I've had a Suncat for 8 very happy years! As I get older (almost 80) and have become a full fledged orthopedic geezer, the handling of a 60 lb/4 hp/4 stroke Yamaha, which otherwise has been absolutely great , is getting to be too much!(weight, mounting, pulling starter cord, reaching over transom, maintenance, etc) I'm thinking about buying an electric Torqeedo 1003sL outboard . :-\ Has anyone had experience with one of these on a Sun Cat? or similar sailboat? Is it really equivalent to a 3 hp? Can it mount on the standard outboard mount, can one steer with its built in throttle/ tiller, does the gallows interfere with it, is the long shaft appropriate? Is an extra battery needed or just useful? How long does recharging via a home 110 outlet take? What are specs for a minimum solar panel, if possible? Alternatively, is there another small enough gas powered or electric outboard with a reliable electric start? I mostly use my outboard to go and come to my slip: 10-20 minutes before and after sailing or when wind goes calm. I often only use a total ~2 gallons/year! As a geezer, these days I've given up my cruising days and no longer ever need more than a 4 mile range. ;D Any other observations or hear-say about electric power?
Bruce and I are both using the eProp Spirit 1.0, remote version. I do not think the tiller version will fit behind the transom of a Suncat. Operationally, I really love the motor, although both Bruce and I experienced failure of the same plastic connector. The importer, Mack Boring, does appear to be standing behind the warranty, but I would wait for the arrival of the remote version of the Spirit Plus if possible, to get the better connection.
I do like having a throttle in the cockpit (I mount mine underneath the tiller, so out of the typically used sitting space.
As for your other questions, the eProp is indeed similar to a 3 hp, likely closer to the Torqeedo 1100 in performance, and refreshingly quiet. It is more than adequate to push you the 10-20 minutes needed per day.
On flat water, I get about 4.5 knots out of it in my Suncat.
Definitely lighter, so much so that you may need to alter your engine mount by cutting a few springs.
I'd say electric outboards are more than good enough at this point. Gas is a pain in the butt.
There's lots of good info of people using electric outboards, like the Torqeedo 1003, on Suncats on the list. This thread, started by Renae, is particularly good. Jim in TC has a 1003 on his Suncat that provides good service. Let us know what additional questions you have!
https://cpyoa.com/forum/index.php?topic=11592.0
A couple of other links.
https://cpyoa.com/forum/index.php?topic=11523.msg86769#msg86769
https://cpyoa.com/forum/index.php?topic=11925.msg89636#msg89636
We replaced our 5hp Honda gas engine with a Torqeedo on our SunCat this season. We use it like you, just for getting in and out of the mooring field. We're on a lake, so no tidal currents to deal with. The long shaft motor works and fits just fine on the engine mount. It sure doesn't have the guts or speed of the gas motor, but it does the job and it's a pleasure to not have to deal with the gas, maintenance, etc. And my wife is not intimidated, repelled, and frustrated with it, as with the gas motor, which is a big plus. My only regret about it comes because we are moored in shallow water and it has been an unusually horrible year for weeds on the lake. That prop picks up weeds like crazy. In the <50 yards from the mooring to the dock, the prop gets a massive wad of salad, such that the motor stops propelling the boat and even just shuts down if I try to push it. Had similar problems with the Honda, but it had the power to chop the weeds up a bit and didn't get incapacitated so fast. Quickly goosing the Torqeedo in reverse clears the weeds somewhat, and I am about to make a Mark III version of a lance to clear the weeds off the prop.... this one long enough, I hope, to cut off the weeds without having to tip the motor up. With a pause in motoring for clearing the weeds, we risk being blown into other moored boats. Fortunately our mooring field is in a protected cove so it's been OK so far. Other than this disappointment, we've been very happy with the Torqeedo. And when we put the boat to bed this month, I'll be happy to not have to deal with the heavy gas motor and the maintenance work. As stated in the manual and website for the Torqeedo, the charge on the battery is greatly affected by speed- if you run it at or near top speed, it sucks up juice like crazy. but at lower speeds, it pushes the SunCat along just fine.
