[C320-list] Dinghy Outboards - Electic or Gas ?

[Greg Flanagan]

Hi Roger,

Sounds the same as my dinghy. I had a 6HP Yamaha and a davit to manage it. But it still just got too much and I hated having to have gasoline on board. I bought a Torqeedo 2 years ago and have never looked back. The whole thing weighs 34 lbs, however the motor only weighs about 15 lbs, the battery 16-17 lbs and the tiller a few more. So now I move the motor from our mount into the dinghy with one hand, and then the battery. No gasoline! Instant start!  We can go over 4 knots if we are in a hurry but at a couple of knots the battery will last for 20 hours. We have been able to use our dinghy much more and it is quieter than a kayak at very low speed so we have been able observe much more wildlife cruising the shoreline.
I initially had a 50 watt solar panel to charge it. Then as I increased my main solar system I found I had free energy at the end of the day and could just charge it from my house system without diminishing the house batteries. However, given the range it doesn’t need much charge to bring it up to 100%. 
I strongly recommend it.

Cheers,

Greg
Hoop Dancer #1076
Sidney, BC

> On Sep 5, 2020, at 5:57 PM, Roger Nitkin <rnitkin at aol.com> wrote:
> 
> We have a 10’ inflatable dinghy we use when cruising, mostly short weekend excursions.
> 
> I’m tired of lugging around and setting up the 4 HP Yamaha outboard.
> 
> Has anyone had any experience with electric outboards ?
> 
> Aside from the higher initial cost and shorter range, are there any other issues with electrics ?
> I figure that since most of our cruising is one or two nights, the shorter range of the electric battery
> won’t be too much of a handicap.
> 
> Thanks !
> 
> Roger
> Summer Time, 1997
> Westport, CT