electric outboard Epropulsion Navy 6.0

[bentripper]

Hi,
I am looking to buy a reasonably good quality FRIB, SIB or aluminium lightweight RIB around 3.5m and 50kg in weight. This is for close-to-shore family use to access fishing, snorkelling and spearfishing spots that we would usually swim or use a large sit-on-top kayak to paddle to, or not be able to access because they are a bit too far away. This is around the north Aberdeenshire / Moray coast but also for use in the Mediterranean. We have a special roofrack that allows boats to be mounted at ground level and then lift-assisted onto our campervan roof for (relatively) easy loading and unloading and I hope to use the same for the SIB. I don't want petrol stinking-out the camper so have decided to get an electric outboard which can be thrown in the back and recharged en route. I have used Epropulsion's Spirit 1.0 before and like their product but this does not have enough power or range to be of use on the Aberdeenshire coast. However, their Navy 6.0 with a whopping battery, with an equivalent 10hp max output, does appear to be suitable. There is nothing cost-effective about this arrangement - it is about convenience, maintenance, perceived reliability, time. We are also acutely aware of safety risks (including spearguns and inflatables being a less than desirable mix ) and already carry VHF, EPIRB, AIS beacon, flares, phones, nav equipment etc. I am interested if anyone in the group has experience of a similar setup of equivalent size and output with around 300kg payload?

[Blankton]

Can't you put the petrol on the roof?

I'd be interested to know how long the electric motor can deliver 10hp for. From a 12l fuel tank my ob can deliver that much power for a couple of hrs at least.

[bentripper]

Originally Posted by Blankton

Can't you put the petrol on the roof?

I'd be interested to know how long the electric motor can deliver 10hp for. From a 12l fuel tank my ob can deliver that much power for a couple of hrs at least.

I hadn’t thought of putting petrol on the roof and it’s a good suggestion but how do I stop it (and oil) dripping out of the outboard in the back of the van?

Sales literature says you get between 1 & 1.5 hours at full whack on an E175 battery. That’s the biggest one they do and is not very practical to manhandle. It also costs 4 grand. I was thinking of getting a couple of smaller ones with 3/4 of that capacity. They would be easier to lift and provide backup but would take up a little more real estate. I was thinking that might give me half an hour on full throttle in addition to half a day pootling about but they are fairly new so it’s difficult to find practical data.

[paintman]

Originally Posted by bentripper

I hadn’t thought of putting petrol on the roof and it’s a good suggestion but how do I stop it (and oil) dripping out of the outboard in the back of the van?

Sales literature says you get between 1 & 1.5 hours at full whack on an E175 battery. That’s the biggest one they do and is not very practical to manhandle. It also costs 4 grand. I was thinking of getting a couple of smaller ones with 3/4 of that capacity. They would be easier to lift and provide backup but would take up a little more real estate. I was thinking that might give me half an hour on full throttle in addition to half a day pootling about but they are fairly new so it’s difficult to find practical data.

Build a stand for it & fix that inside the van?
Or a piece of timber fixed to the inside of the van you can clamp it to?
Keeps it upright so should stop any oil/fuel leaking out & if you use a bucket on the prop end that should take care of anything at that end.

I think the issue with batteries is that as they age they deteriorate & take less charge - becoming more noticeable on electric cars now.

[beerbelly]

when i had my campervan i had a thing that attached to my tow bar that was like a shelf that had a 60kg payload i made it from a 3 bike .bike rack. i took the bike racks off and fabricated a light weight shelf out of the grating found behind artic cabs it had a built in number plate board with lights ect carried my sib no bother could have carried an outboard and fuel .it had the advantage that it still had the tilting mechanism that allowed the back doors to be opened with it in situe

[DH1]

I’ve got a Suzuki 10hp 4 stroke and am going to just lay it on its side in the boot. There are rests on the side to indicate what side you HAVE to rest it on. I will most likely put a couple of old cushions under that side to raise it slightly as well. Can’t you just take empty cans and fill them near your launch. Alternatively, if you have a petrol car, just syphon out the tank ��
I’ve been looking at Torqeedo & E propulsion for the river as quiet & greener for a more tranquil setting but way too expensive and not really powerful enough with guaranteed range for the sea, when you have to take into account the tides & currents imo.

[paintman]

Just put the cans inside a plastic bag of appropriate size & tie or rubber band the neck of the bag.

[bentripper]

Originally Posted by paintman

Build a stand for it & fix that inside the van?
Or a piece of timber fixed to the inside of the van you can clamp it to?
Keeps it upright so should stop any oil/fuel leaking out & if you use a bucket on the prop end that should take care of anything at that end.

I think the issue with batteries is that as they age they deteriorate & take less charge - becoming more noticeable on electric cars now.

It’s a good suggestion and one I looked into first but unfortunately there isn’t enough space to get the OB under the bed vertically.
I work with batteries that are used to power tools for many years and you are correct about battery decay. But I’ll get a few years out of them. My question is related more to the power, torque and duration they deliver on a single charge with an Epropulsion Navy 6.0 or equivalent (like Torqueedo).

