sizing electric motor for sailboat

How to Calculate Outboard Motor Size for Sailboats

It seems so complex to pick the right engine size for your sailboat. I was done with complex calculations and tried to make it easier here.

How to pick the right outboard motor size for your sailboat? To get the right amount of horsepower needed to efficiently propel a sailboat, divide the displacement of the boat (in lb) by 550. You need approximately 1 HP per 550 lb of displacement or 4 HP per 2200 lb. Most sailboats don't need a motor with more than 30 HP.

In this article, I'm talking about small outboard engines for sailboats. We're talking about displacement hulls here, so in other words: keel boats. They need more power than flat bottoms.

But they're not powerboats - so it's not our mission to go fast. It's our mission to get decent speed, good control over the boat, and the best possible fuel efficiency. Without breaking the bank of course.

On this page:

How to pick the right motor size, other factors that are important for size, why is the right motor size important, is there a max hp for sailboats, in conclusion, related questions.

Sailboats need way smaller engines than powerboats. That's great news (unless your ultimate goal is speed), because it's cheaper to buy, cheaper to drive, and cheaper to maintain.

The amount of power you need is related to the hull displacement of your boat.

I like to use the simple formula:

HP = displacement (lb) / 550

So 1 HP for every 550 lb displacement, and 4 hp per 2200 lb.

Here, HP is the amount of horsepower you need to reach the maximum hull speed. This is in optimal conditions. So you have smooth water, no windage, a clean and polished hull, and so on.

If you want to get it absolutely right, you also need to correct for propellor size. And of course, a lot of other factors come into play (more on that later). But generally, these engine sizes will work with the following weights:

That sounds about right to me. But remember that these are all rough estimates: I just try to give you a ballpark figure. There is no one formula to get an exact number. The hull design, sailing conditions, and your personal preference are all very important.

If you're serious about getting a new engine, I definitely recommend to get advice from an expert . But you know, salespeople always recommend the Turbo version. Remember that you don't have to overpower a sailboat. Usually you don't need anything over 30 HP. So at least you now know what will work on average.

What is hull displacement?

• Hull displacement is the weight of the boat, or the amount of water the boat displaces.
• Maximum hull displacement is the weight of the boat when it's fully loaded, including crew.

The weight of the boat is the same as its displacement, because the weight of any object is exactly equal to the weight of the water it displaces (aka: pushes aside). This is called Archimedes Principle.

The weight slightly differs in saltwater from freshwater, because saltwater is heavier. In saltwater, the boat gets a bit lighter. So in theory you can use a smaller engine for a bluewater boat, but in practice this is offset by the stronger current and wind.

How to find the displacement of your boat?

Most manufacturers simply give you the displacement of your boat. If you can't find any data, because, for example, you own an old boat, you can weigh your boat on a truck scale. You can also haul it out and measure it (which is painstaking work).**

Tip: if you're gonna weigh your boat, simply drive it onto a truck scale, and retract the weight of the trailer from the total weight.

Of course, it's not so simple. This formula gives a rough estimate. But for me this was way clearer than all that black magic that I get when I ask people what size engine I should get.

Let's look at the things this formula doesn't take into account.

2-strokes are more powerful than 4-strokes. Two-stroke engines fire once every revolution and four-strokes fire once every other revolution. This makes the 2-stroke twice as powerful. They provide more torque at a higher RPM. But they also wear more quickly. The 4-stroke will last you a lot longer, and its also more fuel efficient.

The right propellor size is just as important as having enough horsepower. With a smaller prop diameter, it has to work harder to generate the same propulsion as a larger diameter. But you can't just go larger always. The prop affects the RPM of your engine, and you have to get in the right range (more on this later). You also have to check the maximum diameter that fits your boat.

Diesels have more torque, because the compression rate is higher than that of gasoline engines. So if you consider a diesel, you can do with less HPs.

High windage hulls (multihulls) need a bit more. A multihull (or larger hull in general) suffers from more friction because of the larger surface. So the engine needs to work a little harder.

If you sail longer distances under power , or against the wind it's a good idea to get a larger engine (but not too large). This helps you to save on fuel since you have lower RPM. Especially if you sail offshore or on open sea. The engine needs to work harder due to stronger wind and current.

If you're just sailing in and out of the marina under power, you may need less HP.

Smooth hull designs need less HPs than bulky hull designs, like the classic wooden clippers and crabbers for example.

It matters to get the right size outboard motor for a couple of reasons.

First of all: smaller engines are cheaper, so you save money on buying the engine.

Secondly: smaller engines use a lot less fuel, so you save money on using the engine.

Thirdly: smaller engines are cheaper to maintain: so you save money on maintenance.

So why not get the smallest engine and get the best fuel economy? There are a couple of advantages to getting a (slightly) bigger engine:

• More power means more control (easier to stop the boat, in case you need to)
• Finding the sweet spot might actually reduce fuel consumption

The sweet spot

To perform optimally, an engine should get up to speed. The problem with an overpowered boat is that the engine won't rev up to 80 - 90% of the RPM. This kills fuel efficiency and also the cooling system won't operate optimally.

• The optimal cruising RPM of the engine is about 85-95% of the maximal RPM
• You should reach cruising RPM at hull speed, so your engine should be at about 90% RPM

The propeller size is very important for the RPM. If your prop diameter is too wide, the engine can't get up to speed and struggles to build power. Bad for fuel economy, bad for the engine, and bad for performance.

On the other hand, if your prop is too small, you don't make use of the engine's full power.

If you struggle to get to high RPM, your prop is too large. If your engine is constantly in the red, you're underpropped.

So don't go too big on the prop, but also don't go too small. The easiest way to get it right is to check the engines manual and see what the manufacturer recommends.

You can definitely go too big on a sailboats engine. An overpowered yacht doesn't make any sense. True, it can look cool, but it can't feel cool. Every displacement hull has a maximum hull speed. That means that it cannot go any faster than the max speed. So if your engine can cruise at that speed, it's not getting any better.

The problem with displacement hulls is that they displace the water, or in other words: they push the water in front of them. They cannot move any faster than they can push away the water. And because the resistance increases as speed increases, there's an absolute, physical speed limit for each keelboat.

That's why powerboats have to get out of the water to reach top speed.

Fun fact: the longer your boat, the higher the hull speed. Want to know the maximum hull speed for your boat? You can find it in this article .

So, you can't go faster than your maximum hull speed, so a 50+HP engine is kind of ridiculous. Bear in mind that a large engine also has the following disadvantages:

First of all: larger engines are more expensive, so you spend more money when buying the engine.

Secondly: larger engines use a lot more fuel, so you spend more money when using the engine.

Thirdly: larger engines are more expensive to maintain: so you spend more money on maintenance.

Also, if your engine is too big, it doesn't reach the optimal cruising RPM, so your fuel economy also gets really bad FAST.

I suggest getting the smallest possible engine that gets you to maximum hull speed while it's at roughly 90% of the RPM. As long as it gives you enough control and good handling, it will get you there. If you give up on going fast, you can actually get really good fuel economy and your engine will last you probably 20 years.

If you want to go fast, a sailboat is not the right one for you. You should instead get a powerboat.

I'm just kidding. Read my 13 Reasons Why Sailing is Better Than Powerboating here .

Do sailboats have motors? Most sailboats are power assisted boats, which means they have a small auxiliary engine to cruise in light air. When a sailboat is sailing under engine power, it is considered a motorboat and it doesn't have right of way.

Thanks for answering my questions.

Taylor Bishop

Thanks for explaining how you can figure out what size you need for an outboard motor. You mentioned that you should find the displacement by weigh a boat on a truck scale. I’m interesting to learn if you need to regularly weigh it in case the hull displacement could change or if it will always be consistent.

Shawn Buckles

Hi MitI, you’re welcome, my pleasure.

Hi Taylor, my pleasure.

You don’t need to weigh your boat regularly, as the hull displacement will stay consistent. You could literally see the hull displacement as the amount of space your hull takes up in the water. So as long as you don’t make any major changes to the hull shape or ballast of your boat, you should see no differences in displacement.

Roger S Johnson

How do you measure for shaft size, most outboard motors are for flat bottom and say measure to the bottom of the boat, most sailboats tapper to the aft. Where do you measure for a tapered bottom sail boat?

Will a 5 horse Honda 4 stroke be ok for a 25 foot Pearson Commander sail boat. Thanks for your time Luke

I think it would be Luke.

Great post, thanks for the info. A naive question from a soon-to-be sailor: I’m considering buying a 28 ft sailboat, with 2500 kg (ca. 5500 lbs) displacement. The engine is in pretty good condition, but is old and the original one (from 1977!), so I am also thinking of an alternative scenario in which it fails. I know that in my area replacing an inboard engine will cost double the price I’m putting down for the boat, and since I’m on a budget, that simply won’t be an option and outboards seem to be cheaper. So the question is: is it possible to put an outboard engine on all boats? Is there some factor that would make it impossible to mount an outboard engine on the boat? Thanks!

Garth Powelson

What is minimum length that a sailboat can go without an outboard. Does a 29’ “require by law” to have engine?

Hello Mr. Buckles, Thanks for the informative article. I’m looking to get the smallest possible outboard for my 1.5 ton displacement fiberglass monohull Hood 23’ sloop. Can I get away with a 4HP?!? What size prop would I need?!? (I’m only going to use it when there is NO wind, and, if I can stay 4HP or below, I am not required to register my vessel—which is pretty cool, so here’s hoping!)

Thanks again, Ship

Hi, I’ve got a older Pearson 39’ . I’m looking to remove the old 40 ho westerbeke and go electric. Unsure of what hp is going to be needed?

emilio h javier

i am purchasing a catalina 22 ft. i have in mind a 4 HP motor. what would be the length of the shaft.

I am considering buying a 25 ft sailboat with a 7200 lb displacement. The boats top speed is listed at 7knots per hour but the diesel motor does not work. The owner has a 9.9hp outboard that can be purchased with the boat. Is 9.9hp enough to power the boat to at least 5 to 6 knots per hour? Thanks. Rick

What weight outboard would be too much for a 20’ Santana, displacement 1,350 lbs? I don’t want too much weight at the back. I want the boat to be seaworthy.

I have not seen this amount of BS in years :) I’m not a marine engineer, yet physicist & avation engineer. You even can’t tell the difference between mass of the vessel and diplacement :D Fcking genius.

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The top of this web page is the Illustrated Guide with photos of the motors and specifications to the right.

Sortable/Searchable Table

At the bottom of the page is a table that can be searched if you know you are looking for a certain type of motor (i.e. pod or saildrive), a certain power range, or for a specific weight/length of boat. If you are going to use the table, the page is best viewed on a computer rather than mobile or tablet.

Illustrated Guide

The motors are organized in alphabetical order by manufacturer, then by style of motor, i.e. fixed pod, steerable pod, saildrive and then by power of motor within those listing. For many styles there are multiple powers of motor available and where that is the case we have made it as easy as possible to line up the motor with its specifications. i.e. if there are three power of motor with different weights, it will be noted as kW: 2kw, 2kw, 3kw • Weight: 10kg, 12kg, 15kg. For some manufacturers the variations are more complicated and we have done our best to make it simple and understandable.

There is a lot of variety in the way manufacturers detail the technical attributes of their products. We have tried to take the most common measurements and assemble an ‘apples to apples’ comparison. See the notes below in ‘Measurements’

The photographs and drawings are from the manufacturers’ websites and are not shown in any consistent scale.

kW • Voltage • Current • HP: Not all manufacturers list all of these specifications. We have included the specifications available and where not available have used the notation N/A.

kW is the kW rating provided by the manufacturer. Most websites do not indicate whether it is input or output kW. When it is indicated, we took the output.

Voltage is most often referred on the sites as ‘Voltage’. Some indicate nominal or peak, we have used nominal and indicated if peak is also referenced.

Current Is noted when the manufacturer supplies the information. Generally it is measured in amperes: A. In some cases the manufacturer uses Amp Hours: Ah and we have noted it where that is used.

HP : is ‘HorsePower equivalent’ so that you can get an idea of the power of the motor in comparison to a HP rating you might be more familiar with. Where available, these measurements come from the manufacturer’s website, and different manufacturers measure the HP in different ways. Some even use metric horsepower, which is slightly different from imperial horsepower. Again, we have tried to make it as apples to apples as possible. (For general guidance, 1kW is round one and a third HP 1kW=1.3HP, or the reverse is that 1HP is around three quarters of a kW: 1 HP = .75kW).

Static Thrust. Torque, Efficiency: This is probably the specification that has the most variability. We have simply given whatever information the manufacturer has published on their website, when available.

Range and Running Time : We have not included estimates of range or running time because it depends on too many factors: battery size (sometimes type also), water conditions, speed, etc. The exceptions are for the ePropulsion and Torqeedo models which have batteries from the manufacturers specifically matched to the motors and therefore provide estimates on their websites.

General : If a manufacturer publishes a specification, we have tried to include it here, even tough other manufacturers may not include the same type of measurement.

Information on this page updated February 4, 2024

You may also want to check our Directory of Electric Boat Motor manufacturers, dealers and distributors around the world, or the Plugboats Marketplace of electric boat motors for sale.

Manufacturers in this Buying Guide: Aquamot • Bellmarine • Combi • Electric Yacht • ELECTRINE • EP Technologies • ePropulsion • E-TECH • Fischer Panda • Gardenergy • Kräutler • Navigaflex • Oceanvolt • Piktronik • Rim Drive Technology • Seadrive • TEMA • Torqeedo

Aquamot was founded in 2003 by engineer Siegmund Hammerstrom and has grown to be a leading manufacturer of electric motors and accessories, including outboards inboards, chargers and batteries. They have two lines of fixed pod motors: Trend and Professional, as well as a line of steerable pods that line up with the power ranges of the Professional line.

Aquamot Trend Fixed Pod 1.1FM and 1.6FM

• Recommended Boat Size: <1.8 tons
• kW : 1.1 / 1.6 • Voltage : N/A • Current : N/A • HP : 3.5 / 5 • Static thrust : 89lbs
• Motor Type : Brushless AC asynchronous • Passive water cooled (motor underwater)
• Weight (kg) : 10.2 / 11.3
• Propeller/RPM : 3 blade fixed, folding optional • RPM : N/A
• Other : Includes: Integrated/removable lithium battery (0.64kWh), charger, display, emergency kill switch. Optional: spare battery, customized compensation wedge, folding propeller ($US 835). Warranty: 2 year limited
• Country of Manufacture : Austria
• Price (MSRP) : $US 2,200 / $2,600

Aquamot Trend Fixed Pod 2.2FM and 4.3FM

• Recommended Boat Size: <4 tons kW : 2.2 / 4.3 • Voltage : 24 / 48 • Current : N/A • HP : 6.4 / 11 • Static thrust : 124 lbs / 197 lbs
• Motor Type : Brushless AC asynchronous• Passive water cooled (motor underwater) Weight (kg) : 12.2 / 13.9
• Other : Includes: Controller, display, basic cables, emergency kill switch. Optional: customized compensation wedge, folding propeller ($US 835). Two year limited warranty.
• Price (MSRP) : $US 3,300 / $3,750

Aquamot Trend Fixed Pod 11.0FM to 25.0FM

• Recommended Boat Size: N/A
• kW : 11 – 25 • Voltage : 48 – 96 • Current : N/A • HP : 28 – 45 • Static thrust : n/a
• Motor Type : Brushless AC asynchronous• Passive water cooled (motor underwater)
• Weight (kg) : 44.3 – 48.9
• Propeller/RPM : 3 blade fixed • RPM : N/A
• Other : Includes: Controller, display, basic cables, emergency kill switch. Optional: customized compensation wedge. Warranty: 2 year limited
• Price (MSRP) : $US 7,150 / $9,915

Aquamot Professional Fixed Pod F10e to F250e

• kW : 1 – 25 • Voltage : 24 – 96 • Current : N/A • HP : 45 – 339 • Static thrust : n/a
• Motor Type : Sensor-less AC asynchronous • Passive water cooled (motor underwater) • Efficiency : 92%
• Weight (kg) : 12 – 50
• Propeller/RPM : 2 blade fixed, folding/feathering optional • RPM : N/A
• Other : Integrated anode, permanently usable for salt or fresh water, maintenance free. Operating efficiency 92%, Included: Custom-made compensation wedge, Controller, throttle, battery monitor, cables, Optional: display, folding/feathering propeller. Warranty: 2 year limited
• Price : N/A

Aquamot Trend Steerable Pod UF10e to UF250e

• Other : Optimized cavitation plate. Permanently usable for salt or fresh water, maintenance free. Operating efficiency 92%, Included: Custom-made compensation wedge, Controller, throttle, battery monitor, cables, Optional: display. Warranty: 2 year limited

»» Bellmarine website

Bellmarine is a very well established electric boat motor company with a history going back to 1999. Along the way they merged with a battery accessory manufacturer and have now been purchased by Transfluid, a large scale industrial motor manufacturer. Bellmarine offers a wide range of electric boat motor configurations, with their saildrive system consisting of their own motor combined with Yanmar drive mechanics. They range from 2kW to 20kW in power with either air or liquid cooling. They also offer a regeneration option. You may want to download the full Bellmarine catalogue

Bellmarine SailMaster Air Cooled Models 2A, 5A, 7A, 10A, 15A, 20A Download .pdf brochure

• kW : Bellmarine uses Nominal and Intermittent kW measurements. These are the intermittent figures: 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 15, 20 • Voltage : 48V except for the 8A, 15A and 20A models which are 96V • Current : N/A • HP : 2.5, 6.5, 9, 10.5, 13, 20, 25
• Motor Type : Permanent Magnet AC • Air cooled
• Weight (kg) : N/A
• Propeller/RPM : propeller not supplied • RPM : Motor: 1500, Propeller 750 except for 20kW which is Motor 3000, Propeller 1500
• Other : Includes Yanmar SD25 Sail drive leg with 2:1 reduction, motor, controller, , stainless steel motor support brackets.
• Country of Manufacture : Netherlands

Bellmarine SailMaster Liquid Cooled Models 3W, 7W, 10W, 15W, 20W Download .pdf brochure

• kW : Bellmarine uses Nominal and Intermittent kW measurements. These are the intermittent figures: 3, 7, 10, 15, 20 • Voltage : 48V: for all models except 8A, 15A and 20A   –   96V:  Models 8A, 15A, 20A • Current : N/A • HP : 4, 9, 13, 20, 25
• Motor Type : Permanent Magnet AC • Liquid cooled
• RPM : 1500: Models 2A, 5A, 7A, 8A, 10A, 15A   –  3000: Model 20A 

»» Combi website

Combi Outboards was founded in 1979 in Giethoorn (‘the Dutch Venice’) to supply rental boats with clean electric power. It is now a leading international supplier of electric propulsion solutions for the maritime market. Combi manufactures inboards, pods, hybrids and outboards. There are six pods ranging in power from 1kW to 3.5 kW: 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 3.5kW. They are available both as fixed pod or steerable pods.

