Navagear has made no secret of the fact that we’re fans of the Torqeedo line. So announcements like this aren’t really much of a surprise to us! Still, it’s nice to see Torqeedo getting the recognition. Here’s the release: Taking its commitment to the environment to the next level once again, Torqeedo was recently awarded an Innovation Award for its revolutionary Travel 503/1003 electric outboards at the Miami International Boat Show. The company’s continuous drive to improve its already technologically-advanced outboards won it the Environmental Award, a category in which only the judges can submit entries. The Innovation Awards are organized by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI).

The new motor offers a GPS receiver and tiller-integrated display that provides information on the remaining range at current speed, power consumption and state of charge. Zuzana Prochazka, Miami Innovation Awards chair, member of BWI Board of Directors and technical editor for Latitudes and Attitudes magazine added, "Torqeedo continues to show its commitment to providing alternative propulsion solutions and we felt this was an admirable step in the right direction toward environmental causes."

Lightweight and small in size, Torqeedo’s new Travel motors offer tremendous power and range. The Travel 503 is equivalent to 1.5 hp, while the 1003 is comparable to 3 hp. Tougher than their predecessor, they’re completely waterproof to IP67 standards. Also, the 1003 has a battery with 30% more capacity and an even higher level of efficiency than before. A solar panel is available to help recharge the lithium-manganese battery.

I want to hear what talented Navagear readers think about this design. It’s one of those things that seems a little bit counterintuitive at first.

I don’t possess the expertise to judge it one way or another, but I can imagine that Turning Point’s claim are sound if you think of the prop more like a pair of balanced two-foil rigs. Whuh-huh? I mean, lots of lift- or thrust-inducing foil systems use two foils. Sailboat rigs, aircraft wings and control surfaces, etc. So I can imagine that a prop might work that had a balanced pair of thrust surfaces, each consisting of two blades.

So does that make sense to any of my readers, some of whom know a lot more about the physics of attached laminar flow than I do? Anyway, on with the press release!  —Tim

Aluminum props have taken one giant leap forward. Bringing propeller technology into the 21st century, Turning Point Propellers introduces the state-of-the-art Four-Blade Aluminum Hustler Propeller.

Employing the latest in blade design, the advanced prop utilizes two different high-performance blade geometries. Two opposing blades feature a variable-rake design with an aggressive pitch for remarkable cornering and hole shots. Its other two cleaver-style blades produce greater top speeds and enhanced stern lift. This innovative combination results in the best overall performing aluminum propeller on the market, providing unmatched acceleration, handling and top speed. Hustler propellers offer stainless steel performance at aluminum prices.

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Navagear has been fascinated with electric propulsion, and with the Torqeedo motors in particular, for several years now.

So count us “very interested” in this event. IN FACT, let me go so far as to suggest that we would probably not turn down an invitation to crew or cover this event, were it offered.

Anyway, here’s the press release with the background and details:

Torqeedo is always looking to push the envelope in developing the most efficient and powerful electric outboard motors in the marine industry. That’s why they created the Torqeedo Catalina Solar/Electric Boat Challenge, proving that electric outboards are destination motors. It also honors Bob Nordskog, a man who took the challenge 30 years ago to travel the intimidating Pacific Ocean over 26.5 nautical miles from Long Beach Harbor to Catalina Island in the first electric boat ever built.

The first successful Torqeedo Catalina Challenge took place on October 24 in a 16′7" Hobie® Getaway Catamaran named the Kona Concept®, modified to accommodate batteries and a solar panel and powered by the Cruise 4.0R Torqeedo Electric Outboard Motor. Captain of Kona Concept and grandson of Bob Nordskog, Erik Robert Nordskog, and navigator Jim Czarnowski, director of engineering for Hobie Cat, were very proud to recreate the crossing. They completed it in just 6 hours and 41 minutes and with 35% battery power remaining.

So, why establish the Torqeedo Challenge? The purpose is to go beyond using electric propulsion only on green lakes, in marinas and on cocktail cruisers. It’s to demonstrate that electric propulsion can be developed into a destination motor in the mainstream boating industry. The challenge is intended to provide a means of recognition for and is open to individuals and manufacturers who demonstrate, in offshore conditions, improvements in both range and speed of recreational electric craft. Torqeedo also wants to encourage both atmospheric and noise pollution reduction.

There are four classes in which to compete: mono-hull, above and below 18′, as well as multi-hull, above and below 18′. Participants need to submit a proposal and document the voyage for consideration. Winners will be rewarded with a bronze medallion replica of the original Catalina Challenge Trophy. This year it was presented to Erik Nordskog and Jim Czarnowski by Larry Smith, founder and owner of Team Scarab, and Steve Trkla, US president of Torqeedo.

