For a while now I've been thinking about ditching the smelly, unreliable two stroke to get myself an electric outboard. Now the issue has been forced - I went out to the mooring to fix the outboard (again!) and found that it had been stolen. Good luck to whoever pinched it, I hope they get a good price for a 10yo, non-starting, rusty 2-stroke held together with gaffer tape and silicone.

So now I'm in the market for a new outboard, but don't have a big budget. We seem to be travelling fairly rapidly along the technology curve with lots of new electric motors hitting the market, but its still a few years before electrics become common place and costs come down. I was hoping to make my old outboard last until then (whilst I saved the cash for the replacement).

I read the thread by Wooly from a few years ago (www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/batteries-for-an-electric-outboard) and that has led me to discover the Haswing Ventura with 160lb thrust. That should be an adequate replacement for my 5.8hp smoke machine. I sail a Spacesailer 22 with around 1500kg displacement. Half throttle with the 5.8 with a clean bum got me to around 5knts. Full throttle provided more noise and smoke. At around $2k for the Ventura the unit price is not much more than a new 5hp 4 stroke. I'd be interested in hearing any updates from Wooly on anything he has learnt in the last couple of years with his system.

So, that's the mid-point in my decision tree. Another branch is to pay $1k more for the Haswing Armada 8hp electric (plus more batteries and more solar). A cheaper branch is to buy a 2nd hand carbon emitter and go sailing.

All opinions appreciated.

I use a Watersnake with 50ft thrust which makes for a leisurely passage in my 8ft inflatable. I'm a fan of electric but would still go the second hand OBM option for now. The Haswing runs 24 volts. I presume everything else in your boat is 12V. To get anywhere near max power the Haswing uses 105 Amps. If you're only going to run your batteries down to 50%, you'd need > 200AH of 24V power for one hour of full throttle. It's not a viable option without significant investment in batteries and charging systems.

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Microbe said..
For a while now I've been thinking about ditching the smelly, unreliable two stroke to get myself an electric outboard. Now the issue has been forced - I went out to the mooring to fix the outboard (again!) and found that it had been stolen. Good luck to whoever pinched it, I hope they get a good price for a 10yo, non-starting, rusty 2-stroke held together with gaffer tape and silicone.

So now I'm in the market for a new outboard, but don't have a big budget. We seem to be travelling fairly rapidly along the technology curve with lots of new electric motors hitting the market, but its still a few years before electrics become common place and costs come down. I was hoping to make my old outboard last until then (whilst I saved the cash for the replacement).

I read the thread by Wooly from a few years ago (www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/batteries-for-an-electric-outboard) and that has led me to discover the Haswing Ventura with 160lb thrust. That should be an adequate replacement for my 5.8hp smoke machine. I sail a Spacesailer 22 with around 1500kg displacement. Half throttle with the 5.8 with a clean bum got me to around 5knts. Full throttle provided more noise and smoke. At around $2k for the Ventura the unit price is not much more than a new 5hp 4 stroke. I'd be interested in hearing any updates from Wooly on anything he has learnt in the last couple of years with his system.

So, that's the mid-point in my decision tree. Another branch is to pay $1k more for the Haswing Armada 8hp electric (plus more batteries and more solar). A cheaper branch is to buy a 2nd hand carbon emitter and go sailing.

All opinions appreciated.

Mate 1K will solve your issues. Don't spend a single cent extra. Step 1: 90LBS Outboard (edisons.com.au) $369
Step 2: 24v lithium battery (dhgate) $500
Step 3: solar panel+ controller 24V/10A (jaycar)$300

Buddy, this 1200W (2hp) will push you little boat just fine. 10 years headaches free, you can change your nickname to King of Sea for 1K. If you want a stronger motor and a bigger battery choose from the same websites and for 2K you can be a King of Serbia..

Good luck my fellow sailor!

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Microbe said..
For a while now I've been thinking about ditching the smelly, unreliable two stroke to get myself an electric outboard. Now the issue has been forced - I went out to the mooring to fix the outboard (again!) and found that it had been stolen. Good luck to whoever pinched it, I hope they get a good price for a 10yo, non-starting, rusty 2-stroke held together with gaffer tape and silicone.

So now I'm in the market for a new outboard, but don't have a big budget. We seem to be travelling fairly rapidly along the technology curve with lots of new electric motors hitting the market, but its still a few years before electrics become common place and costs come down. I was hoping to make my old outboard last until then (whilst I saved the cash for the replacement).

I read the thread by Wooly from a few years ago (www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/batteries-for-an-electric-outboard) and that has led me to discover the Haswing Ventura with 160lb thrust. That should be an adequate replacement for my 5.8hp smoke machine. I sail a Spacesailer 22 with around 1500kg displacement. Half throttle with the 5.8 with a clean bum got me to around 5knts. Full throttle provided more noise and smoke. At around $2k for the Ventura the unit price is not much more than a new 5hp 4 stroke. I'd be interested in hearing any updates from Wooly on anything he has learnt in the last couple of years with his system.

