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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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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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Portable Electrical Propulsion for Small Sailboats

Courtesy of Torqeedo

In part one of our two-part test of five and six-horsepower engines in the upcoming January issue of Practical Sailor, we take a second look at portable electric motors. Practical Sailors interest in modern portable electric propulsion dates back to 2004, when then editor Doug Logan began to lose faith in the two-stroke outboard on his Boston Whaler. While awaiting the prognosis on his unresponsive 15-horsepower Evinrude, he bought a Minn Kota Riptide 55 trolling motor, wondering if it might make a good dinghy engine.

Logans initial review of the Minn Kota focused on its potential as a dinghy motor but he also tested it on larger skiffs. We later heard from several Practical Sailor readers who use trolling motors to power their sailboats (some as large as 30-feet!), but most said they used them mainly for short distances and in mostly flat water. Prices on saltwater-rated trolling motors start at around $350 (a 12-volt deep cycle battery to power them adds at least another $120), making the initial costs much less than for other electric motors.

Although people often compare such trolling motors to the $2,000 Torqeedo Travel 1003, there are several key differences. The Torqeedo uses a dedicated lithium magnesium battery that has a longer life and a more favorable power-to-weight ratio than a lead-acid battery. The Torqeedos brushless motor design is more reliable and better suited for continuous duty.

In 2005, we tested four popular trolling motors with rated thrusts ranging from 40 to 80 pounds. The results highlighted a major drawback of all electric motors: available horsepower and range is closely tied to battery capacity. Driving a sailboat with one of the more powerful trolling motors at full throttle for more than a half an hourwill nearly drain a standard Group 24 battery. And you can’t expect a trolling motor to dislodge your Catalina 22 when a stiff wind has pinned it to the dock (a task that would challenge the Torqeedo Travel 1003 as well). Even with these drawbacks, a trolling motor is a viable option for sailors who just need a little help getting up a canal or off a dock in calm water.

If you need more power, there are other options. In our most recent foray into electric outboards, we tested a motor called the SolidNav Traveler . The hefty 48-volt, four-horsepower outboard was manufactured by Parsun Power Machine, Chinas largest outboard exporter. The outboard’s brushless solid magnet motor was built by Mars Electrical Co. of Milwaukee, Wis. (now Motenergy). The engine looks nearly identical to a gasoline outboard of the same horsepower and weighs slightly more. Although the Solid Nav is no longer available, Elco is marketing a very similar mode l for about $3,000 suggested retail price. The price does not include the requisite four 12-volt batteries (or equivalent), which can add at least another $1,500-making the initial outlay much higher than any other electric motor option.

Our testers were impressed by the motor’s heavy duty design, and the way the electric motor was incorporated into the familiar gasoline outboard form factor. Performance was good, but again, it was limited by the constraints of electric power. In our test of the Solid Nav, four North Star Energy group 24 AGM batteries with 140 amp hour reserve capacity were wired in series to deliver the required 48-volts. This battery tank delivered about eight miles of range on our test boat (a 19-foot Cape Dory Typhoon) at four knots.

Of all the electric outboards available to the sailor, the Torqeedo holds the most promise, but the niche is rather narrow. This is the third time weve looked at these motors. In our first preview, we tested an early iteration of the Travel 801L , an ultralight electric equivalent of a two horsepower outboard. Four years ago, we tested the more powerful Torqeedo Travel 1003. We pitted it against the Electric Paddle, an ultralight portable electric motor that looks like a trolling motor but has a larger diameter prop and its own rechargeable battery.

With 30 percent more battery power than the 801, plus an increase in thrust and efficiency, the Travel 1003L (long shaft) has proved impressive on the variety of boats weve used it on including: a round-bilge carbon fiber dinghy from Wing Systems, the Cape Dory Typhoon, a 9-foot, 10-inch Dynamic RIB from Mercury, a Venture 22, and the Catalina 22.

As with all electric motors, power and range are limited. On our test boat, a Catalina 22, the range on a single battery at 4 knots speed is about 2.5 miles. At slower speeds of about 2.5 knots, the maximum range is about 7 miles. Maximum speed on the Wing Systems dinghy was about seven knots, but that could only be sustained for about half an hour. At slower speeds, range approaches 10 miles.

Bottom line: For the average daysailer with high power demands, a small gasoline outboard remains the most practical choice for portable propulsion. An electric motor can work, but for longer range service it will require significant investment in big battery banks, and perhaps a solar charging system. The limited range wont matter for the lake sailor who just needs the occasional short boost home when the wind dies. For this task, the Torqeedo is the most convenient and best suited, but for the budget-minded small boat sailor tired of the hassles of gasoline power, a trolling motor will also work within certain limits.

