishing for red and silver salmon.

Don

 

[kskogerson]

Thanks for the suggestions...I need to research the options

 

[Don and Brenda]

This was a tough struggle for us also, we liked the Suzuki 2.5 especially the price! then thought about the Lehr propane motor and in the end did the Torqeedo after we did a test drive with one. The price was the biggest issue to get over.

 

[jimschu]

This may be an inexpensive option for power. I have the ranger 8.5 hard bottom dinghy with a 4 hp Johnson and it will plane the boat with one person. Suggest this be done in calm conditions.
Minn Kota has a enduraC2-30 trooling motor 12v. cost is $99.00 eith a 25 buck rebate. Add another 150 bucks for battery,charger and carry case and for under 3 C notes you are good to go.
Probably won't last for maybe three years if you rinse off the salt water. I,m going to try one and post results.

 

[kskogerson]

Just bought a new Lehr propane 2.5 hp motor. Fabulous! Uses camp stove propane bottles or can hook up larger tanks with the adapter hose provided. Great little motor. Starts every time and runs the 8 foot dingy reliably. You will not be able to speed around but it gets you there. Weighs in at around 35 lbs so you can attach it to the transom and not drop it in the water! You can also attach it to the swim step railing with a motor mount from west marine or similiar and this keeps the railing from moving while driving the boat on the trailer or motoring without the dingy. I had a wooden brace made to attach the swim railing to the deck railing. The canister lasts about 3 hours under normal use so just take a spare or hook up a larger tank.

You will avoid costly carburator gum up and repair. Sold at west marine for about a grand. Love it! Got lots of inquiries.