Combi Nautic Fixed Pod/Saildrive Download .pdf brochure

• kW : 1.0 – 3.5 • Voltage : 24 (1.0kW + 1.5kW), 48 (2.0kW – 3.5kW) • Current : 42A – 73A • HP : 4 – 9
• Motor Type : Asynchronous AC • passive water cooled Weight (kg) : N/A
• Propeller/RPM : 3 blade fixed – 220mm or 230mm • RPM : 1050 (3.5kW 1300) Other : “Easy Connect” system delivered Plug & Play for owner installation. 

Combi Nautic Steerable Pod Download .pdf brochure

The Steerable Pod Nautic models have the same specifications as the Saildrive models above.

• Motor Type : Asynchronous AC • passive water cooled
• Propeller/RPM : 3 blade fixed – 220mm or 230mm • RPM : 1050 (3.5kW 1300)
• Other : “Easy Connect” system delivered Plug & Play for owner installation. 

Electric Yacht

Electric Yacht is one of the premier US suppliers of saildrives. They have developed a Plug-n-Play system that has been engineered for quick, simplified installation as well as long term durability. Their systems offer regenerative power while under the sail. 10 years of proven production with over 450 installs. 3 Year Warranty

Electric Yacht QuietTorque™ 10.0 Sail Drive

• Recommended Boat Size: <6 tons – 34’ (10m)
• kW : 10 • Voltage : 48 • Current : 200A • HP : 10.5
• Motor Type : Brushless PMAC
• Weight (kg) : 45
• Propeller/RPM : 2 or 3 blade, fixed or folding, 12”  – 16” • RPM : N/A
• Other :  Installs through 9” hole, Anodized aluminum frame and waterproof throttle,Digital Display of: State of Charge (SOC, Voltage, Current, Power, Motor RPM, time to discharge based on current power consumption, updated in real time, Programmable regeneration. 3 Year Warranty. 
• Country of Manufacture : USA
• Price (MSRP): $US 11,995

Electric Yacht QuietTorque™ 20.0 Sail Drive

The Electric Yacht Quiet Torque 20 is essentially the 10.0 with twin motors

• Recommended Boat Size: <12 tons – 45’ (14m), catamarans 40’-46’ (12-15m)
• kW : 20 • Voltage : 48 • Current : 400A • HP : 21
• Motor Type : Brushless PMAC X 2
• Weight (kg) : 77 Propeller/RPM : 2 or 3 blade, fixed or folding, 12”  – 18” • RPM : N/A
• Other :  Installs through 9” hole, Anodized aluminum frame and waterproof throttle,Digital Display of: State of Charge (SOC, Voltage, Current, Power, Motor RPM, time to discharge based on current power consumption, updated in real time, Programmable regeneration. 3 Year
• Warranty. 
• Price (MSRP): $US 14,695

Also: Electric Yacht QuietTorque™ 30.0 Sail Drive (boats <14 tons) Electric Yacht QuietTorque™ LC 45 Sail Drive (boats <17 tons) Electric Yacht QuietTorque™ LC 60.0 Sail Drive (boats <22 tons)

• Recommended Boat Size: 14 tons – 22 tons, 45’- 60′ (15-18m)
• kW : 30 – 60 • Voltage : 48 – 96 • Current : 300Ah – 600Ah • HP : 48 – 65
• Motor Type : Brushless PMAC X 2 • liquid cooled
• Weight (kg) : 100 – 106
• Propeller/RPM : N/A
• Other :  Installs through 9” hole, Anodized aluminum frame and waterproof throttle, Digital Display of: State of Charge (SOC, Voltage, Current, Power, Motor RPM, time to discharge based on current power consumption, updated in real time, Programmable regeneration. 3 Year Warranty. 
• Price (MSRP): $US 19,995 – 23,495

»» ELECTRINE website

ELECTRINE is a Korean manufacturer which has focused on maritime electrification since 2010, when the idea of electric mobility was still relatively uncommon. The company was known as LGM until 2020 and has had a consistent R&D effort for many years. They manufacture electric outboards, inboards and saildrives as well as accessories and Lithium-ion batteries using a Carbon Nano Tube heat exchanger technology. Ther are 6 motors in their eSaildrive line, ranging from 8 kW to 110 kW.

ELECTRINE eSaildrive line: S-8, S-16, S-25 (shown), S-40, S-80, S-110

• Recommended Boat Size: Daysailer / Racing / Monohull /Multihull
• kW : (Max) 8, 16, 25, 40, 90, 110 • Voltage (Vdc): 48, 48, 96, 96, 345.6, 345.6
• Motor Type : N/A
• Weight (kg) : 40.5, 46.5, 50.5, 172, 198, 218
• Other : Hydrogeneration on 8kW and 16kW models. ELECTRINE also makes batteries customized for the motors
• Country of Manufacture : Korea
• Price (MSRP): N/A

EP Technologies

»» ep technologies website.

EPTechnologies is a complete marine propulsion provider for electric and hybrid vessels. The company specializes in custom electric and hybrid systems, but also has ‘off the shelf’ motors, including a range of saildrives. Their Electric Turnable Saildrive offers 360-degree rotation, the key advantage being that no additional thruster is required behind the boat. Other saildrives (SD-25, SD-60, SD-15) have a fixed lower unit. All saildrives are include a complete system utilizing batteries designed and built by EP Technologies.

EP Technologies Turnable Saildrive

• kW : 25 – 60
• Voltage (VDC): 100 – 800
• RPM : 500 – 2000
• Other : 360° Rotatable, Electric servo motor, Joystick Control
• Country of Manufacture : Denmark
• Price : Contact EP Technologies

EP Technologies Saildrives: SD-25, SD-50, SD-15

• kW : SD-25: SD-60: 25, 39, 60, SD-15: 65, 95
• Voltage (VDC): SD-25: 48, SD-60: 100 – 800, SD-15: 400 – 800
• RPM : SD-25: 1000 – 2000, SD-60: 500 – 2000, SD-15: 500 – 2000

ePropulsion

»» epropulsion website.

ePropulsion was  founded in 2012 by three engineers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).  The company continues to have a strong engineering culture where each engineer is individually responsible for creating as much value for users as possible. ePropulsion offer two pod models based on their outboards: the 1kW Spirit and 3kW Navy.

Click here to view motors from ePropulsion dealers in the Plugboats Marketplace

ePropulsion Pod Drive Evo 1.0 , 3.0, 6.0

• kW : 1, 3, 6 • Voltage : 40.7, 48 • Current : 25A, 62.5A • HP : 3, 6, 9.9 Static Thrust : 71, 132.6
• Weight (kg) : (Including integrated battery) 14.1, 15.6
• Propeller/RPM : Spirit: 2 blade, 28 × 14.7 cm (11′ × 5.8″), Navy: 2 blade, 26 × 17.1 cm (10.2″ × 6.7″), RPM: Spirit 1200, Navy 2300
• Other : Hydrogeneration, Includes battery and wireless remote controller (cable option also), Spirit has 1.1 kWh lithium battery, Navy has 3.0 kWh
• Country of Manufacture : Hong Kong/China

»» E-TECH website

E-TECH is a subsidiary of boatbuilder Starboats that was started in 2008 because they were dissatisfied with other electric motor offerings in the market at the time. The company has developed fixed pods, steerable pods and outboard motors that all utilize an in-water BLDC (BrushLess DC permanent magnet) pod motor in a watertight aluminum casing. There are 5 pod models available in both fixed pod and steerable pod configuration. All of these are equipped with the ruddershaft, tube and steering lever. There are also 4 models of high torque pods available only in fixed pod format.

Click here to view motors from E-TECH dealers in the Plugboats Marketplace

E-TECH 4 POD, 7 POD, 10 POD, 15 POD, 20 POD Link to Fixed Pod Motors • Link to Steerable Pod Motors Download .pdf brochure

• kW : 4.3, 7.5, 10.9, 16.6, 19.5 • Voltage : 48, 48, 48, 72, 96 • HP : ≈ 6, 10, 15, 22, 27 • RPM : 1350, 1350, 1470, 2240, 2200
• Motor Type : Brushless PMDC • water cooled
• Other :  Includes controller, display with battery monitor, joystick (side- or top mounting), 2m steering cable, 5m connecting cables between controller and steering position (standard 5 meter).
• Country of Manufacture : Poland

The four High Torque E-TECH PODH engines are designed for those applications where a very high torque is needed.

E-Tech High Torque PODH: 13 POD, 18 POD, 23 POD, 35 POD Download .pdf brochure

• kW : 11.9, 16.7, 21.5, 33.7 • Voltage : 48, 72, 96, 144 • HP : ≈ 16, 23, 29, 45 • RPM : 760, 1140, 1520, 2500

Fischer Panda

»» Fischer Panda

Fischer Panda is one of the world’s best known manufacturers of marine generators but are also manufacturers of high quality electric boat motors, sometimes marketed under the ‘Whisperprop’ name. They have an “EasyBox” system that is intended to take the guesswork and complication out of purchasing electric boat motors.

Fischer Panda 48V Underwater Drive System (Easybox) Download .pdf brochure

• kW : 3.8 – 20.0 • Voltage : 48 • Current : N/A • HP : 5 – 25
• Motor Type : Brushless Permanent Magnet (PMAC)
• Weight (kg) : 18.7 – 120
• Propeller/RPM/Torque : Propeller not included • RPM : 600 – 2500 Torque (nM) : 28 – 320
• Other :  Includes: Fischer Panda EasyBox control unit, control panel, throttle Options: Propeller, propeller protector, battery bank, charger, shore power connection.  
• Country of Manufacture : Germany

Fischer Panda EasyBox HV High Voltage System Fischer Panda Download Centre

• Recommended Boat Size: <40 tons
• kW : 50, 80, 100 • Voltage : 360 – 420 • Current : N/A • HP : 65 – 125
• Weight (kg) : 42
• Propeller/RPM/Torque : 5 blade fixed • RPM : 1200 / 1900 Torque (nM) : 398 – 400
• Other :  These motors are generally designed for use by small public transportation ferries, commercial working vessels and privately owned leisure yachts. Systems should be customized.

»» Gardenergyy website

Gardenergy is an Italian company established to offer ‘a simple and reliable product featuring cutting-edge technology’. They use the same motors in a variety of ways, cleverly configuring them for outboard, inboard shaft drives, and either fixed pods or steerable pods.

Gardenergy Pod

To see options and download .pdf brochures, go the Gardenergy site and click on ‘Links’. A pop up will appear with options. There is also an option for price list and a Configurator which can help with system assembly and pricing.

There are five Gardenergy pods with power input of: 2kW, 4.3 kw, 6kW, 8kw, 10kW. They are available as fixed or steerable pods.

• kW : 2, 4.3, 6, 8, 10 • Voltage : 48 except for 2kW which is 24V • Current : N/A • HP : 2.5, 5.5, 7.5, 10, 13
• Motor Type : PMAC
• Propeller/RPM/Torque : 3 blade fixed, folding available • RPM : 2kW: N/A, 4.3kW: 1450, 6kw: 1600, 8kW: 1750, 10kW: 1950
• Country of Manufacture : Italy
• Price (MSRP): Download MSRP Price List $US 3,975 – 6,625

»» Kräutler website

Kräutler is a long-established Austrian manufacturer of industrial electric motors. They began construction of electric boat motors in the 80’s mainly because they could not find a product that would live up to the standards of founder Oswald Kräutler. They make motors for industrial and ship use as well as recreational boats and probably offer the widest range of sailpods and saildrives on this page with everything from small .5kW steerable pods to electrically rotatable saildrives with power up to 30kW.

An explanation about the Kräutler section of this guide: The Kräutler fixed pods are available with AC motors (ACV) or DC motors (GPV). The AC are for smaller boats. They also come in two different configurations: fixed propeller and folding propeller. In the interests of making this page shorter, we have divided them in to the motor types for the written descriptions but have shown you the fixed and folding options in the images. In the table each of the motors has a separate listing. NOTE: The GPV motors are only suitable for short use in salt water.

Krautler Submersible Flange Motor Pods with D C motors Download .pdf brochure

• MOTOR TYPE: GPV
• Recommended Boat Size: <1.9 tons
• kW : 0.5, 0.8, 1.6, 2.2 • Voltage : 24 except for 2.2kW which is 36V • Current : 21, 34, 67, 61 • HP : 0.5, 1.0, 1.8, 2.5
• Motor Type : GPV: DC motor with permanent magnets, continuous control 
• Weight (kg) : 14, 15, 20, 20
• Propeller/RPM/Torque : 3 blade fixed or folding (see intro note above) • RPM : N/A • Torque : N/A
• Other :  ATTENTION: GP motors are only suitable for short use in salt water. Includes: Motor, bracket, electric regulation system, throttle, status display monitor, battery monitor, cables, battery master switcher & fuse, propeller, anode. Operating efficiency 85%
• Price (MSRP):

Krautler Submersible Flange Motor Pods with AC Motors Download .pdf brochure

• MOTOR TYPE: ACV
• Recommended Boat Size: <10 tons
• kW : 1.8, 2.0, 4, 8, 10 • Voltage : 24 (1.8, 2.0kW) 48 (4, 8, 10kw) • Current : 100, 107, 104, 202, 250 • HP : 2.3, 2.5, 5, 10, 13
• Motor Type : ACV: AC brushless three phase asynchronous motor  
• Weight (kg) : 21, 29, 29, 40, 50
• Other :  Includes: Motor, bracket, electric regulation system, throttle, status display monitor, battery monitor, cables, battery master switcher & fuse, propeller, anode. Operating efficiency 75% – 83%

Krautler Submersible Pod with Tiller Handle Download .pdf brochure

• MOTOR TYPE: ACV or GP
• Recommended Boat Size: Sailboat: <10 tons, Powerboat: <6 tons
• kW : 0.5 – 10 • Voltage : 24, 48 • Current : 21 – 250 • HP : 0.5 – 13
• Motor Type : ACV: AC brushless three phase asynchronous motor • GP:  permanent magnet with continuous control 
• Weight (kg) : 15 – 54
• Propeller/RPM/Torque : 3 blade fixed • RPM : N/A • Torque : N/A
• Other :  Includes: Motor, bracket, electric regulation system, throttle, status display monitor, battery monitor, cables, battery master switcher & fuse, propeller, anode. Tubes/diaphragms available for installation. Standard shaft length: 450mm. Operating efficiency 75% – 85%

Krautler Saildrive Compact Download .pdf brochure

• Recommended Boat Size: <4 tons
• kW : 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 • Voltage : 24, 36, 48 • Current : 104, 100, 99 – 250 • HP : 0.5 – 13
• Motor Type : AC brushless three phase asynchronous motor with continuous control 
• Weight (kg) : 42, 42, 42,
• Propeller/RPM/Torque : Propeller not included • RPM : N/A • Torque : N/A
• Other :  ATTENTION: SDK drives are only suitable for short use in salt water. Includes: Motor, saildrive gear, base plate for lamination (depending on motor size), electric regulation system, throttle, status display monitor, battery monitor, cables, battery master switcher & fuse. Operating efficiency 80%, 83%, 84%

Krautler Saildrive Fixed Download .pdf brochure

• Recommended Boat Size: Sailboat: <30 tons, Powerboat <12 tons
• kW : 2.5 – 30.0 • Voltage : 24 – 144 • Current : 104 – 370 • HP : 3.5 – 40
• Motor Type : AC brushless three phase asynchronous motor with continuous control. MOTORS 15.0 – 30.0kW are water cooled.
• Weight (kg) : 45 – 91
• Other :  ATTENTION: Water cooled drives are only useable in seawater with 2-circle water cooling. ATTENTION: SDK drives are only suitable for short use in salt water. Includes: Motor, saildrive gear, base plate for lamination (depending on motor size), electric regulation system, throttle, status display monitor, battery monitor, cables, battery master switcher & fuse. Operating efficiency 85% – 88%

Krautler Saildrive Mechanical Rotatable: 2 x 45° Download .pdf brochure

All of the Krautler motors with specs shown in the fixed saildrives above can be installed with a mechanical rotatable option shown here or electric rotatable option shown below. The Sail-Drive is supplied with a fiberglass foundation base, which can be laminated to the hull (depending on motor size). For existing Volvo and Yanmar foundations the Sail-Drive is equipped with an adapter plate and can be screwed directly on the existing foundation.

Krautler Saildrive Electric Rotable: 2 x 90° or 360° Download .pdf brochure

All of the Krautler motors with specs shown in the fixed saildrives above can be installed with an electric rotatable option shown here. The Sail-Drive is supplied with a fiberglass foundation base, which can be laminated to the hull (depending on motor size). For existing Volvo and Yanmar foundations the Sail-Drive is equipped with an adapter plate and can be screwed directly on the existing foundation. The electrical rotating mechanism includes an actuating drive with gearbox, electric regulation system for the drive, a steering lever and display.monitor indicating propeller position

»» Navigaflex website

The innovative Navigaflex motor has a Patent Pending design in which the motor itself retracts and pivots and can attached to the boat as an outboard or inboard motor. The motor is made with a minimum of parts, a light construction and is adaptable to all boat hulls. The standard motor can also be ordered with a “booster” to double the power for up to 2 minutes.

Navigaflex Motor

• Recommended Boat Size:  2 tons / 8m – 16 tons / 18m kW : 6kW, 8kW, 10kw, 15KW • Voltage : 48 (nominal) • HP : 8, 11, 13.5, 20
• Motor Type : Brushless Permanent Magnet (PMAC) • Water cooled (10kW and 15KW)
• Weight (kg) : 54 (4KW) – 68 (15KW)
• Propeller/RPM : 2 blade fixed •  RPM : N/A
• Other : Retractable motor, Option to regenerate the current under sails, Digital motor controller with touch screen and mobile phone connected remotely.
• Country of Manufacture : Switzerland
• Price : $US 8,000 – 16,000

»» Oceanvolt website

Oceanvolt is one of the best known names in saildrives and its ServoProp regenerating system is regarded as one of the first and best. It is difficult to provide full information about their systems because their website encourages customers to provide information for customized solutions. These are some basics

Click »» here to see Oceanvolt motors for sale from vendors in the Plugboats Market

Oceanvolt SD Saildrive See more detailed information

• Recommended Boat Size:  < 80 ft / 25m
• kW : 6, 8, 10, 15 • Voltage : 48 • HP : 8, 11, 13.5, 20
• Motor Type : Synchronous permanent magnet • Closed circulation liquid cooling provides cooling and lubrication
• Weight (kg) : 42.5, 42., 46.5, 46.5
• Propeller/RPM : Propeller not included •  RPM : 2200 • Gear Reduction Ratio : 1.93: 1
• Other : Includes: Battery communication kit, hydrogeneration feature • Sold separately: Batteries, Charger, Propeller • Sail Drive with 1.93:1 reduction. Closed circulation liquid cooling provides cooling and lubrication. 10kW and 15kW systems include 15.2kWh Li-ion battery bank, charger
• Country of Manufacture : Finland
• Price : $US 13,500 – 45,000

Oceanvolt Servoprop Saildrive

The Oceanvolt ServoProp is a patented variable pitch sail drive that ‘combines a high efficiency sail drive with the most powerful hydro generator on the market’. Unique feature is the possibility to turn the propeller blades more than 180 degrees. The software controlled variable pitch sail drive adjusts the pitch of the propeller blades automatically so that the power generation and power output are optimal. The blades are designed to give the system maximum efficiency in forward, reverse and regeneration. With the blades set to the neutral sailing position, the propeller creates extremely low drag similar to the drag of a feathering propeller. ServoProp is capable of generating more than 1 kW at 7-8 knots & 3 kW at 11-12 knots.