As Bruce pointed out, we have a 1003 on a Sun, now in our third season. We have had great service, mostly a short distance to and from a slip. We usually use about 10 or 15% of a 915 battery per outing depending on wind (using more if raising or dousing sail in bigger breeze). We have had a couple situations of lost wind from a distance that can really eat into a battery. We have a spare, which is a nice thing for peace of mind but has never been needed, even with a several mile run back in the calm. The readout gives real time information on state of charge, speed, distance remaining at current speed. Slowing down just a little increases range dramatically. Once (before the spare) the wind died a few miles out with a low battery (last sail of the year) and I asked my buddy if he thought we were more than 2 miles from the ramp. He suggested we slow down. We ended up "motor sailing" back with little bits of wind helping out and made it with almost 10% remaining!
I can't personally compare with a 3 hp gas but we have never been let down. Dousing sail in serious wind (~25 mph, 3 foot chop) a few times have been fine but pretty near the full capability of the motor, and once needing to reef while out in 30 mph+ gusts (it blew up while we were out, honest) and serious chop was successful, if tricky.
I use the tiller arm for control as we pull into our slip or to make sure the motor stays straight in big chop while dousing sail (I have a little wooden fitting that I made to hold the tiller in place). Not much of an issue if you stay out of those bigger winds but hey, a buddy and I have found that a small craft advisory is advice to go out and have some fun...
The remote throttle is great and I think necessary.
I think long shaft is the ticket. You might get away with short shaft and going to the lowest setting on the mount, but then I think the motor will be less handy. It mounts just fine on the motor mount that came with the boat. You do have to flip it up so the prop doesn't 'run' while underway (I have heard that you can damage the motor). Recharge with the standard charger, from near dead, is around 10 hours. I think they sell a more powerful charger for quicker charging.
As I recall the solar panel they pair with the motor is 50 watt. Nice that it just plugs in but very pricey for what it is. Since we have batteries aboard, my plan, if I ever went solar, was to use a ~30 w panel to prop up the batteries and use the 12 volt charging cable (another optional accessory) to prop up the Torqueedo. I read somewhere (another forum, I think) that the 50 watt panel will run the motor at about 1/4 speed in full sun with a dead battery.
The web site has lots of good info, and questions are usually answered pretty quickly from the contact page. We found a local dealer for the motor which saved us big on shipping, but that would no longer be an option here and maybe only in a few places. We got a battery from Defender, and they carry a full line of motors and accessories along with quite a bit of information (and lowest prices I have seen). We have had one experience with the US service center with a battery recall and they handled everything very well indeed.
The only difficulty I have had (not counting a bad connection once, which I now spray the connections from time to time with a cleaner) is when dousing sail and you drop the motor into the water while at speed (say, 5 mph up) the prop will start to spin and the throttle will not seem capable of taking over. I have learned to get the prop running a bit as I drop the motor in and/or wait until we are almost into the wind. Its another thing that is most likely to happen when you are following the above interpretation of "small craft advisories."
Quote from: DanM on October 04, 2020, 08:26:19 AM
...the prop gets a massive wad of salad, such that the motor stops propelling the boat and even just shuts down if I try to push it.
I bet that's the software protecting the motor. We're lucky not to have that much weed.
Quote from: Jim in TC on October 04, 2020, 09:09:59 AM
...you drop the motor into the water while at speed (say, 5 mph up) the prop will start to spin and the throttle will not seem capable of taking over. I have learned to get the prop running a bit as I drop the motor in and/or wait until we are almost into the wind.
Interesting. I'm sure you've revved the motor up to see if it will actually drive the boat. The prop will spin on any motor when dropped in the water on a moving boat. Another software intervention? I know you can get an error message if you reverse too quickly, but sometimes that's what I need! I'm all for safer vehicles, but I'm very leery about "smart" systems that take control over my input.
On buying the Torqeedo: I haven't seen it discounted anywhere. I got mine during an advertised sale at West Marine. Same heart-stopping price, but during the sale the two carry bags (about a $230 value) came as a free extra. Ran into a snafu where the motor didn't ship right away, so the purchase didn't record until it was shipped, by which time the sale was over. Spoke to a WM guy who sorted it all out very nicely, I'm happy with the customer service from them. Don't really need the carry bag for the motor, though I'll use it, but the bag for the battery is very nice to have as you carry it home to charge.
And yes, I can steer with the motor, which is key because in the weeds mentioned above, the Ida rudder just drags.
