Pros and cons: Are electric outboard motors the better choice?

Michael Rinck votes for electric outboard motors

Electric outboard motors for dinghies offer compelling advantages over combustion engines. The biggest advantage is that they are virtually silent. No annoying engine noise in quiet bays, and no smell of exhaust fumes. An electric outboard motor is the far cleaner solution. There’s no petrol, oil or coolant to leak – neither in the storage locker nor in the boot. And fewer parts that can break down: no impeller, spark plugs or carburettor. Everything is simpler. The risk of fire is significantly lower with an electric motor, as there is no petrol on board. You only cover short distances with a dinghy – a few hundred metres to the beach, the nearest bay or the jetty. Range is therefore not an issue. Charging is done via shore power or directly from a small solar panel. You’re not dependent on petrol stations. As the battery and motor are usually separable, the motor alone weighs considerably less than a combustion engine. You carry the battery separately on board – each part on its own is easier to handle. The only drawback is that planing isn’t possible. But for short distances in a dinghy, the electric outboard is the better choice.

​David Ingelfinger votes against electric outboard motors

Petrol outboard motors are reliable. And if problems do arise, help is never far away: internal combustion engines offer further advantages over electric motors. No need to worry about flat batteries in the bay, and no waiting for shore power. By no means do all boat owners have solar or wind power on board, and on longer cruises without going ashore, electricity quickly becomes in short supply. What you can always have on board: a jerrycan in the storage locker. A petrol engine is by far the more flexible solution. You’re completely independent of your own on-board power supply. The range is a real safety advantage: a quick stop at a petrol station or topping up from the jerrycan is enough to keep the engine running for hours on end. The mechanics are simple and tried and tested. If a part breaks, you can replace it yourself. Spare parts are available worldwide, without the need for a specialist workshop. Whilst electric motors reach their limits more quickly under heavy loads, the combustion engine delivers consistent power for heavy loads or longer distances. The bottom line: if you’re looking for a tool you can rely on, there’s no getting round the petrol engine.

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