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22-01-2025, 12:18
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2025
Location: Chesapeake Bay, MD
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Posts: 2
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Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
Looking for some input on tender/dinghy and propulsion. Ideally we want electric (leaning towards a Torqeedo Travel 3hp with long range battery) primarily for weight/ease of the Admiral's use.
Primary use is for shore trips (2+1) when at anchor/on a mooring especially for our new crewmate (a Border Heeler that needs his morning exercise). We currently cruise the Chesapeake, I don't expect to need more than an hour on battery and know I will need to go slow/half throttle to maximize life.
Some constraints: we don't have nor do we want to add davits/an arch. So dinghy needs to be lightweight and can be stowed rolled up (no RIB) or potentially strapped to foredeck. We won't be using it in heavy chop but I'd like stable and durable. Also would like the potential to add guests (up to 4 adults total) or provisions (we usually deal with that at our home slip in Rock Hall) in a pinch.
Basically I'm looking for the sweet spot on the light/ultralight and small end of the scale.
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22-01-2025, 12:58
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: La Ciudad de la Misión Didacus de Alcalá en Alta California, Virreinato de Nueva España
Boat: Cal 20
Posts: 21,625
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
Why chose a Torqueedo? That almost certainly isn’t enough power to get on a plane.
Expensive for what you get, proprietary cables & battery and last I checked requires annual replacement of motor seals by a licensed shop.
MinnKota Riptide with a Kipawa prop for better speed and efficiency. Even with batteries will be half the price.
If you want to plane then look at an Elco outboard.
https://www.elcomotoryachts.com/prod...ric-outboards/
Enough power to plane 1 or 2.
Motor out of the water so no seals to fail and frag the prime mover.
__________________
Num Me Vexo?
For all of your celestial navigation questions: https://navlist.net/
A house is but a boat so poorly built and so firmly run aground no one would think to try and refloat it.
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22-01-2025, 13:12
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Boat: Downeaster 38
Posts: 518
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
If it’s important to you to avoid use of a gasoline outboard motor, I would just go with oars. I threw our electric paddle away as I thought it was just a waste of space and hassle on the boat.
It’s shocking how fast you can move rowing
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22-01-2025, 13:24
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#4
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Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Minnesota
Boat: Tartan 3800
Posts: 5,424
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
Quote:
Originally Posted by rbozzell
Looking for some input on tender/dinghy and propulsion. Ideally we want electric (leaning towards a Torqeedo Travel 3hp with long range battery) primarily for weight/ease of the Admiral's use.
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Good for you. I am also a member of the "less is more" dinghy club.
The Torqueedo particularly has a reputation for being easy to damage while beaching, and for being expensive to repair. This gets worse in remote areas outside the 48 states. The latest reports on the Torqueedo I've seen are now a few years old so perhaps they've improved.
You will need 10 hp to achieve planing speeds (12 kts +/-) reliably for 2+1.
You can reach hull speed with a 45 lb thrust trolling motor: https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com...ors/endura-max
You can use a 12v lithium iron phosphate battery with a built-in BMS to power the trolling motor. Here's one example. You can get cheaper, or use an AGM instead:
https://dakotalithium.com/product/da...ttery-1000cca/
You will likely reach 4 knots with that and the battery will last a little more than an hour.
I like oars but a hard-sided non-inflatable dinghy works best for that.
__________________
The best part of an adventure is the people you meet.
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22-01-2025, 13:34
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2025
Location: Chesapeake Bay, MD
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Posts: 2
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not necessarily looking to get on a plane. More interested in ease of use, weight and durability. The admiral can hand load a torqeedo (15 lbs motor, 20 lbs battery). I am open to a trawling motor and have looked at a few, but weight and hookup ease is a factor.
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22-01-2025, 13:43
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#6
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rhode Island/Florida USA
Posts: 3,382
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
We used a Honda 2HP for many years with a roll-up 260 dinghy. It's definitely at the upper limits of capacity with 4 adults. Both are light.
I wouldn't consider a battery operated dinghy motor, but having a dog would make it a hard no for me. When the dog has to go, the dog has to go.