At slow speed, we sometimes motor on calm days to a swimming beach about a half a mile each way. Get home with about 70-80 % left. A friend (an electrical engineer) said he used half of a charge to get from the launch to our club, about 2 miles. That's on an Ensign- a full keel boat that weighs a lot more than a SunCat
Dan,
Do you tilt the motor on your SC with the tiller mounted? My friend could on her PC, but it used up most of the travel, and was close to disengaging. The remote was a better solution for her.
That reminds me, the Torqeedo tiller can be used remotely, i.e. disengaged from the motor, by using an optional longer cable. No need for the separate control if you don't want it.
Quote from: bruce on October 04, 2020, 11:16:53 AM
Dan,
Do you tilt the motor on your SC with the tiller mounted? My friend could on her PC, but it used up most of the travel, and was close to disengaging. The remote was a better solution for her.
That reminds me, the Torqeedo tiller can be used remotely, i.e. disengaged from the motor, by using an optional longer cable. No need for the separate control if you don't want it.
On the Sun I can't tilt the motor with the tiller attached (at least the way I have it set up). I just stow it handy and grab it out as needed. I hadn't thought of the longer cable on the tiller; I can see that working but being far less...elegant than the remote throttle.
I replied to some earlier stuff and it did not seem to 'take.' Will try again. I have tried going to full throttle when the prop is spinning (dropped into the water when we are running fast) and it just sits there. Maybe the prop, at higher speeds, is running past "full speed" and either physically or via software can't pick up the signal from the throttle. At least that is the way it seems. Now that I know the issue I can fairly easily compensate.
The software issue when going to reverse is different on ours. Maybe the software was changed to make things run more seamlessly, so a quick reversal doesn't give us an error code. But there is a short but noticeable delay. I tend to overlook this (usually) small problem in my enthusiasm for the motor. It has occasionally meant a more aggressive reversal to compensate...So, not a 'perfect' product but still great for our purposes.
Definitely go long shaft with any motor you use, but particularly the electrics. With my motor mount at the lowest setting, the long shaft digs nicely. At one click up, cavitation is already an issue at full throttle. I always submerge to the lowest setting, occasionally coming up one click to get into a really shallow dock, but then I'm usually rudder up and puttering at much less than full throttle too.
+1 long shaft.
Jim, I haven't had any error codes during use with the Spirit. I did with the Torqeedo when I first used it, and quickly learned to avoid them. Pausing slightly before reversing direction was better than trying to remember how to and then frantically clearing an error code as I drifted into other boats.
The throttle response is slower than a gas outboard, especially when getting underway. The prop is bigger, plenty of torque but slower to come up to rpm. That may be the software as well. With a gas outboard, rev it in gear at rest and the prop spins loudly, cavitating heavily until the boat starts to move and the prop digs in. With electrics there's much less drama. With any propellor drive there will be some lag to adjust for.
I have both:
Epropulsion 1.0 and Torqueedo 1003 --both longshafts
Torqueedo with tiller and extra battery
Eprop with remote throttle: easier for docking (i single hand)
Get a least an hour at good speed -- more than i need
Eprop is quieter
Both fit on standard Sunday Cat adjustable outboard mount
Big problems for single handers:
1. Leaving prop in water when under sail probably causes damage (messed up my Torqeedo) and tilting is difficult with Torqeedo tiller; a little easier with eprop (no tiller). Manufacturers are coy about this -- any thoughts?
2. My dock is very tight and difficult for single handling in cross winds
Neither motor backs well on Cat (maybe I can learn more) -- so reverse not really useful --any thoughts?
steve
Steve,
I hope FireDrill is benefitting from the excellent discussion his post has started!
Yes, I would definitely get the motor out of the water while sailing. Not a problem for the short term, but, over time, not good as you've seen. Besides the drag, the prop will be spinning, causing wear on the prop bearings. Even with a short shaft, as I have with my Lehr 2.5, the motor doesn't clear the water with the adjustable motor mount in the full up position. I have to tilt the motor.