»» Piktronik website

Piktronik is an Austrian-Slovenian company working on the research, development and production of components for electrical vehicles (EV) and boats. Their pods are available in a variety of configurations that vary by the power output. We have noted that below. They also sell motors as complete systems with batteries and chargers.

Piktronik UWM1 – UMW10 On arriving at the linked page, there are links for each motor to download more information

• kW : 1, 2, 5, 6.5, 10 • Voltage : 16, 17, 30, 30, 30 • Current : 50, 92, 120, 150, 200 • HP : 1.4, 2.7, 6.8, 8.8, 13.6
• Motor Type : PMSM (permanent-magnet synchronous)
• Weight (kg) : 18, 23, 25, 51, 95
• Propeller/RPM/Torque : 2 blade fixed – 4 blade fixed • RPM : 1100, 1200, 1850, 1200, 1000 • Torque (nM) : 7, 14, 27, 51, 95
• Other :  Aside from the complete system detailed below the motors alone come in different configurations: 1kW and 2kW: steerable pod or fixed pod, 5kW: steerable pod, fixed pod, transom mount, 6.5kW: steerable pod or transom mount, 10kW: steerable pod or transom mount
• Country of Manufacture : Slovenia

Piktronik SYS Systems 1kW – 10kW On arriving at the linked page, there are links for each motor to download more information

Piktronic sells their motors in complete system kits for each of the motor sizes detailed above. Complete system includes: motor, motor controller, display monitor, cables, siwthces, fuses, battery charger, remote comtrol, steering arm, installation tube, tiller handle, propeller

Rim Drive Technology

Click here to view RIM Drive Technology motors for sale in the Plugboats Marketplace

»» Rim Drive Technology website

Rim Drive technology is a Netherlands company with a line of rim motors in which the propeller blades are affixed to a rim rather than a central hub. There are no wearing parts within the motor and much reduced chance of weeds or other debris snagging or clogging. The motors are available as outboards, pods, azimuths and thrusters. The company offers complete systems or standalone batteries, controllers, monitors and other accessories. The pods in the Guide are sorted as 24V, 48V and 48V+. All pods are available with extended shaft options to reduce hull effects on the rim drive water flow for quieter and smoother operation.

24V Pods POD 3.0, POD 5.0

• kW : 3.0, 5.0 •  Voltage : 24 •  HP : 6.5, 11.0 • Thrust (kg) : – 31, 62
• Battery : Sold separately, recommended LiFePO4 available from Rim Drive
• Running Time : Suggested 4-5 hours with recommended Rim Drive battery pack
• Shaft Length (cm) : N/A extended shaft length available
• Propeller Diameter (mm) : 86, 133
• Weight (motor only) (kg) : 3.5, 5.0
• Other : One year warranty for non-commercial use, Completely waterproof (IP68), Efficiency 90+, Includes 2m cable set
• Price : €3,340, €4,000

48V Pods: 5 motors POD 0.5, POD 3.0, POD 5.0, POD 11.0, POD 15.0

• kW : 0.5, 3.0, 5.0, 9, 11, 16 •  Voltage : 48 •  HP : 1, 6.5, 10, 20, 28 • Thrust (kg) : – 7, 31, 62, 156, 250
• Running Time : Up to 7 hours with suggested Rim Drive battery pack
• Propeller Diameter (mm) : 65, 86, 133, 212, 341
• Weight (motor only) (kg) : 2.5, 3.5, 5.0, 14.0, 70.0
• Price : €3,300, €3,400, €4,000, €6,850, €18,000

96V, 110V, 400V Pods POD 25.0, POD 30.0, POD 50.0

• kW : 25, 30, 50 •  Voltage : 96, 110, 400 •  HP : 42, 52, 74 • Thrust (kg) : – 380, 400, 750
• Running Time : Average 3 hours with suggested Rim Drive battery pack
• Propeller Diameter (mm) : 341, 341, 341
• Weight (motor only) (kg) : 70, 70, 75
• Price : €25,000, €25,000, €48,000

Steerable Pods (8 models) Steerable POD 3.0, 5.0, 8.0, 11.0, 15.0, 25.0, 30.0, 50.0

• kW : 3, 5, 8, 11, 15, 25, 30, 50 •  Voltage : 48, 48, 48, 48, 48, 96, 110, 400-550 •  HP : 42, 52 • Thrust (kg) : 31, 62, 120, 156, 195, 350, 400, 750
• Weight (kg) : 21.5, 23, 32, 32, 37, 110, 110, 110
• Other : Rotatable up to 200 degrees, Waterproof hull passthrough, Stainless steel or glass fibre seal available, Salt water resistant (IP68), Motor controller included, Joystick, steering wheel or CAN controlled
• Price : €7,350, €8,225, €12,075, €12,375, €14,900, €31,995, €31,995, €55,500

»» SeaDrive website

SeaDrive is a Norwegian manufacturer that has an innovative approach to pods, saildrives and all electric boat motors for which they received a nomination for a 2019 DAME Award. The concept is that the basic motors can be configured: fixed pods, steerable pod, a saildrive or lift-up azimuth side pod – also with the ability to have the propellers arranged for push propulsion or pull propulsion.  There are also regenerative versions available. The pod motor systems come in three power ratings: 7.5, 15 and 30.

SeaDrive Modular Pods/Saildrives/Lift-Up Azimuths

• kW : 5-7.5, 10-15, 20-30 • Voltage : 48, 96, 144 • Current : NA • HP : 7.5, 15, 32 • Static Thrust: 90, 160, 300
• Weight (kg) : Motor Weight: Aluminum: 20, Bronze 23. Total Weight differs by configuration
• Propeller/RPM/Torque : Fixed or folding • RPM : N/A • Torque N/A
• Other :  re-generative versions and TABLET/PC control.
• Country of Manufacture : Norway

»» TEMA website

TEMA is a Croatian company that makes highly regarded electric motors that can be purchased alone or in systems for marine, industrial and power generation applications. Their saildrive system uses their SPM132 series of very efficient compact permanent magnet motors. The motors operate on either DC or AC voltages and can be powered from battery systems (48 96Vdc) or generators.

TEMA SYS Systems 1kW – 10kW Download .pdf of Systems configuration Download .pdf of SPM Motors

• kW : For each of their models TEMA has dual figures – kW output at 1800/3600 RPM. The 5 models range in listed power from 12/19kW to 35/57kW • Voltage : There 48 and 96 Voltage availble for all models. • Current : 50, 92, 120, 150, 200 • HP : At 1800/3600 RPM they range from 25/39 to 47/76
• Motor Type : PMAC (Permanent Magnet AC), PMS (Permanent Magnet Synchronous) • Air cooled
• Weight (kg) : 73, 93, 110, 130, 148
• Propeller/RPM/Torque : Propeller not supplied • RPM : 1800/3600 across all motors • Torque (nM) : Maximum: 70, 111, 145, 178, 205
• Other :  Includes all components: e-motor, motor controller, saildrive, marine throttle, display, plug and play wiring. Efficiency: 95%.
• Country of Manufacture : Croatia

»» Torqeedo website

Torqeedo is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric outboards. The company was founded in 2004 by Dr Christoph Ballin and Dr Friedrich Böbel when they decided they could build a better electric motor than the one on the boat Dr. Ballin had just purchased. The company offers trolling motors, inboards, outboards and pod motors and works with BMW’s battery division as well as partnering with many of the world’s premier boat designers and manufacturers. It may be useful to download the full Torqeedo Catalogue

Torqeedo Cruze FP Pod 2.0 – 4.0 Operating instruction .pdfs can be downloaded from link above

• kW : 2, 4 • Voltage : 2kW: 24, 4kW: 48 • Current : N/A • HP : 6, 9.9 • Static Thrust 155 lbs, 189 lbs
• Motor Type : Brushless External Rotor Motors with Rare-earth Magnets • Operating efficiency 56%.
• Weight (kg) : 15.4, 15.8 Propeller/RPM/Torque : 3 blade fixed or folding • RPM : 1300
• Other :  GPS on-board computer & display: Real-time speed, input power. Operates with lithium or AGM/lead-gel batteries, exact battery status and remaining range available when using Torqeedo battery. Emergency magnetic kill switch.
• Price (MSRP): $US 4,549, 4,999

Torqeedo Cruze FP Pod 10.0 Operating instruction .pdfs can be downloaded from link above

• Recommended Boat Size: <10 tons kW : 10 • Voltage : 48 • Current : N/A • HP : 20 • Static Thrust ≤ 405 lbs
• Weight (kg) : 33.5
• Propeller/RPM/Torque : 5 blade fixed or folding • RPM : 1400
• Other :  Includes: Remote throttle, integrated on-board computer with GPS-based range calculation, 70 mm² cable set (3 m) including fuse and main switch, plug connector. 2 year warranty.
• Price (MSRP): $8,999

Torqeedo Cruze FP Saildrive 10.0 Operating instruction .pdfs can be downloaded from link above

• kW : 10 • Voltage : 48 • Current : N/A • HP : 20 • Static Thrust ≤ 405 lbs
• Weight (kg) : 37

Torqeedo Deep Blue 25 Saildrive

• Recommended Boat Size: <50 tons
• kW : 25 continuous, 33 peak • Voltage : 345 • Current : N/A • HP : 40 • Static Thrust ≤ 405 lbs
• Motor Type : Brushless External Rotor Motors with Rare-earth Magnets • Operating efficiency 55%.
• Weight (kg) : 125, 314 total system including 1 battery
• Propeller/RPM : Propeller : not included • RPM : 1200
• Price (MSRP): On Request with requirements input

Table: Searchable and Sortable

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Choosing the power needed to motorize my boat

Choosing the power of your electric motor is something important. It must be enough to be able to get out of a bad situation in case of heavy seas or a gust of wind, but not too much as it will determine the size of the battery pack and therefore the final cost.

The power necessary to move a boat at a desired speed or to with headwinds depends on many factors :

• Size and shape of the hull(s) and annexes,
• theoretical calculations can give you an estimate of resistance/speed.

Other factors can significantly influence consumption :

• Propeller efficiency: 50/55% if you have a good propeller
• Mechanical losses (friction): 95% if you have good material
• The efficiency of the motor controller: 90/95% for a synchronous motor with permanent magnet and electronic commutation … Much less with asynchronous or brush-excited motors More information in our article Not all motors are the same   Tous les moteurs ne sont pas équivalents ?

In total, less than 50% of the power consumed will be used for propulsion. The loss can be much greater with the wrong choice of propeller, motor or equipment. Savings can sometimes become expensive when you have to increase the size of the battery pack to compensate for low overall efficiency.

Other factors can cause 2 identical boats to have very different performance :

• weight distribution
• the condition of the hull …

So how do you estimate the power required for your boat ?

There are different ways :

• Compare with the power of its existing thermal engine in CV or kW (1 kW = 1.4 CV) but beware that the comparison is limited because the powers are not calculated in the same way. A good basis could be to convert 1 KW to 2 HP concerning power, and therefore maximum speed, and 1 kW for 3 HP concerning torque, which allows the boat to move forward in difficult conditions. We explain why in our article How to compare thermal and electrical power? Comment comparer puissance thermique et puissance électrique ?
• Ask the boat manufacturer or architect for the boat’s resistance curve in water and against the wind . It will allow you to determine the power necessary to get out of a bad situation with the sea and the wind and to estimate the boat’s KW consumption in normal weather. You should leave a margin because the curves are theoretical with a boat that is often lightly loaded whose weight is ideally distributed and with a clean hull and propellers.
• To help you, we have developed a tool based on a theoretical calculation and on the feedback from sea trials. By giving us some information, we can provide you with a theoretical power curve in calm seas and with wind depending on the speed. This would of course be only a theoretical calculation that would take into account efficient inboard engines and these calculations must be interpreted in the light of experience, the state of the sea and the boat. The tool would show you how additional nodes are sometimes very expensive in terms of consumption.

Example of a power calculation

This tool could help you make a decision, but it is in no way a recommendation. Our experience shows that the loaded weight is often underestimated, we recommend you to leave a margin.

@ Send a request to estimate the power needed to motorize your boat

How to assess autonomy ?

A 1 kW motor will consume 1 kWh at full power over a period of 1 hour. We will double or triple the range by reducing the speed very little .

It is good practice to start with a ratio of 1 between kW (engine power) and kWh (battery pack capacity), even if it means leaving room for future expansion. Please note that this rule applies with LIFEPO batteries. Other chemicals require a larger pack. As for AGMs, it will be necessary to foresee that they should not be discharged more than 50%.

It is possible for a small boat to bring a small portable generator of 1 or 2 KW as a precaution. Connected to the charger, it will allow you to return to port at low speed even if the batteries are empty.

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Electric outboard motor: we test 13 options

• Theo Stocker
• July 25, 2023

An electric outboard motor is now a viable option for dinghy propulsion. Emrhys Barrell puts the latest outboards and trolling motors to the test

The electric outboard motor has been around for many years, but they have either been too low powered or their lead acid batteries have made them too heavy to lift in and out of a small tender, so petrol outboards have remained the engine of choice.

The development of lightweight lithium batteries has changed all this, making an electric outboard motor a practical alternative to petrol – and making all electric yachts a real possibility too.

With this in mind, we tested 12 models whose all-up weight, or the weight of their individual components, did not exceed the 14-17kg of a 2.5hp petrol outboard.

See how we tested the electric outboards at the end of this article.

Best electric outboard motor

Specifications Outboard weight:   12kg Overall weight with outboard and bracket: 14.5kg Battery capacity: 1085Wh Top speed: 5kts Thrust: 30kg / 66lbs

Designed along the lines of a dinghy rudder, this Remigo outboard is incredibly easy and intuitive to use. No external cables or anything to be snagged, it clips onto a bracket pre-mounted to your tender or dinghy, in a similar way that you’d attach a  dinghy rudder.

Flip down the handle, attach the magnetic kill cord and you’re good to go.

On test this outboard gave as much thrust as the ePropulsion below but out performed it in terms of maneuverability. The Remigo can be switched from forward to reverse thrust at the touch of a button.

We like the Remigo for it’s sleek simplicity. If you want a clean smart easy to carry outboard to take you from your mooring to shore or quietly meander from your anchorage to shore then this is definitely worth considering.

We especially liked the rudder effect of this outboard giving us steerage even we had turn the power completely off to coast in alongside our pontoon.

Read Fox Morgan’s review of this outboard – Remigo One Electric Outboard review

Reasons to buy

very easy to stow, innovative rudder design, lightweight, built in battery, easy to mount and dismount

Reasons to avoid

No multiple battery swap options like more conventional electric outboards

Find a dealer at Silent Yachting

Photo: Paul Wyeth

ePropolsion Spirit 1.0 EVO

Yachting Monthly’s best buy

Specifications Motor weight:   10.5kg Battery weight: 9kg Battery capacity: 1276Wh Top speed RIB: 4.5mph Top speed skiff: 6.0mph Thrust: 31kg/68lbs

The Chinese firm ePropulsion has been developing its electric outboard motor range and lithium batteries for some time. We tested the Spirit 1.0 Plus and Evo, both 1kW motors with integral batteries.

Clearly ePropulsion was influenced by Torqeedo, but there are some important differences. From the outset ePropulsion went for a direct drive motor, being quieter and avoiding gearbox problems.

The battery has a greater capacity than the original Torqeedo, and is still 30% higher than the latest version. It also floats – useful if you should drop it overboard.

Fitting the battery is a two-handed job, with the carrying handle being at the back, and latch lock at the front, which requires leaning over the transom to install it. You also cannot see the locating slots underneath, which isn’t quite so easy in a bobbing inflatable. The power cable socket is protected by a rubber cap.

You have a display, but it only shows power being consumed, voltage, and remaining runtime, which means it has larger figures, easier to read on a sunny day, but it lacks GPS speed or range.

It has the same trim settings as the Torqeedo, with a similar fiddly retaining split ring. It also has a magnetic kill cord. Three shaft lengths are available, catering for transom heights up to 61cm. The shaft is streamlined but rotates through 360º for maximum manoeuvrability and reverse.

High battery capacity Quiet 360º rotation

Limited display options

Buy it now from epropulsion

Yachting Monthly’s best in class

Specifications Motor weight:   10.5kg Battery weight: 9kg Battery capacity: 1276Wh Top speed RIB: 4.5mph Top speed skiff: 6.0mph Thrust: 68lbs Regeneration: 4 knots – 40W / 10 knots – 300W

The 1.0 EVO has the same dimensions and performance as the Spirit, but it has the options of a removable tiller, plus remote controls and steering, but the real innovation is that it offers regenerative charging while you are sailing, putting 40W at 4 knots, and 300W at 10 knots back into the battery.

You can even have a wristband remote for steering and throttle.

The ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO is undeniably more expensive than it’s little sister without the regenerative charging and the cost difference is significant. If you are likely to be doing a lot of sailing and using your electric motor from ship-to-shore in relatively remote locations then the regeneration will probably be worth it. For most, though the price differential is probably a little too steep.

Regenerative charging Removable tille Remote controls

Relatively expensive

Torqeedo 1103 and Torqeedo 603

Torqeedo 603 specifications Motor weight:  11kg Battery weight:  4.2kg (floats) Battery capacity: 500Wh Top speed RIB: 4.0 mph Top speed skiff: Not tested Thrust: 44lbs

Torqeedo 1103 specifications Motor weight:  11kg Battery weight:  6kg Battery capacity: 915Wh Top speed RIB: 4.4mph Top speed skiff: 6.0mph Thrust: 68lbs

Torqeedo was the first company to commercially produce an outboard with an integral lithium battery in 2005. The earliest motors used a high-revving geared motor, which produced a characteristic whine. Following the launch of its new larger battery, Torqeedo changed to direct drive at about the same time that ePropulsion arrived on the scene.

