Which Torqeedo to replace Lehr Propane for 290 RIB?

A

asm777

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Messages
99
Fluid Motion Model
R-23 (Outboard)
Having only used our Lehr 5HP propane outboard a handful of times over the past 4 years, thinking of replacing with a Torqeedo after hearing that Lehr may no longer be in business...

From two other sites after searching:

I heard from a local outboard shop that Lehr is out of business. West Marine seems to have had their remaining stock on clearance, but they are no longer listed on the site. The Lehr website is still online but their company store is not. Out of curiosity I checked Amazon and none of their products show up anymore.
Click to expand...
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index. ... -business/


I just got confirmation that Lehr is no longer in business from my local Lehr servicer
Click to expand...
https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-fo ... st12642276

Reasons contemplating switch:
1) Parts for Lehr might no longer be available? Does anyone know if maintenance parts (impeller, etc.) proprietary or are there generic parts that will allow Lehr outboards to continue to be serviced if the company is indeed out of the propane outboard game? Spoke with local (former?) authorized Lehr service shop and they said that they could use other parts to continue to maintain outboard. Can anyone confirm either way?

2) Electric outboard is smaller and easier to store out of the elements unlike our current Lehr propane outboard that has significant corrosion from being mounted on the swimstep year round.

3) Cost of electric may be less in long run due to propane outboard requiring regular maintenance/service... Torqeedo appears to only need servicing every 5 years?

Anyone here currently using a Torqeedo with the Cutwater 290 RIB? Any recommendations as to where to purchase for best price?

Thanks!
 
Everything is a compromise and it is a matter of what may fit your needs. Why not keep the Lehr until you have a problem and in the interim check on getting parts. I have the Torqeedo and as far as performance goes it works great. The pros are how light it is and no gas needed and relatively maintenance free. Their customer service is very good as well. The cons are the battery will need to be replaced after about 7 years and they aren't cheap, somewhat limited extended cruising time depending on speed, I can get 4 hours at about 3MPH, charging up depending on how much is needed can take several hours, service centers a few and far between and usually shipping to and from their main headquarters is required. At this juncture if I was going to make a switch I would probably go with a small Honda or Yamaha gas. Here on the east coast one can get away without a dingy if they wanted to or row to shore without a motor or better still, travel with friends who have a dingy and motor. :lol:
 
Yeah, will probably keep the Lehr and just not spend any more money on it...

We've literally used it probably average of once per year over the past 4 years... (zero times in year 1!)

Most of our boating doesn't require use of the dinghy... and the few times we use it (from mooring to shore and back at Catalina), we probably run it for less than 30 mins!

I bet we can get a few more years use out of the Lehr without maintenance before it goes kaput and then we'll likely look into a Torqeedo. Let the tech get even better since we don't really urgently need to replace the outboard. =)
 
asm777":2il9vwpm said:
Yeah, will probably keep the Lehr and just not spend any more money on it...

We've literally used it probably average of once per year over the past 4 years... (zero times in year 1!)

Most of our boating doesn't require use of the dinghy... and the few times we use it (from mooring to shore and back at Catalina), we probably run it for less than 30 mins!

I bet we can get a few more years use out of the Lehr without maintenance before it goes kaput and then we'll likely look into a Torqeedo. Let the tech get even better since we don't really urgently need to replace the outboard. =)
Click to expand...

Sounds like, based on your usage, that you'd be a prime candidate for a Torqeedo. Get the Travel 1003 with the extended range battery and be done with it. I store the motor (Shaft) in the stbd laz on my R29. The batter and tiller are in a plastic tub under the vberth.
 
SgtAlf":1ulmbuw1 said:
I'm looking at this,
https://www.amazon.com/Newport-Vessels- ... ay&sr=8-13
Powered by,
https://www.amazon.com/Light-Trolling-M ... W483KP65FF
I can buy a lot of these batteries for the price of the Torqeedo and achieve the same results. Then again, I'm cheap! 😀
Click to expand...
According to the specs that motor has a maximum draw of 52 amps. the battery you listed is only 35 amp hours. You better buy a few for backup. I saw this battery though https://batteryguy.com/newport+vess...yVHPr0AELlBIThW3iZxDSPeqSQ-Cy0-oaAoe-EALw_wcB 100 amp hours, but 69 pounds. It's all about compromise!
 
asm777":1mohweaj said:
Having only used our Lehr 5HP propane outboard a handful of times over the past 4 years, thinking of replacing with a Torqeedo after hearing that Lehr may no longer be in business...

...snip...
Click to expand...

Hmmm.... just a "...handful of times in the past 4 years,..."

This tells me you should simply employ oars and drop the idea of needing a powered motor. Keep the Lehr until it fails and save yourself the expense of the Torqeedo which is not inexpensive.
 
SgtAlf":1ybqsd6c said:
I'm looking at this,
https://www.amazon.com/Newport-Vessels- ... ay&sr=8-13
Powered by,
https://www.amazon.com/Light-Trolling-M ... W483KP65FF
I can buy a lot of these batteries for the price of the Torqeedo and achieve the same results. Then again, I'm cheap! 😀
Click to expand...

Hmm, hadn't considered something like that... is that all you need to be up and running? Amazon says the "Trolling Motor Power Center" is frequently purchased with those items:
https://www.amazon.com/MinnKota-Trollin ... B001PTHKMG

Would also need some kind of charger for the battery that we can plug into the boat somehow?


knotflying":1ybqsd6c said:
According to the specs that motor has a maximum draw of 52 amps. the battery you listed is only 35 amp hours. You better buy a few for backup. I saw this battery though https://batteryguy.com/newport+vess...yVHPr0AELlBIThW3iZxDSPeqSQ-Cy0-oaAoe-EALw_wcB 100 amp hours, but 69 pounds. It's all about compromise!
Click to expand...

Yikes, 69 pounds! If the battery goes in the dinghy, does that reduce the weight capacity of persons/gear? Or is it part of the motor weight that hangs off the transom (which is reduced going from 5HP Lehr to these small electrics)? :lol:

baz":1ybqsd6c said:
Hmmm.... just a "...handful of times in the past 4 years,..."

This tells me you should simply employ oars and drop the idea of needing a powered motor. Keep the Lehr until it fails and save yourself the expense of the Torqeedo which is not inexpensive.
Click to expand...

Agreed on the keeping the Lehr until it falls apart (it's already well on its way!).

However, life situation continues to change so anticipating more usage as kids get older... from no swimmers (infants) to now one who snorkels and the younger just starting to get comfortable in the water so we should be using the dinghy more in the years to come!

We've been collecting kid sized wetsuits (so far, we have XS, S, and M. In a few years, we'll have the whole collection as they grow into adult size wetsuits! :lol: ) and just added more Youth (50-90 lb) life jackets to the collection of Child (30-50 lb) and Infant (0-30 lb) PFDs on board as well!
 
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