Electric outboards

[Shabuba]

I think I have had it with heavy outboard motors for the dinghy. I have read old threads about electric outboards, and I was wondering if anyone had any good and recent recommendations as to manufacturer and power. As well as the best place to purchase one?

 

[Diatom]

Use my 8' dinghy as tender only. Delighted with ePropulsion eLite.
Among other things it adds reliable steering to rudderless dinghy.
Ultra lightweight, integrated battery, fast charging, range contingent upon power setting, claimed 9km.
/Diatom

 

[CaspersCruiser]

I have an ePropulsion Spirit 1+. It hasn’t seen a lot of use, but I have been satisfied with it when I have used it. The separate battery and motor shaft make it a cinch to transfer from the boat and to mount on the dinghy. I’ve used it to go boat-to-boat in an anchorage and from boat to shore. One of the best times I can remember using it was to cruise around Silver Glen Springs early in the morning. The near silent operation was just wonderful. The dinghy plying the water made more noise than the motor. I have made a trip of a couple miles with it. If you need a motor to run five miles from an anchorage to a waterside restaurant and back, this motor is not what you need.

 

[venajeff]

We have the Torqeedo for our dingy and we love it. I made a 12v extension cord so I can charge it from the downrigger socket while it is still attached to the dingy. We have a 8hp Honda outboard that we used on the dingy on our last boat, but would never dream of going back to gasoline. The Torqeedo is not fast, but the quietness is totally worth it. The best part is not having to deal with another engine requiring oil changes and empellers and carburetors...

 

[Todd Tugnut]

Very happy with ePropulsion. Our dinghy sees little use. It’s nice not to sorry about gas and oil on the boat. It stows neatly in the lazerette.

 

[JeffreyAC77]

Love our e propulsion electric motor. Have had it for three years. Nothing like running around in your dinghy and all you hear is the rushing water as you travel. No gas to worry about is wonderful. Only drawback we see is there is not a lot of speed but the trade off is worth it! E proopulation floating battery is also a nice plus.

 

[Shabuba]

Thanks to you all. I opted for the Torqeedo S with the 5HP battery (equivalent). Ordered from West Marine. Should be in Charleston by Tuesday. Then headed for the Keys. We love to anchor so this motor will be used.

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

I really like our Torpedo. No issues in the 7 years of ownership. It's been with us to the Keys, West coast of FL, and the Bahamas.

 

[Midwest Jeff]

I too have been debating between gas or electric. However, I can't justify the $4,000 price tag for the Torqeedo XP with 1425 watt battery. Plus, the performance numbers are not great from what I have researched. A 4 hp Merc is $1600 new and weighs 55 lbs. The Torqeedo with battery weighs 50 lbs. Yes I know you can install it without the battery, but that's a lot to spend for convenience. I am not a fan of the Epropulsion being Chinese made. Some have had problems acquiring parts or service. Another factor for gas is that we may use dinghy for extended exploring, I like the range gas provides.

 

[Fishmagnet]

We're in the market for an electric dinghy motor to replace our Minnkota trolling motor. Its tough to find a dealer in our area. Has anyone ordered an ePropulsion or Torqueedo from an online dealer?

 

[CaspersCruiser]

I got mine from an ePropulsion dealer in Florida. I live in Kentucky.

 

[gswearin]

I also bought my ePropulsion from Florida. Liquid Surf and Sail.

 

[Rode Trip]

We recently bought an Epropulsion Lite online from Tiny Boat Nation and it arrived quickly.

 

[Gypsy]

I have an 8 ft. inflatable and, as have others, got tired of the gas outboard. I bought a Newport saltwater series electric trolling motor (55 lb. thrust) on Amazon for $200. The motor weighs 23 pounds. I then added the recommended 50AH lithium battery for $150. The battery only weighs 11 pounds and it is bluetooth so you can monitor the charge on your cell phone. I also picked up a small lithium battery charger for $25. Total cost $375. I road around about a mile with two plus the dog in the boat and still had plenty of charge left.

 

[Shabuba]

Yamaha has purchased Torqeedo..so we should be able to deal through Yamaha dealers now..

 

[summer wind]

Check out the you tube channel Acorn to Arabella, he has a recent description of the ongoing problems encountered with the E-prop motor.

 

[johnbenj]

+1 ePropulsion

 

[DDean]

An additional thought when one is debating to go electric or not for the dinghy: dont forget that you will need to mount the gas motor on a bracket on your boat - the bracket itself and paying someone to install it (if needed) will double the cost of a new Yam 2.5. That bridges the gap to electric a lot. Id feel ok putting the electric in the cave but would not do that with the gas ob.

 

[JeffreyAC77]

I think I have had it with heavy outboard motors for the dinghy. I have read old threads about electric outboards, and I was wondering if anyone had any good and recent recommendations as to manufacturer and power. As well as the best place to purchase one?

We have the e propulsion on our dinghy and love it. Battery floats and easy to mount. No sound while running and no fuel to worry about. Where are you located?