The 1103 is 1.1kW and has a removable battery and tiller/throttle. The battery locates in slots in the powerhead and can be dropped in one-handed, with the slots clearly visible from above, which is helpful in a rocking dinghy. It then hinges back and locks in place with a separate plastic pin. The tiller locates in similar slots.

The two are then connected to the motor by a power cable and a data cable, but the latter has an 8mm plug, with five tiny pins that have to be carefully lined up, then secured with a threaded plastic collar. Neither of the sockets have caps to prevent debris or water getting into them when the cables are not connected.

The display on the tiller shows four lines of data at the same time, which makes them small to read (a phone app can be used for a large display). They include volts, battery capacity, range at a given speed, speed in kts, mph or km/h, and power consumption in watts. A magnetic kill-cord cuts the power circuits if you fall overboard.

The motor has four trim positions to allow for angled transoms, but the split ring securing the locking pin is very stiff and fiddly, especially when you have to adjust it hanging over the transom. A side-mounted lever allows the motor to be tilted horizontally. In normal use a catch prevents the motor kicking up in reverse, but this can be released with another side-mounted lever if you are in shallow water.

Long and short shaft versions are available, with the height of the transom to the top of the prop on the long shaft being 62cm. Clamps screws and fittings are stainless steel, making it suitable for salt water use, but an anode is an extra. It has forward and reverse but not 360º rotation.

Established brand with relatively long history Removable battery and tiller Lots of display options

Display hard to read

Buy the Torqeedo 603 now from Torqeedo Buy the Torqeedo 1103 now from Torqeedo

Best Trolling motors

Haswing Ultima 3

Specifications Motor weight: 11kg Battery weight: 5kg Battery capacity: 600Wh Top speed: RIB 4.0mph Top speed skiff: Not tested Thrust: 51lbs

Haswing is a new name to us, but this Chinese manufacturer now has an extensive range of motors, several of which we were able to bring along to our test.

The Ultima 3 has an integral Lithium battery and an output of 1,000W, with the ‘3’ in its name indicating the 3hp petrol outboard its makers claim it is equivalent to. The battery is 600Wh.

The battery was the easiest of all in our test to fit and remove, just sliding down a set of grooves, with contacts in the bottom removing the need for any linking cables or wires, and an easy one-handed operation.

The unit is well engineered, with stainless steel used throughout plus an anode as standard, making this suitable for use in salt water, and a spare anode and shear pin. The tiller/throttle hinges up and down for easy operation and storage. It has a streamlined aluminium leg, but rotates 360º.

A magnetic kill cord is a useful safety feature, and there are 5 LEDs showing battery capacity remaining, but this is the only instrumentation, so there is no way of gauging how much power you are using. It also meant that with no exposed power cables, we could not measure intermediate power settings.

Easy to fit battery Anode as standard for salt water usage High end materials

Limited instrumentation

Buy it now from Amazon

Motorguide Varimax 40

Specifications Motor weight:  9.1kg Battery (Sterling 60Ah) – 8kg Battery capacity: 780Wh Top speed RIB: 3.2mph Top speed skiff: 4.0mph Thrust: 28lbs

Another trolling motor, this has a claimed 40lb thrust and a variable speed electronic control. The throttle pulls forward for ahead, and pushes back for reverse then twists in the same direction for speed. A clever feature once you get used to it. Ten LEDs show the battery state.

The sliding shaft gives transom heights up to 65cm transom to prop, and 360º rotation. It also quickly tilts through 90º, with 5 positions, for shallow or weedy water.

Clamp screws and fittings are mild steel, meaning you should wash it off with freshwater after using it in the sea.

Clever throttle control Variable transom heights accomodated

Quite basic in functionality

Haswing Osapian 55

Yachting Monthly’s best budget buy

Specifications Motor weight:  9kg Battery weight:  (Sterling 60Ah) 8kg Battery capacity: 780Wh Top speed RIB: 3.3mph Top speed skiff: 4.4mph Thrust: 35lbs

This is another trolling motor with a claimed 55lb thrust, but with five forward speeds and three reverse on a twist-grip throttle. Again, it is a well-engineered motor, with all fittings and clamp screws made of stainless steel, an anode behind the prop and a spare in the box.

Five LEDs show the battery state. The sliding shaft gives transom heights up to 62cm, and 10 tilt positions.

As with all click-speed throttles you have double the power at Setting 5 compared to Setting 4, and very poor range figures at intermediate speeds compared to motors with electronic throttles.

However it is an excellent value-for- money option for sailors looking for ways to power their tender for short trip

Well engineered Value for money

Poor range at medium speeds

Motorguide SW82

Specifications Motor weight: 13kg Battery weight: 16kg Battery capacity: 1,560Wh Top speed RIB: 4.0mph Top speed skiff: 5.5mph

Motorguide is a well-established US company that is part of the Mercury/Mariner group. The most powerful of the transom mount range, the 82 has a claimed thrust of 82lbs, and is a 24V unit requiring two 12V batteries in series.

It is also designed for saltwater use, with stainless steel clamp screws and fittings, and a large anode on the shaft. It has an extra long shaft, giving up to 93cm transom height to the prop, 360º rotation, and seven tilt positions There are no battery LEDs. An on/off switch under the control head is the nearest it gets to a kill switch.

Well known company Powerful Anode for salt water

No battery LEDs

Haswing Protruar 1

Specifications Motor weight: 9kg Battery weight: 8kg Battery capacity: 780Wh Top speed RIB: 3.4mph Top speed skiff: 4.5mph Thrust: 40lbs

Another Haswing requiring a separate 12V battery, this has a variable speed electronic throttle, and similar features to the Protruar 5, except no kill cord. It claims to be equivalent to a 1hp petrol motor, but in practice delivered 600W.

The sliding shaft only allows transom heights up to 40cm, but a longer shaft version is available. It has 10 tilt positions and 360º rotation.

Another well engineered unit, with stainless steel used throughout plus an anode as standard, and a spare anode and shear pin. The tiller/throttle hinges up and down for easy operation and storage.

Anode for salt water use 360º rotation

No kill chord Limited transom height range

Haswing Protruar 5

Specifications Motor weight: 14kg Battery weight: 16kg Battery capacity: 1,560Wh Top speed RIB: Not tested Top speed skiff: 6.1mph Thrust: 108lbs

Another Haswing, the Protruar 5 is the most powerful model we tested. The unit is extremely well engineered, with stainless steel used throughout for the clamp screws and fittings, plus an anode as standard, making this suitable for use in salt water. A nice touch is the spare anode and shear pin in the kit. The tiller/throttle hinges up and down for easy operation and storage.

Its 5 designation indicates its makers think it is equivalent to a 5hp petrol motor, but in reality it delivers around 2.5kW at 24V so requires two separate batteries. It has a variable electronic throttle, three battery state LEDS and a magnetic kill cord.

The shaft slides up and down, giving a maximum transom height of 62cm and 360º rotation. Ten tilt positions are quickly engaged by a squeeze lever.

The thrust was the highest of the test, making it suitable for heavy boats, but the fine pitch prop significantly reduced its efficiency at speed.

Powerful model Anode for salt water use Battery LEDs and kill chord

Needs two batteries for full power

Motorguide R3 45

Specifications Motor weight:   9.5kg Battery weight: (Sterling 60Ah) 8kg Battery capacity: 780Wh Top speed RIB: not tested Top speed skiff: 4.1mph

This trolling motor has a claimed thrust of 45lbs and five forward speeds. The sliding shaft gives transom heights up to 65cm and 360º rotation, with seven tilt positions. Clamp screws and fittings are mild steel, so should be washed after saltwater use.

The click-speed throttle gives non-linear power gaps, with Speed Setting 5 being double the power of Setting 4. This throttle arrangement results in poor range figures at medium speeds compared to motors with electronic throttles, but it keeps the price down.

360º rotation Plenty of transom height range

Minn Kota Endura Max 55

Specifications Motor weight: 9.5kg Battery weight: (Sterling 60Ah) 8kg Battery capacity: 780Wh Top speed skiff: 4.6mph

Minn Kota is one of the oldest makers of trolling motors. The Max 55 has a claimed 55lb thrust, with a variable speed electronic twist-grip throttle.

Clamp screws and fittings are mild steel, making it best suited for freshwater, though you can use it in the sea if you wash it off afterwards.

It has a fine pitch prop like all trolling motors, which gives a good static thrust, but efficiency, and hence range, falls off at higher speeds, though the electronic Maximiser throttle helps to offset this.

Electronic maximiser throttle helps offset range issues

Big range drop off at high speeds Needs washing after salt water usage

Buy it now from MinnKota

How we tested the electric outboard motors

We took a selection of electric outboard motor units available on the market, and tested them in two situations, firstly on a Frib 275 folding RIB on the Lymington River to reproduce the situation of getting out to your boat in the tender. We then put them on a 4m skiff on the Thames, to see how they perform at higher speeds on a boat with a smoother underwater form and longer waterline on sheltered waters.

Speed: We measured speed using a handheld GPS, and electricity consumed using a clamp ammeter or the motor’s inbuilt power display. We converted these to the range you would achieve, either for a given power, or the full power of the motor’s battery.

Thrust: We measured static thrust using a spring balance. This is a somewhat crude test, as it measures the pulling power of a motor in a static boat, and therefore doesn’t allow the propeller pitch to work at its designed speed.

Function: We checked the stated weights of each of the motors and made a qualitative survey of their main features when used as a dinghy outboard.

We tested the trolling motors with a 60Ah lithium battery from Sterling Power, which cost £360, though you can use a heavier lead acid battery costing around £120 for a good quality AGM or gel. Don’t bother with leisure batteries, which will fail after 4 to 5 trips. You will need a good quality Lithium charger, which will add on £100 or more.

We haven’t included charging in this test, as this is dependent on the charger you are using, whether you are charging from 240V or 12V on board, and whether the power source is mains, a generator, alternator or solar. It’s worth noting that you will rarely be recharging from flat, and will rather be aiming to top up batteries after each use.

Trolling motor or electric outboard motor?

The options today are trolling motors with separate batteries – so called because they were mainly used as auxiliary slow-speed power for anglers, and integral-battery motors built for dinghy propulsion. These are the options a sailor will be looking at when thinking about changing to an electric outboard.

Trolling motors are still popular for low-speed applications, as they are simple and cheap, but they do need a separate 12V battery.

The integral battery motors are sophisticated units designed to give you more speed and greater range for a given power in a small boat, though for any 3-4m boat, the hull speed will limit how fast you can realistically go with any motor unless you start planing.

An electric outboard motor with an integral battery will often include displays showing speed, range at a given speed, and percentage of battery capacity remaining, but these features come with a higher price tag.

The trolling motors and integral battery models in our test were similar in weight and both come in at around the same total weight as a 2.5hp petrol engine.

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What You Need to Know Before Buying an Electric Sailing Yacht or Sailboat

It’s no secret that we’re approaching, or have maybe even passed the moment in history where most buyers are considering buying an electric vehicle. The awkward early adopter phase is long gone, doubters few and far between, and every car manufacturer has at least some EV options, while others focus exclusively on electric and are experiencing massive growth. Mass adoption is here, the prices are falling, and infrastructure and legislature are hurrying to catch up.

All of this has left many people wondering why not bring sailing boats into the electric world? Sailing was never about motoring, never about engine speed – it is about that connection to nature, the serenity of the sea and the challenge. So why not get rid of the “dirty and loud” diesel engine, and simply exchange it for “clean and quiet” electric propulsion? Motor out of the marina or bay in silence, then use the sun, wind and waves to continue your journey.

Well – it turns out that like all good things in life, it’s not that simple, but it can be completely viable if approached correctly, and Elan and Oceanvolt have partnered-up to offer just that.

EARLY ADOPTER PHASE

Unlike the automobile industry, electric-powered yachting is still in the early adopter phase. That is why picking experienced manufacturers is crucial. Elan Yachts, for instance, had built various highly successful projects with Oceanvolt in the past and were part of the pioneering few boatbuilders to take on the challenge. The partnership flourished and matured so that Elan is now working exclusively with Oceanvolt and has extended the offer to their whole range of yachts. But what does being an early adopter mean for the buyer? Mostly that the technology is here, but the price is high. For a well-rounded, high-quality and reliable system, you can expect to pay 20-30% more than a comparable diesel-powered sailing yacht. And since a large part of that cost is for the batteries, do not expect that to change very soon as the demand for Lithium-ion batteries is only increasing.

FOR SERIOUS SAILORS

However, let’s assume that the price is not a problem. You want to be among the first few with a zero-emissions yacht – no noise, no exhaust, no smell and no environmental restrictions. You want to sail without the use of fossil fuels. You want the famous instant power output benefits of electricity in emergency situations, no engine rev settling, no pre-start waiting and low maintenance costs. You want to use the wind and the sun to re-charge. All of these are actual benefits of electric yacht propulsion, but what are the downsides? For committed sailors, there are not many. The operating range of high-end electric propulsion systems like the one from Oceanvolt is from 25 to 70 miles at 5 knots (and more, depending on the battery pack options and power generation), which is more than enough to get you in and out of marinas and bays and still have plenty left over to get you out of a bind. The rest, you sail. And if the yacht is fast, the winds are fair and you achieve 5 knots or more, Oceanvolt’s hydrogeneration kicks in and generates power for recharging the battery bank. Hydrogeneration creates drag of only 0.1 knot at a boat speed of 7.0 knots – so it is barely noticeable. If you can go even faster, the power generation increases exponentially (see GRAPH 1).

GRAPH 1: Elan E4 Power generation prediction

(Source: Oceanvolt)

LIVING ABOARD

Buying an electric-powered yacht is still far from an off-the-shelf experience. You need a trusted team of specialists who will guide you through the process and make sure they create a custom solution according to your needs and a good partnership between the shipyard and the electric propulsion provider is crucial. Why is this so different from a car? A yacht is an independent element on the sea and, unlike a car, it will need to provide its owner with much more than just propulsion. It is imperative therefore to consider everything, from the way the yacht is built to the equipment on board. Since you will spend most of your time sailing, you need a yacht that performs well and is easy to sail. A good, reliable sail plan and rig, like the one on Elan yachts, will give you enough options to substitute the practicality of a diesel engine. Elan’s VAIL technology keeps the weight down, its short-handed sailing approach and comfort-centric design will keep you comfortable even when sailing for longer periods, and the high-end electronics are designed to keep consumption low. That is crucial because you will need to bear in mind cooking, refrigeration, water and cabin heating and entertainment, as well as the availability of ports/marinas with good electrical infrastructure. Of course, there are fossil fuel solutions for all these challenges, and Elan’s and Oceanvolt’s partnership offers a hybrid option with a 48V DC generator, which is very practical, if on the pricier side. Purists, however, will want to go full electric. And for them, more renewable power generation options like photovoltaics, a wind generator or a humbler approach to on-board living will be crucial, especially in colder climates. Bear in mind that experienced shipyards like Elan Yachts will be able to provide a complete solution, including solar panel procurement and installation.

POWER OPTIONS

How powerful are electric motors on sailboats? Well, Oceanvolt offers two different propulsion systems. The Finland-based company has developed a 6, 8, 10 and 15kW SD saildrive, as well as a special 10 and 15kW ServoProp with even better hydrogeneration, thanks to its patented and DAME-awarded software-controlled propeller blades, which change pitch to generate as much power as possible. Depending on the yacht, the entry-level SD saildrive enables 5 knots of cruising speed and a top speed of 7 knots on the 30 ft Elan E3. Bear in mind that power consumption and speed is inverse in relation to power generation – as you go faster, you consume exponentially more power (see GRAPH 2) The good part is that the motor and the saildrive weigh only 42.5 kg, which offsets some of the battery weight. In addition, all of the motors are all closed-circuit liquid-cooled, so there is no annoying spluttering.

GRAPH 2 : Elan E3 RANGE PREDICTION

Source: (Oceanvolt)

Want to go electric?

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Electric Outboard Motors: All You Need to Know (Best Picks in 2023)

Electric outboard motors have got a lot of attention these days: It is silent, clean, and maintenance-free with NO fuel or exhaust smells.

With the hype of high power electric outboard motors, it seems that the electric outboard motors now offer a viable alternative to combustion motors, making it a great option for many boats including kayaks, dinghies, canoe, inflatables, and sailboats.

But the electric outboard price might again put you in a dilemma.

Is the electric outboard motor worth the upfront investment? What’s the range and runtime of electric outboards? What’s the most powerful electric outboard motor available and affordable today?

In this post, we are going to walk through all information about the electric outboard motors for boats and help you select the best electric outboard that fits your needs.

Table of content:

• Electric Outboards Motors Are Not Trolling Motors
• Electric Outboard Motors for Boat: What You Need to Know

Reasons to Go for Electric Outboard Motors

• Best Electric Outboard Motors (Reviews & Videos)

Hottest FAQs About Electric Outboard Motors

• Final Thoughts About Electric Outboard Motors

Editor’s Note: Electric outboard motors as well as other electric vehicles are measured by W (watts) instead of hp (horsepower). So if you are looking for a 3 HP electric outboard motor, it should be a 1000 W outboard that has an equivalent power of a 3 HP petrol motor.

In order to help you better understand the power range of electric outboard motors especially for those who are new to the electric motors, we will just use HP to describe the power of electric outboards in this post.

Electric Outboard Motors Are Not Trolling Motors

Before we get into depth, let’s make it clear that here we are talking about electric outboard motors. Not trolling motors or electric start combustion outboards.

Unlike the trolling motors (measured in static thrust) that can only go at slow trolling speed, true electric outboard motors can provide much higher power: They are designed to be used as the primary power source.

Even small electric outboards, for example, the popular 3hp electric outboard motor, would be enough to power boats weighing up to 1.5 tons including dinghy boats, inflatables, and small sailboats, at a speed of 5 knots (conditions apply).

If you have no idea which one to choose between electric outboard motor and trolling motor (like the Minn Kota motors), check out our previous post for a detailed comparison.

Electric Outboard Motor for Boat: What You Need to Know

The electric outboard motor is definitely appealing but the flooded information on the Internet could be overwhelming and get you lost especially if you are new to electric boating.

Here I have rounded up the top 5 frequently asked questions (with quick answers) so that you can easily decide whether to get an electric outboard motor for your boat.

Electric Outboard Motor Runtime & Range

Curious to know what sort of battery life and range the electric outboard motors get in a marine environment. “I don’t want to run out of charge on the water.”

This is the proverbial piece of string question.

The electric outboard motor runtime and range depend on how fast you run it, how heavy the boat is, how much tide is running in which direction, the battery charge state, the temperature… and more factors still.