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If be interested to learn more about how to mount one of these motors on a sailboat without an open transom, such as my Lightning.

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Best electric outboard motors: 9 of the best options on the market

• Jake Kavanagh
• June 9, 2021

Electric outboard motors (where the motor is outside the hull) fall into three distinct categories, with some overlap: standard electric outboard, rim drives and pod drives, writes Jake Kavanagh

Portable electric outboards have no trouble moving even quite large hulls with relatively little power. This is an ePropulsion 1kW unit pushing a day sailer quite happily. Photo: Bill Doster

The electric motor is either sealed in an underwater casing, or housed above the waterline under a cowling, as in a standard petrol outboard . Keeping the motor below the water helps with cooling and makes an already quiet engine virtually silent. The downside to electric outboard motors is that they are more vulnerable to water ingress if the seals get damaged.

Above the waterline the electric outboard engine is easier to access, but the transmission is via a gearbox rather than direct drive so there will be some efficiency loss and a little more noise. However, this configuration allows much larger electric outboard motors to be installed as no submersible casing is required.

Our pick of the best electric outboard motors

4.5hp equivalent Mitek electric outboard looks much like a petrol engine

Mitek: 2.6-20hp electric outboard motors

Italian-based Mitek makes a series of outboards where the drive is enclosed under a cowling and the power is fed in from a separate battery bank.

“Our outboard sales are focused on the portable market, from 2.6hp up to the newest 15hp and 20hp,” says sales manager Silvia Peduto.

“Mitek outboards look familiar on the outside with a classic ultra-tested construction, but the inside is a completely different story. We have efficiency above 90%, a high and constant torque and lighter weight.

“The status of the motor and batteries is digitally under control on your phone. I would say that real innovation lies in higher efficiency and simplicity. All our products are designed to simplify our lives without compromising our ecosystem.”

Article continues below…

How to choose the right electric outboard engine

Marine electrician Jamie Marley explains what you should look out for when choosing an electric outboard engine for your type…

Why I chose serial electric hybrid propulsion with lead carbon batteries for my narrow boat

During the first lockdown in March 2020, my wife, Kay, and I began musing about the possibility of trying to…

DIY electric outboard motor: How to build your own electric engine

Olly Epsom explains how (and why!) he built his own 1kW electric outboard motor for under £600

Torqeedo has borrowed from big ship technology and placed a ‘swirl energy enhancer’ onto the boss of the propeller. This captures an extra 5% energy from the displaced water, extending battery range

Torqeedo Travel

The German-made Torqeedo 1103 Travel typifies a design where the motor unit is submerged. This 1kW motor is roughly equal to a 2hp petrol outboard, but with the obvious limitations of range. The 1103 nomenclature refers to the 1100W battery, which is detachable and weighs 17kg (37lb).

Torqeedo was arguably the pioneer of lightweight electric outboards but is now facing some stiff competition. As such, it has been refining existing models and producing new ones, with the redesigned 603 model (left) out in 2021. Both motors are IP67 waterproof, meaning you can immerse them to 1m for 30 minutes and they’ll still work just fine.

The control handle contains a built-in GPS and has an LCD display showing charge state, speed, estimated range and energy draw. The new generation of motors are exceptionally quiet, as earlier models were known for a distinctive whine. Now, thanks to new technology, the motor is described as ‘little more than a human whisper’ when under way.

e’dyn is producing outboard motors from 2kW to 11kW in power

e’dyn: 2.6hp-8hp electric outboard motors

A co-operation between Slovenian-based Podkrižnik and Italian-based e-concept, e’dyn is a good example of futuristic design and lightweight construction. The motor is housed conventionally under a cowling and fed from a separate battery bank.

A new ‘Free Time’ line of 2kW, 4kW and 6kW models will be available from 2021. e’dyn is also upgrading its popular 11kW model with a new communications protocol and a 25kW version will be available shortly. As with most modern outboards, energy management is a priority.

“We saw lack of customisable options in our old design so we are working on more open protocol-based systems that are user friendly,” said project manager Tomaž Murko.

“In the future there will definitely be significant improvement in battery chemistry and power management. With our new systems we will be able to replace old technologies or make small optimizations such as communication signals without a problem”.

TEMO 450 electric outboard motor

The latest option on the market is the TEMO 450 electric outboard, which we recently got a chance to test.

Marine technical editor Fox Morgan said: “I like the low-profile design, the speed of mounting and dismounting, the ease of carrying and stowing and the speed it charges.”

You can read their full review of the 2hp TEMO electric outboard online now.

