Torqeedo electric motors

[BobnDoc]

Has anyone had any experience with the torqeedo motor?

 

[Spinner]

I just got mine, but I can't wait to get it on my new dinghy!

 

[baz]

Has anyone had any experience with the torqeedo motor?

Yes.... what are your questions/concerns ?

I bought the Torqeedo 1003L motor and used it to power a Portland Pudgy dinghy. I paid some $1680 from Defender back in 2010 when it was on Sale discount for 4-days as I recall. It performed very well and had no issues with it. It's lightweight, can be disassembled into 3 pieces (Tiller, Main shaft and battery) and is easily stowed.

If you have it shipped there will be a HAZMAT SHIPPING FEE due to the battery type.

In 2012 Torqeedo released new redesigned C brackets and the metal tab re-design for raising/lowering the motor. These were sent to me free of charge.

 

[ALICE J]

I met a fellow who bought a 9.9 2 stroke in Georgetown, Exuma, Bahamas because the Torqeedo would not push his inflatable against a swift current in the cuts or creeks, I have a 9.9 that I use on a RIB. This spring I bought a used 5hp for use on the canals in Ontario. It will fasten on the transom of a Red Rover Avon, that I use when I am trailering, as it fully deflates and I put it in the back of the truck. Keeps the R27 on an more even keel, as I stow the motor on the port side of the swim platform.

 

[knotflying]

I have the Torqeedo. It performs well with our 8'-6" soft bottom dingy. Light weight easy to assemble and handle. We do not take long excursions with it. We use it mostly to go between boats and to shore. The charge will last up to about 5 to 6 miles depending on how fast you go. The faster the speed the shorter the distance. There is an internal GPS that calculates distance based on current usage and also warning signals if you are getting low. All in all I like it better than a gas powered motor based on our use.

 

[oldteaman]

We purchased one last year to replace a one year old 3.5 Mercury. We needed a lighter outboard for passing down from boat to dinghy. We also wanted to get gas off of the boat. We are very impressed with the Toquedo, enough power to push our 8.5ft hard bottom dinghy with 2 adults and dog to shore and back with detours around the harbor, we always know how much power is available to get us back. WE charge the battery after every use as part of our shut down process. Very are glad we made this purchase decision.

 

[baz]

Hey guys....

Torqeedo and not "Torqueedo" or "Toquedo". I know placing the "u" after the "q" is natural to do. :lol:

My requirement for the Torqeedo was to have it allow me to travel 20 miles while running it at low speed with having a full battery charge. Of course use of oars can be used if the battery were to fully discharge before the 20 miles is reached. My thought was that I should never be further from land than 20 miles while cruising about the PNW.

One winter I left the Torqeedo's Li-ion battery fully charged onboard for around 4 to 5 months. When I returned I found the battery had only discharged to around 90%. That was pretty remarkable IMO. It does take a long time to charge up.

There's a solar charging option if that is of any concern for people.

One thing that bothered / annoyed me was a year or two back while pottering about the Cape Sante / Anacortes marina was that because the weeds were so close to the water surface they wrapped around the Torqeedo's prop and seized the motor. No damage was done, but the motor simply got slower and slower and eventual stopped. When looking down I saw what the issue was. It was tiring freeing the prop from the tightly wound weeds (the water was cold and my arm is only so long). Now, would a gas powered motor have the same issue ? ... dunno.

I believe the newer Torqeedo motors today come with a longer lasting battery charge -- that good news. My estimate was that a replacement battery would be required after some 6 to 8 years with normal use. A new battery will cost around $600 to $700 is my guess.

Maintenance for the Torqeedo is for all intense and purposes, zero dollars.

The Torqeedo Travel 1003L is rated at an equivalent 3 HP I believe.

The new Torqeedo Travel 1003 now provides a USB port from which you can charge mobile phones, laptops etc. That's a real bonus IMO.

The new Torqeedo Travel 1003 C model has a much larger capacity battery - 915 Wh. A new one of these will run you close to $1000. 😱

A longer tiller arm can be purchased which IMO was a necessity for my Portland Pudgy.

BTW... For my Portland Pudgy I found I had to strengthen the transom with an angle bar as the Torqeedo placed quite a 'moment arm' on the transom when running at speed which when observed bent outwards alarmingly and thought it possible to damage things and/or for the Torqeedo to simply wrench itself off the transom all together. 😱 :shock:

I found the Torqeedo Tech Help service was excellent. I called them twice during my Torqeedo motor ownership.

Torqeedo battery Ref: http://www.torqeedo.com/us/en-us/products/accessories/spare-batteries

 

[HappyPlace]

Just purchased a new one but have not had a chance to use it on our AB aluminum hull 9.5 dinghy. We typically use the dinghy to run to shore, islands, etc. No long range cruising. It's more for Roscoe (the dog) than anything else!

Al Sr.

 

[Connerkip]

HI Baz,

How has the torqeedo held up to your twenty Mile expectation?
I have a 1003 and I get approx. 2 miles at a slow 2.5 knots. Although the the torqeedo computer states hours remaining at current speed, I find it really drops quicker once you reach the 50 percent mark.

 

[baz]

HI Baz,

How has the torqeedo held up to your twenty Mile expectation?
I have a 1003 and I get approx. 2 miles at a slow 2.5 knots. Although the the torqeedo computer states hours remaining at current speed, I find it really drops quicker once you reach the 50 percent mark.

Honestly.... I never was in a position to sanity check my '20 mile range' requirement during the time I owned the Torqeedo on my Portland Pudgy. I sold my R-25 along with the Pudgy and the Torqeedo motor, so no longer have the opportunity.

If the max distance you can reliably expect for your Torqeedo to give you is important, then I would contact Torqeedo Tech help for their advice on this matter. The newer Torqeedo 1003 motor now comes with a much longer lasting battery; 915 watt-hours I believe.

 

[griervictoria]

Thank you all for helpful replies. I likely will consider the 1003 for my inflatable on the R31. I wonder if there is a way to connect it to the inverter/ charger so it gets charged as we motor along under the main Volvo engine?

 

[blifland]

We have a Torqeedo on our Pudgy.
Ours can be charged with AC or DC. DC is more efficient as there is no conversion DC(battery) to AC(inverter) to DC (Torqeedo).
Downside of the Torqeedo: it takes 7-14 hours to re-charge (depending on depletion).
Gas takes 5 minutes to 're-charge' (downside is carrying gas).
We are considering adding some type of liquid fueled motor depending on anticipated uses.

 

[knotflying]

Torqeedo does make a fast charge 110v charger, Not sure how much faster or the cost. I just make it a practice that after use I just plug it into the 12v outlet an it is then always at full charge.