Generally speaking, with the Spirit 1.0 Plus 3 hp electric outboard at half power you should get 13.3 miles or 21.3 km.

Most electric boat motors will allow you to adjust it to a slower speed for extra range and runtime. Plus you can always read the battery level/estimated range left on the screen, so you’ll never get stuck.

Here is a table that shows the estimated range and runtime of the 9.9 hp electric outboard at different speed levels with a single charge of one battery.

Electric Outboard Motors Range, Runtime & Speed

*Data collected from ePropulsion Navy 6.0 Evo electric outboard motor on a 12 ft aluminum boat (with exclusive ePropulsion E175 battery that’s 8960 Wh) with one person on boat in calm lake water.

Check the full test report of the Navy 6.0 electric outboard motor.

Electric Outboard Motor Speed

So how fast are electric boat motors?

The max speed of electric outboard motors varies greatly between different boats and working environments. The higher power, the higher speed.

Below you will find a selection of real-world test reports using the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 electric outboard motor in a selection of different styles of the boat.

Want a higher power electric outboard to keep your boat at a higher speed?

It’s still a great challenge for today’s technology. Just as I mentioned above, the electric outboard motors need a large battery capacity to keep a high speed.

The amount of battery power needed to move a boat is like 10x more than a motor vehicle.

Let’s say you can go at 5 knots with a 10 hp electric outboard motor. And if you want to speed up to 15 knots, you will probably need a 100 hp electric outboard, and that requires much more energy and battery than we can imagine and will cost a fortune.

That’s why the electric outboard motors under 20hp (3hp/4hp/5hp/10hp motors) are still the mainstream in the consumer market.

Electric Outboard Motor Price

Electric outboards are interesting but I don’t understand why they cost more than a petrol outboard.

Think about the challenges of battery size vs range in electric outboard motors:

The electric outboard boat motor needs a large battery capacity especially if you are planning for a long trip.

Given that the batteries have lower energy density compared to petrol and a boat is around 5 to 10 times less efficient in energy economy compared to a similar weight car, you’ll need a lot of energy (i.e. batteries) stored on the electric outboard motor to push the boat along.

And the batteries are expensive.

Another reason is that the economies of scale have not kicked in yet within the industry although the electric outboard motors are getting more and more popular these days.

An exception:

Actually the 3 hp electric outboard motor outperforms the petrol outboard on price (and virtually any functionality you could care about for a boat outboard) if you take the maintenance fee ($180/year, if you dont service it you lose warranty) and fuel/electricity cost into account.

Take ePropulsion Spirit Plus , the 3 hp electric outboard motor with a built-in battery, for example:

That’s to say, with electric outboard motor Spirit 1.0 Plus, it’s only 3 years before the saving start. And as the service time increases, you could even save more.

So actually the electric outboard motors are a cost-effective option within a few years of use.

Notice: You might be in the market of the used electric outboard motor and looking for one during special sales or on the deals website. But it is not recommended to go this way as those electric outboard motors for sale might not guarantee your full warranty.

Electric Outboard Motor Battery Charging

The good news is that most electric outboard motors can be fully charged overnight. So it’s convenient and won’t impede your schedule.

Some reputable electric outboard motor manufacturers like ePropulsion also feature quick charging that can cut down the charging time in half.

Solar charging is also possible, you can discharge and charge the battery at the same time meaning you can extend the range of your boat on sunny days

Extra tip: If you are a sailing enthusiast, be sure to check out the electric outboard motors that come with hydrogeneration, like the ePropulsion Evo Series . It takes advantage of the wind energy to charge its batteries while sailing, so you can have extra power for an extended range of sailing or charging other facilities on board.

Check out how the hydrogeneration works on sailing with Captain Rick Moore (starting from 7:48).

Electric Outboard Motor Weight

The electric outboard motor and battery weight could be a concern, especially for the elderly. Boating is enjoyable, but lugging the heavy batteries over boggy ground to get to a boat in remote areas is definitely not tempting.

If you are looking for a portable electric outboard motor, consider the one with a built-in battery. The electric outboard motor with battery is easy to transport and could save you a lot of trouble.

Some electric outboard motor batteries can even float in the water so there is no need to worry about dropping it while installing the outboard.

Looking for a higher power electric outboard motor?

It will need standalone batteries to power the electric outboard. If you are going this way, we’d recommend looking at the E-Series LiFePO4 battery range.

The E-series electric outboard motor batteries offer a modular system from 2048 Wh to 8960 Wh. They are very affordable marine-grade batteries with a long lifespan.

Are electric outboard motors any good?

The benefit of electric outboard motors is obvious to anglers and almost overwhelming to those who are looking for a premium boating experience.

Check out the top 4 reasons why hundreds of thousands of people go for electric outboards.

• Silent. You will hear virtually nothing on board. There will be no disturbing noise to spook the fish. It’s only you and nature.
• Clean. There will be no greasy dirt to stain your hands, clothes, deck, and trunk during use and transportation if you get an electric outboard motor for the boat.
• Less Maintenance. Thanks to direct-drive technology, the electric outboard motor has less moving parts, reducing the time and cost of regular maintenance.
• Exhaust-free. There are no fuel or exhaust smells, so it protects the health of you and the families.

With more regions and lakes banning the use of combustion motors, electric outboard motors have become the only option for some anglers and boating enthusiasts. It is a new trend and could be the future of boating.

Electric outboard motors could also work as a secondary engine (kicker, auxiliary engine). A lot of users also find it helpful in emergencies if the main motor breaks.

Best Electric Outboard Motors in 2022

Having been toying with buying an electric outboard motor for a while but had no idea which outboard motor is the most reliable? What’s the best electric outboard motor?

Here are top 2 recommendations trusted by dozens of thousands of users worldwide.

#1. 3 HP Electric Outboard Motor:  ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus

If you are looking for a reliable, affordable, and portable electric outboard motor for the dinghy, inflatable and fishing boats, sailboats, and tenders, the Spirit 1.0 Plus is your best choice.

This electric outboard motor with a built-in battery provides 3 hp equivalent horsepower and can go up to 22 miles at 4.5 mph, or keep running all day long at trolling speed.

Highlights:

• Direct-drive motor, maintenance-free
• 1276Wh capacity for 4-hour economical speed runtime
• Floating battery, you’ll never lose it if it drops into the water
• 180W solar charging for extra charging
• Lightweight (42lbs including the battery)
• Folding tiller, easy to pack and carry the motor
• Digital display, you’ll always know the battery level, remaining runtime, etc
• 3 hours full recharge with quick charger
• Designed for freshwater and saltwater

As an electric outboard motor for saltwater and freshwater, the Spirit is durable and efficient to be used in the lake, marine, and simply any kind of environment.

Check out how the Spirit performs in the water on this genuine electric outboard motor review:

For advanced hydrogeneration capacity, check out the Spirit 1.0 Evo . You will love it on sailing.

#2. 9.9 HP Electric Outboard Motor:  ePropulsion Navy 6.0 Evo

If you want a higher power electric outboard motor for dinghies, aluminum fishing boats, daysailers, and cruising sailboats, be sure to check out the ePropulsion Navy 6.0 outboard.

With this 6kw 9.9 (10) HP electric outboard motor, you can easily go 40 miles within one charge, or go fishing all day at trolling speed.

• Customized E-Series electric outboard motor batteries
• Compatible with 3rd party battery
• Wireless control
• The digital display informs you of the real-time operation status
• Kill stop switch to keep you safe on board
• Propeller collision emergency stop

Check out what users have to say about the Navy 6.0 electric outboard motor:

Want to learn more about the product and get advice on purchase? Fill in this quick form within 3 minutes, and we will get in touch shortly.

A single post could not answer all questions about the electric outboards. We’ve picked out the most frequently asked ones below with short answers.

If you have any further confusion about the electric outboard motors, leave them in the comment and we’ll get back to you asap and add yours to the list.

#1. How rock proof are electric outboards?

The electric outboard motor blade is usually made of solid materials and ePropulsion motors feature propeller collision emergency stop

However, the rock or oyster bed could still possibly cause damage to the motor. If you are worried, you can always protect the outboard with some propeller guard.

#2. What is the most powerful electric outboard motor?

The most powerful electric outboard motor by far is 80 hp rated, and it is mostly for commercial use due to the high initial cost.

#3. What size electric outboard do I need?

To get the right size electric outboard motor, you need to consider the boat size (weight/length), boatload, your desired speed, and the boating environment, etc.

Generally speaking, a 1kw3hp electric outboard motor is enough to provide a satisfying speed and range for tenders, dinghies, and daysailers up to 1.5 tons, and 6kw10 hp electric outboard motor is for RIBs, fishing boats, and cruising sailboats up to 6 tons.

Electric Outboard Motor for Boat: Final Thoughts

With the unbeatable advantages like quietness, clean, exhaust-free, and the lower overall cost with a few years of use, electric outboard motors are gaining more popularity over time.

You will see more and more electric outboard motors for sailboats, kayak, canoe, and dinghy boats on sale and in use for the upcoming years, especially with the push of the government.

If you’re interested but not sure what type and size of electric outboard motor suits you best, leave us a message on the comments and we’ll try our best to help you find the best pick.

If you are looking for an electric outboard motor in the UK, US, NZ, Canada, Australia, or any other regions worldwide, and want a quick delivery, you may check out the local dealers and order directly from them with solid support if there is an issue coming up.

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What recommendations can you make to lock the motor, especially the battery since it’s easy to remove when docked?

Hi delanovr, you can use a motor lock to secure the outboard. As for the battery, it’s lightweight making it easy to uninstall and remove when not in use.

A chain and padlock through battery handle and around the lock would also help to secure both. Feel free to let me know if you have any further question.

I have a 16′ pontoon (Tahoe) with Minnkota e-drive. 4-4.5 mph. Would like a bit more speed. 7-8 mph. What would you suggest?

Hi Bob, you may take a look at the Navy 6.0 Evo for your application https://www.epropulsion.com/navy/

What electric motor would be best for a 12′ Aluminum boat?

Hello dsrtcrttr, it’s actually depends on many factors including your desired speed, boat load (gear and passengers), and the boating environment. Could you offer more details about your application of the aluminum boat?

You may also check out our test data with similar sized aluminum boat and see if the performance meets your needs on this page https://www.epropulsion.com/performance-bulletins

Hope the information helps!

I have a 10 foot Bass buster or a 2 person Pelican . Do have a trolling motor . Question is what size of electric outboard motor do I need ? Have read your information on this site but still need help . New on boat . Would like a 3.5 electric but still need your advice . Will appreciate all the help you can give me Thank you ,

Hello Fermin, the 3 hp Spirit 1.0 Plus is a great choice for your situation. Check out our test date with Spirit motor on a smiliar boat here:

https://0220afca-6e42-4f45-a99f0362b314126d.filesusr.com/ugd/77b59c_c8de34d4bc7e4077b1865462e7a614d7.pdf

Please feel free to let me know if you have any further question

I have a 16 ft 4 person skiff to cruise around the river. Will the 3 hp electric motor push us for 4 hours of cruising? The whole river is “slow no wake”

Hi Neil, the actual running time is largely depend on your speed requirement and the boat load. Could you provide more information on that?

According to our test, our 3hp electric motor Spirit 1.0 can run for 4 hours at 4.4mph on a 14ft boat. And if you reduce the speed to 3.5mph, it can last for 8 hours.

I have a 14’ speed type boat with 50hp but was thinking electric for emergency back up?

Hi John, yes, the electric outboard can be great backup for your speed boat.

Happy new year!!!

could i use a small gas generator with a convertor to 12 v ?

Hi Tom, you may use our Spirit 12 V charger ( https://www.epropulsion.com/product-page/spirit-1-0-dc-charger-12v-24v/ ) to charge the Spirit battery directly from 12 v power source.

The bigger the wave, the more support you need from your beginner surfboard. Be sure to check out the trucks to see if you want a set that has wider and deeper “tubes” for the “wave” you’re planning on riding.

I have a 13′ Saturn kaboat (inflatable). Is the outboard or pod option better for us? The boat can hold about 900 lbs and we take up 550 of that.

Hi Barb, it would be better to use an outboard for inflatable boats as it’s easier to install and doesn’t require drilling a hole on the boat. Feel free to let me know if you have any additional questions.

Hi – I’ve got a 2500pound (1.25t) multihull sailboat. Don’t have a lot of room and want to keep the weight down. Which outboard would you recomend? Thanks!

The ePropulsion Pod Drive Series ( https://www.epropulsion.com/pod-drive/ ) is a better fit for you since it is designed for space-saving applications.

As for the horsepower recommendation, if you are using it as auxiliary power source like entering and existing a marina, the 1 kw Pod Drive 3.0 would be enough for you. And if you are looking for a more powerful motor, check out the 3 kw Pod Drive 6.0 Evo.

Hope the information helps and feel free to let me know if you have any furthur questions 🙂

I have read that the ESpirit 1.0 can be charged from a 12v source or solar panels. I cannot find any technical details about the 12V DC/solar control charger. Does the charger run off mains voltage supply? I have two 240v/12v 20A multistage chargers. Is it possible to charge the motor from those chargers connected in parallel (i.e. 40A maximum charge rate)? Do I also need the Eprop charger?

Hi Crispy, you will need the ePropulsion 12V charger due to the different connector and configured charging parameters.

I have 3 x 100W solar panels producing 57V. Does the charger also run off solar input at 57V?

Hi Crispy, the input voltage of solar panel should be ≤ 35V for the Spirit solar charger controller.

For more information about the ePropulsion solar charging, you can check out our ePropulsion Solar Charger Manual that’s available for download at our download center.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions.

I got wilderness atak 140. I make custom e motor and battery for it from cheap 360Wt trolling motor. Now i got about 5knots speed at 13V. Wanna chage it to get at least 8knots at full speed and need very low speed for fishing about 0.2knots. have u any modofications for intalling motor on kayaks?

Need electric outboard shot shaft with peddle control or rote

Hi Jack, did you mean the short shaft outboard with peddle or remote control? If yes, I would like to recommende the Spirit 1.0 Evo Remote which can be controlled remotely with a top mount or side mount control and allows for helm steering. It couldn’t be easier 🙂 Please feel free to let me know if you have further questions.

Hi Friends! What motor is recommended for a wood canoe that weight near 1 ton and full loaded 2.5 tons, normally we use 40-48hp, our daily tour is 8 hours roundtrip full power, important 1.30hours of rapids, waiting for a prompt answer, regards..

Hi there, ePropulsion’s outboard motor range is between 3-9.9HP, do you have any speed requirements? If we solely consider weights, Navy 3.0 or 6.0 Evo would be the choice of 2.5 full-loaded canoes. 8 hours of run time requirement should depend on the battery capacity and running speed.

Ment short shaft ….10 ft boat with steering wheel

Hi Jack, you may want to check out the Spirit 1.0 Remote short shaft version. It has 24.6 inches short shaft length and allows remote helm steering. For more information, please visit https://www.epropulsion.com/spirit-evo/

How many charge cycles can the battery take before it starts to lose capacity? What is the battery chemistry? What safety features are incorporated? Is it safe to use in hot climates (ex: the Mediterranean in Summer)?

For the ePropulsion Spirit Evo model, the cycle life of its Lithium-Polymer type of battery is ≥500 cycles (80% of Rated Capacity), and it’s recommended to be used at temperatures under 40 ℃. You may find more information on the user manual at our download center https://www.epropulsion.com/download-center/

Is it possible to have an idea of the prices of the various models please? In my country the “closest dealer” is a yacht-focused business and since I only have a small wooden boat I would prefer to have an idea of the price so I can at least check if the dealer has applied a fair mark-up. I have a small (but heavy) 14 foot wooden (plywood) boat that does not plane since it is based on a sailing boat design (with a small keel and a transom that leans back but has a place to mount the motor perpendicular to the sea). My main interest would therefore be the 3HP equivalent model. Thanks.

Hello John, may I know where you are located please?

I have a 40’ power boat that I use for trolling for salmon. It’s a 30,000 lb twin diesel boat. The problem is it trolls too fast even with one engine and I have an inflatable boat on the swim grid that takes up space. I was wondering if I used an electric outboard to move my boat 2-3mph would be excellent. I have large battery capacity and generator if needed. Are the electric outboards as heavy as gas powered? Compact? Thx

Hi Lee, the 9.9HP Navy 6.0 should be able to move your boat at desired speed. However there are many other factors come into play that may affect its performances. You may fill up this form and schedule a test ride with your local dealer to see whether it can satisfy your needs: https://epropulsion.typeform.com/dealer-contact Thanks!

Are there solar/wind charger options for the Navy 3.0/6.0? I see that it is mentioned on the Spirit (keenly interested).

Kindest regards,

Hi Donner, it depends on the batteries you are using together with the Navy 3.0/6.0. The ePropulsion E-Series battery can be charged with 3rd party solar panels. And the new Navy Evo models allow hydrogeneration.

To charge the ePropulsion E-Series Battery with only 3rd party solar panels, users need to set the solar charger float voltage to 57.6V. Meanwhile, the solar charger maximum discharge current needs to be less than 20A/40A/75A for the E40/E80/E175 battery collectively. Otherwise, the E-Series Battery would not be charged.

For more information about hydrogeneration and solar charging, you may visit our FAQ center https://www.epropulsion.com/support-center/

Hi i have a 21feet fast cruiser boat, with no engine,and wondering,if i can use the navy 6,as my very main propulsion.Will it be strong enough to move my boat happily ??Thanks

Will the navy 6 kw 10hp,move my 21feet fast hull power boat, their is no engines inside, Will like to use the navy 6 as my very MAIN PROPULSION.THANKS

Hi Achilleas, may I know what speed you are looking for with the Navy 6.0?

Hi have a 26ft 1800kg racing sail boat only sail on a large lake so no tides or big waves I was wondering if the 3hp would suffice in just getting us out of the marina with a speed limit of 3kts with a run time of about 40mins .

Hi, 3HP can only pushes boats up to 1.5 metric tonnes… we would recommend a 6HP like Navy 3.0 Evo.

I have a Stealth Stalker 10 , 10’ long &78#, that I would like to use in the San Pablo Bay which has winds and tides. The boat can use up to 4.5 hp. Any plans for an electric that size in the near future? Do you think the Spirit 1.0 would push this boat in the tides well enough? I read about the solar, but can you use an additional wet cell battery as a backup? Thanks.

Hi, the static thrust of the Spirit 1.0 is 316 N / 71 lbs, which is sufficient for pushing the Stealth Stalker 10 in the tides. However, we recommend ePropulsion brand dry cells batteries to have smooth and accurate access to the battery status.

Great Article! Have a question…I am considering buying an Elco 14 long shaft to put on my 18 ft pontoon boat. Just want to putt around a small lake, Elco says I need to wire 4 Deep cycle batteries in series to produce th required 48 volts to power the motor. They sell deep cycle batteries but they are very expensive. Can you use just regular old marine deep cycle batteries in series or do you have to use the special expensive ones?