Best rim drive electric outboard motors

Developed from commercial shipping applications, the rim drive uses the outer part of the tunnel as the stator, and the inner section as the rotor. Basically, this gives just a single moving part, with all the electrical components ‘potted’ in resin to be completely watertight.

Some designs even have inward-pointing blades, which allow ropes and nets to pass harmlessly through the central void without fouling.

RAD Propulsion’s 40kW RAD2

RAD Propulsion

Although a relatively new start-up, the team at UK-based RAD Propulsion has a long history in ‘extreme’ marine equipment. With skills gleaned in autonomous vessels, advanced composites and deep-sea submersibles, the result is a lightweight rim motor that will soon be available in a useful selection of outputs.

The RAD designs are all fully sealed, ruggedly-built in metal and composite and feature advanced electronic protocols that have the ability to ‘learn’ from the motor’s performance.

Energy data is downloaded to RAD HQ for refining the operational parameters as part of an ongoing development programme.

The first model is the 2kW RAD2 and will be followed by the RAD1 designed for paddle boards and kayaks. A larger 40kW RAD40 (pictured) version is due for launch at the end of 2021.

HY-Generation’s first model is the 6kW RIM6

HY-Generation

The French company HY-Generation is also exploring the versatility of the rim drive and has made two breakthroughs which, it says, has greatly increased the unit’s efficiency. The first is to introduce a hydrodynamic ‘stall’ into the tunnel to eliminate some of the vortex restrictions associated with high-speed running and reverse.

The result is an improvement in range claimed to be around 35%. The second is with the blade design, which can now pivot freely depending on loading and speed.

This variable pitch is also said to reduce energy consumption and is the principle behind more conventional e-propellers such as Brunton’s Eco Star. The company’s first model is the 6kW RIM6 (pictured) which weighs in at just 12kg (26lb).

Vetus E-POD

Netherlands-based Vetus has developed the E-POD (pictured), a rim drive with a central hub which they say has been thoroughly tested in the ‘bicycle-filled’ canals around Amsterdam and has escaped without damage. “The propeller itself is the rotor of the permanent magnet motor.

Because there are no gears, transmission or shaft, the truly direct drive is extremely efficient,” says Vetus’s Jan van Dijk. “We have calculated efficiency of up to 95%.

“Another huge advantage is there are no rotating parts onboard of the boat, meaning no vibration. Having minimal machinery inside the hull also optimises the available boat space. Having the whole system designed in a ring and tunnel also minimises cavitation.”

Best pod drive electric outboard motors

A development of the electric outboard, the submersible motor is either fixed to a mounting under the hull, or to a steerable through-hull shaft. Some can even be mounted on the rudder to act as a directional thruster. The power cable is usually fed down through the pod’s control shaft or attachment flange for protection.

Seadrive ‘puller’ unit

Norwegian-based start-up Seadrive began with the premise of a steerable ‘puller’ (pictured right) or ‘pusher’ pod capable of efficient regeneration. Most striking is the swept shape of the propeller, which spins efficiently when sail-milling. The control unit has also been set to optimise the energy produced.

The Seadrive unit is also rotatable for directed thrust and can be turned through 180° so the propeller is facing forwards (or rearwards on ‘pullers’), opposing its usual drive orientation.

This greatly improves the auto-rotation speed, something already used by companies such as ZF on their steerable re-gen saildrives.

The DeepSpeed pod drive from Sealence

Italian company Sealence has developed a pod drive with some closely guarded technology within its ‘aircraft jet engine’ style cowling.

The drive compresses and ejects water electrically and is designed to run from a generator, although it can also be battery fed.

Originally intended for fast ferries and large yachts, the DeepSpeed model is also available in much smaller units for leisure craft.

ePropulsion’s EVO

ePropulsion

ePropulsion has taken its outboard motor technology and developed it as the EVO range of pods. The big advantage of this design is it also produces significant hydro-regeneration, but no loading is placed on the prop until a suitable speed is achieved.

The company is using advanced electronic protocols to maximise battery efficiency with mobile phone apps to keep tabs on range, energy consumption and speed. The EVO is offered in three units: 1kW, 3kW and 6kW.

Read Ali Wood’s review of the 2hp ePropulsion electric outboard motor

Can you build your own electric outboard motor?

It’s not easy, but a couple of intrepid boaters have had some success creating DIY electric outboard motors .

One impressive example is PBO reader Olly Epsom who explained to us back in 2018 how (and why!) he built his own 1kW electric outboard motor for under £600.

What about inboard electric boat motors?

In addition to all the above, there are plenty of options for converting your boat to run off inboard electric motors these days.

