Electric motor for dinghy

Michael Mirra

Michael Mirra

Member
Jan 18, 2017
177
Rock Hall, Md
Boat Info
360 Sundancer 2002
Engines
8.1 Horizon X 2
Any use an electric motor on their dinghy? Just bought a 10' porta bote to use as a dinghy. Don't plan on using it for anything other than short distance and figured it would be nice to not have a gas can or outboard motor on the boat all the time.
 
My Marina buddy has just done this. He put an AGM battery in a box, put "quick connects" for both charging and running the trolling motor. It also has a meter on it to indicate remaining capacity. I can get more detail and pictures is you like.

One thing to remember, even with an electric trolling motor (assuming that's what you are talking about) you will need to register your dinghy with your state and put Registration Numbers on the bow.

Jaybeaux
 
Perhaps an alternative - the newish small outboards typically have integral gas tanks. It simplifies the gas powered outboard process quite a bit.

I run a 3.5hp Tohatsu outboard. It's pretty light, has no external gas tank and has plenty of power to move a 10' dink with 5 aboard. Though she'll win no speed records it's been an awesome investment. I think most mfg's have an integral gas tank option these days.

From the photos I've seen I don't think you're going to save much space with an electric outboard. You'll also need to consider bringing extra batteries or a charger if you're out on the hook.

My two cents only of course.
 
I have this exact setup. 10' portabote, and an electric trolling motor. It works pretty well. I didn't use it much last year as I got tired of putting it together and taking it apart so we ended up using my paddle board to run back and forth to shore.

I do like the propane gas outboard, a friend of mine let me use that for a weekend and it was nice to have a little more speed. But when I do have the boat out, I go all weekend on a single charge. Sometimes by the end of the weekend it will be a slow ride back to the boat but we make it none the less..
 
AllTideUp said:
I have this exact setup. 10' portabote, and an electric trolling motor. It works pretty well. I didn't use it much last year as I got tired of putting it together and taking it apart so we ended up using my paddle board to run back and forth to shore.

I do like the propane gas outboard, a friend of mine let me use that for a weekend and it was nice to have a little more speed. But when I do have the boat out, I go all weekend on a single charge. Sometimes by the end of the weekend it will be a slow ride back to the boat but we make it none the less..
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When using the port bote, did you put it together on your boat or at the dock before you left
 
I put it together after I'm at anchor. I tried to bring it with me pre assembled once but the structure of the boat isn't good enough to hold up to waves, bouncing and such. I was afraid I would break the metal legs or plastic seats that hold the boat open.

I put it together on the swim platform as well. I tried on the bow once and while putting it over the rail once assembled it started flexing pretty good as it's not firm enough to hold its weight like that at a single point.
 
AllTideUp said:
I put it together after I'm at anchor. I tried to bring it with me pre assembled once but the structure of the boat isn't good enough to hold up to waves, bouncing and such. I was afraid I would break the metal legs or plastic seats that hold the boat open.

I put it together on the swim platform as well. I tried on the bow once and while putting it over the rail once assembled it started flexing pretty good as it's not firm enough to hold its weight like that at a single point.
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Thanks for the info. I was hoping i would be able to assemble it on the swim platform. Our boats are similar so this is good news.
 
Yep, I place it across the platform and unfold it using the provided wooden stick. It will hang over the back of the platform once open.

I put the middle seat in the slots that hold it and the pins, and then the transom (not the bolts yet though). I then just put the other 2 seats in the boat and bring the bolts/pins with me and put it in the water.

Once in the water I finish assembly (bow tied to my boat of course).

Taking it apart, while the boat is fully assembled I pull it up on the platform and take the transom out. I then get into the boat and stand on the side closest to the transom locker (otherwise you'll fall overboard since its wider than the swim platform) then remove the bow and stern seat. I use the stick to hold the boat open and remove the center seat. then I get out and let the boat fold up toward you on the platform.

I use a tie-strap (non-winch style) around the middle to hold the boat together while I store it either down the gunnel walk around, or on the bow down the center. Last year I kept it on the bow.
 
I have a Torqeedo. Weighs all of 29lbs - and 10lbs of that is the (quickly) removable battery pack. It's an older, 1HP model, but it works amazingly well. Best thing about it - you can throw it in the mid-berth when you're done and there's no chance of leaking gas or oil anywhere!
 
Lazy Daze said:
I have a Torqeedo. Weighs all of 29lbs - and 10lbs of that is the (quickly) removable battery pack. It's an older, 1HP model, but it works amazingly well. Best thing about it - you can throw it in the mid-berth when you're done and there's no chance of leaking gas or oil anywhere!
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What voltage does it run Dave? Can it just charge from a 12v power point socket?
 
I have the torqueedo as well. Equivalent of a 3.5 hp engine. Zero maintenance.
 
AllTideUp said:
Those torquedos are neat but expensive considering I can get a battery and trolling motor for ~$200.
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True, but those two things are totally different machines. A Torqeedo is a regular outboard engine - much more powerful than a trolling motor, which is maybe 1/2HP. The same way you wouldn't compare a trolling motor to a gas outboard.

Buy the way, your cost on a trolling motor is a bit off - a DC battery is close to $150, alone. Now, if you're comparing 'used' trolling motors and used batteries, that's different - but then it's not fair compare used equipment values to new.
 
That is true but still quite a bit of price difference when for the most part all I'm doing is bring the dogs to shore for a potty break.

Price is a little off but at walmart I got my minkota 40 lbs motor for arou $150, think they are $169 right now, and a DC type27 batter is $89. I bought a 24 for mine and for what I do it runs all weekend on a single charge.

**edit**
Just looking at the Travel 503, which is supposed to be equal to 1.5 horse, it says has a static thrust of 40 lbs, which would be the same as mine trolling motor. I'm not saying they aren't good products, but I can buy a lot of batteries for the cost difference. I just couldn't justify it.
 
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That's an awful cheap price for a DC battery!

Don't look at the thrust numbers for a comparison - it doesn't correlate. I take it that you've never used a Torqeedo - there is NO comparison between it and a trolling motor. For what they are, they are reasonably priced. Still more than a gas counterpart, but when it comes to what these Torqeedos are, there really is no comparison to anything else. Doesn't mean, of course, that the Torqeedo fits everyone's needs/wants. That's why we have options.
 
Hey guys

While we were out looking at the FRIB’s the store also had the Torqeedos. Sales guy was explaining the difference in battery consumption between 1/4, 1/2 or full throttle. He even mentioned at 1/2 throttle you could get close to 20 hours on the battery. What have you all experienced? Our use will be all salt water and that concerns me as well.

Thoughts?
 
JPGator said:
Hey guys

While we were out looking at the FRIB’s the store also had the Torqeedos. Sales guy was explaining the difference in battery consumption between 1/4, 1/2 or full throttle. He even mentioned at 1/2 throttle you could get close to 20 hours on the battery. What have you all experienced? Our use will be all salt water and that concerns me as well.

Thoughts?
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I use mine in all salt water. Mainly to dinghy to shore and cruise around the harbor. It has a display which tells you your speed and distance you will be able to travel at any given speed. Need more range, throttle back. I have gone 3 days or more on a single charge. If I want to go faster, I take the battery off and charge overnight. It takes close to 24 hours to 100% charge a depleted battery, but I rarely get that low. It tops off well overnight.
 
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