Hi, for selecting the battery please refer to the user manual on page 12. https://www.epropulsion.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NAVY-Evo-User-Manual-V1.2.pdf

I have a Com Pac 19 sailboat with a 6HP Mercury long shaft that I am going to replace. I’m thinking of an electric outboard. The boat weighs 2,000 pounds and will be used on an inland central Florida lake. I would primarily use the motor to get in and out of the marina. If the wind dies down I might need it to power me back 6 to 10 miles at most. What kind of motor would you recommend?

Hi, Spirit 1.0 Evo can pushes boats up to 1.5 metric tonnes, which would be alright for going in and out of the marina. While the operating range widely depends on the speed and the battery capacity, so we recommend a bigger battery like E40 for the a long-range. Here are the references https://www.epropulsion.com/performance-bulletins/

Can I use my epropulsion motor as a side attachment on my 16 foot Old Town canoe?

thanks alot of information

Hello I recently got delivery of my EPROPULSION motor and battery. I noticed in the video’s what appeared to be a carrying case for both engine and battery. Can you advise me where I can purchase these item(s). I did not see them in the accessory section. Thank you

Hi. Is there an adjustable transom height model available? I have a 10′ tender/muck-around Alum dinghy, short shaft transom, and 14′ long shaft Alum I use for fishing. Seriously considering the Navy 6. So motor dual fit transom height would be absolute magic.

Hi Da, I’m afraid the adjustable transom height model is not available currently. However you may possibly try to modify the current model to suit your needs and you are very welcome share with us if it works : )

Hi Flora. Looking for an electric outboard long shaft for my aluminium boat of 17 ,5 feet which weighs 650lbs and 1000lbs loaded up. Looking to do 20knots and 20 miles per trip. You have a great product, keep pushing it, thanks, Tom

Hi Tom, thanks for your comment. We’ve run some test ride with detailed reports so you can learn how our products perform in real-life. Hope the information helps https://www.epropulsion.com/performance-bulletins/ Thanks!

I purchased a Spirt 1 3Hp this past summer and have it on a 10 ft hard bottom dingy. It is fantastic. I want use it on my pontoon boat as a silent kicker to quietly cruise on our northern lake. Do you have any kicker mount information or suggestions how to make this work. I need to keep the 115 hp outboard to get places and take the kids for ski and tube rides.

Hello David, our current installation is based on the instructions, as long as it fits the transom height, then is good, thanks!

Do you know of a Prop guard that fits the spirit 1.0?

Hello Matt, sorry that we don’t have prop guard for spirit 1.0, thanks!

I have a 17’ Grumman Square Stern Canoe that is rated for a 5HP gas outboard engine.

What Electric Outboard engine do you recommend that would be equivalent ?

Thanks, MikeL

Hello Mike, I’ll recommend you the navy 3.0 evo motor,which has 6 HP; and if you want a faster motor, we have navy 6.0 which has 9.9 HP for you to choose, thanks!

Thanks! Can you tell me the weight of each engine ?

Hello Mike, the navy 3.0 evo is 24.3kg, and the navy 6.0 evo is 36kg, thanks!

Can electric outboards be dual use for primary propulsion and as a trolling motor? Or is the minimum thrust too high?

Hello Derek, of course the eletric motor can be dual used for primary propulsion and as a trolling motor, but it also depends on the size of the boat, the heavier the boat is, the less speed it will improve, vice versa, thanks!

i have a 6 ton sports cruiser. I want to use the Navy 6.0 for trolling with 60v battery setup. Then use navy 6.0 with maybe 24V of battery on my inflateable dingy thoughts?

Hello Phill, to ensure the navy 6.0 evo can work at its full power continually, the batteries are required to possess over 125A of continuous discharge current; And to ensure at least one hour of duration, the battery capacity should reach 6000Wh or above, thanks!

We have a 16 ft. aluminum that gets intermittently heavy use – carrying supplies and 2 to 4 people to a water access cottage about 3 miles away, running to the landing empty for a few things, one or two people going a mile or two to fish, two or more people going out to the reefs for a picnic. The longest trip is usually the supply run. The boat currently has a 4 cycle 30 hp on it. Is there something available that could handle this? Thanks.

Hello Bill, our current maximum HP motor is navy 6.0 evo, which has 6KW and 9.9 HP, you can contact the local dealer for further information, and here is the website: https://www.epropulsion.com/find-a-dealer/ , thanks!

The dinghy for our 37′ sailboat is a 10′ RIB. We have been using a 5HP propane outboard motor, but want to replace that with electric. Would the 3HP feel underpowered after being used to the previous outboard? Should we step up to the 6HP?

Hello Ed, given your circumstance, we do recommend you the 6HP navy 3.0 evo, or a bigger 9.9HP navy 6.0 evo, thanks!

I’m interested in an electric outboard primarily to get back and forth across a river in a small jon boat — occasionally in high current conditions. I will be hauling the motor up and down the bank myself on a long set of stairs. The weight of the Spirit 1.0 (42.6 pounds with battery) is appealing, but I think I may require the power of the Navy 3.0 for high current situations. What is the lightest battery configuration for the Navy 3.0 if my typical round trip use case is only a few minutes (I need power but am not concerned with long run times)?

Hello David, the lightest battery for navy 3.0 evo is E80, which weight in 53kg, you can contact the local dealer for further informations: https://www.epropulsion.com/find-a-dealer/ , thanks!

I’m considering an eProlusion Spirit outboard for my 17′ O’Day Daysailer. The stated ranges seem ok for what I want to do, but my concern is that there are very high currents occasionally in my coastal Maine area. If I’m motoring against current, will I use up battery life significantly faster?

Hello Mark, it will have no significant effect whether when it’s in high current area or smooth area, thanks!

Where can I purchase a Navy 6.0 model.? I live in the Portland, Oregon area. Thank you.

Hello John, you can contact the local dealer fore further informations: https://www.epropulsion.com/find-a-dealer/ , thanks!

I recently purchased a Takacat 8’6” catamaran inflatable. It has much less wetted surface than a basic inflatable. What can I expect from an Spirit 1.0 in the way of performance and range? The Spirit 1.0 is the motor I am strongly considering. Thanks

Hello Bill, the spirit 1.0 plus can up to maximum 7-8km/h, and the range is about 7km, you can see our performance bulletins to make a reference: https://www.epropulsion.com/performance-bulletins/ , thanks!

I am considering the Spirit 1.0 as a ‘get-you-home’ motor for my 19′ Grand RIB. If the battery became depleted, can I cable directly to the main engine starter battery for any extra power that I might require?

Hello Neil, you can wait like half hour then restart the motor to drive back slowly, thanks!

I really want to put an electric kicker on my pontoon boat. I think the remote control would work fine but not sure if a modification for steering is practical. It would be primarily to cruise quietly around our small lake instead of listening to our outboard bubble away. Any thoughts?

Hello David, you can contact the local dealer about the remote kit and steering system, thanks!

I have a 15” sailing dinghy and I am comfortable with the power of an electric outboard. My question is could I take spare batteries?

Hi Paul, of course you can take a spare battery, you can contact the nearest dealer for further informations: https://www.epropulsion.com/find-a-dealer/ , thanks!

I have a Sonar sailboat (23 ft, 2500 lbs + 4 people) in Florida brackish inter coastal water. Used primarily for racing. I need a small motor with a long shaft for moving from dock to racing area, about 2 miles. Other identical boats use 2.5hp gas motors. Weight is important. Which model is recommended? I am also wondering if the batter can be detached after reaching the course to move weight to the center of the boat. I am concerned about reports stating HP equivalent ratings are often overstated in the electric industry. I am looking to purchase in the next few weeks. Thanks.

Dear customer, A high-powered motor is needed.(23 ft, 2500 lbs + 4 people) Navy 6.0 Evo (9.9HP)is recommended. And if you wants to move weight to the center of the boat. A Pod motor is recommended. You can refer to these cases: https://www.epropulsion.com/performance-bulletins/ For the more information of the product, you can contact the local dealer to obtain it. https://www.epropulsion.com/find-a-dealer/ thanks!

can I use my Honda generator/inverter to provide the 110V power for the epropulsion 20amp charger instead of shore power?

Hi, If you mean E battery 20A Charger, that’s ok. Note, the Max input current (110V): 12A

I have a Hobie Outback (12’6″) Fishing kayak – 125# to 160# total weight fully rigged Plus myself approx 140# for total weight of 300#. I fish in the Gulf of Mexico near shore and in shore in bays, sounds and rivers. Average current is probably .75 to 1.75 mph with winds of 5 to 12mph on days I fish. Sea state is typically a 1′ to 2′ swell at 4 to 7 second interval. Any guesses on the range and speed I would get at 75% and at full throttle?

Dear Mark, for 1kW motor and the information provided. At 75%, it is about 4-4.3mph. And at full throttle, it is abour 4.2-4.5mph. You can refer to the case on this page for more information https://www.epropulsion.com/performance-bulletins/

Hello, I already have solar panels to charge my 12v battery onboard. If I use the same panels to charge the Epropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus battery, can I use a 48v charger directly? What connection should be used to connect with the panels?

Hi Jack, it can be used. And we recommend using ePropulsion’s Plus Solar Charger.

i have a 25 feet seaswirl model 250 cuddy, 5000lb. I am interested in an electric outboard trolling motor for fishing and in case i have an engine trouble in the middle of the lake. what type of electric motor do you suggest? thanks

Hi george, Navy 6.0 Evo (9.9HP)is recommended. You can refer to these cases: https://www.epropulsion.com/performance-bulletins/ For the more information of the product, you can contact the local dealer to obtain it. https://www.epropulsion.com/find-a-dealer/

We have a cottage in Canada, cold in the winter, so a gas engine needs to be put into & out of storage for $100 x 2 per season. Does the electric motor require any maintenance to store? Probably would put the battery to basement to keep warm enough. Are there any other maintenance issues?

Dear Jensen, As you said, put the motor and battery in the right temperature environment. It should be noted that the motor is cleaned before storage. To ensure battery performance, we recommend recharging the battery every 3 months.

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4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Taking a small dinghy with an electric outboard motor on your sailboat can provide a means of quick and reliable transportation.

While electric outboard motors can have difficulty moving full-size sailboats around, they are more than powerful enough to get a small dinghy going fast. While trolling motors are only good for slow speeds, an electric outboard motor can get a boat going fast as long as the boat is small enough.

Electric outboard motors can be a better choice than gas motors. As well as being powerful enough, they are lighter, more compact, and more reliable. You can count on motors from ePropulsion and Torquedo to last for a while.

If your sailboat is large enough, you should always take a dinghy with you. As well as being a potential lifesaver in an emergency, a dinghy is useful any time you need to drop anchor and make it to shore. A dinghy with a motor is cheap compared to a sailboat, so a sailor should always have a dinghy with them.

Table of contents

How fast can you go with an electric outboard motor?

If you are running a powerful motor on a small boat at full speed, you might be able to do 15 knots or better. Usually, you won't go that fast when you are in a dinghy and running an electric motor.

If you want to make it as far as possible, you will run the motor on much less than full power. Fifteen knots is what you might get if you are running a powerful 6000 watt motor on a small boat. Normal speeds are slower - you might move at less than five knots if you want to travel as many miles as possible before the battery dies.

How far can you make it in a dinghy with an electric motor?

Something like 20 miles is a rough, ballpark figure, although with some motors, you might be able to make it 70 miles at a slow speed. Don't take any risks when it comes to whether or not your battery will run out in the middle of the sea. Be on the safe side.

You will do much better if you run your motor at a slower speed. If you run your motor as fast as possible, you might make it only a fraction of the maximum distance before your battery runs out. Distances high above 20 miles are sometimes possible if you go slow, although it depends on the boat and the motor.

How is power measured for electric motors?

The power of an electric motor is usually measured in watts, not horsepower. Sometimes the power of an electric motor is given in horsepower, but usually in watts.

Boat motors vary greatly in how powerful they are. A motor that is only 10hp, 5hp, or 3hp is common even though outboard motors can be 20hp or more.

Usually, you can go more like 5 knots than 15 knots with an electric or gas motor. To go 15 knots, you might need something like a 100hp motor - this is too expensive and not what people are likely to put on a small dinghy.

What are the advantages of gas motors?

In the long run, electric motors can save you money because it costs less to keep them running. After the first few years, electric motors are the cheaper choice.

The maintenance cost per hour of use is much higher for petrol motors. After only a few hundred hours of use, a petrol motor's cost will exceed the cost of an electric motor.

One disadvantage of electric motors is that they run on batteries, which take time to charge. You will have to charge your batteries overnight, compared to quickly refueling a gas engine.

One way out of this problem is to use a solar charger. With a solar charger, you can charge your batteries anywhere as long as the sun is out.

Electric outboard motor advantages

As well as being effectively cheaper than gas motors, electric motors are much quieter. Compared to a gas engine, an electric motor is almost silent. You will hear almost nothing and will not scare fish away.

Electric motors are also much cleaner to deal with than gas motors. If you use an electric motor, you won't have to deal with engine grease. You can get engine grease on your boat and not just on your hands and clothes with a gas motor.

Gas motors also have exhaust fumes, so an electric motor is better for your health. Electric motors are also simpler than gas motors, so you won't have to repair them as often.

Is it possible to buy high powered electric outboard motors?

Yes, you can find an electric motor with a power equivalent to an 80 horsepower gas engine. Not many people put such powerful motors on their dinghies, though. Dinghies mostly have weaker motors, often less than five horsepower.

Is it easy to break a propeller if you hit something?

You can definitely do expensive damage to a propeller if it hits a rock. A small bump won't damage it - most propellers are made well and are reasonably durable. If your motor does not come with a propeller guard, you should buy one separately.

Are 3hp motors good enough for many boats, or are they too weak for most purposes?

If you are using a small dinghy that weighs less than two tons, and do not intend to go very fast, a 3hp motor is good enough. You can go much faster than trolling speed with only a 3hp motor if your craft is small enough. For a small sailboat that weighs more like six tons than one or two tons, a 10hp motor may be enough.

Best electric outboard motors

Make sure you buy a high-quality motor because these are not tiny investments. You can lose more than a little money if you buy a shoddy product that does not have a good warranty. Put a bit of time into verifying the reliability of whatever you purchase.

1) ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus

If you are fine with a fairly weak 3HP motor, the Spirit 1.0 Plus is a great product with few disadvantages. The Spirit 1.0 Plus from ePropulsion is built to last, uses power efficiently, and doesn't cost a fortune.

At full speed, the Spirit will only last for about 90 minutes on a single battery. With a 12 foot boat, you can go about 9 km/h - not bad for a relatively low power engine. You also do not need to run the boat on full power to approach your boat's maximum speed.

If you run the Spirit on 1/4 power, you can keep it going for 6 or 8 hours. Batteries are fairly heavy, but you can keep the motor running for a long time if you bring extra batteries. The motor can save you in a dangerous situation and is great for non-emergency uses as well.

Another advantage of the Spirit is that the battery floats, so it won't sink if you drop it in the water. The Spirit is also light, even with the powerful battery it comes with. The digital display that shows how much battery power you have left is accurate.

Like other electric boat motors, the Spirit is more environmentally friendly and healthier than a gas engine. Gas engines have fuel leakage and fumes; an electric motor avoids these problems. The Spirit even comes with a 180W solar panel to charge it, although this is not the only or the fastest way of charging the battery.

The motor even has a remote control, so you can steer it and adjust the speed with a console. If the Spirit has a disadvantage, it is that the range on a single battery is unimpressive. You can make it a little more than 20 miles, but many other electric motors let you go farther on a single battery.

2) ePropulsion Navy 6.0

If you are looking for something longer lasting than and more powerful than the Spirit 1.0 Plus, ePropulsion also offers the more powerful Navy 6.0 . The Navy 6.0 is equivalent to a 10Hp engine, so it won't struggle to move a relatively big boat.

The range on the Navy 6.0 is impressive. The battery is powerful enough that you can travel 40 miles before having to recharge. If you want to bring more than one battery, the Navy 6.0 can be compatible with other companies' batteries.

The Navy 6.0 also has a propeller that will stop immediately if it hits anything. This can save your engine from damage if the propeller hits a rock or anything else. There is also an emergency stop kill switch to

The Navy 6.0 works just as well in freshwater as in saltwater. It is advantageous to have an electric motor on a lake because there are laws against gas motors in some lakes.

3) Torquedo Travel 1003

One thing that makes the Torquedo Travel stand out is its onboard GPS computer, which can calculate how far you can travel before the battery runs out. The computer will continuously update how far you can travel based on how much battery power is left, how fast you are going, and how much power you are using.

While the Torquedo Travel can run for 10 or 11 hours on a full charge, it can only move a small boat at 1.5 or 2 knots for that long. If you run the engine at half throttle, it will last for 3.5 hours at 3 knots. If you travel faster, the battery runs out very fast - it will only last half an hour at 5 knots.

If you want a solar charger for the motor, you can buy it separately from the company. It is costly, but the solar panels do work well and give you a way to charge the battery at sea.

The Torquedo Travel is also a small and light motor that does not take up much room. Without the battery, it weighs only 8.9 kilograms. You can easily remove and store the engine.

Another useful feature is the kill switch that allows you to stop the motor immediately in an emergency. You can also use the engine/battery as a power source for electronics through a USB.

The Torquedo is a reliable engine backed by a two-year warranty. It is equivalent only to a 3HP engine, so it is not powerful enough for everyone.

4) Torquedo Cruise 4.0 T

The Torquedo Cruise is the best choice if you want a more powerful alternative to the Torquedo Travel. The Torquedo Cruise electric outboard motor is equivalent to an 8HP gas engine. If you need a motor for a boat that weighs three or four tons instead of one or two tons, get the Cruise instead of the Travel.

The Torquedo Cruise will stay completely waterproof for a long time and not develop small leaks quickly. Small leaks can ruin some of the cheaper engines on the market. The Torquedo Cruise is also very corrosion resistant, so you can use it in saltwater for a long time without damage.

The Torquedo Cruise has the same onboard GPS computer, emergency off switch, and two-year warranty as the Torquedo Travel does. The only disadvantage compared to the Torquedo Travel is the higher price. Not everyone needs a more powerful motor, but it is an excellent engine if you do.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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What Size Trolling Motor Do I Need? A Guide To Sizing, Voltage, and Power

• 1 Types of Trolling Motors
• 2 Determining What Size Trolling Motor You Need
• 3 Voltage Considerations
• 4 Power Considerations
• 5 Other Factors To Consider
• 6 Conclusion

Are you looking to purchase a trolling motor for your boat? It can be an intimidating process, as there are many factors you will need to consider. What size trolling motor do you need? What type of battery do you need? What type of power output will suit your boat?