As far as backing, I'm speaking as a PC sailor here, although I don't think it makes much difference. The PC doesn't back well at all, the SC, with a stub keel, may do somewhat better. I do drop some centerboard, to help with tracking in reverse, but the most important thing is to use both the rudder and motor together to back in a desired direction. I turn around and face aft, and turn the motor and rudder to the direction I want to go when backing. Until water flows over the rudder it is useless for steering. Fortunately the motor acts as a stern thruster at low speeds, before the rudder comes into play. Used together, I have good control. At low speeds, a crosswind can be a serious issue, especially leaving a dock where the stern, or bow, of the boat becomes exposed to the wind or current while the balance of the boat is still rubbing along the dock. Once clear of the dock, the boat should back where desired.
When we first started sailing with the Torqueedo on SunCat I put the pin in that holds the motor straight. That was really handy for preventing the motor from falling over when tilted up but that was the only benefit. We quickly learned that there was little (or no) control at first and had some...exciting...experiences getting out (and returning) to a slip.
As Bruce rightly points out, we have found that the motor can be used as a thruster. Reversing out of our slip is far more controlled using the motor for steerage but coming back in, especially in a blow, the ability to turn quickly and even use the motor to run the stern almost sideways toward the dock has made our return much less stressful (for us and the guy in the boat next over). Using rudder and motor for control has worked well for us.
Steve,
While I think of it, be very careful with the connector that attaches the cable to the battery on the Spirit. Both Renae and I have damaged ours. As Renae mentioned, the new Plus version of the Spirit 1.0 has a more robust connector.
In my case, we were just heading out for a sail and found conditions to be windier than expected. 16-18 kts, with a long fetch so there was a steep chop. We decided to reef when raising the sail, and planned on sailing over to the lee of the far shore to get out of the chop. With the reefed sail up, I shut down the Spirit and reached back to raise and tilt it out of the water. All looked good as I sheeted in and the sail filled, until I looked back and saw the power cable on the motor to be at a funny angle. My hand must have brushed against the cable as I reached back in the bouncy conditions, I don't remember any moment that I thought there had been significant contact, but the connector had cracked. The motor was inoperative until I could open the connection to remove the broken fragment. Then the trick was to keep the cable engaged with a dodgy connector. Duct tape would have worked, I just held it in place as we limped back.
The issue is they chose to use a quick-acting, 3/4 turn connector; the part that broke is quite thin. I don't think a fully-threaded connector would have failed. The improved version uses SS for the thin parts. The distributor was quick to supply replacement parts, that weren't hard to install, but it is a vulnerability that you should take care with if you intend to tilt your Spirit routinely. The lifting line I installed, that I described in another thread linked above, avoids any contact with the cable when tilting.
Connection issues are different with the Torqueedo. All of the connectors are fully threaded and quite robust, but it is easy to screw one in and have it seem snug but not quite snug enough (especially, I have found, the throttle connection). The dreaded error message is the result, in this case a connection issue which requires the cable to be removed (or at least further loosened) and then fully threaded back in. And, as I perhaps wrongly recall, turn the system off and back on. After that experience, which naturally occurred in big wind and heavy chop, I am more deliberate about nice tight connections, and also use a bit of electrical connection cleaner (probably not much different from WD-40, actually) every month or two.
While I experience failure of the battery connector at the same place that Bruce did (and my replacement did not go well), the more concerning design issue is the fact that you cannot pin the motor into the straight, non-pivot position without removing the battery.
If switching from fixed to pivoting is important, you could position the battery inside the boat (probably in the gas tank cuddy), connecting with a cable. This would leave the locking pin readily accessible.
Nitpicking aside, I am still far happier with the ePropulsion than my former gas motor (Tohatsu). The reduction in noise alone makes the sale as far as I am concerned.
To answer an earlier question, yes you can tilt up the Torqeedo on a SunCat, or at least I can on mine (a 2012). But you have to have the fixed-steering pin removed so you can swivel the motor sideways. I tried to post a picture but it didn't work.
Quote from: DanM on October 07, 2020, 02:24:14 PM
To answer an earlier question, yes you can tilt up the Torqeedo on a SunCat, or at least I can on mine (a 2012). But you have to have the fixed-steering pin removed so you can swivel the motor sideways. I tried to post a picture but it didn't work.
To clarify ours: we tilt the motor up, but not with the tiller attached. With the pin removed, you can tilt the motor over or, as I prefer, lash it up with a line and hook from the boom gallows. Or check out Bruce's nifty hookup (is that in another thread?).
We Torqueedo owners pick the same nit that Renae does: you are pretty well stuck with the locking pin in or out, and some kind of tensioning system that would be easy to manage would be a welcome improvement. Still, having no gasoline motors other than a little used car makes me happy!