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22-01-2025, 15:00
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2021
Boat: Beneteau 46
Posts: 89
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
The major alternative to the Torqueedo is the ePropulsion Spirit. Haven't owned either but I've heard fewer bad things about the Spirit. Probably either is fine if you know what you are getting - a small motor to go at moderate speeds for relatively short distances, which seems fine for what you are doing. If you were cruising the Bahamas and trying to get to snorkeling spots a few miles away the inability to plane would be a big shortcoming. FYI we have an ePropulsion eLite (500w) as a backup to our 15hp Suzuki. I couldn't recommend it for primary duty for any application but it is very light, easily stowed and in a pinch it will get you to shore and back in an anchorage.
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22-01-2025, 15:10
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,226
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
I use an electric EP Carry with my 8 Foot Porta Bote. Lightweight and easy to store when needed. Replaced a small Honda that took a swim during super storm Sandy.
__________________
Mike
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22-01-2025, 15:24
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: NY
Boat: Catalina 42
Posts: 83
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
I've been using a Torqeedo Travel 1003S (older version of the 3hp) since 2018 on a Highfield RU-250. There is no annual seal replacement on the Torqueedo, but there is a 5 year service to be done at a service center. At the 4 year mark I started having intermittent error messages that were related to signal wires in the main battery cable. I shipped it to a service center on Monday and had it back on Thursday. Total cost for the repair and 5 year service was in the $400 range. That's all I've spent on the engine since 2018, besides normal spares (prop, shear pins, kill switch). The only annual maintenance is keeping the electrical connections clean and free of corrosion. Corrosion Block works well.
We keep everything stowed below and use the dink every weekend during the season. Our ritual is to carry the dink to the fore deck, inflate with a power inflator, launch over the lifelines, move to the stern and mount the engine. My wife and I find this easy and it takes about 10 minutes.
This setup will not win any races and certainly not get you on plane. We plan on 2-3 kts. Most runs are short, but we find it adequate for areas such as Newport Harbor and the Great Salt Pond at Block Island.
As with anything, it's a compromise. Define your mission and that should define the dink.
With all that said, we're planning on the Bahamas in a few years and will upgrade to a planing RIB with gas outboard.
Hope this helps.
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22-01-2025, 15:49
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: La Ciudad de la Misión Didacus de Alcalá en Alta California, Virreinato de Nueva España
Boat: Cal 20
Posts: 21,625
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
Quote:
Originally Posted by neflier
I've been using a Torqeedo Travel 1003S (older version of the 3hp) since 2018 on a Highfield RU-250. There is no annual seal replacement on the Torqueedo, but there is a 5 year service to be done at a service center. At the 4 year mark I started having intermittent error messages that were related to signal wires in the main battery cable. I shipped it to a service center on Monday and had it back on Thursday. Total cost for the repair and 5 year service was in the $400 range. That's all I've spent on the engine since 2018, besides normal spares (prop, shear pins, kill switch). The only annual maintenance is keeping the electrical connections clean and free of corrosion. Corrosion Block works well.
We keep everything stowed below and use the dink every weekend during the season. Our ritual is to carry the dink to the fore deck, inflate with a power inflator, launch over the lifelines, move to the stern and mount the engine. My wife and I find this easy and it takes about 10 minutes.
This setup will not win any races and certainly not get you on plane. We plan on 2-3 kts. Most runs are short, but we find it adequate for areas such as Newport Harbor and the Great Salt Pond at Block Island.
As with anything, it's a compromise. Define your mission and that should define the dink.
With all that said, we're planning on the Bahamas in a few years and will upgrade to a planing RIB with gas outboard.
Hope this helps.
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I just checked the manuals for Torqueedo & EProp
Torqueedo used to say 1yr for seals, now says 5yr at a service center.
bottom of left column, pg 96.
https://media.torqeedo.com/downloads...nual-DE-EN.pdf
EProp used to say something fuzzy about seal replacement interval but doesn't say anything now.
On the other hand it indicates dealer service every 12mo or 200hr.
Bottom of pg 49
https://www.epropulsion.com/wp-conte...h_20240507.pdf
__________________
Num Me Vexo?
For all of your celestial navigation questions: https://navlist.net/
A house is but a boat so poorly built and so firmly run aground no one would think to try and refloat it.
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22-01-2025, 16:59
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Warwick NY
Boat: Belliure 41
Posts: 878
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
Everybody has been talking about the engine. I feel you need to first decide what dinghy. Then decide on the engine once you know what dinghy you are going to get.
