Electric Outboard

H

Hans

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Mar 22, 2009
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Does anyone have a Torqeedo Travel 1003 Electric Outboard, Short, 23" as a dinghy engine? I was looking at one today. Don't have a need for speed so the 4 knots is not an issue. Because it's light weight and easy storage make is interesting to me. Any comments?

Hans
 
Hans, I like you had the same question and after researching I went with a light weight 2.5 four stroke! For less than $675. during the Christmas sales. The price of the Torqeedo was much higher than I wanted to pay and for $1400 I got a Dink and an outboard!!!:lol: We got the Dink for our Dog's when we're on the Hook overnight!!! So speed was not an issue. Like all new tech. I'm sure the prices will come down but for us at this time they were too Pricey!!!:huh:
 
A 2.5 weight is 29 pounds and it does not run out of power when you are 10 miles from your boat provided you remembered to bring 2 gallons of gas. The battery will weigh more than the 2.5HP gas
 
The Torqeedo Travel 1003 Electric Outboard is interesting but $2K seems really high for a motor that will only run 30 minutes at full speed. I have tried using a trolling motor on my dinghy with mixed results. The biggest issue is simply run time.

I ended up with the following outboard which is a couple of pounds (27 lbs versus 29 lbs) lighter that the Torqeedo and will run for hours on it's internal tank.

http://marine.honda.com/Products/modeldetail/BF2

You can buy them for less than $1,000 and have more fun!

-John
 
Hans, we sell a handful of these a year. We primarily have them for our customers that are boating on electric-only lakes with small boats/pontoons. Take a look at the 503 - if you're just putting it on a dinghy, it will be more than adequate - the whole thing (battery and all) weighs 29lbs.

Run time is certainly a consideration... the 503 is about 45 minutes WOT, but if you back down to half throttle (you lose about 1mph), you get 2 hours. Personally, I prefer a gas engine, when possible. But, if I was going to be storing the motor onboard, the electric is quite nice as you can plop it down anywhere - even in the cabin. There are some really nice things about the electric motor, but if long (continuous) run times are your main concern, look to gas.

FYI, for anyone reading this that is not familiar with Torqeedo, these are NOT trolling motors - the 503 is about 2 to 3 times more powerful than a normal trolling motor (but still retains the same, or longer, run time). They make versions up to 10HP.
 
northern said:
A 2.5 weight is 29 pounds and it does not run out of power when you are 10 miles from your boat provided you remembered to bring 2 gallons of gas. The battery will weigh more than the 2.5HP gas
Click to expand...
:lol: I don't know anyone who would go 10 miles from their boat in a Dink!:smt101 And does $2k american justify that? My DT2.5 Suzuki weighs 30 lb's
 
Hans,

Went through the same decision process, decided on a Suzuki 2.5hp 4S. It's just 30# with a built in gas tank. BTW we have the same boat, including blue hull.

I went through another decision process to try and figure out how to carry the dinghy (8.5ft soft bottom) with center transom door. After much thought and evaluation I ended up installing 2 SS "U" bolts (5/16") just under the locker doors on each side near outside of doors. I pull the dinghy, with motor raised, up on the swim platform bow first with the dinghy stern tragging in the water. Tie off the bow rings (on each side of dinghy bow) with pre arranged 3/8" line and "C" clips. This works well and allows you to use the transom door (can just open all the way), just step over the line which is low across the swim platform.

The dinghy rides fine as we cruise at 22MPH, no problems for 2 years....other than Fire Marshall not allowing me to keep the dinghy on the dock, he got a bunch of other folks too!
 
Hans said:
Does anyone have a Torqeedo Travel 1003 Electric Outboard, Short, 23" as a dinghy engine? I was looking at one today. Don't have a need for speed so the 4 knots is not an issue. Because it's light weight and easy storage make is interesting to me. Any comments?

Hans
Click to expand...

Yes Hans I have a Torqueeo. I used it when we were up north to get from the boat to shore while at anchor. Its a great motor as it is light and stores easily. It comes apart so its easy to lift onto the boat as its in pieces. It makes the dink go plenty fast for a harbour or at anchor.

The battery last about 1 hour which seems to be lots but we have run out of power a few times on long trips, lucky it was on the return home so the rowing was not much. I bought it primarily as I had small kids and I was concerned if they had gas and the engine stalled they would not be able to pull the cord to start the engine. OK so having the kids alone might not be the best idea but I figured they would have fun.
 
I have yet to check into this completely, but the solar charger might be an interesting option for those that have the Torqeedo and want to re-charge (if you don't have a genny). I think, but double check me on this, that you can even run about 2mph using the solar charger as your energy source (if your battery is depleted, for example). Although, it may be cumbersome to use on a dinghy - but for a back-up, it might just do the trick.
 
I have a Torqeedo 503. Bought it new on ebay for $700. Bought a blow-up dinghy as well. The whole thing stores in the rope locker. Mostly bought it because I didn't want to store gas on board. Only used it a few times when we bought a RIB and a 6HP Mercury OB. We keep it as a backup. Never had any problems. The power indicator will warn you when the power is getting low. Won't set any speed records, but it will get you to shore when needed.
 
I have the 1003. Cost was definitely a concern, but we ended up getting a dinghy as a gift, so we splurged on the engine. We're Great Lakes boaters and we used it all summer last year with no problems or unintended stranding. We're really only using it for shore transfers and running around harbors. Not going on long dingy cruises or trying to break any speed records. Our model has an integrated GPS display that tells you how far you can go with the charge remaining. having that really alleviates the range anxiety. We will usually get a days use out (again not sustained running...generally short hops) of it before needed to be recharged. Just plug it in and leave it over night and you're set.

The primary reasons we bought it were similar to yours. We wanted something easily stored and as mess free as possible. Speed was not really part of the equation. Also, even though it's pretty much all plastic, it has stood up to abuse. If the cost is not a deal breaker, I'd say go for it.
 
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