Of course you can save beaucoup dollars and go with a trolling motor, driven from a deep cycle battery which can then double as a house battery. As a side benefit, most trolling motors have props that are designed to resist weed entanglement.
Several years ago I changed the noisy, balky, Yugoslavian 3hp Tomos for a 30lb thrust Minnkota on the PC, linked to a deep cycle battery forward of the mast (thus helping with trim). The silence and low impact on the boat-dollars is wonderful.
Just sayin'.
Jon
I don't remember if these guides have been posted before, but they may be useful.
https://plugboats.com/electric-outboards-less-than-5-kw/
https://plugboats.com/electric-trolling-motors/
Jim, I posted the tilting line on Boat and Hardware Mods.
https://cpyoa.com/forum/index.php?topic=11925.0
I wouldn't personally try to push/pull a Suncat with a conventional trolling motor, but if you're only going to go out in conditions where a paddle would do, then why not?
Thank you all for the extremely informative responses! Lots of great information. :)
First, I learned that there is an alternative to Torqeedo, ie the ePropulsion products... It looks like there are pluses and minuses to each, perhaps ePropulsion being slightly favored but still trying to sort through those. Both meet my need for easy start and less or no leaning over the stern for that part.
Both look like I'd still have some orthopedic/geezer/single handing challenges to get the motor out of the water, on a tilt, except for Bruce's gallows arrangement. (nice job!) I'd probably use a fiddle becket cam arrangement on gallows since I'm not as much of a craftsman. I gather that the standard up-position is straight out at 90 degrees to the transom and held there by inserting a pin behind the housing. Is the pin mounted or do you have to find it and insert it in a hole? How far astern is it?
Both look like they have problems with weeds. My Yamaha 4 could not get through weeds. In one marina where I had a slip in for 2 years I could not get out from the last week in July till early Sept because of increasing weeds. No forward /reverse sequences worked etc. Motor clogged so bad it died within 3 boat lengths. I have moved to a new place with less weeds but still have to get out of slip by a boat length via paddles with motor in neutral ...weeds near surface, then a little deeper . I assume there is no neutral (blade spinning freely? , just an off position? From what I read I gather both electrics are worse than my Yamaha. Right?
Steering with the either motor's tiller is still not clear. Sounds like the Torqeedo would bump into gallows or stern,? I was not sure if ePropulsion does this? I need both the boat tiller and the motor tiller to get out of my current slip, Boat tiller does not do it alone, because of low speed.
The remote controls sound ideal for much single handing.
Also I'd like to see the connector issues in a dealer location. I am talking with a dealer about a demonstrator-used 1003 so I can probable see that one - not sure about ePropulsion dealers near Rochester or Buffalo NY? Will look on ePropulsion Web site ..
Sorry for delay in responding, many personal issues including helping with remote learning for grandkids!
Thanks again for all the responses!
FireDrill
You're not going to be able to get the tiller of the eProp behind the transom of your Suncat. Here's what I recommend as a fellow Suncatter of near-geezer status:
Get a remote version of whichever motor you prefer. I have the eProp and many folks are also satisfied with the Torqeedo. If you get the eProp, I think the Spirit Plus model is now available in the remote version. The battery connections are improved and there is more energy storage.
When you get the motor, run it pinned straight 90% of the time. Either motor will tend to rotate freely if not pinned, which can lead to trouble. For a tight spot, they can be easily turned by hand. The eProp pin is under the battery, so if you plan on switching back and forth, consider getting the accessory cable to mount the battery inside the boat (gas storage compartment) and figure out how to make it secure. I'm sure Torqeedo has a similar option.
Don't stress about raising and lowering the motor. It's a lot easier than any gas outboard you have managed.
I occasionally see a used Torqeedo for sale, but never an eProp. I would personally buy new to get the warrantee as I have already had to avail myself of it. These things never go on sale, so buy when you are ready.
One further comment on my previous post. I don't know your sailing conditions, but if you are relatively sheltered, without current on reasonably flat water, a trolling motor might suffice. I've considered picking one up on Craigslist as a backup. They are cheap and plentiful now.
Having used both the 1003 with remote and the Spirit 1.0R both are excellent choices, and any issues about tilting, controlling pivot, etc., can be dealt with.