Erik’s grandfather, the late Bob Nordskog, first attempted this feat in 1980. His close friend, Larry Smith, bought the motor, controller and batteries from Bob to build a 14′ bay launch. As president of the American Power Boat Association Race Group, as well as founder and owner of Powerboat magazine, Bob Nordskog held many offshore endurance racing records that are still unchallenged to this day. He was an innovator and believed in solar technology and attempted the first ever solar electric boat run to Catalina Island.

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Boat Bits has an excellent guest post on electrical auxiliary power by sailor Merrick White of S/V Rising Star. Here’s an excerpt:

My recently installed electric motor would provide the occasional assist required and be quickly re-charged by my large solar panel.
[…]
I turned it on, powered up to 20amps (50 amps is max) and started the Honda 2000i generator. I plugged the generator into our shorepower receptacle and turned on the battery charger. We motored 33 miles into the ICW (intercoastal waterway) and to our first anchorage in Ingram’s Bayou AL.

Since that first day we covered 595 miles before stopping for hurricane season in Fort Myers FL. We sailed 352 miles and powered the rest.
[…]
During this first season our electric motor has performed flawlessly. We have met other cruisers along the way that are unable to say the same for their diesel engines.

Read more

[Navagear has made no secret of the fact that we’re impressed with the Torqeedo line; we’ve written about several Torqeedo products. So despite the fact that I know very, very little about fishing, I thought I would share this press release with our readers. —Tim]

When it comes to kayak fishing, every advantage counts. That’s why professionals such as Chad Hoover, pair their kayak with an outboard designed specifically for fishing. With a total weight of 15 lbs., including the battery, Torqeedo’s Ultralight 402 can be easily mounted onto most rigid kayaks. It’s IP67-rated and can operate when temporarily submersed.

As a pro staff member and owner of www.kayakbassfishing.com, Hoover is an extensively experienced and enthusiastic angler. He also doesn’t recommend a product to anyone without trying it out firsthand.

"I’ve taken this motor over cypress knees, shale rock and dense vegetation, including lily pads," said Hoover. "I beat this motor up and it just keeps going. It even performs well in shallow water."

"I’d recommend this motor to other anglers," continued Hoover. "It frees my hands up to fish. The Ultralight is also quiet, fast, lightweight, efficient, smooth and easily adjusted. The speed and presentation can be dialed in to match your technique and not the other way around."

With propulsive power equivalent to a 1 hp gas outboard, it can reach a max speed between 5.0-6.0 mph for about half an hour, depending on the type of kayak. At slow speed, it provides a range of 12-15 miles. An integrated board computer combines information from the motor, batteries and a built-in GPS, enabling kayakers to monitor battery charge, speed and remaining range at current speed.

"The Torqeedo kayak outboard is a great addition to any beginning, intermediate or advanced paddling angler’s arsenal," continued Hoover. "It helps increase your range and the amount of water you can cover, which can ultimately increase your ability to catch fish."

The Ultralight’s impressive efficiency is due to its drivetrain, which converts 50% of stored battery power into propulsive power, measured after all losses, including propeller losses. In comparison, the equivalent value for trolling motors amounts to some 20% while internal combustion outboards have even smaller overall efficiencies.

Enabling trolling, providing additional range and giving support against local currents, this electric outboard is also helpful when kayaking with friends and family, who may prefer the convenience of an outboard. "It ushers in people who may steer away from paddling to fish and requires no permanent installation to your kayak," said Hoover.

Torqeedo’s new Ultralight 402 has a suggested retail price of $1,799.

Combining lithium batteries with leading-edge motor technology and propeller design, Torqeedo’s high-tech outboards have won numerous awards. Environmentally-sound, they offer unrivalled strength and efficiency for superior range.

Chad Hoover’s book, Kayak Bass Fishing, is now available for pre-sale at www.helipress.com and will be officially released November 1.

[We’ve written about the Torqeedo line before. In fact, those earlier articles are consistently top-rated pages at Navagear, suggesting that there is a lot of interest in the product line.

Judging by the comments we receive, some folks even seem to think we are in the business of SELLING Torqeedos! Um, we’re a gear and gadgets blog. We write about stuff. So far, we don’t sell anything but advertising.

Anyhoo, on with the press release! —Tim]

Revolutionizing the standards for electric propulsion, electric outboard manufacturer Torqeedo offers boaters more power and range from the same battery supply. With thrust equivalent to a 9.9 hp gas outboard, the Cruise 4.0 R achieves an efficiency of more than 50%.

The innovative Cruise converts supplied battery power into propulsion, measured as speed times thrust after all losses. This includes propeller loss at a rate comparable to an 8 hp gas outboard in displacement mode. Extremely powerful, the Cruise 4.0 R recently pushed a well-stocked 24′ pontoon boat with 25" pontoons and seven people aboard at a recorded speed of 6.1 mph.

