Electric drive motors are still in the minority both on the water and on the road. However, there are waters in Germany and neighbouring countries where electric motors are the only approved way to move a boat across the water, apart from muscle-powered vehicles.
Other reasons that anglers particularly like to mention are theEasy handling (low weight) andQuiet locomotion. But environmentally conscious skippers are also increasingly focussing on electric mobility out of ecological conviction. Regardless of the reasons for opting for an electric outboard motor, we want to provide information on what the market currently has to offer.
There are two different approaches to finding the right motor for your boat.
If you want the boat to achieve the same speed as with a combustion engine, simply use the wattage of both engines as a guide. If speed is not as important to you as theAlmost silent drivingyou can stick to the tables of the motor manufacturers Talamex or MinnKota.
They provide information about the maximum boat weight at the corresponding motor power. Accordingly, a boat of up to 850 kg can be moved with 360 watts. With around 500 watts of power, the maximum boat weight climbs into the range between 1000 kg and 1450 kg, depending on the type of motor.
As with petrol-powered outboards, there are also special pusher models for heavy boats.
To make it as easy as possible for the boat owner to get started or change over, almost all models from 1000 wattwith tiller or remote controland indifferent shaft lengths available.
If the motor is to perform its work in theSalt water If the motor is to be used in salt water, make sure that it is approved for this purpose, otherwise the factory warranty will be invalidated. While some manufacturers offer special saltwater models, not all of them approve their motors for use in salt water.
Batteries or rechargeable batteries are a major topic in the entire field of electromobility. They have a significant influence onReach and performance of the engine. Not all battery types are suitable for what the skipper intends to do with the engine-battery combination. This is why some engine manufacturers also offer suitable battery systems for their engines.
In the case of the Torqeedo Travel model, for example, the battery is plugged directly into the motor, but can also be easily removed or replaced. Compared to other motors with an external battery, this design savesSpace on board and makes handling easier. With larger motors, you have to work with battery banks to achieve acceptable ranges. Here, too, there are major differences in weight, storage capacity and ultimately also in price.
Our tip: Calculate the powerSufficient safety reserves one. Always travelling at the upper power limit requires a lot of energy, which drains the battery quickly, and you may not be able to cope with the current on flowing waters. A good consultation can show you the first step towards electromobility without it becoming really expensive straight away.
Reach
Operating radius and range are a particular issue in the field of electromobility, whether on land or on water. The oftenlow travelling distances and high loading times put many a potential e-skipper off. This need not be the case, as electric motors, like their combustion engine counterparts, only become "power guzzlers" when a lot of power (high speed) is demanded.
Accordingly, the same applies here: making distance works best in the efficient partial load range. To enable the skipper to keep an eye on consumption and battery charge, all larger engines are equipped with correspondingDisplay equipped. There are also low-voltage warning systems. So if you like, an e-boat also has a fuel consumption and refuelling indicator like its fuel-burning competitors.
The manufacturer Torqeedo goes one step further and offers an accessory for the Travel, Cruise and Ultralight models.Bluetooth module with corresponding app on. You can read about the advantages this offers the skipper under the keyword "Accessories"
Accessories
In addition to standard items such as propellers, circuits, batteries and chargers, the accessories market for electric outboards includes many electronic aids such as theTorqTrac from Torqeedo. After installing the Bluetooth module, which is connected between the battery and motor by means of a bayonet lock, and downloading the corresponding app, which is available for the operating systemsiOS and Android on a smartphone or tablet, you can view a lot of data.
This means that the skipper canthe speed travelled and the state of charge of the battery information. The current performance, trip length, distance in distance and time to the starting point and the estimated range in distance and running time are also displayed. The range can be displayed as a circle around your own position on a map and waypoints can be created. The basis for this is the map material from Google Maps.
Charging technology
Once the batteries are empty, it's time to "refuel". This reveals a disadvantage of all-electric boats - it isCharging time. On a boat with a combustion engine, it is relatively quick to fill the empty tank with new fuel. With an electric drive, it can take several hours before the batteries are fully charged again. This is where so-calledFast loader. This can reduce the waiting time at the socket by a factor of five.
The disadvantage of this technology is theReduction in service lifeof the battery. In addition, not all power grids at the marina jetties have sufficient capacity. For the majority of small motors, however, a good charger, which is also used for motor vehicles, is sufficient. Torqeedo even offers aSolar panel for charging the small in-house batteries.
Torque
The major advantage of electric motors over their combustion engine counterparts is the torque, which is available at full level from the very first revolution. With spark ignition and compression ignition engines, on the other hand, there is always a so-called torque curve with starting and stopping sides and, of course, a peak.
Due to the special nature of electric motors, theefficiency is very high, making them superior to petrol engines of the same power in terms of acceleration. In order to be able to utilise the full torque of the motors accordingly, the propeller must be selected to suit the motor and boat. The maximum input power must be checked - but this is usually done by the engine manufacturer before delivery. In comparison: With a combustion engine, the propeller should be large enough to allow the engine speed to reach the maximum speed range at full load.
