Torqeedo Electric Outboard Motors

January 30th, 2007 · by Aaron Tinling, Publisher

Torqeedo electric outboards

We spotted some intriguing, new, German-made, electric outboards at the Seattle Boatshow last weekend. They reminded me of my embarassingly expensive, yet amazingly designed and engineered cordless drill from Festool. So what do you get for your German-engineered buck? Well, the smallest unit in the line includes a lithium-manganese battery pack in the head of the unit, and folds down to fit in its included waterproof backpack. That’s pretty neat…no external battery hookup for a trolling motor.

Torqeedo folding electric outboard

The maker claims very high efficiency for these drives, due to an electronically regulated AC motor, and a special prop design that takes advantage of the high torque characteristics. I don’t much doubt these claims, as this is similar technology to the jaw-dropping electric Tesla Roadster.

The larger motors use external lithium-manganese battery packs (though you can supply your own conventional lead-acid batteries), and range up to about the equivalent of a 6 horsepower gasoline outboard, although with more torque.

The Torqeedos are quite new to the market, and I have heard some grumbling about the high-price of this innovative tech. The prices I’ve found so far were in British pounds, with the smallest unit around $1,500, and the largest about $2,500, which is more expensive than an equivalent horsepower four stroke outboard. Still, I think it would be pretty awesome to cruise around without gasoline and hardly a sound.

If a Torqeedo rep would like to get in touch with us, we’d love to do a video demo, and see if it would get a nine foot RIB up on a plane.

Link: Torqeedo

Tags: Propulsion

12 responses so far ↓

Torqeedo Electric Outboard Available from West Marine | Navagear.com // Mar 16, 2007 at 3:13 pm

[...] No longer made of pure German unobtainium, the little, foldable Torqeedo 801 electric outboards are now available from West Marine for $1,600. Check the [...]
Hands on Testing with the Torqeedo Electric Outboard | Navagear.com // Apr 11, 2007 at 7:59 am

[...] Whitehall boats site, there’s the first write-up on one of the new electric outboards from Torqeedo with a Whitehall Spirit 17, a beautiful, classic rowboat. They liked how quiet it was, and it [...]
Torqeedo Electric Powered Boat at Opening Day in Seattle | Navagear.com // Apr 30, 2007 at 9:46 pm

[...] admit it. I have a little bit of an obsession with the Torqeedo electric outboards. They’re so cool. I got a demo of the Torqeedo Traveller from Steve Trkla, national sales [...]
mohamed // May 19, 2007 at 9:35 pm

could you plz give me the price of Torqeedo Electric Outboard Motors as seen on the picture?????
Aaron Tinling, Publisher // May 20, 2007 at 9:44 pm

Hi Mohamed,

Try West Marine and Fisheries Supply. Both carry the Torqeedo line.

Best,

Aaron
Dawn Harger // Sep 30, 2007 at 1:27 am

I would like more information about your motors. Could you please mail information to:
[address deleted for privacy --Tim]
Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor // Oct 2, 2007 at 12:43 pm

Dawn, they’re not our motors. We just think they’re pretty darned cool!
nutsously // Jan 27, 2008 at 4:03 pm

Good site
http://www.google.com - xamasapa
DrJones360 // Jul 8, 2008 at 11:19 am

Theme 222: E-Pod motors are being tested on a fast 5 metre day sailor.

This July of ‘08, Clean-Convenient electric, auxiliary power for dinks & sleeker day sailors arrived to the odorless smell & pleasant hum (for at least 2+ hours at 2 to 5 knots- that’s 4 to 12 mile for a 1000 lb- loaded weight Precision 18.5′ sport day sailer with 2 persons, a 2+hp equivalent “E-pod” motor & 2 x 50 lb = 100 pounds batteries) welcomed aboard . Check out “E-Pod Power” for yourself on yo’ boat!

Minimalists might wanna’ check out a li’l Minn-Kota Riptide 12 volt / 40 lb thrust (appx. 1 hp gas equivalent power, Motor > 24v M-K Riptide 100 for again appx 2 hp x 2 hours on 2 West Marine, Group 24 or 27 Gell Cell batteries >> Step up to a Torqueedo- a far more advanced 24 v electric outboard for even more power, speed or for heavier less sleek craft.
>>>> Google search the American made Whisper motor (by EPIC, aka EOC - Annapolis) running at 48 volts ( with 4 AGM type batteries- appx 200 lbs) or even run it at 72 Volts & mo’ power on your 20 - 26′ racing or Sound Cruising Sollop.
Submitted via dJ, from somewhere in the Salish Sea- 49 N, 122ish West amid a pod of Dahls porpoises aboard, “Ladye Hawke” or “Sea-Saw”.
Garry Sievert // Sep 8, 2008 at 9:34 am

Torqeedo questions:
1) Can I use household power and extension cord to recharge batteries with a torqeedo or do I need a special cord/power source?
2) Is it possible to burn out a circuit board on the motor by simply recharging the batteries?
thanks- garry sievert
COBALT BOATS OF LAS VEGAS ( GERRY) // Sep 26, 2008 at 11:02 am

We have a customer that purchased a pontoon boat , and installed a minnkoda e drive two horse power, and is under powered. What is your six hp motor, foot pound of thrust equal to ?
Thank you Gerry Mullins
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