Jake Kavanagh recently spoke to four boat owners who’d converted to electric power and explained how it can be done, right the way up to a 46fter powered by twin 10kW (13.4hp) Oceanvolt Servoprop electric saildrive units.

Why not subscribe today?

‘Best electric outboard motor: 9 of the best options on the market’ first appeared in the July 21 edition of Practical Boat Owner . For more articles like this, including DIY, money-saving advice, great boat projects, expert tips and ways to improve your boat’s performance, take out a magazine subscription to Britain’s best-selling boating magazine.

Subscribe, or make a gift for someone else, and you’ll always save at least 30% compared to newsstand prices.

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The Best Outboard Motor for a Sailboat

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

The technology of sailing has remained mostly unchanged for centuries. Since learning to harness the power of wind, sailors have been transiting the world’s oceans, expanding trade routes and exploring new cultures. Although nothing more than a renewable natural resource and a single sail is needed to move a sailboat along the water, there are times when it’s important (and in our modern age, convenient) to leverage off a motor to get you where you need to go.

Like any unique piece of equipment in the world of sailing, outboard motors come in a variety of sizes with features and options to fit any owner’s needs. But of course, one size doesn’t fit all. Every boat is different – even those that come off the production line at the same time – and every owner is looking for something specific when it comes to their sailboat. From the purpose of owning the boat (blue water sailing vs. racing) to the location and impact on maintenance (cold weather vs. tropical weather), an outboard motor is just one of the many elements that will define a sailboat’s function and performance.

Whether you’re a new owner, or a veteran sailor, it’s important to know the basic components of any outboard motor . You should also have an idea of what you want your outboard motor to do for your size and model sailboat.

Table of contents

Outboard Motor Size

A larger boat doesn’t necessarily mean a larger motor. Although there are different ratings for different classes of boats, a small power plant can be more effective than a larger one. Conversely, an outboard motor can easily overpower a small boat and create unsafe conditions at high speeds. Guidelines and requirements differ between motorboats and sailboats. And while there is some overlap, these considerations apply directly to sailboats.

Engine power has to do with how much water a boat displaces. For sailboats, smaller is better. If you’re a bit of a math geek, the exact formula is 4 horsepower for every 2200lb of weight. Coupled with a propeller size, which can be determined using a propeller calculator , you’ll get a rough estimate to use as a guideline to start shopping. This is a good first step, since size is essentially a fixed variable. Though it’s worth noting for those who are buying a sailboat directly from the manufacturer, that actual weight will increase after delivery – once all other rigging and outfitting has been completed.

Physical size of your outboard motor is an important consideration and is directly related to the design of your sailboat. An outboard motor is made up of three parts from top to bottom:

• The Powerhead – Houses the engine. The bulbous part of the motor.
• The Midsection – Houses the exhaust system. Varies in length and design.
• The Lower Unit – Propellers attach to the gearbox. Submerged when operational.

Shaft length is an important design element and should be considered when purchasing a motor. A shaft that is too short will obviously prevent the propeller from being submerged in water, while a shaft that is too long will extend the propellers too far. Not only will it decrease the efficiency of your engine, it will create unnecessary drag. Know your transom length when looking at different models.

When an outboard motor is not being used, it should be stowed in its upright position. Some of the larger motors have an automated switch that will raise it out of the water, but some must be secured manually. Make sure everyone who sails with you is capable of lifting and securing the motor out of the water in case of an emergency.

Outboard Motor Power

Any kind of motor installed on a sailboat (inboard or outboard) should be viewed as a tool to help with maneuvering. Although there are some very skilled sailors out there who can sail into their slip without the aid of a motor, many harbors have restrictions that either don’t allow for the use of full sails, or there simply isn’t enough room to maneuver. A motor with both forward and reverse gears helps tremendously with docking.

While there is no exact correlation between boat length and total weight, the following is a rough guideline:

• 1-4 HP for boats up to 20’ (approximately 1000-2000lbs)
• 4-18 HP for boats between 20-30’ (approximately 2,000-10,000lbs)
• 18-34 HP for boats between 30-40’ (10,000lbs or more)

There are some things to consider when deciding how much horsepower you need or want. Location and the type of conditions you expect you’ll be sailing in is one of the biggest factors. Heavy seas and high winds typically associated with open ocean sailing will put more strain on your engine, and in some cases overpower it, whereas an engine that is heavier than needed will add unnecessary weight when racing. If you plan on motoring for long distances, consider purchasing an engine that will stand up to a lot of use.

