Elco Electric Outboards

Aurelia · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:52 pm Post subject: Elco Electric Outboards

New outboard options

Story:

http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/2014/08/elco-motor-yachts-unveils-line-electric-outboard-motors/

Site:

http://www.elcomotoryachts.com/

Greg

Ray · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 8:19 am Post subject:

This seems really odd to me as an engineer.

With electric motor propulsion and battery storage, efficiency is EVERYTHING.

Why in the world would you design something that needs gears or other transmission methods to get from the motor to the prop?

The Torqeedos have the motor at the prop, and also look to be less expensive at the moment. (no affiliation, etc.)

Maybe I'm missing something.......

journey on · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 3:53 pm Post subject:

It sounds like you supply the batteries. Or did I miss something?

Boris

Aurelia · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 4:10 pm Post subject:

I think you have to provide you own power Boris. They have a handful of premium priced units on their site but at 48dc volts it would be a small or large load of 4 units minimum for fuel. No statements about efficiency or range examples that I could see quickly. My Torqeedo is much lighter and can charge from 12v so I prefer it for us. If a person has space and capacity for the batteries and maybe some solar charging for them, they could put together a nice "green" slow speed dory by utilizing one of these as an kicker. Perhaps for about 120lbs of batteries plus solar panels, an owner could get a few miles of slow cruising in per day with out ever burning gas. A small, switched, 48v to 12v converter could be wired for some charging of the house system with any surplus. They would still have the option of starting the main and taking off when needed.

What else you gonna do with all that under-berth space Smile

Greg

journey on · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 9:04 pm Post subject:

So for $2900 and 4 ea lead acid batteries, you can have a small trolling motor. Or install it in your dinghy. Electric isn't here yet, still waiting for battery technology.

How about the Lear propane motors? If I remember correctly (since it was 50 years ago,) propane doesn't dilute the oil, leaves no residue and is almost as powerful as gasoline.

Boris

Aurelia · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 9:29 pm Post subject:

The early smart phones were slow, poorly designed, and actually made crummy phones, but look where that went and fast. They need to start somewhere and these look like a solid attempt a gas outboard replacement instead of strangely designed alternative. This is coming from an owner of the one of the strange ones. If they finally crack the battery code one of these days and let you power something like these motors with a 20lb cube, I think many would step over the line.

I won't be stepping up to the plate for one of these because we just don't have the space for the batteries. But if we had a lake cabin on a speed limited lake, or perhaps a roomier boat in need of a kicker, I might be interested. Not the cheapest way to push a boat but I like expanding the envelope of normal when I have the chance.

Greg

Salmon Fisher · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 12:42 am Post subject:

ELCO built the PT boats in WWII, check out the history of the company, they have a documentary via a you tube link, pretty cool history of their building process.