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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Outboard gas alternative

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David Zumwalt
Deckhand

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USA
12 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/07/2007 : 21:39:59

My 20 yr old outboard is extremely irritating and so have decided to replace it. Has anyone considered one of these electric outboards I saw on the West Marine web site?

Torqeedo Travel 801 Folding Electric Outboard with Battery

Manufacturer Style
TORQEEDO - 010_303_003_504

Description

Quiet, compact and green: Torqueedo motors, exclusively from West Marine
Torqeedo's electric motors redefine mobility with simple charging, light weight, foldable design, no-maintenance ease and safe, low-voltage working range that eliminates the danger of explosion or shock. A rechargeable lithium-manganese high-performance battery connects to the head of the motor, eliminating the need for heavy batteries and cumbersome connections. It is easy to charge with the included 110V AC charger and lasts up to two hours depending on conditions and energy demand. The whole unit, with battery and motor, weighs in at only 26.9lb., one of the lightest electric motors on the market. Due to its unique folding mechanism, the Travel breaks down quickly to pack into the included waterproof carry bag for easy storage. A perfect choice for smaller boats including tenders, dinghies and daysailors. You can place the stowed motor in a lazarette, forward to help with weight distribution during sailing, or easily carry it ashore for stowing. Features an integrated battery level indicator, a continuously forward and reverse drive, adjustable shaft height and variable, telescopic tiller. Replacement battery and propeller are available below.

Input Power Watts, 800; Volts: 29.6
Output Power Watts: 350W
Static Thrust: 33kf = 72.6lb.
Integrated Battery: 300 Wh
LIMA Battery Life: Up to two hours
Prop Size: 12 x 10
Steering Type: Telescoping twist tiller
Gearing: F-R continuous, variable
Weight: 26.9lb

1987 C25 FK/SR
sv Kadazu
Cheney Res., Kansas

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 21:42:46

I hear they are very good motors but $$$. I would also be concerned that a couple hours of operation would not be nearly enough. On our last cruise we sometimes motored much longer than that. I guess you could carry extra batteries. I would think that the Torquedo would be a good dink motor but not a replacement for the main OB on the C25/250.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 10/07/2007 21:45:08

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2007 : 23:21:44

David,
I've considered the Torqueedo as well, and while I think it'd make a great motor for our boats (at least the big one would), the battery requirements and the fact that when you run out of juice you're out with no options has convinced me otherwise. Our experience on our third or fourth time out would have run the battery dry and we'd have still been looking into 20kt winds on our nose with limited options to get home safely. I think that the ability to be able to simply add gas when your engine is out of fuel trumps the benefits of electrical thrust. I can easily carry another 6 gallons of gas for about $20, but to have an extra tank of juice, I'd need another several hundred dollars worth of battery. That said, I'd love to be able to use my motor in quiet and no stench. Plus I'd be able to get rid of several bags of gravel in the bow of my boat when I added the necessary batteries. I think the Torqueedo would be great on a lake that's not overly large, but on the Puget Sound, I want an engine with extra gas. When my San Juan 21 was on Lake Washington, it would have been perfect because I rarely ran my engine for more than ten minutes at a time. I'll eventually get a 10hp four stroke (probably a Tohatsu, but I like the Yamaha's high thrust models too) and have relative quiet & lack of stench. First I have to run my Johnson 8 into the ground.

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 01:34:39

I wonder if this kind of motor could work with a hybrid system similar to that new 40' catamaran. That is, run off battery for a brief period, the typical pull off the dock get the sails up trip and then run off the juice from a dedicated generator if needed for longer periods of time.

I agree that for our own trips we need to be able to motor for a longer period of time. The trip this summer back from Catalina was a 7 hour motor trip all the way.

Latitude 38 mentioned that they have an upcomming article on alternative drive systems. I am interested to see what they highlight.

Actually my dream set up would be to install a prop driven by an electric motor under the boat where the prop would stay in the water all the time. Also then the prop could be used to charge back the battery when the sails are up. Still would have a generator to handle long trips but also could use to run other AC devices when at anchor.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3431 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 07:36:54

I am not familiar with this particular motor but..on the web somewhere I remember coming across a guy that did a review of some electric motor alternatives. But the end of the story was that he then tried what he thought was the best replacement for his boat....and apparently the current on the river he was located was strong enough that he could not get back to his starting point. Not much help in that I do not remember what kind of boat he tried it on, the electric motors he reviewed or where on the web. I try and do some web searches and see if I can find it.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3431 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 08:21:08

I could not locate that electric motor investigation/review but in the Trailer Sailor Website I came across this posting about the motor you are considering. This motor seems much more powerful compared to what I read in the electric motor review about a year or so ago. Looks like things have improved a bit. If you cannot get to the links below...then go to Traler Sailor Forum and do a search on "Electric Motor". Toward the top of the search you will find the below posting. One of the photo links shows 4 batteries running this motor. Not sure how heavy this guy's boat is to do the comparison with ours/yours.

Electric propulsion for the 26 RK
Posted By: Jeff Peltier, 26RK <Send E-Mail>
Date: 8/31/07 6:12a.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

Being the kind of person that gets bored with status quo, I decided to switch to electric propulsion. I was looking at Re-E-Power, but decided on Torqeedo Cruise 2 because I wanted it to retract while sailing and weight issues. It's supposed to have the outpute of a 6hp outboard and I believe that's about right. With a 9.9hp outboard I had a top speed of 7 knots with a nice cruise at 5 knots. With the electric, I have a top speed of 5.5 knots (4 hr duration) and a cruise of 4 knots (12 hour duration) with 4 group 27 batteries. This has not been confirmed yet on the water, as I have only been using it for 3 weeks and I still have about a 75% batter charge (I sail alot more than I motor). Here are a few pictures of the installation. http://downloads.c-2.com/photos/1188567193.jpg http://downloads.c-2.com/photos/1188567258.jpg http://downloads.c-2.com/photos/1188567305.jpg http://downloads.c-2.com/photos/1188567346.jpg

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 13:03:16

Larry, Is that a Seaward 26? A friend of mine in Chattanooga owns one. Not sure I would want the weight of 4 batteries in my boat.
David

Edited by - on

David Zumwalt
Deckhand

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USA
12 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 13:08:38

Thanks for everyone's input. Here at Cheney, 95% of the time I motor 10 minutes to get out of my slip and into the lake. The other 5% I am at one end of the lake or other and run the motor for 20 minutes, lol. I am surprized at the cost of the motor. Were it in the $500 range I would get one for sure.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3431 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 15:00:46

It is a 26' Seaward....I just did a Yahoo search on "26 RK Sailboat" and besides a whole bunch of hits on "Seaward", the Trailer Sailor Forum/Bulletin Board with same info I provided popped up. Here is the link to the posting thread regarding the electric propulsion and the 26' Seward:
http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/seaward/index.cgi/noframes/read/36852

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2007 : 15:39:58

There is a guy here with a small electric trolling motor like an outboard he uses on his C-22. He motors in and out of the slip and daysails. Works fine for him. Not useful for long distance cruising or motoring against wind or current.

Edited by - on

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