Electric outboard drive for small cruisers

  • 23 Nov 2022 01:22
    Reply # 12999286 on 8809939
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    "Maybe not applicable to small cruisers, but I've been thinking for some time that this is what electric propulsion for a small dinghy ought to look like - more like the "longtail" motors. Having tried unsuccessfully to get a small inflatable off a beach with a regular electric outboard, I was thinking of converting it to the longtail format".


    For David (the longtail we never knew we had!)


    battery included?

    If its a 2-speed drill, is there a barge model prop?

    Hammer drill mode for rocky bottoms? (the sea bed)

    Probably got reverse too.


    (I was about to "click" buy one - until I read the faint print! Look at that shipping fee! Sigh. Oh well, I'll try my paint stirrer - its a 4-blade. RH if I recall.)


    Last modified: 24 Nov 2022 11:42 | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • 16 May 2021 10:01
    Reply # 10511214 on 8809939

    When I came to refit the Haswing outboard this Spring, I found that the connector, a Chinese copy of the Anderson, had failed - the metal leaves that hold the contacts in place had disappeared. So I've replaced it with a genuine Anderson 175A connector, and added the PVC boots that are available as an optional extra. I've also filled the contact area with dielectric silicone grease. I hope that'll see me through this summer without troubles, now.

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  • 01 Sep 2020 11:06
    Reply # 9203875 on 8809939

    Especially important to use the emergency stop cord.  I tied it to a line attached to my harness, also arranged a line that would lift the tiller pilot off its pin if the lanyard tightened.

  • 01 Sep 2020 07:55
    Reply # 9203606 on 8809939

    When I had the Tohatsu, in a well ahead of the rudder, I couldn't leave the helm for a second before she would start turning in tight circles. Clamping the helm allowed me to go below for a moment, but no more.

    With the Haswing on a transom mount to one side of the rudder, she runs straighter, I can clamp the helm and go straight enough for long enough to make a sandwich and a drink, but no more.

    For longer than that, my wind vane will hold a course when motor-sailing to windward in light airs, but not downwind. With plentiful electric power now available, the answer is a small electric tiller pilot.

    Ten miles at 2.5 knots takes 4 hours - the length of a watch that we used to have stand in the olden days, at the helm, glancing at the compass every so often, before self steering of any kind was available. Boring. 
    PS. When I bought Weaverbird, she came with a tiller pilot, but it had been wrongly installed and I couldn't use it - something to add to the winter job list.

    Last modified: 01 Sep 2020 08:36 | Anonymous member
  • 31 Aug 2020 23:59
    Reply # 9203044 on 9202828
    Deleted user
    Scott wrote:
    I have been wondering how you and others deal with the helm when motoring. Does under power mean you are steering by hand?
    While motoring a wind vane self steering system generally will not operate as prop wash will deflect either the pendulum servo blade, or trim tab. On some boats it is possible to lash the helm while underway so the boat will hold a steady course, although I have never found this to be successful for long periods as prop wash always wants to head the boat off to port or starboard. So the best answer is some kind of electronic autopilot. For most small tiller steered yachts a tiller pilot such as the Simrad, or Raymarine brands work well and do not draw much power. Otherwise it is a matter of sitting at the helm hand steering for long periods of time. A good opportunity to develop 'reading a book while steering' skills! 
  • 31 Aug 2020 22:03
    Reply # 9202828 on 9186671
    David wrote:

    [...] later on, there were several consecutive days with a lot of motoring through calm, cloudy weather [..]

    I have been wondering how you and others deal with the helm when motoring. Does under power mean you are steering by hand?
  • 24 Aug 2020 13:32
    Reply # 9186671 on 8809939

    An update after a month's cruising:

    Several times I needed to motor through calms or near-calms for ten miles, to get into the anchorage before dark or to beat a tidal gate. No problem with having enough battery capacity for that, as only 10A - 30A (250W - 750W, or less than 1HP of electrical input) were needed to make 2 - 3 knots against little resistance. Maybe I could have got away with the Haswing Protruar 2.0, rather than the 5.0, but I find it reassuring to have a burst of much more than normal power available to manouevre in a strong wind in a tight harbour, or to get me out of trouble.

    The motor and electrical installation were reliable, and gave no trouble. In the sunny weather with adequate breezes of the early part of the cruise, the 360W solar panel kept up with demand, but later on, there were several consecutive days with a lot of motoring through calm, cloudy weather, and I thought it prudent to go into Bangor marina and plug into shore power for 24 hours. 

  • 19 Jul 2020 18:30
    Reply # 9112156 on 8809939

    I only needed a few minutes of motor use to get Weaverbird off the sandy bottom against the breeze, then I could lay the course out of Ravenglass under sail; and it only took about 10 minutes of half power to creep into Bass Pool, Piel, very gently as it was approaching LW,  with half power giving me 2.5 knots against the fresh breeze. So not too demanding, but it seemed to take very little out of the battery.

    So, motor - good, transom bracket - not so good. The motor clamps were slipping as I applied a lot of power athwartships to get off the sand. I'll have to find a better way of securing the motor onto the bracket. The motor really does put out a lot of thrust.

  • 18 Jun 2020 21:17
    Reply # 9046006 on 8809939

    I asked the manufacturer's rep to confirm that I could charge my batteries while motoring and with any other charging devices such as solar panels and wind generator The answer was yes.

    Motor: Electric Yacht QT 10.0 Sport

    Generator: Honda EU2200i




    Last modified: 19 Jun 2020 01:29 | Anonymous member
  • 17 Jun 2020 13:26
    Reply # 9042592 on 8809939

    I don't understand why this label is attached, as there is supposed to be high voltage protection + audio alarm. I queried this with the UK agent that I bought from. The agent and I agreed that I should set the charging voltages on the low side, initially, only raising them when it is clear that the high voltage protection isn't triggered. He also said that running the motor would reduce the voltage in any case. So far, so good: I have the solar charging permanently connected, and it hasn't given any trouble.

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