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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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electric outboards

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kentwm
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101 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/26/2011 : 08:36:41

anyone here have an electric outboard?

I just spent $600 on my outboard and it quit working after 2 months so I might need to get a new outboard and was wondering about http://www.torqeedo.com/us/hn/home.html

Kent
1984 O'Day 28 "High Cotton"

2003 Raider 16 Sport
PO '81 C25 FK/TR
PO '72 16' Fireball
Seabrook, TX

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 10:23:11

I think it's a great "idea"....and I've thought about mounting the lower unit as a pod underneath the boat, like a Saildrive, and putting the battery packs under the cockpit behind the stairs.....I think it would work great....

BUT...

It's nowhere near cost effective at this point. The investment could be more than the whole boat is worth....unless you have a nice 89 winger then half the value of the boat....

Edited by - on

kentwm
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101 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 10:35:08

I looked at ePods by Re-e-power and there have been a lot of complaints about the company. As far as cost go.. yeah... I would be investing $5k-$6k into a boat I paid $5k for. Looking at the total cost of ownership.. I plan on having the boat for 7 years(my son is 17 and should be out of college by then) before moving to a bigger boat.

7 yrs @ $2400 slip & insurance = $16800
cost of boat $5000

So without any new sails or roller furling.. I will have spent something like $22K over the first 7 years to keep the boat. Add to it, the cost of a new 9.9 outboard is about $2800... so the cost difference between electric and gas is about $3200 or 15% of the known cost of ownership over the next 7 years.

i just have to get $6K together to pay for it.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 11:03:55

Kent, I just had to replace my 03 Honda outboard with a new one. Cost was $2400. I did look at the electric, being a Prius owner, and even with many pluses, like lightweight,etc, I just could not get over the initial cost as others have said. It would have been almost 3x's the gas engine price. Too bad the government didn't have rebates like solor for the house as in incentive!
Steve A

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 11:32:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Kent, I just had to replace my 03 Honda outboard with a new one. Cost was $2400. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

2003 seems to be a little young to give up the ghost?

Edited by - on

kentwm
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101 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 11:35:09

my ob is a 2007 and it was serviced in July (cost $600). yesterday my friend tried to take the boat out and the ob would not start. yeah we got all of 2 months use before the motor quite working again.

at this rate we will pay for a new ob in no time just keeping this one running.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 11:52:57

Find a different repair shop, if one is available. Also, look at onlineoutboards. They sell Tohatsu and Nissan, and may still offer a discount going through the Association website. About $,2200-2,300 for a new 9.8 hp, 25" shaft, and electric start. If you don't need electric start, knock off about $100, go with 8 hp, no elec start and knock off another $100 approx.I really like my 9.8 Nissan, 25", elec start I bought from them. Good folks to work with.
Electrics are still way too expensive, and why would you want the extra weight of 2-4 add'l batteries? Those things require 48 volts. Also, several people I've talked with who own a saildrive wish their boat did not have it, saying the units are a royal pain in the a--.

Edited by - dmpilc on 09/26/2011 11:54:21

kentwm
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101 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 12:05:37

"units are a royal pain in the a--" this is the money quote for me on anything related to the boat... I want reliability and ease of use. If I go with gas I will get electric start. I was also looking at hydrolic motor mounts but they don't make one suitable for sailboats.

I want to walk on my boat and go... I had planned on a roller furler this fall but car repairs ate up my money for that... a new ob would put that off until Spring.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 12:19:00

http://www.onlineoutboards.com/?gclid=CI_P9K_Qu6sCFcY32godbkQCww

9.8 hp, 25" shaft, elec start, $2,149.99, free shipping, til end of Sept., actually 9/28/11.

Edited by - dmpilc on 09/26/2011 12:22:20

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 12:36:03

FYI:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-Johnson-8-HP-Sail-Master-Extra-Long-Shaft-Outboard-Motor-/120782726488?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item1c1f362558

One more:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SAILBOAT-Motor-NISSAN-9-8hp-Long-Shaft-25-inch-w-Electric-Start-/230677134469?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item35b56dbc85

Edited by - dmpilc on 09/26/2011 12:58:24

GaryB
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USA
4312 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 15:07:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by kentwm
 I want to walk on my boat and go... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Buy a power boat!