If you’re looking for a new trolling motor, you’re in the right place. This comprehensive guide will take you through everything you need about sizing, voltage, and power for your trolling motor. We’ll also offer tips on properly caring for your motor and extending its life. With this knowledge, you can choose the best motor for your boat.

Types of Trolling Motors

Selecting the proper trolling motor for your boat can be challenging due to the variety available, each with its advantages. Gas-powered trolling motors suit larger boats, offering more power, longer run times, and faster speeds. They tend to be noisy and require regular maintenance.

Electric trolling motors are suitable for smaller boats, kayaks, and bass or panfish boats. They are quieter and more cost-effective to maintain than gas-powered models. Electric motors come in various sizes, determined by voltage based on the boat’s power requirements and the terrain it will navigate. The thrust of the electric motor should match the weight of the boat and the motor combination used.

Determining What Size Trolling Motor You Need

Selecting the right size trolling motor for your boat requires careful consideration of several factors. First and foremost, you should consider the type of boat you’ll be using. Boat size and weight are crucial in determining the appropriate trolling motor, as different boats demand varying thrust levels and power to move efficiently.

After identifying a suitable trolling motor based on your boat size, the next step is to calculate the combined weight of your motor and the boat. This calculation will help you determine the amount of thrust and power you need to navigate the water effectively.

Consider how your boat handles the water and the specific activities you plan to engage in, such as fishing or cruising. Understanding these aspects will help you decide whether a higher voltage or greater thrust is necessary to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Voltage Considerations

Selecting the appropriate trolling motor requires careful consideration of voltage requirements based on boat size and the specific terrain you’ll be navigating. For smaller boats like canoes or jon boats that frequent shallow and calm waters, a 12-volt motor is typically sufficient. These motors are suitable for leisurely activities like fishing or relaxed cruising near shorelines, where high-speed performance is not a priority.

For mid-sized boats, such as bass boats that venture into slightly deeper waters with moderate currents, a 24-volt motor offers the appropriate balance of power and maneuverability. It caters to activities that demand increased speed or handle heavier loads without overstraining the battery with unnecessary amps, thus ensuring longer battery life.

Larger boats, like pontoon boats, navigating deeper waters with strong currents, benefit from the power of a 36-volt motor. This setup allows for faster speeds over longer distances and is particularly useful for activities like wake surfing, skiing, or wakeboarding , where quick maneuverability and sustained high speeds are required.

Power Considerations

After determining the suitable voltage for your boat, the next step is to assess the required thrust or power. Different boat sizes demand varying amounts of thrust depending on their weight. Smaller vessels generally need lower thrust, while larger ones require higher power to accommodate the heavier weight displacement that could otherwise slow down progress.

To accurately calculate the required power, consider the total weight of your boat and motor combination. Add 10% as a buffer to account for potential challenges or upgrades, such as adding live wells or anchors. This overage ensures you can consistently meet your desired speed specifications without straining or draining the trolling motor battery too quickly, providing proper power delivery throughout your voyages.

Other Factors To Consider

When purchasing a trolling motor, there are several important considerations to remember. The shaft length is crucial in determining the propeller’s depth underwater, affecting maneuverability in tight spaces and shallow waters to avoid potential damage. Research the maximum compatible speeds based on the motor’s design capabilities, ensuring the right power levels for various activities without drastic modifications when circumstances change.

Many electric trolling motors have features like LED lights for easier night fishing and variable speed control knobs that offer precise control, eliminating costly upgrades. When coupled with proper trolling motor batteries, these features allow for optimal performance ratios, making them ideal choices for achieving goals without overspending. Considering these factors, you can confidently select the best trolling motor that aligns perfectly with your boating needs, ensuring a satisfying and efficient experience on the water.

Selecting the proper trolling motor for your boat can be daunting. With so many types of trolling motors available, it can be difficult to know which one is best for your boat. By following this guide, you can make an informed decision and choose the appropriate motor for your boat. With the proper motor, you can enjoy many hours of fishing, cruising, or whatever other activities you may have planned with the peace of mind that your boat will have the power to get you there.

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Choosing the Best Electric Motor

There's a lot to choosing the correct electric motor for your boat and our BCFing experts share their knowledge.

19 October 2022

When it comes to choosing the correct electric motor for your boat, there are a few things you should consider. In this buyer's guide, the BCFing experts will run through all you need to know. We will talk about the different sizes, mounting options, what battery to use, plus some handy hints that will help in finding the electric motor that will best fit your needs.

What is an electric motor?

The electric motor, trolling motor or as they are commonly known, ‘leccys', have been one of the largest breakthroughs in boating electronics to ever hit the market. Electric motors have definitely been around a while, with a history dating back as far as the mid 1930s. Over the years they have developed into a sought after fishing and boating tool that many fisho's now wouldn't go without.

Electric motors are used to silently cover water and manoeuvre the boat, while also allowing access into the skinniest of water that would normally only be accessible by kayak , hopefully finding you that new honey hole or fishing location. This is the reason why electrics have become so popular and found a home on so many boats. Whether used for fishing, cruising or kayaking, an electric boat motor will certainly help make your next day on the water a ripper.

Nowadays, it's extremely rare to find a fishing boat without an electric perched atop the bow or secured to the stern. Although electric motors may not directly be responsible for filling your esky any quicker, they definitely play a role in keeping the boat in the correct location which, in turn, will give you a better chance of catching a fresh feed of fish or landing that monster.

What are the benefits of an electric motor?

The electric motor has primarily been designed for use in rivers, estuaries and freshwater impoundments. They are simple to deploy and manoeuvre with either foot pedal, remote-control, or tiller operation. Electric's work best at slower speeds which allows them to make small directional changes against wind or tide while keeping the boat riding smoothly. They are ideal for snag bashing, as the minor adjustments you make will keep the boat within casting distance of the strike zone. They can also be effective for trolling, which is why they show such appeal to anglers who prefer to throw lures .

What size electric motor do you need?

When looking at what size electric you need for your boat, it all comes down to the intended purpose, boat layout, and most importantly overall weight. Electric motors use a power rating that is measured in pounds of thrust. To make it simple, we recommend at least 2lb of thrust for every 100lb (45kg) of fully-loaded boat weight. When calculating overall weight, be sure to include everything from the hull, motor, fuel and of course the maximum capacity of your vessel.

It's also important to include any extras that fishos and boaties wouldn't hit the water without such as fishing rods , fishing reels and of course an icebox , to hold all your fish or cold drinks. Most small to medium-sized vessels from 3.7-4.5 metres will comfortably take a 44 or 55lb electric motor, this will provide enough thrust to push your boat through the water with ease. Larger offshore vessels have also begun to realise the benefits of having a leccy onboard, although they may require something a bit larger like an 80lb or 100lb thrust to deal with the extra weight.

The length of the shaft is another crucial element in choosing the right motor, as all boats come with different freeboard sizes. The rule of thumb is that you want a shaft long enough to comfortably position the foot of the motor and propeller roughly 12” below the surface of the water. If you plan on using the leccy in rough conditions, it's worth going for a longer shaft, to avoid motor cavitation during use and spooking the fish with unnatural noise pollution.

Selecting the correct size electric motor will help to extend the life expectancy of not only the electric, but also the battery in which it is powered. Over or under-powering your vessel will put unnecessary strain on both, which may result in damage to your electrical equipment.

Bow vs stern mount electric

One of the most crucial things to consider when selecting an electric motor is whether you want it to be positioned on the bow (front of the boat) or the stern (rear of the boat). Each comes with its own specific design and list of features

• More efficient: pulling the boat from the front takes less effort than pushing from the back
• Can be controlled using foot pedal or hand-held remote
• Clever and easy stow and deploy mechanism
• Some models come standard with i-Pilot and Spot-Lock features
• With the added purchase of a quick release bracket, your bow mount electric motor can be removed for travel, storage or security reason

Stern mount

• Available in both fresh and saltwater models
• Extremely cost-effective with something to suit any budget
• Available in a range of sizes including the kayak friendly 18 and 24lb models
• Attach to the transom with a simple C clamp design
• Ideal for trolling with a responsive turn throttle handle

What is i-Pilot & Spot-Lock?

A revolutionary new technology designed by Minn Kota ; i-Pilot is a GPS powered navigation system that over the last decade has been refined into a product that should be at the top of every fishos Christmas list. It offers a selection of advanced control features and settings to enhance your time on the water. Spot-Lock would be the most valuable feature, allowing the boat's location to be held with the simple push of a button, keeping the boat within a few feet while compensating for any variables such as wind or tide.

What battery do you need?

When powering your electric motor, a deep cycle battery is the only way to go. Perfectly suited for the purpose of running marine electronics such as leccys, sounders and nav lights, a deep cycle battery has been constructed with thicker and heavier plates that can withstand vibrations and the occasional knock you would normally experience in a boat. They have also been designed to draw a steady amount of current over long periods, unlike cranking batteries that exert a large voltage spike but can only maintain it for short bursts.

Standard deep cycle batteries are relatively inexpensive however they should be regularly monitored and require an occasional top-up with distilled water. It is important that they are stored in a well-ventilated location where hydrogen gases produced by the battery can safely escape. Sealed lead-acid batteries such as the popular AGM varieties can be mounted in any orientation, they do not require the same level of maintenance as your standard deep cycle battery and can be stored in any safe location around your vessel.

A 100AH deep cycle battery should provide more than enough power for a full day on the water.

The extensive range of electric motors that are available at your local BCF store will have you on the water in no time, with offerings from popular brands including Minn Kota and Watersnake . From the smallest of leccys perfect for throwing on the back of the kayak and giving your arms a rest as you cruise the waterways, through to the largest and most impressive electric motors, kitted out with all the bells and whistles turning your boat into a stealthy, fish-catching machine, you'll be sure to find something to suit your needs.

Head in-store and have a word to our friendly and knowledgeable team of BCFing experts or check out our full range from the comfort of home with our online store. You can also sign up to become a BCF club member to receive great discounts and exclusive specials.

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Best electric outboard motors: 11 top options for zero-emissions propulsion

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Electric outboard motors seem to be springing up all over the place right now. We round up 11 of the best electric outboards on the market…

Electric outboard motors are nothing new, after all the humble electric trolling motor has been around for decades, but in the past couple of years a new breed of more powerful units has emerged.

Capable of powering everything from a tender to a 50-knot sportsboat, this new generation of electric outboard motors will surely play a big role in the growing trend towards all- electric boats .

We’ve rounded up 11 of the best options available on the market right now to help you track down the right one for cutting down your boat’s carbon footprint.

Compact electric outboard motors for your tender

Torqeedo 603 Travel

Weight: 15.5kg Power: 600W / 0.8hp Battery: 500Wh Range: 11nm Price: £1,499

Torqeedo has been making electric outboard motors for quite a while now, and their latest offering slots into the travel range of electric outboards between the 503 (1.5hp) and the 1103C (3hp).

All the usual Torqeedo refinements are present and correct. IP67 rated as totally waterproof, the 603 Travel has a magnetic kill cord and an onboard computer providing instant readouts of operating range at current RPM and battery-charge status displayed on the tiller arm.

You can link it to an Apple or Android app and gain even more information including a map-based range indicator.

Read more about the Torqeedo 603 Travel

Mercury Avator 7.5e

Weight: 27.1kg Power: 750W / 1hp Battery: 1kWh Range: 34nm Price: $1,500

Announced in early 2022 and launched less than a year later, the Mercury Avator 7.5e is the first electric unit from the world’s biggest builder of outboard engines .

The whole top plate hinges up to reveal the battery, which can be quickly removed from your electric boat or replaced for convenient charging.

It’s by no means the lightest electric outboard motor on the market, but its claimed range at 25% throttle is very impressive – we look forward to putting one to the test.

Not resting on its laurels, Mercury launched the Avator 20e and 35e this summer as well. These units are no bigger than the 7.5e, but need wiring in to an on-board battery bank.

Read more about the Mercury Avator 7.5e

Read more about the Mercury Avator 20e and 35e

Weight: 14.5kg (inc. bracket) Power: 1kW / 3hp Battery: 1,085 Wh Range: 14nm Price: £2,185

The idea behind the Remigo One electric outboard makes perfect sense; rather than mounting the battery on top of the shaft, like the engine on an old-school petrol outboard, the Slovenian company has integrated it into the shaft and shaped it like a rudder to minimise drag and maximise steering effect.

It is backed by a 2-year warranty and has a magnetic key/kill cord. There are some other neat ideas too. The rudder casing is waterproof to IP67 above the water and IP69 below the water so it will survive a dunking, and it’s held in place by a clamp mechanism that allows you to adjust the shaft length to suit your boat with the aid of an allen key.

The transom bracket is separate to the motor so you can leave the bracket attached to the boat and simply slot the motor on and off. The tiller also folds and locks parallel to the blade so you can use it as a perfectly balanced carry handle.

Watch our test drive video of the Remigo One electric outboard

The Kicker is exceptionally light and surprisingly powerful

Thrustme Kicker

Weight: 4.4kg Power: 1kW / 3hp Battery: 259kWh Range: 5nm Price: £1,250

If it’s light weight and value that you prioritise over cruising range, then this Norwegian option is hard to beat.

Launched in 2021, the Kicker boasts enough range and grunt to get one person from ship to shore and back again in calm conditions, as editor Hugo proved in a week-long test.

The only downside is that the battery isn’t removable, which can make charging a little more difficult.

Read more about the Thrustme Kicker

Weight: 15kg Power: 1kW / 3hp Battery: 740Wh Range: Up to 1hr Price: €2,850

A brand new option from France, the TEMO-1000 doesn’t look anything like a traditional outboard motor.

The design doesn’t have any rectangular box on top, just a rudder-shaped shaft with an electric motor at the bottom and a long slim battery that simply slides down into it, connecting automatically to your electric boat without having to plug wires into it.

The tiller arm does the same, meaning it disappears completely when not in use and yet it is never detached and therefore never mislaid.

Read more about the TEMO-1000

Haswing Ultima 3

Weight: 16kg Power: 1kW / 3hp Battery: 1.03kWh Range: 18nm Price: £1,570

A top-of-the-range option from trolling motor stalwarts Haswing, the Ultimate 3 is suitable for boats up to 7m long.

The brushless DC motor produces 3hp (claimed to be equivalent to a 4hp petrol outboard motor), and it’s available in short and long shaft versions as well as the standard length.

Not only is the detachable battery unusually light at 5kg (lightest in class, according to the manufacturer), it also connects to the engine in a single simple operation without the need for connecting cables or other fiddly parts – no bad thing when you’re bobbing about in a tender!

Read more about the Haswing Ultima 3

ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus

Weight: 19.3kg Power: 1kW / 3hp Battery: 1,276Wh Range: 22nm Price: £1,600

The original Spirit 1.0 has actually been in production for six years with over 10,000 units built. Featuring a 1,000W brushless motor, this electric outboard motor is claimed to be equivalent to a 3hp petrol engine, ideal for tender duties or small to medium sized dinghies.

This Plus version, launched in 2020, is the same weight, size and power – the big gain is where it’s needed most, run time. It has been achieved by upgrading the battery from 1,018Wh to 1,276Wh.

At the same time, the power cord has been upgraded for durability and reliability, and the voltage has been changed from 40.7V to 48V, making it compatible with an external 48V battery. The battery will even float if dropped overboard!

Read more about the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus

Most powerful electric outboard motors for day boats

Yamaha Harmo

Weight: 55kg Power: 3.7kW / 9.9hp Battery: Sold  separately Range: Depends on battery Price: £TBC

Announced in 2022 and tested on a 12m Venmar water taxi, the Yamaha Harmo electric boat drivetrain may be a rather modestly powered 3.7kW motor, equivalent to a 9.9hp petrol engine, but it is being seen as a major statement of intent from the Japanese brand synonymous with big, powerful four-stroke outboards.

Intriguingly, the Harmo is neither an outboard engine nor a sterndrive but a new propulsion package that borrows ideas from both camps.

It is mounted on the transom just above the waterline much like a sterndrive leg, but in keeping with the outboard engine ethos it’s an entirely self-contained unit that includes the motor and steering mechanism.

Read more about the Yamaha Harmo electric rim drive

RAD Propulsion RAD40

Weight: 100kg Power: 40kW / 55hp Battery: 20-60kWh Range: 100nm Price: £28,000 (ex. battery)

The RAD40 drive from British start-up RAD Propulsion appears to be far more than just a conventional outboard leg with an electric motor bolted on top.

Every single element of it has been designed from the ground up to maximise the benefits of electric power. The result is a brand new drive system that is not only much cleaner, quieter and more efficient than a petrol outboard engine but also smaller, lighter, cheaper to maintain and even more manoeuvrable.

In its current 40kW guise (equivalent to around 55hp) it’s powerful enough to propel everything from a 25-knot planing RIB to a 10-knot displacement craft but with a larger 160hp RAD120 as well as a portable tiller steered RAD2 already in development, it’s clear that RAD Propulsion has its eyes set on a much wider market.

Read more about the RAD Propulsion RAD40 electric outboard

E-Motion 180E

Weight: 580kg Power: 110kW / 180hp Battery: 70kWh Range: 70nm Price: $78,990

Launched in 2021 by Canadian firm Vision Marine Technologies, the E-Motion 180E looks like a genuine alternative to the 150-200hp petrol outboard motors that power the vast majority of 18-25ft sportsboats and RIBs.

The outboard engine itself weighs around 180kg, compared to 216kg for a 200hp V6 Mercury Verado, but that relatively modest saving pales into comparison next to the 400kg weight of the 70kWh battery pack.

Admittedly, a fair chunk of that will be offset by the lack of fuel tank and starter batteries, but unlike a petrol boat, the battery pack’s weight stays constant whether full or close to empty.

Read more about the E-Motion 180E

The Evoy Storm looks, feels and goes like a well-matched petrol outboard engine

Weight: 350kg Power: 222kW / 300hp Battery: 2x 63kWh Range: 25nm Price: €144,700

Although currently still in development, the Evoy Storm is a working prototype that has already been fitted to a number of partner brands’ boats, including an Iguana amphibious craft and an Axopar 25 that we tested at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival .

Despite a 450kg weight penalty over a fully fuelled petrol boat, and five passengers, we still recorded a top speed of over 50 knots – vastly quicker than any other electric boat we’ve tested and not far off the world speed record for a production electric boat of 57.7 knots (held by a Goldfish X9 powered by a 400hp Evoy inboard).

The anticipated price for this electric Axopar 25 is €185,000 (ex tax), which looks pretty good value given that the price of the motor alone is €74,900 plus another €69,800 for the batteries. Whether Axopar can maintain, or even reduce, that price once the Evoy Storm enters production in 2024 remains to be seen.