Less HP is required for:

• Boat Design – Single hull boats made out of fiberglass require less power.
• 2-Stroke Engines – This is due to an overall lighter weight engine and higher torque.
• Diesel Engines – Diesel delivers more torque because the rate of compression is greater.
• Bigger Propellers – More surface area means more water displacement.
• Location – Motoring on lakes and rivers requires less power than open ocean.
• Distance – A smaller engine is suitable for shorter distances.

More HP is required for:

• Boat Design – Catamarans and heavier boats (regardless of size) require more power.
• 4-Stroke Engine – Engine weight and an extra step of compression yields less power.
• Gas Engines – The rate of compression for gas engines is much lower than diesel.
• Smaller Propeller – A smaller propeller displaces less water.
• Location – Open ocean, with tides and currents, will strain a smaller engine.
• Distance – Cover more distance when wind conditions are poor requires a larger engine.

Outboard Motor Cost

There is no way to quantify how much you will pay for any given motor. But there are several costs associated with owning an outboard motor that are definitely worth considering when making your purchase.

Certainly, a lager, more-powerful engine is going to be costlier than a smaller engine with lower horsepower. But as mentioned earlier, size is not necessarily a guarantee of performance and efficiency. At the same time, there’s only so much you can get out of an engine before you exceed its capability. Larger engines tend to help with resale value should you choose to sell your boat at some point, but a boat outfitted with right motor to begin with will always perform better than a motor that’s large just for the sake of it.

Factor in maintenance costs and fuel when looking at models. You want to run your engine at around 90% of its max RPMs to balance proper fuel usage and with wear and tear. Making a few calls to marine mechanics to inquire about an engine you’re interested in will give you a lot of information a sales person won’t be able to give you. The good news about outboard motors is that most of them are portable, which means you won’t have the added cost of either paying a mechanic to come to you, or having to get your boat to the yard, which usually requires help from a very good friend willing to spend all day driving and sailing back and forth.

Owning a boat requires constant care and maintenance, so a little knowledge goes a long way. While an outboard motor is not required for sailing, it’s a convenient addition that can greatly increase your enjoyment out on the water. Being patient and spending time researching engines will not only help you make the correct purchase but will help you take advantage of a great deal when it presents itself. Whether you sail the Caribbean, or race off the coast of California in a catamaran, there is an outboard motor that’s just right for you.

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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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Designed for comfort, control and safety.

Small boats carry your family, friends and pets but can be overloaded or unstable in shallow water, with rocks and other obstructions on the way to the beach or dock. Your small boat is designed to manage these conditions with comfort, control and safety. Your outboard should be, too.

EP Carry is designed and assembled in the USA by experienced, life-long sailors.

• Comfort: Feel confidence that your boat will reliably perform at reasonable speeds for the needed range, and in all conditions. Your portable motor must also be lightweight for easy transport, storage and mounting. With efficient propulsion, you can rest assured that EP Carry's battery will last longer and will draw little energy from your house bank when recharging. This makes EP Carry a more comfortable match for small boats.
• Control: Small boats are lightweight, prone to heeling, and sensitive to control inputs. Leaning over to select reverse, and raising and lowering your outboard can make your boat unstable. EP Carry's patented control system keeps you in control while staying seated. All controls including lifting and lowering the prop as well as throttle, reverse, off, and emergency key are in the tiller handle. Plus, our thrust-sensitive steering maintains your course even when you remove your hand from the throttle.
• Safety: Fully encapsulated electronics in the motor head instead of a submerged pod, a propeller that's fully protected against impacts, and use of the best materials to resist corrosion and impact damage make EP Carry reliable and safe and avoids common outboard problems. With an estimated 73,000 hours on our customers' EP Carry motors, we know that real world conditions challenge even the best-designed products. We provide repair kits and troubleshooting guides for helping our customers in the field.
• Best outboard package for small boats: The only outboard designed especially for the ergonomic demands of small boats. EP Carry is available at a comfortable price point for a propulsive solution with 2x the efficiency vs. the most efficient competition. Its higher efficiency means longer run time at higher speeds and longer range for a given battery size, with reduced weight and material costs.

SHOP EP CARRY SYSTEMS

Electric Outboard Knowledge Base

Speeds and ranges.

See our calculator for speeds and ranges on your boat in calm conditions. See our FAQ for information on how EP Carry responds to sea, wind and currents.

When you receive your EP Carry motor, use a hand-held GPS in calm, current-free water to measure actual full-throttle, ½ throttle and ¼ throttle speeds. Multiply by the runtimes below to calculate your range.

• 1.17 hours of run time at full throttle,
• 2.23 hours of run time at half throttle,
• 4.7 hours of run time at ¼ throttle.

