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Ensign Sailing Forum

Electric Propulsion
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Hi Bill,
I'll keep you all posted! 
Ed

In a message dated 11/3/2021 10:24:49 AM Pacific Standard Time, ensignsailing@ensignclass.com writes:
 
Posted by: William Cheadle on 11/3/2021 at 10:24 AM
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Ed,

 

That's pretty trick! Solves the problem with it being in the way while sailing, but it's convenient when needed...look forward to seeing what you come up with!

 

Bill Cheadle

#1622

Chien du Soleil

Ed,


That's pretty trick! Solves the problem with it being in the way while sailing, but it's convenient when needed...look forward to seeing what you come up with!


Bill Cheadle

#1622

Chien du Soleil

My experience with the Torqeedo is a mix of good and bad, somewhat like Fran’s.

 

I wrote a review of the Torqeedo back in 2014 that is posted in the Library on the ECA website under Product Reviews.

 

Here are some key issues I found using the motor with my Ensign on Saratoga Lake, which is about 5 by 3 miles. The lake is normally quite calm but can get rough when the winds rise to 20 mph or so. Also, but the end of the summer we have a good crop of weeds that can clog even my Honda.  

 

I loved the fact that I did not need gas, the motor was quiet, had a reverse gear, and could be disassembled into light-weight parts.

 

However, the Torqeedo has prop that is larger and slower than the prop on the Honda, and therefore snags more weeds than the Honda. (The weeds can, however, be thrown off by operating the motor in reverse.)  I had occasional issues when I went to re-connect the cable from the tiller/throttle to the battery. I was presented with an error code, which made no sense because I was on the boat, at my mooring, without the benefit of the manual.  I later learned that the error code meant a poor connection between the cable from the tiller/throttle and the socket on the battery that was caused by oxide that formed on pins and sockets while the motor was not in use. That issue is resolved by repeated connection and disconnection of the cable until the pins and sockets are clean.

 

However, the most important issue is, as Fran, says, under heavy use the battery can be drained quickly.  I was near the shore once when the wind picked up started to push the boat toward some underwater rocks. The motor had a hard time keeping us away from those rocks, and the battery was dead by the time we were safe.

 

Vic Roberts

#2032

 

I have the torqeedo and the honda 2.3.  I hate to admit it but for some reason, I have never been able to start a pull motor of any kind.  So, I love my torqeedo.  I also have the inboard throttle for it and I have 2 batteries.  I don’t use it much any more.  Crew hates it.  They have no problem starting the honda and it goes as long as you put gas in it.  The torqeedo can give you an error message and stop at the most inopportune times.  Running the torqeedo at full speed deletes the battery quickly.  The second battery is also expensive.   I can’t tell a difference in the power.  Neither works very well into the wind in a blow.  Generally we just put up a sail if it is really blowing.   If I had it to do again, I would just get the honda.



Sent from my iPad

Hi Bill,
 
I'm going to try a fold-out mount that will tuck-up under the combing. Have yet to find a bracket to do this, but it's a simple design so should be easy to make. I'll post my results when I get to that point! Pic attached...
 
Ed
#1484
Eraser

In a message dated 11/2/2021 10:21:31 AM Pacific Standard Time, ensignsailing@ensignclass.com writes:
 
Posted by: William Cheadle on 11/2/2021 at 10:19 AM
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I concur that the Torqeedo is a great alternative to gas propulsion.

 

After years of 20~30 hp diesel auxiliary motors, I wasn't sure how I'd like the little electric motor that cam with my Ensign. But after just a couple of days on the water with it I'm sold. Charging the battery is about the only maintenance required.

 

I also recommend the remote controller even over the long tiller, having tried all three methods...still trying to come up with the best method and location for mounting it.

 

Bill Cheadle

#1622

Chien du Soleil

I concur that the Torqeedo is a great alternative to gas propulsion.


After years of 20~30 hp diesel auxiliary motors, I wasn't sure how I'd like the little electric motor that cam with my Ensign. But after just a couple of days on the water with it I'm sold. Charging the battery is about the only maintenance required.


I also recommend the remote controller even over the long tiller, having tried all three methods...still trying to come up with the best method and location for mounting it.


Bill Cheadle

#1622

Chien du Soleil

We like our Torqeedo 1103LS

Still struggling with finding a workable replacement for the original stern motor mount.

Marvin Cook
Calypso #627

Sent from my iPhone

I also have the Torqeedo 1103 on my Ensign (after a mishap where a friend dumped the gas powered outboard to the bottom of Lake Washington here in Seattle). I use it similarly, to get me off of the dock if need, if wind drops while we are out or we need to get home quickly. I know it's a given but I do have to say the almost silent running of the electric motor is just so nice, it feels right for the Ensign. No issues at all with batter life, power, charging etc, the thing has been 100% reliable. And not having gas cans around is another nice plus.

We purchased a Torqeedo Travel 1103 CL electric outboard motor long shaft $2699 plus 2 batteries. It's the best thing we ever did. We sail around Portland, Maine - Casco Bay and Chebeague Island. The motor is incredibly quiet which changed our sailing experience - we could hardly tell it was running. It has plenty of propulsion when it's choppy. We didn't have any issues with the motor stopping or breaking down during the sailing season. It started up every time. 




I am interested in any first hand experience using an electric rolling motor. My 2 HP Honda has been very reliable over the past 5 years and works well in our weedy lake environment, but is also very noisy, has no reverse and requires annual maintenance. I have heard of ensign owners using electric trolling motors and am interested in hearing about their first hand experiences (good or bad).


Based on my forum search, we haven't talked electric propulsion since Aug 2020. Would like to hear of any updated experiences. The two options appear to be the ePropulsion 3HP Spirit Plus or the Torqeedo 1103 (3hp). Given that the Honda 2.3 is often used in our class, it would appear these electric alternatives have enough power at 3hp - at least for lake use where you are not fighting current and chop. Distance and battery longevity are also issues, but again, in a lake environment where even if I am stranded in a distance race, I am under five miles from my dock, this seems not to be an issue.

Immediate cost is still an issue. The Torqeedo 1103 Travel model is still running @3K. I have a seen the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 for @$2200. That's pretty pricey given the Honda 2.3 is selling at just around 1K. My needs are getting in and out of a lakeside marina, returning to base when the wind drops out, or getting to a dock when a flash storm is pending.

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