Electric Outboards

[Peter Taylor]

It might be a good idea to check the epropulsion's length from transom bracket top to skeg bottom before buying.

You are correct Graham... the Torqeedo is spec'd at 625mm and the ePropulsion at 650mm. With regard to the battery, it is indeed more bulky (presumably so it floats!) but it clicks in place and the electrical connection is a twist/click mechanism. I would think it would be both practicable and quick to remove the battery before tilting the motor, which is not true of the Torqeedo. However my own choice would be to keep the battery in the cockpit locker which is what I did with the Torqeedo (assuming you can get an extension cable, they said one is available but it's not listed on the web site).

No doubt when one of us gets an epropulsion we will find out the problems with it, but it looked promising to me, particularly the lack of Torqeedo whine!

[Peter Taylor]

There's an alternative to modifying the Torqeedo to make it fit ....
The type of hinge used is important to make the modification work properly.  Attached a photo of what they look like. 

I just chanced on this on the Baseline Marine web site (bottom right in image). It's described as a hatch hinge and the dimensions in mm are A=45, B=74, L=65 (which doesn't really tell you all you need!). Expensive at £16-08 each but fairly cheap compared to the cost of an electric outboard!

The web page is http://www.baselinemarine.com/shopexd.asp?id=4604

[Graham W]

Peter,

I agree with you about the Torqeedo whine, although since my 1003 came back from surgery at Seamark Nunn, the noise has been much less intrusive.

Something similar to the hatch hinge that you discovered at Baseline is also sold, bizarrely, on Amazon! See the following link and note the non-chandlery price difference https://www.amazon.co.uk/MagiDeal-Polished-Stainless-Removable-Hardware/dp/B0745ZYC14/ref=sr_1_2

There's also an allegedly heavier duty version https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heavy-Hatch-Hinge-Stainless-Steel/dp/B06XXSJ7RJ/ref=sr_1_3

[Peter Taylor]

More news from the Boat Show: today I had a longish talk with Ricky Cole of epropulsion who apparently used to work for Torqeedo. With regard to shaft length you could shorten the epropulsion "Spirit" motor in the same way that I suggested for the Torqeedo (see Library) if Graham's superior method (which avoids altering the motor) can't be implemented for some reason. However he said that epropulsion are thinking of introducing an "ultra-short" shaft version. There definitely is an extension cable allowing you to operate with the battery detached from the motor. Indeed, early next year they hope to introduce a remote version of the motor, i.e. with remote throttle adjustment as well as a separate battery.

Don't even think about using their bigger "Navy" motor. You can't afford it either in cost or in the weight of the batteries needed in the boat!

Graham, yes Baseline are not the cheapest! (but convenient for me since more or less "local"). At least we know the things called an "hatch hinge". Whether my Torqeedo would have benefited from a visit to Seamark Nunn I don't know; I do know that it's performance is not what it once was, presumably since the batteries are ageing - I've had the motor for five or six years now. It's still adequate for my canoe or 15' dinghy, but not for Seatern. I had the propeller off recently to check and packing the back of the propeller with grease seems to have protected the thrust washers from rust damage. The same washers on the epropulsion are 316 stainless, by the way.

Peter

[Graham W]

Torqeedo was acquired by fellow German company Deutz last month.  Deutz makes large industrial-type internal combustion engines and is attempting to go down the hybrid route. It's not the most obvious tie-in and doesn't bode well for continuing development of Torqeedo's smaller motors. Competitor ePropulsion's offering looks more and more attractive.