Read more about the Evoy Storm

Tip of the iceberg

If this seems like a lot of choice, there are even more options coming down the pipeline in 2024. MBY understands that several major outboard manufacturers are planning on entering the electric outboard market, so watch this space…

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Electric Motors: A basic guide

AN electric motor is one of the most useful accessories that can be installed on a sportfishing boat. MICK FLETORIDIS explains why you should have one.

THE electric trolling motor has evolved to become one of the most important accessories anglers can install on their boats. While an electric mightn’t directly catch you more fish, it will put you in their vicinity more stealthily, and in the case of many current models, keep you on the spot using modern GPS technology. Many electric motors will also automatically steer a course along a troll line, run virtually silently, deploy at the push of a button and more. If only they could brew coffee!

Electric evolution

Like many keen anglers, I’ve long relied on electric trolling motors to assist my fishing. The first electric motor I owned was a Shakespeare 12v 24lb thrust model bought in the ‘80s for use on a canoe and a 10ft Brooker tinny. While not as sophisticated as the current crop of electrics, that old Shakespeare repaid its initial outlay cost ($75 from memory) many times over the years, mostly trolling for trout in the Snowy Mountains and natives in south western NSW. Being a basic design though, the Shakespeare’s 3-speed toggle switch set on High would drain a fully charged car battery (pre deep cycle battery availability) in quick time.

When I upgraded to a 3.9m Stessl Edge Tracker I fitted a Minn-Kota 42lb bow-mount 12v electric with foot pedal control and autopilot – at the time these motors weren’t common place in Australia. It was also a freshwater model, the precursor to the later Riptide saltwater series. That motor delivered years of trouble free duty and helped me fish for everything from trout to natives, flatties and bream. When upgrading again to a 4.3m Webster Bassmaster, I installed a new Riptide 12v 42lb thrust Minn-Kota bow-mount, later retrofitted with a Co-Pilot remote control. That motor was used on the majority of my fishing trips over the next 10 years, apart from offshore, and indirectly caught me a lot of fish.

A Jarvis Walker Watersnake 55lb thrust bow-mount electric resides on the current boat in my shed – a 3.9m Quintrex Hornet Trophy. The point of all this is that any fishing boat I own must have an electric motor fitted. For mine, an electric motor is as important as a sounder/GPS unit for getting connected to fish. So if you’ve never owned an electric motor, here’s what you need to know.

History of electrics

The first electric trolling motor was invented by O.G. Schmidt in 1934 in Minnesota, North Dakota, USA. The motor was a basic design achieved by attaching a starter motor from a Ford Model A car to a flexible shaft and propeller. Schmidt’s invention later resulted in the birth of the Minn Kota Manufacturing Company, named after its location near the Minnesota/North Dakota border. As well as Minn Kota, there are other reputable brands of electric trolling motors on the Australian market today including Motorguide and Watersnake. All provide propulsion via brushed electric motors driven by 12 or 24v DC battery power.

Unlike petrol outboards which are rated in horsepower, electrics are rated by their propulsion force at full speed, measured in pounds thrust. As a general guide, 12v creates thrust up to 60lb with currents up to 55 amps, 24v will create thrust to 100lb and current to 55 amps. To provide the power, 12v marine deep cycle sealed lead acid batteries are most commonly used. Unlike car batteries, deep cycle batteries are designed to withstand constant discharging without damage. The modern electric is designed around a motor sealed inside a watertight compartment at the end of the drive shaft. Being submerged during operation, prevents the motor overheating.

Which motor?

Typically, on a boat fitted with an electric motor the fuel-driven engine is used to quickly get from place to place, while the electric is only used when fishing. An electric motor performs best for slow speed manoeuvring when lure or fly fishing, trolling or to help hold position in current or against wind. In case of a main engine breakdown an electric may also get you home in favourable conditions, but is best not relied on for that purpose.

The electric motor that best suits your boat comes down to boat size, weight and intended purpose. Selecting the perfect motor can be challenging as there are many variables, and electric motor manufacturers generally only provide basic guidelines. As a basic guide, each 100lb (45kg) of boat weight requires around 2lb of thrust. Going by that, if you’ve got a popular sized boat of around 4.5m that weighs 1000kg (including, motor, fuel and 2 x occupants) that’s around 2200lb, which equates to 44lb of thrust.

Given that most fishos cart way more gear on boats than they need a little leeway is required, but in this case a common 12-volt electric model providing 55lb of thrust should adequately do the job. As when selecting the power rating of your fuel engine, it’s also best to avoid over or under powering your boat with an electric motor.

Bow or stern mount?

This is a big consideration when choosing an electric. In general terms, bow mounts pull the boat through the water and steer quicker, using less power than a stern mounted motor that pushes the hull. Bow mounts too can usually be operated remotely which is a big advantage when fishing. Bow mount electrics are commonly deployed by depressing a lever by foot while simultaneously sliding the motor housing from its cradle by hand. In the case of the recently released Minn Kota Ulterra, deployment can be done via a touch of a button on the unit’s i-pilot remote control. If there’s a downside of sophisticated bow mounts like this it’s usually only the initial outlay.

If you intend to mostly troll under electric power a tiller control model mounted on the boat’s transom might suit you best. There are plenty of tiller control models on the market and most are reasonably priced, especially in comparison to higher specced bow-mount electrics. Most tiller control models feature a twist throttle like a petrol outboard, and a simple locking tilt/trim arrangement. Tiller control models are generally 12v powered and provide up to 55lb thrust, with some manufacturers offering higher propulsion models. An advantage of the tiller control electrics is that they can be easily adapted for use on canoes and kayaks.

Bow mount electrics as their title suggests are fitted to the boat’s pointy end, commonly via a form of quick release plate that allows for easy removal for travel, maintenance or security. Operating bow mount electrics is usually done via a foot control or wireless remote. Most foot controls have on/off, speed and steering controls with the latter operating via electronically controlled servo motors. Many bow mounts come equipped with both foot and wireless remote control which means operators can choose which system suits them best. In recent years, key-fob style remote transmitters have revolutionised electric motor controls. These remotes – that are commonly worn via a lanyard around the neck or as a wristwatch style – not only steer and direct the boat, they can hold your position even in current and wind using GPS technology. Trollers are also able to point their boat in the direction they want to run and the motor will self adjust to keep the boat on course.

Height advantage

Electric motors are available with different shaft lengths, so when choosing one for your boat it’s important to get it right. While the depth of the motor is usually adjustable via a standard locking collar system, having enough length for adjustment to start with will prevent problems. If your boat has a healthy amount of freeboard the motor will be mounted a longer distance above the water surface and require a longer shaft than a lower slung craft. When fishing in any swell the rise and fall of the boat will see the electric motor housing do the same. This is accentuated in the case of a bow mounted electric. If the motor shaft is too short the motor propeller will cavitate at the surface on maximum rise and make steering and manoeuvring the boat very difficult. If you’re unsure which length suits your boat ask the dealer or someone who has the same boat as you. Online forums can be a great source of info for this sort of thing. As a general rule, in this case, longer is usually better.

12 or 24 volt?

Having never owned or operated a 24v electric motor I can’t see a huge need for one, however, if you have a big heavier boat that might struggle from the maximum thrust offered by a 12v model going to 24v is possibly your best bet. The main consideration with going up in voltage is the extra weight and bulk of installing extra batteries and the associated cabling. If you’ve got an average weight boat of up to 5m, which is the sort of craft more commonly fitted with electric motors, a 12v model should be available to suit your needs. Considering other factors such as hull shape, windage and more will affect this decision. The best way to narrow down your choice of electric motor is to talk to owners of similar boats to yours who can give you firsthand advice on any potential pitfalls. Once you’ve chosen the right electric motor for your boat you’ll be amazed at how much your fishing will benefit. Ultimately, you’ll be catching more fish.

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Best Boat Trolling Motor Features for Saltwater Fishing

• By Ric Burnley
• August 21, 2024

The trolling motor was invented in 1934, but the first saltwater models didn’t hit the water until a decade ago. Why did it take almost 90 years for the trolling motor to reach coastal anglers? Durability. Combining saltwater, metal and electricity is a recipe for corrosion-forming electrolysis. Freshwater trolling motors died in salt and early saltwater models struggled to survive. 

The latest generation of saltwater trolling motors feature durable components and smart design to thrive in the harsh marine environment. Leading the way, Garmin’s Force Kraken trolling motor is built with tough components and advanced features for the ultimate in boat control to catch more fish.

What Is a Trolling Motor for Saltwater Fishing?

The first trolling motors were small electric kickers that attached to the stern of a jon boat. Bass anglers quickly realized the advantage of mounting an electric motor on the bow to silently maneuver the boat while fishing. Before long, a trolling motor was standard equipment on a bass sled. But the technology has been slow to reach saltwater. 

A trolling motor is a small electric motor on a long shaft powered by large, rechargeable batteries. The shaft is mounted on the boat to hold the motor below the water. Using a hand control, remote control or foot pedal, I direct the motor to position the boat with more accuracy than possible with a gas outboard. With a trolling motor, I can silently troll for skittish fish, sneak into shallow water, patrol an area, maneuver handsfree and hold my boat in one position while I fish. 

Trolling Motor Innovations

Modern trolling motors have some amazing features. The most significant advancement is connecting the trolling motor to a GPS network. With the satellite location information, I can program my trolling motor to follow a course, repeat a course, return to a location, jog at a low speed, and more. When I push the anchor lock button, the GPS manipulates the trolling motor so my boat stays in one position. 

Manufacturers have focused on durability and power improvements to bring the technology to saltwater anglers. To survive salt and sand that plagues coastal fishing equipment, saltwater trolling motors like Garmin’s Force Kraken use corrosion-resistant materials, redundant systems, and sealed electronics. 

The next challenge was generating power to pull a large saltwater fishing boat in strong current and wind. To produce enough torque to move heavy boats, the best saltwater trolling motors use brushless motors that draw less electricity and create more power. Garmin’s Force Kraken can produce up to 100 foot pounds of thrust with a shaft length up to 90 inches to run boats up to 35 feet long.

With the invention of forward-facing and 360 sonar, the trolling motor has become a convenient place to mount the sonar transducer. Attaching the transducer to the motor head, I can turn the transducer to direct the signal at potential targets while watching the return on a multi-function display.

Speaking of the fish finder display, Garmin’s Force Kraken trolling motor uses wireless connection to integrate with Garmin’s electronics systems. I control the Kraken with a handheld remote control, wireless foot pedal, smartphone or smartwatch. Combining these user-friendly features with a durable electric motor large and powerful enough to fish offshore and inshore, Garmin’s Force Kraken is a perfect example of the capabilities of modern saltwater trolling motors.

8 Top Saltwater Fishing Electric Trolling Motor Features 

Adding GPS control and forward-facing sonar completely changed the trolling motor game. The small electric motors are now a boat control and fish-finding weapon. With the Garmin Force Kraken and other modern trolling motors, I program routes, hold my boat in one place, search fish in every direction and fish all day without worrying about battery power. Today’s trolling motors have a long list of features aimed at making fishing easier and more fun.

Anchor Deployment Capabilities

Without a doubt, the Garmin Force Kraken’s virtual anchor is its most valuable feature. I push a button on the remote and the trolling motor works to hold the boat in place. Garmin’s Force Kraken uses a two band GPS for pinpoint accuracy and lightning fast steering response. 

Most trolling motors spin the motor 360 degrees to move the boat forward and backward. Instead of turning the whole motor, The Force Kraken uses a reverse gear which creates less turbulence and responds quicker saving time and energy. In swift current and strong wind, the Force Kraken controls my boat without missing a beat. 

Garmin LiveScope Compatibility

In addition to advanced boat control capabilities, Garmin’s Force Kraken and other top-end trolling motors offer me a place to mount my forward facing sonar transducer. Forward-facing and 360 sonar allow me to see fish and structure in every direction below the water. The transducer turns 360 degrees to search for fish and structure up to 200 feet from the boat. 

Some anglers mount the transducer to the end of a pole that is attached to a bracket on the side of the boat. Garmin’s Force Kraken allows me to mount the LiveScope transducer on the motor. To direct the sonar signal, I turn the trolling motor in the direction I’m searching. I route the transducer cable through the trolling motor shaft for a clean install and less chance of damaging the cord.

Battery Performance

Battery performance is a trolling motor’s Achilles heel. The electric motor runs on large batteries with limited capacity. Sealed lead-acid marine batteries are the standard; lithium batteries are lighter and more durable with longer battery life. 

To extend the battery life, Garmin’s Force Kraken’s brushless motor conserves energy and produces more power than a brushed motor. Also, the efficient propeller and reverse gear reduce the motor’s work load. Running off 36 volts (that’s three 12 volt batteries), the Kraken will produce 100 pounds of thrust for hours of fishing. 

User-Friendly Remote and Foot Pedal Control

A trolling motor is all about boat control, so controlling the motor is key to catching more fish. Garmin’s Force Kraken offers a floating, wireless remote control, a wireless foot pedal or integration with a smartphone or smartwatch. I can even operate the motor with my fish finder display. 

The best trolling motor remotes have large, intuitive buttons and a small LED display of motor information. To operate the motor while I’m casting my fishing rod, a wireless foot pedal promotes hands-free fishing. 

If the wireless systems fail, I can still control the motor with my phone. A few basic features, like anchor lock, are accessible on the base of the motor. When I’m searching for fish, I use the foot-pedal to cast and retrieve while covering water. 

The handheld remote gives me quick access to anchor lock and other programming features. To unlock the motor’s full potential, I use the app and wireless connection to my fish finder to program routes and make precise location adjustments.

When the current is ripping and the wind is whipping, a trolling motor struggles to control a big boat. Garmin Force Kraken has a Turbo Mode that increases the power and torque for short periods when I need it most. Kicking the motor into Turbo Mode helps me limit power usage by saving maximum speed for the toughest motoring conditions. 

Minimal Prop Wash and Obstruction Quick Reverse

A trolling motor quietly maneuvers the boat while I’m fishing. To prevent spooking the fish, Garmin’s Force Kraken combines an optimized propeller and silent operation. The propeller creates minimal bubbles and no cavitation and the shaft turns smoothly. When the boat is in anchor lock mode, the propeller spins forward and reverse instead of the shaft constantly spinning to keep the boat in one place.

Pivot Style Mount

Most saltwater boats don’t have a wide open deck in the bow like a bass boat. Garmin’s Force Kraken uses a small pivot style mount to secure the motor with a minimal footprint. 

When I arrive to the fishing grounds, I rotate the shaft to unlock the release and then slide and pivot the motor head into the water. The pivot mount is easy to remove from the boat and requires less space in the bow, so it fits more saltwater boats. 

Composite Shaft

A long shaft on a large saltwater boat takes a lot of abuse. In rough seas, the powerful motor wants to bend and break the shaft. Saltwater trolling motors have an indestructible and corrosion resistant composite shaft. The best saltwater trolling motors, like Garmin’s Force Kraken, have a shaft that includes a conduit to route a fish finder transducer cable.

The final choice is choosing the shaft length. The trolling motor’s composite shaft reaches from the bow to below the water. Measure the distance and choose a shaft length that will keep the motor below the water in rough seas. An easy-to-use online tutorial makes it easy to build a total boat system. 

Garmin’s Force Kraken is available in four sizes, from 48 inches to 90 inches, to cover boats from 18 feet to 35 feet long. The price at Bass Pro Shops depends on the shaft length, with a 48-inch model going for $3799.99 to $4299.99 for the 90-inch motor.

Alternatives to the Garmin Force Kraken

It’s a good time to be in the market for a trolling motor. The most advanced technology is now available for saltwater trolling motors with up to 115-pounds of thrust and a 100-inch shaft. And the latest motors are finally winning the battle against corrosion with space-age materials and design. The race is on to create the most advanced trolling motor that is easiest to use. All this is great news for saltwater anglers looking to add a trolling motor to their boat.

Heavy Duty: Power-Pole Move PV

Power-Pole’s primary objective when they designed their first trolling motor was durability. They satisfied that objective with a bulletproof brushless motor, reinforced propeller, titanium shaft and redundant systems. 

The Move PV is part of Power-Pole’s total boat control system to link with their shallow-water anchors to stop and propel the boat with one remote. Of course, the Move includes all the advanced GPS features expected of a top-of-the-line trolling motor.

Price: $5599.99 – 72”

Budget Friendly: MotorGuide Xi5

MotorGuide’s Xi5 is a classic saltwater trolling motor that provides advanced features at a great value. I control the Xi5 with a handheld remote or wireless foot pedal. The trolling motor integrates with Lowrance, Simrad and Mercury Marine electronics. A pin-point accurate GPS allows me to jog the boat, follow a course and lock the boat in position. The Xi5 has been around for years, a testament to its durable composite shaft, sealed electronics and corrosion-resistant coatings.

Price: $2549.99 – 72”

Big Boats: Minn Kota Riptide Instinct Quest

Minn Kota started the trolling motor game and stays ahead of the competition with the largest and most powerful trolling motors. With shafts up to 100 inches and 115 foot-pounds of thrust, the Riptide Instinct Quest motor is appropriate for boats over 35 feet long. Minn Kota’s Riptide Instinct Quest includes a brushless motor , GPS control, electronics integration and power-saving features expected in a premium trolling motor for saltwater. 

Price: $4699.99 – 72”

Elevate Your Fishing With Advanced Trolling Motor Features

Trolling motors for saltwater are more powerful and durable than ever before. I use my trolling motor to troll, power drift, fish structure and silently search for fish. Trolling motors may be new to saltwater fishing, but the advanced boat-control features make me wonder how I ever lived without a trolling motor on my saltwater boat.

What is the difference between a trolling motor and an outboard motor?

A trolling motor is a small electric motor used to maneuver the boat while fishing. A gas-powered outboard quickly propels the boat to and from the fishing grounds. The trolling motor is less powerful and slower, but the motor spins 360 degrees so I can turn the boat quickly and accurately without the noise and commotion of a gas engine. I use my gas motor to travel to my fishing spot, then I turn off the outboard and drop the trolling motor into the water. With the small electric motor, I precisely position the boat to cast or jig more accurately. 

How do I know what size trolling motor I need?

Each trolling motor manufacturer has online tutorials and guides for choosing and fitting a trolling motor to any boat. The rule of thumb is a longer and heavier boat requires more thrust and a longer shaft.

How fast can a troll motor go?

A trolling motor isn’t designed for speed. However, a trolling motor must have enough power and torque to control the boat in adverse weather and water conditions. Garmin’s Force Kraken has a special Turbo Mode that boosts power when the going gets rough. It also uses a silent and responsive steering unit and a unique reverse gear to improve boat control and save battery power.

• More: Affiliate , Gear , Trolling Motors

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