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 15:37:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by kentwm
 I want to walk on my boat and go... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Buy a power boat!

Edited by - on

OJ
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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 16:49:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by kentwm
 . . . my ob is a 2007 and it was serviced in July (cost $600) . . .
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Jeez, we had our 1997 Yamaha 4-stroke completely gone-over (came with the boat in 2009) and that only cost $250+/-.

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 19:39:14

I've been eyeing this one:

[url=""]http://www.onlineoutboards.com/Tohatsu-9-8-hp-MFS9-8A3EFUL.html[/url]

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4312 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 19:53:51

For an extra $500 you can have power tilt!

Edited by - on

panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts

Response Posted - 09/26/2011 : 21:38:58

I've got a 86 honda long shaft. A couple of years ago I had it serviced. New impeller,check themostat.boil carb,chang oil and new plugs cost $300. that is the only major expense since I have had it.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 03:48:49

Kent,

Although you may have to put off the roller furling to next year, there is nothing like having a new outboard. When I purchased my Cat 25 in Fall 2005, it had an unreliable outboard and I opted for a new Honda ~Jan 2006. It has a 12 amp charger and it electronically adjusts the idle as it warms up - No longer having to deal with a manual choke ! I have only had to perform annual maintenance and it has run flawlessly. It is such a pleasure having a reliable engine to get you out and back.

If you have to delay getting the furling rig, it is still better to square away your outboard first. Then revisit the furling rig again in the Spring. At least you can go sailing and have peace of mind/enjoy motoring out and back.

Edited by - on

DaveR
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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 06:03:24

The man DOES have a new outboard. It's an 07 for crying out loud. A competent repairman is all you need. But also you need to get to know your outboard. My brother and a few friends helped get me up to speed. And I'm thinking you'd have to replace the lower unit to spend $600.00, what did this guy do?

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9087 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 06:28:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 The man DOES have a new outboard. It's an 07 for crying out loud. A competent repairman is all you need.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">WORD!

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 07:33:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 And I'm thinking you'd have to replace the lower unit to spend $600.00, what did this guy do?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

X2...what was done for $600???? Rebuild the power head?

Edited by - Joe Diver on 09/27/2011 07:34:01

kentwm
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101 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 07:55:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 what did this guy do?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Other than rip me off maybe? He rebuilt the carburetor and was supposed to fix the position lock (which he made worse, the motor now swings freely from side to side even in the locked position). Oh and it took him 3 weeks.

sounds like it's time to find a new mechanic

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 08:41:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by kentwm
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 what did this guy do?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Other than rip me off maybe?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
He probably had a boat payment due . . .

Edited by - on

OLarryR
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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 08:50:31

Sorry - Read thru postings too fast. Did not realize it was a 2007 outboard. Ignore my comments ...as most probably have.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 08:53:58

We must be extremely lucky with our marina manager. He will often do things like engine troubleshooting and minor maintenance at no charge. I offered to pay him when he and I took my carb apart (mostly I watched and learned) and he refused payment. Of course, we have been known to bring him a gift in appreciation.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 09:26:53

I have only one complaint with my 1989 two-stroke 9.9 Evinrude. It only has a 4 amp alternator. But then, I only use it once or twice a year unless I'm on a cruise or race on Lake Superior. It starts the first time every time, rarely if ever stalls, has only been in the shop once for a tune-up in 23 years, and I don't put fresh gas in he can until it really need to be filled. I do use Stable each fall. Now that's reliability.

An electric outboard could not possibly beat my motor for cost effectiveness and possibly even reliability. I do use an eletric trolling motor on my Zodiac however and highly reccommend it for getting to and from the mooring.

Edited by - aeckhart on 09/27/2011 09:30:59

Joe Diver
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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 09/27/2011 : 10:05:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by kentwm

Other than rip me off maybe? He rebuilt the carburetor and was supposed to fix the position lock (which he made worse, the motor now swings freely from side to side even in the locked position). Oh and it took him 3 weeks.

sounds like it's time to find a new mechanic
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Maybe rip you off?

Wow...I'd double check my invoice and see where the charges are.

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