So, that's the mid-point in my decision tree. Another branch is to pay $1k more for the Haswing Armada 8hp electric (plus more batteries and more solar). A cheaper branch is to buy a 2nd hand carbon emitter and go sailing.

All opinions appreciated.

Perhaps the bloke who stole your outboard just wanted the outboard leg to make an electric outboard. He has probably dumped the powerhead and is installing a conversion as we speak! I would suggest spending sometime on Youtube on the subject and on building a suitable lithium battery. I would suggest a bicycle conversion kit for the motor and controller.

www.ebay.com.au/itm/313405008260?hash=item48f864e984:g:BzgAAOSwkydgGnE-&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA0GwC5Gg56ZAH0tPHOdZZ4X8fg39jQ1Fldja2odKz1CJ0a1HWFk%2Bwdni%2FXvqpTgm4LrQl2VX5%2F1UQs92WyjEQxcDmXZX6OkDoEa5en%2Fbf2ko%2BdTktoATlyDidUpdFFuRFC%2F00WpiDYXUVBfDPvNVV6LJI88Sv0ZDXEOkaDs0HT6KNVEq%2BvtSJEzkDbqfTx%2B%2FMVpSc68tnXC4N6Tkf1kl%2Bcr7jEPcepnEMzp3zAn2XQyxJlW4o8CsDAgW605fn%2BqbdwbeLod0pRvt7ZemtPpsNPUo%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9ip0cPxYQ


I would probably buy from Aliexpress though.

I predict that as electric motors become more popular with consumers they will also become major targets for tealeafs too.
As for those delicious looking super light and popular batteries . GONE!!
I mean gone in seconds flat.
I would be hesitant about leaving a dink with an electric unit unattended for more that 10 seconds.

What have electric motor produced done to counter this?
Coding lockout systems, tracking devices, implanted anti-personnel mines?

I wouldn't be leaving this on the dinghy. This would be on the boat on the mooring. One advantage of an electric would be that it's lighter than a petrol - so easier to lift off the boat, or pop in the stern locker. The other advantage is that storing in the locker won't make the whole boat smell off petrol fumes. Batteries would be bolted inside a locked cabin.

In light of my theft I'm looking at beefing up my security - including investigating tracking devices.

I find oars are a good alternative, but you need the right sort of dink, inflatables & all other planning hulls are a drag

I'd find a quality brand name 2 stroke outboard second hand yamaha johnson mercury evinrude
service it clean the carburetor paint it a bright colour pink orange yellow and lock it up with a big chain I have always found these brands very reliable
I'm guessing your old outboard being a 5.8hp may of been a parsun or another cheap brand probably why you had trouble with it
My current outboard is a 1999 johnson 15hp 24 years old it's very reliable always starts first or second pull I often do big trips in it just keeps going
Every 2 years I service it new spark plugs gear oil impeller and thermostat
I only fresh watet flush at service time as it lives on the water

Agree Kurt. I use a 2hp Yamaha outboard, it only ways 10kg, Fuel tank is built in, I can carry it with one hand and it happily pushes 8ft inflatable at 4 kts.
If a dinghy could carry a solar panel big enough to keep an electric outboards batteries charged I'd be sold on it though.

Kurt - I love the suggestion of painting it pink! Unfortunately, finding a good quality, 2nd hand, long leg 2 stroke in the 6-8hp range in WA is just about impossible.

My BIL has a Tesla and over Easter we went on a family trip down south - 1200km round trip. I scoffed at him having to stop every few hundred km to charge, where my diesel Pajero with extended tank chugged on without ever needing to stop for fuel. However - he drove in absolute luxury and comfort and it cost him nothing to charge up. My ears are still ringing from the engine noise and it cost me $200 in fuel.

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Microbe said..
Kurt - I love the suggestion of painting it pink! Unfortunately, finding a good quality, 2nd hand, long leg 2 stroke in the 6-8hp range in WA is just about impossible.

My BIL has a Tesla and over Easter we went on a family trip down south - 1200km round trip. I scoffed at him having to stop every few hundred km to charge, where my diesel Pajero with extended tank chugged on without ever needing to stop for fuel. However - he drove in absolute luxury and comfort and it cost him nothing to charge up. My ears are still ringing from the engine noise and it cost me $200 in fuel.

Instead of jerry cans Tesla owners need to carry charged batteries

I have an electric outboard. torqeedo. I just poster around. Not long term cruising.
it's great in that there is no fuel etc to deal with. It's light and comes apart into pieces. I just charge it at home. Last a few weeks of very light use.
I feel it really doesn't get you that far. It's slow but that's ok. the downside is that it's made of electrical components. Late last night going back to the boat it had a communication error. Took a bit of googling to work out what it was. One of the plugs was playing up. Think it's happened before.

Made one for my dinghy




The battery is completely closed and waterproof. I have installed a connection for charger and after usage it charges for few mins and is ready to go.