• 9 ft Minto dinghy @ 340 lb,      3.9 knots measured, 3.7 knots predicted
• 9 ft Inflatable Riken at 250 lb,      3.4 knots measured, 3.4 knots predicted
• 10 ft Walker Bay @ 450 lb,      3.6 knots measured, 3.7 knots predicted
• 12 ft Gig Harbor Pt Defiance @ 520 lb,      3.9 knots measured, 3.9 knots predicted
• Jackson Coosa FD fishing kayak @ 260 lb,      4.2 knots measured, 4.0 knots predicted

Calculate your boat's range and speed.

Lightweight.

The motor and battery together weigh 20.4 lb; light enough to hand carry.

• Motor alone weighs 14 lbs.
• Battery pack is 6.4 lbs.
• Smart charger weighs .9 lbs.

Standard ratings are not predictive of performance (see ratings for why). So instead, we offer a speed and range calculator.

• See our speed calculator for speeds and ranges on your boat.
• See our FAQs for performance changes from tides, winds, seas and towing
• Standard-shaft motor and its carry bag stows neatly inside many interior and exterior compartments.
• Standard/short shaft 14" widest diameter x 45.1" long
• Long shaft 14" widest diameter x 50.1" long
• See drawings here.

Distinctive

• The only small electric with:
• High-aspect ratio propeller, water-lubricated lower unit, and propulsive matching produces up to 2x the in-use efficiency vs. other electrics.
• Electronics and motor in the head instead of a pod for reliability.
• Electronic propeller protection that works.
• Salt-water ready
• No scheduled seal replacement, battery inspection, and no maintenance.
• Raise and lower using tiller handle.
• Tiller arm length options.

The EP Carry system

The Integrated System includes:

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Electric boats

This $680 4-seater electric swan boat makes my own chinese e-boat look luxurious.

I’m no stranger to collecting weird Alibaba electric vehicles, and that includes aquatic vessels. But after buying an ultra-cheap Chinese electric boat last year , this new one makes my own lazy lake cruiser look like a luxury yacht.

Compared to my $1,080 boat , this $680 masterpiece is a tad bit less decked out.

Sure, it’s got a fiberglass hull, which is already surprising for such an affordable little boat. But with just four seats, your lake parties will be more intimate affairs.

The boat claims to be electric, though pictures of foot pedals have me a bit worried. There is a note somewhere on the sales page claiming a 6-8 hour run time, so that’s a good sign that it’s actually electrically powered. At least, as long as it doesn’t mean that’s how long it took the last couple to pass out.

And hey, having foot pedals as a backup on a boat like this probably isn’t a bad idea!

The design is certainly… intriguing. I know that ship figureheads have been commonplace for millennia, often ornately carved into ships’ wooden bows as a symbol of pride or to instill fear in sailors’ enemies.

But I’m not sure how well the swan head here can accomplish either task. Though, if you’ve ever ticked off an angry swan, I think it’s fair to say they’ve been known to instill a bit of fear themselves. With some red and green navigational lights in the eyes and a recording of angry honking mixed with violent wing-flapping sounds, you might just scare a few other boaters overboard.

The other small issue is that there’s not a great way to connect a bow line while on the boat. They shortchange you with a ring instead of a cleat up front, but to get there you’d have to shimmy out over the bow on your stomach, avoiding the giant swan (I didn’t expect to write that when I woke up today), and then dangle down over the prow to attach it. Sheesh.

I guess these are meant more for amusement park ponds where you’ll be cast off from the dock by some drunk carnie instead of doing it yourself, so that exercise I described above might not be a common occurrence.

Assuming the boat truly is electric, that canopy seems like a lot of wasted space that could be well spent holding up some solar panels. That’s exactly what I’ve done with my boat, adding around 350W of solar panels to the shade cover (that story is coming soon) to keep the batteries topped up.

Though for under $700 for an electric boat, I don’t think we can make too many extra requests here.

In fact, as usual, I recommend that nobody make any requests, including any purchase inquiries. These unknown Alibaba vendors can be a risky bunch, and you never know if you’ll get a product at the end of the saga, or if you do, what kind of quality it will be.

For example, the top coat on my fiberglass hull is definitely already chipping in places after a year of Florida UV exposure and my rudder has more rust than an abandoned bike lock that’s now fused with a bike rack. And that’s after my boat cost nearly twice as much!

So this is definitely another case of allowing ourselves to simply enjoy one of these weird little electric swan boats from afar!

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Micah Toll is a personal electric vehicle enthusiast, battery nerd, and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling books DIY Lithium Batteries , DIY Solar Power,   The Ultimate DIY Ebike Guide  and The Electric Bike Manifesto .