Lightweight and stable for 4 adults is a hard set of conditions. The lightweight part seems hard at a size that will be stable and capable of 4 adults. How heavy remains "lightweight" for you?
Have you looked at the Takacat? They are having sales at the moment and have packages with electric motors included.
dj
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22-01-2025, 19:25
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2023
Posts: 2,148
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jammer
You will likely reach 4 knots with that and the battery will last a little more than an hour.
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That speed/range combination just doesn't cut it for many cruisers.
Realistically, that limits your dinghy trips to within a mile of the boat--more or less--because you always have to allow for an unexpected contrary wind and/or current on the return trip. Your cruising ground and your draft really matter. If you have a 6' draft in the Bahamas (for example), there are many places you will be more than a mile from your landing spot.
Half the time we launch our dinghy, we are going to a beach landing. The tiniest surf at all and the rig you describe would be uncontrollable.
Certainly there are people for whom it would work fine. Anyone who's cruising grounds are in protected waters, like the Chesapeake Bay, would find that a great rig. But, some of the places we have most enjoyed on our travels would have been totally off limits with a boat powered like that.
I love a good rowboat, they are magic. I just can't work a good rowboat work as a tender for remote cruising, any more than a bicycle could be my only form of transport on land.
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23-01-2025, 00:04
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#13
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: La Ciudad de la Misión Didacus de Alcalá en Alta California, Virreinato de Nueva España
Boat: Cal 20
Posts: 21,625
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
Quote:
Originally Posted by SailingHarmonie
That speed/range combination just doesn't cut it for many cruisers.
Realistically, that limits your dinghy trips to within a mile of the boat--more or less--because you always have to allow for an unexpected contrary wind and/or current on the return trip. Your cruising ground and your draft really matter. If you have a 6' draft in the Bahamas (for example), there are many places you will be more than a mile from your landing spot.
Half the time we launch our dinghy, we are going to a beach landing. The tiniest surf at all and the rig you describe would be uncontrollable.
Certainly there are people for whom it would work fine. Anyone who's cruising grounds are in protected waters, like the Chesapeake Bay, would find that a great rig. But, some of the places we have most enjoyed on our travels would have been totally off limits with a boat powered like that.
I love a good rowboat, they are magic. I just can't work a good rowboat work as a tender for remote cruising, any more than a bicycle could be my only form of transport on land.
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OP strongly hinted in the first post that use case was short range trips at Chesapeake anchorages. For that an electric motor would be just fine.
The trick is finding a “light” dinghy that can carry 4.
__________________
Num Me Vexo?
For all of your celestial navigation questions: https://navlist.net/
A house is but a boat so poorly built and so firmly run aground no one would think to try and refloat it.
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23-01-2025, 00:39
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Oregon to Alaska
Boat: Wheeler Shipyard 83' ex USCG
Posts: 3,662
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
I use a Newport NV 55 on a 10' Livingston. I bought it on Amazon for about $200. Full throttle is about 8 knots. I like this a lot better than then a gasoline outboard. I don't have to carry gas, I recharge with a battery charger or attach it to the big boat's battery system. No old gas, no gummed up carb, etc.
I don't make long trips so no idea how far I could go, but you could take a 2nd battery.
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23-01-2025, 04:05
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2017
Location: NE Florida
Boat: 1980 Endeavour 32
Posts: 1,036
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Re: Dinghy with Electric Propulsion Advice
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lepke
I use a Newport NV 55 on a 10' Livingston. I bought it on Amazon for about $200. Full throttle is about 8 knots. I like this a lot better than then a gasoline outboard. I don't have to carry gas, I recharge with a battery charger or attach it to the big boat's battery system. No old gas, no gummed up carb, etc.
I don't make long trips so no idea how far I could go, but you could take a 2nd battery.
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Wow, 8 knots ? That is really good, I didn't think a trolling motor could do that. I have a Water Tender 9.4, which I really like. I have a Suzuki 2.5hp which works fine and powers it nicely, but if I could match it's performance with a trolling motor I would make the change in a heartbeat. I can get about 6 knots wide open on calm waters.
I may have to find a 55lb thrust trolling to try out.
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