[bentripper]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

when i had my campervan i had a thing that attached to my tow bar that was like a shelf that had a 60kg payload i made it from a 3 bike .bike rack. i took the bike racks off and fabricated a light weight shelf out of the grating found behind artic cabs it had a built in number plate board with lights ect carried my sib no bother could have carried an outboard and fuel .it had the advantage that it still had the tilting mechanism that allowed the back doors to be opened with it in situe

I’ve been thinking about this type of solution as I use tow bar bike racks. There’s a company in Cambridge that makes a hinged frame on a jockey wheel so you can swing-out the tow bar rack away from the barn doors and still get in the back of the van easily. It’s a good compromise to continue using a petrol OB. Although I would like to try and use an electric solution if it could be trusted.

[bentripper]

Originally Posted by DH1

I’ve got a Suzuki 10hp 4 stroke and am going to just lay it on its side in the boot. There are rests on the side to indicate what side you HAVE to rest it on. I will most likely put a couple of old cushions under that side to raise it slightly as well. Can’t you just take empty cans and fill them near your launch. Alternatively, if you have a petrol car, just syphon out the tank ��
I’ve been looking at Torqeedo & E propulsion for the river as quiet & greener for a more tranquil setting but way too expensive and not really powerful enough with guaranteed range for the sea, when you have to take into account the tides & currents imo.

No, OB’s always leak when you lay them down. And in Mediterranean heat it will be worse. Not that I care, I worked on oil rigs for years and love the smell, but I’ll have a mutiny on my hands from the wife and kids if they get a whiff of oil or petrol.
I’m inclined to agree with your thoughts on the electric ones, but most folk are looking at the 3hp equivalents with relatively small batteries. I am interested to know if you’ve looked at the Navy 6.0? Or the mahoosive one that Torqueedo do that has an even bigger output…?

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by bentripper

No, OB’s always leak when you lay them down

I must have had a couple of very special OB's as neither of mine have ever leaked.

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by bentripper

I’ve been thinking about this type of solution as I use tow bar bike racks. There’s a company in Cambridge that makes a hinged frame on a jockey wheel so you can swing-out the tow bar rack away from the barn doors and still get in the back of the van easily. It’s a good compromise to continue using a petrol OB. Although I would like to try and use an electric solution if it could be trusted.

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/im...kecarrier1.jpg

that's the one i used when you take the bike wheel holders off the bottom there's just 2 steel bars .bolt a shelf onto them could use chequer plate i had some kennedy grating lying about at work a couple of car boot tie down hoops bolted on and bobs your mothers brother. must add at nearly £600 a new ones a bit rich mines an older version i bought second hand for £150

[beamishken]

Not many folk feeling the love for electric outboards here, me included. I'd imagine you wont find many 20 or 30 yo electric outboards still doing good service & changing hands for more money than they cost new in a few decades time like you do with small petrol outboards.
Like several folk have said theres plenty of ways to avoid petrol & oil spills in vehicles most carbs are easy to drain via the drain plug (running them out of petrol often doesnt totally empty the carb) & many newer 4 strokes can be laid on either side without leaking oil. I'd rather spend time finding a good outboard bag & learning how to drain the carb than spend big money on a battery motor that most likely will have a relatively short lifespan

Sent from my SM-G950F using RIB Net mobile app

[bentripper]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Not many folk feeling the love for electric outboards here, me included. I'd imagine you wont find many 20 or 30 yo electric outboards still doing good service & changing hands for more money than they cost new in a few decades time like you do with small petrol outboards.
Like several folk have said theres plenty of ways to avoid petrol & oil spills in vehicles most carbs are easy to drain via the drain plug (running them out of petrol often doesnt totally empty the carb) & many newer 4 strokes can be laid on either side without leaking oil. I'd rather spend time finding a good outboard bag & learning how to drain the carb than spend big money on a battery motor that most likely will have a relatively short lifespan

Sent from my SM-G950F using RIB Net mobile app

I’m inclined to agree. I think I’ll look into yours and some of the other good suggestions on here in parallel with researching electric.

[Steve509926]

If you do go down the petrol head route, I'd take a look at the 9.9 Suzi 4s EFI. No carb to drain down, less likely to suffer leaks (probably why my OBs don't leak!), no mixing of you went 2s. Downside is obviously the weight, it's 44kg, still lighter than most 9.9 4s with a carb.

https://marine.suzuki.co.uk/outboard...or=&price=2560

[bentripper]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

If you do go down the petrol head route, I'd take a look at the 9.9 Suzi 4s EFI. No carb to drain down, less likely to suffer leaks (probably why my OBs don't leak!), no mixing of you went 2s. Downside is obviously the weight, it's 44kg, still lighter than most 9.9 4s with a carb.

https://marine.suzuki.co.uk/outboard...or=&price=2560

Thanks Steve, that’s helpful