The e-bikes that make up Micah’s current daily drivers are the $999 Lectric XP 2.0 , the $1,095 Ride1Up Roadster V2 , the $1,199 Rad Power Bikes RadMission , and the $3,299 Priority Current . But it’s a pretty evolving list these days.

You can send Micah tips at [email protected], or find him on Twitter , Instagram , or TikTok .

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Small Boat with Electric Motor: What’s Your Best Option in 2023

With more and more companies coming out selling small boats with electric motors, what are your thoughts?

Going electric may sound bold with speedboats, but small boats with electric motors have already become an affordable (even cost-effective) solution in a lot of applications due to their low operation and maintenance costs.

In this post, we will discuss the benefits of electric boats with electric motors, and explore the easiest solutions and most affordable options to make your own electric small boats and enjoy the benefits immediately.

Table of content:

• Why Electric Small Boats

Small Boat with Electric Motor: 2 Solutions

Best small boats with electric motors, electric small boat faqs.

Why Electric Small Boats?

So why small boats with electric motors?

Here are some top reasons why you might consider switching to electric propulsion.

#1. Better Experience

A small boat with an electric motor promises the best boating experience ever. It’s quiet, clean, and exhaust-free. If you are switching from gas to electric power, you will notice the difference immediately and will never want to go back.

When fishing on a small boat with an electric motor, it’s virtually silent and you will never worry about spooking the fish. Here is a video that compares the boating experience on a small boat with an electric motor vs its combustion counterpart, so you can have a better idea of what you can expect from the electric small boat:

Besides that, there is no messy fuel or oil leaks on your small boat with an electric motor, and therefore no greasy stains on your hands, car trunk, or boat. It’s totally exhaust-free, keeping you and your family safer and healthier.

#2. Easier Operation & Maintenance

A small boat with an electric motor is friendly to boat novices with very shallow learning curves.

It’s easy to install and transport. For example, the small electric boat motor ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus features a lightweight integrated battery, so you can just clip the battery into place without complex wiring and installation.

A small boat with an electric motor comes with an electric start and digital control, providing you with real-time operational data. With only one press on the button, you are ready to go. No more tiring pull cord starts.

Besides that, electric motors require significantly lower maintenance (maintenance-free on direct drive models) and energy costs than combustion engines, saving you a lot of time and money over time. That’s why small boats with electric motors are more cost-effective in the long run.

Small boats with electric motors are also proven to be more durable and robust than those with combustion engines since there are much fewer moving parts and less vibration in electric motors.

#3. Kinder to the Earth

It’s easy to understand that using electric motors on small boats is more environmentally friendly since there is no fuel cost and harmful exhaust.

Some advanced small boats with electric motors (such as ePropulsion motors ) come with innovative designs that allow the electric motor to be recharged with hydrogeneration, wind turbine, and solar panel.

#4. Ideal for Small Boats

Although electric power is still hard to beat the energy density of gas/diesel in situations that require motoring long distances (especially at speed), it’s a great option for small boats.

Small boats with electric power are now commonplace in many situations.

For example, small powerboats operating on smaller lakes can benefit greatly from the electric motor (as discussed above), especially for lower-speed boats, like pontoons, dinghies, tenders, recreational boats, etc.

Also, sailors would love electric power. A sailboat operates its axillary engine minimally and benefits a lot from a larger battery (to run the fridge, instruments, etc. longer between charges). For sailors with lots of solar power or who tend to hop between marinas, electric power will work great and should lower maintenance costs.

Some small boats with electric motors, such as ePropulsion Navy Series outboards , allow you to generate power while sailing, making it a more feasible and appealing option for long distances.

Editor’s Note : For the discussion concerning small boats with electric motors, we don’t include electric trolling motors here since they are only intended for slow trolling and can hardly be used as the primary power source for even small boats. Click to learn the difference between electric small boat motors vs. trolling motors .

So what kind of boats have electric motors?

In fact, all boats can be turned into electric boats, especially smaller boats. There are two feasible solutions if you want to build a small boat with an electric motor.

Solution #1. Small Boat and Electric Motor Bundle

If you are a boat novice and don’t know where to begin, a small boat with an electric motor bundle will save you a lot of trouble.

Some boat manufacturers have partnered with outboard manufacturers to provide customers with a one-stop solution that helps you enjoy a comfortable day on the water with the least effort.

That’s to say, you don’t need to worry about shaft length selection, power limit, weight problems, etc. Everything is tailor-made and tested to bring out the best performance on water.

If you buy a small boat with an electric motor together as a bundle, you can usually get a discount.