Both motors lack a means of tightening the pivot, I don't know why. Both provide a plastic pin to lock the pivot, and both require you to remove the battery to do it. A problem underway, for me anyway. Some just put the pin in and never steer with the motor, I steer with the motor routinely and won't give that up. I believe that is the pin you refer to. The 1003 I used pivoted much too easily, the Spirit was better but not quite tight enough. In both cases I was able to tighten the pivot by taking off a wedge-shaped cover on the back of the motor, under the head. In that compartment, both motors have a plastic clamp around the conduit. For the 1003, I installed a thin leather shim. For the Spirit, it was sufficient to just tighten down on the clamping screws. I can add a shim if necessary.
For the 1003, I do have a design mind for an external, spring-loaded locking pin that would be in accessed from the front of the motor, convenient from the cockpit. The pin could lock the motor on C/L, or be disengaged so the motor pivots freely. Details on request. I haven't come up with a similar design for the Sprit, but I haven't found it to be necessary once I tightened the pivot.
Tilting the motor is similar to what you have now. A lever on the side that has to be disengaged, no loose pin. The Sprit lever was hard to find, so I installed a larger handle that is easier to locate by feel. The photo was taken before the larger handle was installed.
I steer with the motor by just twisting the motor head, I don't want another tiller in the cockpit. This is at low speeds, and I'm often facing aft anyway. The Spirit does have a little handle I can grab, seen in the tilting line photos.
Weeds are going to be a problem. The electric OB props are bigger anyway, and I wouldn't be surprised if the software would sense the added drag and shut down to prevent overheating the motor. The blade will spin if being dragged through the water, i.e. not under power.
I hadn't heard that a Spirit 1.0 Plus Remote version had been released. I certainly hope they will, if they haven't. I don't know about availability of the Spirit 1.0 Remote being discontinued, but I would prefer to get the new model. Besides the connector, the other upgrades are useful.
One of the advantages of the Spirit is the brushless DC motor, no gearing necessary. It is a little quieter than the 1003, but I noticed that more in the videos than in person. Both are pleasing quiet. The Torqeedo 1103 is also brushless DC, but the motor bulb is significantly larger the the 1003. So much so, there may be issues with striking the rudder in use with the factory motor mount position. Check that out carefully if you decide to go that way.
If you haven't seen these reviews by a British dealer check them out. They include head-to-head comparisons of the 1003/1103 and Spirit.
https://nestawayboats.com/shop/torqeedo-travel-1003s-1003l/
https://nestawayboats.com/shop/epropulsion-spirit-plus-1kw-electric-outboard/
Firedrill- in answer to this statement: "Steering with the either motor's tiller is still not clear. Sounds like the Torqeedo would bump into gallows or stern,?" To be clear- yes, I can steer with the Torqeedo, the tiller does indeed clear the gallows. and steering is no more awkward that it was with the Honda5.
Less elegant ways to hold the motor tilted up (to prevent slamming over on its side) are 1) easing it over on its side and 2) running a line and a hook from the gallows, with the hook engaging the battery handle (I thought I had a picture, but can't find it).
You will want to lock the motor down with the easy-access lever to be able to use reverse more effectively. On ours the spring-loaded lever that should keep the motor tilted up has never been reliable so I need to help it along (again, easy access). Tilting at geezer age is easy with the 1003.
I keep the tiller handy and sometimes use it at the dock (if wind is potentially a factor) but more often just pivot the motor around as needed, per Bruce's comment. When wind and waves are high I slip the tiller into position for easy control when dousing sail, and also 'lock' it into a wood bracket I made to prevent the motor pivoting on its own. In bigger waves we get a sort of 'almost cavitation' that can make the motor turn when we are pretty busy already. Our first few times out I had the locking pin installed, which prevented that nicely but gave us no control with the motor; steerage with the motor is a big enough advantage to work out a way to keep it mobile. The picture of that bracket is probably in the same folder as the above hook system.