It operates on 48 V lead-gel, AGM battery bank or two high-performance lithium manganese batteries from Torqeedo’s Power series. An integrated board computer combines information from the motor, batteries and the motor’s GPS receiver, so boaters always know how much battery power and range is remaining. This information is easy to view on the remote throttle display, which also provides current speed, speed over ground and current power consumption in watts.

Perfect for boats on green lakes, pontoon boats, sailboats and catamarans, Torqeedo’s Cruise 4.0 R has a suggested retail price of $3,699. It comes with a cable set, fuse, main-switch, remote throttle control with integrated board computer and magnetic on/off switch and a link-arm for connecting to standard steering systems.

Founded in 2005, Torqeedo offers the most technologically advanced electric outboards on the market. Combining lithium batteries with leading-edge motor technology and propeller design, their award-winning outboards offer unrivalled strength and efficiency for superior range.

This strays a little off-topic for Navagear, but it’s pretty dang cool. I still have hopes that fuel cell technology will make a big splash for sailboats and other displacement-type vessels with low horsepower-to-displacement ratios.

Anyway, check out this story from Science Daily:

Zero CO₂ is the world’s first-hydrogen powered yacht with a fully integrated laboratory to study pollution in the Mediterranean.

[Image courtesy of Université Joseph Fourier]

The objective of the Zero CO₂ project is to sail around the Mediterranean using a clean carbon-free auxiliary motor (gasoline powered motors are commonly used in yachts for all port manoeuvres). The yacht will be presented for the first time at the Paris Boat Show in December 2009.  A 12m craft built by the RM shipyard of La Rochelle, the yacht will be equipped with an electric motor driven by a hydrogen fuel cell, developed by CEA Liten of Grenoble.

Test pollution levels in the Mediterranean using a built-in laboratory

A scientific platform installed on the yacht by the University Joseph Fourier (UJF) and its technology transfer subsidiary, Floralis, will be used to collect scientific data on man-made pollution throughout the length of the 10 month trip. The yacht will travel around the Mediterranean coast as far as Turkey on a journey that will commence in March, 2010.

[Read more...]

I can imagine this being just the right solution for some boats. But is it really a good idea to add something like this to a boat that wasn’t designed for it?

My concern is that if you cut a big chunk out of the hull, and then you install a component designed to apply large forces to the boat right at the point you’ve just weakened…well, you better be 100% certain there won’t be a failure right at that point. What amount of extra bracing is required, I wonder?

Obviously, you would want to select an installer with some experience. Anyway, on with the press release!

Imtra, the leading manufacturer and importer of quality marine products, announced today a new line of retractable thrusters, the Side-Power SR Series SR80/185T and SR100/185T. Meeting the growing demand for greater maneuverability, the fully retractable SR Series thrusters deliver high-performance control to both sail and power vessels for which traditional tunnel thruster installation is impossible or impractical. The first retractable thruster solution from Side-Power, the SR Series is designed to eliminate common problems and risks associated with current retractable thrusters on the market. The Side-Power SR Series from Imtra increases boaters’ confidence by providing a more stress-free on-the-water experience through easier docking and departing from a slip, as well as enhanced boat maneuverability.

Side-Power SR Series thrusters are installed inside the vessel. When not in use, they are completely encapsulated and locked flush with the vessel bottom ensuring maximum boat performance. The SR Series boasts an ultra-fast sturdy retractable mechanism for deployment and stowage. SR thrusters incorporate industry leading safety and functionality standards that are found in all Side-Power products, including quiet, high-performance Q-prop skew blade propellers, a lifetime lubricated sealed drive mechanism, full galvanic isolation eliminating electrolysis and Side-Power’s patented Intelligent Power Control (IPC) technology. Providing the ultimate in protection, the retractable thrusters feature a load sensor on the hatch that automatically retracts if the boat moves faster than a defined speed or if the thrusters have not been in use for several minutes.

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Hot on the heals of last week’s “Here come the Mirage Hackers!” post, small-boat enthusiast Mack Horton informed us of his Strider project. Wow!

Mirage Hacking is a good term. I’ve built one hull specifically for the Mirage drive, and I’m building the next one which has a more refined hull shape.

Keep us updated, Mack!

I knew it was only a matter of time. The Hobie Mirage Drive has so many benefits over conventional pedal-driven propulsion systems, somebody would figure out a way to install it in a boat other than a Hobie kayak.

Let’s call these hypothetical folks “Mirage Hackers”.

Wooden Widget produces innovative dinghy designs, “easy to build, easy to stow.” Their Deckster is a hard dinghy with a hole in the middle designed to allow it to be stowed around the mast of even small cruising sailboats.

A hole in the middle, eh? Could that hole, perchance, be configured in such a way that it could accommodate a Hobie Mirage Drive unit? Yes, it could. 

Clever!

Thanks to Boat Bits for telling us about this.