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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Electric outboard - worth it???

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T O P I C R E V I E W
Ellen254	Posted - 03/27/2025 : 06:12:13 Has anyone switched to an electric outboard? I've been fighting with my Yamaha 8hp outboard since the day I bought the boat 6 years ago. I've had it in the shop more often than it's been on the boat and I'm ready to give up. I need something just to get in and out of my slip (I'm in a marina on a lake). I've been looking at the Epropulsion outboards, specifically the Navy 6.0. They're insanely expensive, but considering I'm almost never able to sail, it seems like it might be worth it. I'm curious if any of you have had any experience switching to these and what the pros/cons are. Thanks!
1 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Steve Milby	Posted - 03/27/2025 : 07:52:47 IMO, electric motors are impractical for the majority of sailors, but there's a niche where they make sense and you sound like you fit perfectly within that niche. You need access to shore power at your slip, you probably should have two batteries and a switch that lets you switch between them, and you should have an automatic battery charger that automatically switches from "charge" mode to "maintain" mode when the batteries are fully charged. The Navy 3.0 is reportedly the equivalent of a 6 hp motor. That should be ample for your use. The Navy 6.0, rated at 9.9 hp is overkill. The Spirit 1.0 is reportedly the equivalent of a 3 hp motor. Unless you're not able to pull start an outboard motor, I highly recommend a Tohatsu Sailpro 6 with extra long shaft. They come with an alternator and with a high thrust prop. It's a one cylinder motor which means it has fewer parts than an 8-9 hp motor, costs less to buy and maintain, and, best of all, it weighs much less - only 60 lbs. It's easy to remove and carry to your car for service. They're extremely fuel stingy and reliable. I had an old one on a 25' sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay and it gave excellent service in much more challenging conditions, including adverse currents and severe chop, than you're likely to encounter on an inland lake. My only reservation is whether a new one would swing sufficiently on a C250 to enable you to maneuver the boat around the marina under power. I suspect it would. I know older versions were used on 250s successfully, but I don't know if the engine cowling has been changed since then. Here's a link to an old chat about the Tohatsu 6 on C250s. https://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=19587

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.