Electric Outboards and trolling motors on a 10' RIB
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Below is the data that I've recently collected, comparing several different "electric outboard" and trolling motor options.
The boat for all tests was a West Marine 10' RIB 310, single fiberglass bottom. Speeds were monitored using Navionics, and averaged for both up and down wind, in a relatively protected marina environment.? Battery data was collected using a Victron 150A SmartShunt.
MOTOR SUMMARY:Motor ???????????? Voltage ???????????? Max Speed ???????????? Max Power
Torqeedo 2T ???? 24V ???????????????? 4.8Kn???????????????????? 1200W** ? (Motor testing limited at 1200W due to battery limits) About $4000, rated at 2400W Hangkai ???????? ???? 48V ????????? ? ?? 3.8Kn ???????????????????? 1000W About $330, Rated 1000W - VERY Noisy Minn-Kota 35# ????12V ????????? ? ?? 2.3Kn ???????????????????? 410W Newport 55# ???????? 12V ???????????? 3Kn ???????????????????????? 550W About $200, Rated 50A@12V Summary thoughts: For speed and power, the Torqueedo 2T was clearly on top.? Unfortunately, the 24V Torqeedo is about $4000+. ? Finding 24V batteries that fit in a standard battery box is a bit of a challenge, but do-able.? Currently, they are running about $300 for a 60Ah battery. ? Torqeedo offers other smaller motors with integrated batteries - but they are still have? about a $2000-3000 price tag, and spare batteries are VERY expensive. The Hangkai is a VERY cost effective answer for a 48V outboard electrict motor.? However, this motor has a VERY touchy throttle, is extremely noisy, and didn't perform significantly better than the 55# Newport trolling motor. While the Newport 55# won't get you anywhere fast - it does seem to do a decent job, and should be sufficient for getting the dinghy from boat to shore (as long as there isn't a strong/fast current).? 12V lithium batteries are easy to obtain, and a very common voltage to work with.? Overall bang for the buck in terms of a nicely performing, low cost motor with an easy to purchase / replace battery seems to be the Newport.? Just don't be in a hurry. Note that while the Torqeedo 2T was the fastest option - running at 1200W will kill a 60Ah 24V battery in about an hour.? I would want to have at least two batteries minimum.?? The Newport 55# trolling motor should run in excess of 2 hours on a single 150Ah 12V battery.? A second, smaller, lighter, less expensive 100Ah battery can be brought along as backup for plenty of range.
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