Propane motors

[LakeHouse4305]

Anyone have experience with propane motors for a dinghy? Lehr was the first to offer propane in a pretty wide horsepower range but I'm looking at the Tohatsu 5hp since the Lehr's seem to have mixed reviews. This is what appeals to me:

Tohatsu’s 5hp Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) outboard eliminates carrying gasoline on board. The 5hp LPG comes equipped with a fuel line that will connect to any standard North American propane tank. The outboard will run 5 hours at WOT on a single 11lb propane tank, without sacrificing performance. Since the 5hp LPG does not require ethanol or gas, this propane outboard requires almost zero maintenance on fuel related components.

Can use propane tank carried for grill and it looks like they have a hi thrust prop. The idea of minimizing fuel related problems sounds interesting since the motor would be run very infrequently. Downside is that this is a higher cost alternative compared to gas motors that can be easily found used for less than a grand.

 

[TexasEye]

http://www.powerseasaver.com/english%20 ... Saver.html

 

[Maggie Anne]

Last year I purchased a brand new Lehr 5HP propane outboard ($1899) for the dinghy, mainly because it was lighter than the equivalent HP gasoline outboard and because it was advertised as easier to start (more on that later), and in addition I liked the convenience of the propane canister option. After putting it on the dinghy I found it wouldn't start but after trouble shooting I discovered that the sparkplug was dirty (not sure how that happened since the motor was new out of the box). Anyway, changed the plug and then I was able to start it and used it several times but each time found that it started only after many many, pulls. I took the motor back to West Marine (Bellingham) and they replaced it without any question and also gave me $500 back since coincidentally they were having a sale on this outboard at the time and they honored the sale price. Anyway, the new motor does start with only a few pulls and though its not the smoothest running engine it does the job. I use a separate Lehr 4 gallon propane tank and line which is easy to use.

On a related but separate topic, since I have the R27OB, the dinghy sits on the roof and although it's relatively easy to get the dinghy on and off the boat it is more of a struggle to get the 48 lb outboard on and off the dinghy. It would make it a lot easier if I could use a lighter weight outboard and I considered the Torqueedo 3 HP but wasn't certain it would be sufficient to push my dinghy (W. Marine PHP 310) so I went with the 5 HP Lehr. Torqueedo also makes a 5 HP motor but it's fairly expensive.

 

[NautiTug]

I purchased the 2.5hp Lehr this weekend with WM black friday sale as it was only $600. To be seen how it works. Reviews on WM weren't great but in doing a search on tugnuts it seems like most actually seem to enjoy theirs. I will report back next season on my thoughts.

 

[knotflying]

I have spoken with several owners of the Lehr. The reviews are mixed from wonderful to hate it. I think it has to do with the type of use. If you are using it to power your dingy from boat to shore they seem to love it. If you are running around all day they hate it. I have the Torqeedo. Great motor, but service is difficult and the cost of a new battery is close to buying a small powered Lehr. It's always a compromise!

 

[Barerootsbob]

The Lehr is a decent motor but it does have it’s limitations. At first the motor was a little quirky. It wasn’t hard to start but it wasn’t consistant. It idled but not smothly and I was constantly trying to adjust the idle. Somewhere I read (probably here) that the oil level was crucial for these motors. After checking carefully it looked like it was just shy of being full. I added a small amount of oil. Probaly about a shot glass full. And it seemed to make all the difference. It started and idled much better.
Like others have said before it’s a fine dinghy motor for short trips to shore. The propane canisters are easy to stow away and I like that it wasn’t as heavy as most 5hp gas powered units. But for longer excursions and adventures I found it a little under powered.
Last year during Buccaneer days at Two Harbors on Catalina someone tilted my motor (probably fell off the dock) and the throttle handle was pointed at the sky. After a few pulls and a lot of bad words I rowed back to my boat and had to clean a fouled plug in the morning.