Jim,
I remember your photos, you posted them on the Torqeedo Battery Recall thread, reply #8, 8/14/19
https://cpyoa.com/forum/index.php?topic=11523.0
Having been on the boat yesterday, I'd like to mention one other thing I like about the Torqeedo. The Honda 5, which it replaced, REALLY did not want to go slow. As we'd approach a mooring or dock, I had to guess the momentum from a distance, and often give the motor a goose or two to get us there. More than once, trying to go slow, it just coughed and quit. I'm not experienced enough to know how typical this is of small outboards or if it was just my old Honda. In any case, the Torqeedo is happy to run really slow and can ease the SunCat to the mooring under much more control.
I have a similar issue with my Lehr 2.5, it has a neutral, but no reverse. Even at idle, it still drives the boat faster than I want when landing, so I have to shift in and out of neutral. Not a big deal, but the electrics I've used are much better at that.
My Honda 2 had a centrifugal clutch, that would slip when you idled down. Once you get used to it it gives you good control. The problem there is, when the motor is cold, and you're first starting, you have to throttle up, so the second the motor starts the clutch is engaged and it's off to the races. Firmly tied to the dock it was manageable, but I found it best to warm up the motor before launching. It was air cooled, so didn't need to have water for the pump. A few minutes running dry, until you could throttle down, wasn't a problem.
Thanks for all the input re use of electrics with SC
As I indicated, I now have both an eprop and a torqeedo
The eprop has a remote throttle which is really helpful in my single handed docking
Wish i could get the manufacturer(s) to commit to saying whether i can leave the prop in the water when under sail, but i dont dare, since that may have burnt out my first torqueedo
I agree that backing really needs to be able to use both motor and rudder
Steve
Steve,
Looking at my Spirit 1.0R Owner's Manual, on p.12, under paragraph 2.1 Outboard, it states:
"Do not leave the outboard in the water if the boat is being driven by other forms of power such as sailing or rowing."
Quote from: bruce on October 04, 2020, 02:49:50 PM
Jim, I haven't had any error codes during use with the Spirit.
When I posted that on the 4th I wondered if I'd regret it, two days later I had my answer. We had a lovely sail, a nice clear fall day, remarkably steady winds 12-14 kts from the SSE. We motored the 1 nm from the ramp, through the cove and out into the bay, the wind was on our nose. We beat across to the opposite shore to get out of the fetch, sailed for a couple hours, watching the shipping traffic headed to Providence further up the bay. We turned for home on a beam reach, I saw 5.4 kts SOG on the GPS, and then on a run, still making 4-4.5 kts, some surfing in the moderate chop that had built. As we approached the lee shore, and the narrow dredged channel into the cove, I started the Spirt remote, watched it go through its initialization sequence, dropped the motor into the water and prepared for a bouncy turn into the wind to drop the sail. I go to throttle up and see E21 on the screen. I restarted the motor a couple of times, and then undid and reattached the battery cable before a restart, and it's no better. I haven't seen this before. We could have come about and gotten some sea room from the lee shore, and/or dropped the hook, but there's nothing else I can think to do that will clear the fault code. We're sailing back to the ramp, a first for us with the PC.
It is a weekday, and late in the season, so traffic past the three marinas, slips, and mooring fields is light. There has been a commercial barge with a crane doing projects in the cove recently, sometimes in the way, but not today fortunately. The local ASA sailing school frequently has a sloop out doing drills in the fairway, often it's impossible to predict their intentions, and they're so busy instructing that they aren't good about checking for other boats. We cleared them without incident. This time of year the daily traffic at the ramp is light, but what you can find are large boats being hauled for the season by a commercial hauler. They can really tie things up. We launched around one earlier, and one was following us to the ramp. But, the landing went smoothly, and we could feel good that, although it was unexpected and we hadn't practiced as we now wish we had, we were able to accomplish it without a hitch.
When I had a chance to review the owner's manual, the trouble shooting guide confirmed that to clear an E21 fault code (Motor Communication Fault) reconnect the battery cable. Failing that, contact your dealer, which I did on the 7th. Mack Boring, the distributor, did ask a couple of basic diagnostic questions, pretty much to confirm that I had tried all the logical stuff. I received a new motor on the 23rd. I don't know what the issue was with the old motor, it had been running fine. I haven't heard of others having a similar problem, it may have been a isolated case, I don't know. But, I'm glad to report the company handled the claim promptly.
Sailing back to the ramp is a tribute to your skills no matter the conditions. Good job!
It is always nice to hear stories of good customer service in what is hopefully an isolated bit of bad luck (no technology or production process turns out a flawless product every time).