ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus

[CaspersCruiser]

I’ve got an ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus electric outboard coming next week for my dinghy. I’m trying to decide whether to spend an additional $150 on carrying bags for the battery and outboard assembly. If you have one of these motors, did you buy the carrying bag? How do you carry the motor on your vessel? Any tips for a new owner of this product?

 

[srhawk454]

Congrats on your new ePropulsion, great choice!
The carrying bags have very strong thick padding which is essential for storing the assembly and the battery while underway. I store both under the bed, they fit nice there, and I do not have to worry about damaging them. I never used the backpack for actually carrying the motor off the dinghy, but I think it will be useful in busy marinas or when safety/theft is a concern. When staying on the hook, we use the dinghy a lot and the battery lasts at least 3 days of light use (meaning we can go 3 days at low speed and still have some juice left). I recharge the battery when underway so no need for a shore power. Overall, I think the carrying bags worth the $150 price, you still will need a way to store and protect the shaft and motor.

 

[JeffreyAC77]

I have that engine and chose not to purchase the bag. I keep the battery and shaft in the cave when not out on the boat. The battery has an easy built in carry handle and the shaft is easy to maneuver around.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Got mine this fall. The battery (easy to use handle) and lower unit are both light enough to handle separately. Ditto on cave storage. Gary

 

[knotflying]

I have a Torqeedo, but same principal. I actually carried the shaft on the stern rail on a bracket and kept the battery in the cave.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

Thanks guys. I will get the storage bags. My plan for the motor while it’s on the boat is to carry the shaft on a stern rail mount and store the battery elsewhere. I trailer the boat a lot and I’m always looking for ways to consolidate items for the in-out of truck and on-off of boat process. After watching some YouTube videos of the bags being used, I saw some unused space in the shaft bag. I will use for that for some small dinghy accessories.

 

[JohnFP]

I bought both the storage bags in June, they are worth the extra money. Well made and fits perfectly. Underway I can store it in the cockpit lazarette with no chance of damage in our R25.

 

[knotflying]

Thanks guys. I will get the storage bags. My plan for the motor while it’s on the boat is to carry the shaft on a stern rail mount and store the battery elsewhere. I trailer the boat a lot and I’m always looking for ways to consolidate items for the in-out of truck and on-off of boat process. After watching some YouTube videos of the bags being used, I saw some unused space in the shaft bag. I will use for that for some small dinghy accessories.

While mounted on the stern rail I did use a lock.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

The storage bags arrived today. I am impressed. Except for plastic zippers, the two bags are heavy duty and very well made. The components fit perfectly and all accessories can be stored in them so transporting everything will involve just the two bags.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

While mounted on the stern rail I did use a lock.

I will do the same. A downside to the light weight of these motors is that they are easy to carry. And carry off. What type of lock did you use?

 

[bsaitz]

CB31 dingy -- short shaft or long?

 

[CaspersCruiser]

CB31 dingy -- short shaft or long?

To answer that question, one needs to know the transom height of the CB31 dinghy. That value should be in the dinghy documentation. Once that’s determined, look on the ePropulsion website for the shaft length required.

 

[gswearin]

I have a short shaft for my Fluid motion rib. I beach a lot and in hindsight should have chosen the extra short shaft to cut down on the ground contact.

 

[johnbenj]

I have a short shaft for my Fluid motion rib. I beach a lot and in hindsight should have chosen the extra short shaft to cut down on the ground contact.

The RIB on the 2021 27OB has a 15" transom height. I ordered the extra short shaft. Fingers crossed.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[HawaiianFish]

So I hav the C30CB 290 Rib, and went on Epropulsion’s website and they say to take the transom length 15.5”, the length of the propeller 5.7”, and add 4” for optimal water movement, which = 24.2”. That would fall right into the Short Shaft (S) 24.6”. My concern is that the Extra Short (EX) is 20.7” and takes away the optimal water movement, vs the 4” extra clearance in shallow water…
I think I am going to go for optimal torque, water movement, lack of cavitation, or whatever their theory is, over the 4” of less draft.
Now the hard part, finding one to buy, and selling my brand new Yamaha 6HP 4 stroke that came with the boat.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

………selling my brand new Yamaha 6HP 4 stroke that came with the boat.

I am the originator of this thread. I now have some experience with the Spirit 1.0 Plus. I’m happy with it, but be aware it is not a replacement for or even the least bit competitive with a 6HP outboard motor in speed or range.

My dinghy missions are within a couple miles one-way, four miles round-trip. The Spirit 1.0 Plus has plenty enough battery for that at 3.5 - 4.0 mph. I truly love its near silent operation. The noise of the dinghy displacing water far exceeds the noise of the motor. I love its light weight, two piece design that makes ON/OFF the dinghy a breeze. It’s also nice not having to carry a separate fuel supply.

I bought the carry bags and I’m glad I did. They make transporting and storing very easy.

Good luck finding one.