Currently, there are several small boat and electric motor bundle options readily available on the market. You can easily find one for fishing, cruising, or recreational purposes.

For example, the TwinTroller eVenture bundle includes a small format boat with an electric motor (with battery) and a multi-sport trailer, providing you with enhanced fishability and mobility on the water.

Solution #2. Small Electric Outboard Motors

If you already own a boat and want to switch to electric propulsion, putting a small electric outboard motor on your boat would be a more suitable and straightforward solution.

This solution allows you to power any boat with electric motors, whether it’s a pontoon boat, fishing boat, inflatable boat, or lake boat. For example, ePropulsion outboard motors have been used in different small vessels to provide clean and sustainable power for various boating needs:

The only thing you need to do is to determine the power rating and shaft length. If you are not sure about the power needed, be sure to contact a local dealer to communicate your specific needs and requirements.

Or you can check the test reports as an easy reference to understand how the electric boat drive systems perform on a variety of boats:

Click to see the full test report of the 12” small boat with 3 HP electric motor.

When it comes to buying a small boat with electric motors, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Some might be looking for an electric propulsion solution for specific boat types, such as small pontoon (fishing/inflatable/lake) boat with an electric motor, while others may just want some affordable electric boat solutions for 2 people.

Our recommendations here only cover the most popular small boat with electric motor options for your quick reference. If you have other specific needs for your setup, feel free to leave us a comment below and I will try to get back to you ASAP.

#1. Small Boat and Electric Motor Bundle

If you are a fishing enthusiast, you will love the eVenture Bundle.

It includes Freedom Electric’s Twin Troller X10 or Deluxe fishing boats, ePropulsion’s Spirit 1.0 Plus electric motor, a multi-sport trailer, and a FREE custom-fit canvas boat cover.

If you buy this small boat and electric motor bundle, you will save $500 immediately.

The small boat and electric motor are made for each other. The Twin Troller X10 fishing boat is designed for the ultimate fishing experience with hands-free control and an in-hull propulsion system with recessed motors. The 3 HP small electric motor Spirit 1.0 Plus provides great portability as well as long-range between charges.

Featuring a 1276Wh large integrated battery, this small boat and electric motor bundle allows you to go 22 miles at an economical throttle.

“No matter what kind of fishing you’re doing, the Twin Troller combined with the Spirit 1.0 Plus will give you the outboard experience you want and the performance you need.”

#2. Small Electric Outboard Motors

If you just want a small electric outboard motor for your existing boat, you may check out the ePropulsion outboard motor range first. It’s durable and affordable, covering your diverse needs from 3 HP to 9.9 HP:

• Its best-selling 3 HP Spirit 1.0 Plus is a portable 3HP electric motor made for dinghies, fishing boats, sailboats, and tenders.
• As the backbone of ePropulsion electric outboard motors, the 6 HP/9.9 HP Navy Series outboard motors provide efficient and clean power for aluminum fishing boats, dinghies, daysailers, and cruising sailboats.

All ePropulsion small electric outboards are designed for both freshwater and saltwater, so you don’t need to worry about corrosion problems even if you are using them in the sea or brackish waters.

Besides that, you can easily control your small boat with ePropulsion electric motors remotely (even for the 3 HP outboard solutions). If you prefer wheel steering, make sure to check whether the small boat with an electric outboard is compatible with remote control.

If you have other customized needs for your boat, you are very welcome to discuss your requirements with our specialist to come up with a tailor-made electric propulsion solution for your small boat.

Here we’ve also collected some frequently asked questions concerning the small boat with electric motors. You may browse and check the answers quickly in case you share similar confusion.

#1. Can you power a boat with an electric motor?

The answer is absolutely YES. In fact, more and more people are now driving small boats with electric motors. There are even electric-only lakes where you can only power your boat with an electric motor.

#2. What’s the smallest electric boat motor?

Currently, the most popular small electric boat motors are 3 HP models and you can hardly find an electric boat motor smaller than 1 HP. Small boats with electric trolling motors are not on the list here, since they are usually not intended as the primary power source.

#3. Do you need to register a boat with an electric motor?

Generally speaking, if your electric motor is 10 HP or above, you must register it regardless of the motor type. However, mind that the requirements can vary across different regions and states. For example, all boats with electric motors must be registered in California.

#4. What is a small boat with a motor called?

A small boat with a motor can be called a motorboat or powerboat.

#5. Do electric boat motors exist?

Yes. Electric boat motors have already become a popular choice, especially for smaller boats including dinghies, fishing boats, sailboats, and tenders. The global electric boat market value has achieved US$ 5.6 billion in 202 and is expected to grow to US$ 15.1 billion by 2033.

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