Rating of boat electric motors

Boat motors

March 25

Review of the rating of boat electric motors

A set of pleasant bonuses from simplicity, lightness and silent operation allowed boat electric motors to quickly win the hearts of fishing lovers. They help out when fishing for pike, perch, and asp; they approach the prey as gently as possible, without unnecessary excitement or splashes. And the topic of environmentally friendly, “silent” fishing is becoming increasingly popular.

If a couple of years ago only avid trollers used electric motors, now such engines can be seen everywhere. They allow fishermen and hunters to move silently along the riverbed without using oars, which saves a lot of energy. Owners of powerful outboard motors install electric motors as an alternative engine for maneuvering in shallow water and fishing on “tracks.” During the fish spawning period, when the use of gasoline engines is prohibited, models with batteries again come to the rescue.

Top 3 electric boat motors

1. The first line of our rating is occupied by the Minn Kota model Endura C2 30

This electric motor meets the expectations of customers because it meets high quality requirements and is comfortable when driving on water.

Reference: American began its history in the 30s of the twentieth century. The name MINNesota-North DaKOTA comes from its geographic location at the intersection of Minnesota and North Dakota. Since its founding, the company has been producing trolling motors and occupying a leading position in the market. The engines are truly quiet and at the same time reliable, causing minimal damage to the environment.

The Minn Kota Endura C2 30 engine is powered by a battery and has a power of 30 Lbs. This motor, unlike others, does not heat up even after prolonged use, which guarantees long service life at maximum conditions. There are eight in total: 5 forward gears and 3 reverse gears.

The body is made of carbon fiber composite. Even when colliding with obstacles, the electric motor remains intact, because the strength of the material is successfully combined with flexibility. In the event of an impact, it may bend, but after the load is removed it gradually returns to its previous position.

Rod length – 760 mm. Mounting clamps provide the ability to install the engine on almost any type of boat. The depth of immersion in water is regulated by a special clamp, and a special screw is made so that algae does not cling to it.

2. On the second line is the Motor Guide R3 30 HT

from another American brand MotorGuide (MotorGuide).

The company's products have proven themselves to be the best. The motors are almost silent, comfortable, light and high-torque, and serve on any vessel, from a single-seat inflatable to a solid multi-seat boat.

Information: its history dates back to 1961. Then Garrett Harris decided to create a motor not for racing, but suitable for leisurely fishing. When developing the control system, Garrett came up with the idea of a spring drive, which allowed him to control the motor and boat using his feet. The invention was appreciated by local fishermen. This is how the MotorGuide brand was born. The company is now part of the Mercury Marine concern.

The MotorGuide R3 30 HT engine is very light, weighing only 6.1 kg. It is equipped with a three-bladed propeller, so with a power of 30 Lbs it is capable of pulling a loaded boat weighing up to 800 kg. This indicator attracts anglers who are not ready to purchase a higher class motor.

3. In third place is the WaterSnakeFWT30TH

from Australian (Jarvis Walker).

Information: the brand received the name of its founder, avid fisherman Jim “Jarvis” Walker in 1964. He was a successful fisherman, tackle inventor and enterprising businessman. Today, the company continues to produce fishing equipment; the Water Snake division, located in China, produces electric motors. .

The Water Snake FWT30TH model is a budget option. Prices start from 9,500 rubles. At the same time, it has good speed characteristics and can operate smoothly at a speed of 5 km/h. Maximum thrust – 600 kg, power – 30 Lbs. This means that the engine will take out a boat up to 3.8 meters long with two passengers and equipment on board. The telescopic tiller makes steering the boat even more convenient and safe. The only drawback is the Chinese assembly.

Rating of the best outboard motors based on consumer reviews

When selecting the best types of engines for boats, the following characteristics were taken into account, most often mentioned by buyers and owners of outboard motors:

Energy source;
Engine stroke;
Power;
The ratio of quality characteristics;
Ease of use;
Service availability.

A two-stroke engine consumes 20% more fuel than a four-stroke engine. This is explained by the principle of operation: the spent mixture and exhaust gases are displaced by a new portion of the working mixture. In addition, it involves mixing fuel with oil, which increases the level of harmful emissions.

However, due to the simplicity of the design, a two-stroke engine is almost 30% lighter than a four-stroke engine of the same power, which is from 10 to 20 kg. A two-stroke engine is easier to maintain; with existing experience and a supply of parts, it can be repaired in any conditions, as they say, “on the fly.”

Four-stroke engines are distinguished by the absence of vibration, a reduced noise level compared to two-stroke engines, and more economical fuel consumption. In this case, it is necessary to take into account increased requirements for the quality of the fuel itself. In addition, the disadvantage for the average person is its heavy weight and complicated design, which requires special skills for repair.

Read also: GOST dimensions on construction drawings

Advantages and disadvantages

Despite a number of obvious advantages of electric motors, some fishing enthusiasts still do not take them seriously. This is mainly the opinion of owners of large motor boats with a gasoline engine.

However, the electric motor has several advantages:

• Easy to use.

• Maintenance of the unit is simple and cheap.

• There is virtually no need for lubrication.

• There is also no need to prepare the motor for winter storage.

• Price.

• The electric motor is relatively cheap and runs on battery power without requiring constant fuel costs.

• The battery will have to be purchased separately.

• At the same time, the price of the set is still significantly lower than a gasoline engine

• Quiet.

• One of the most important advantages for lovers of a peaceful holiday.

• The boat can easily enter the smallest bodies of water without creating unnecessary noise or waves.

• Ideal for line fishing.

• Walking in shallow water.

• Convenient operation that does not require much experience and mobility.

• The engine starts in a second and the gears shift quickly.

• Possibility of trolling at a speed of 3 km/h.

• In calm winds the anchor can be replaced.

• The weight of the motor itself, which rarely exceeds 9 kg.

• Small dimensions allow the unit to fit in the trunk of a car.

• Battery charge indicator.

• The battery charges relatively quickly, but charging must be planned in advance.

• Environmental friendliness.

• Electricity does not pollute the environment, while gasoline engines are prohibited on some bodies of water.

With all the advantages, the electric motor also has some disadvantages:

First of all, the need to purchase a traction battery.

A traction battery is required; a car battery is not suitable, due to the fact that constant voltage support is required, and not single impulses.

The weight of the battery can reach 30 kg. The size of the battery depends on the length of the boat. If the boat is less than five meters, 12 and 24 volt models are suitable, with a weight of approximately 20 kg. When the length of the vessel is more than five meters, 36 volt batteries are needed.

Dependence on weather. When the waves are strong, there is a possibility that the battery will get wet. This also includes strong winds, which reduce the efficiency of the electric motor.

Low speed. When loaded with 250 kg, the maximum speed of an average electric motor boat against the wind reaches 5 km/h. The highest speed with a minimum load for boats longer than 8 meters can be 12-15 km/h. For boats less than 8 meters, that is, for the majority, this figure drops to 7-10 km/h.

The continuous operation time of a 100 A/h battery at maximum speed is on average 2 hours, and the distance traveled is 10-12 kilometers. That is, on average you can go fishing on an electric motor for no more than 2 days. True, you can always take a second battery, but this will affect the weight of the vessel. These shortcomings, however, are rather some technical limitations. If the boat owner has the opportunity to constantly charge the battery, this type of motor is an ideal means for fishing not only in small bodies of water, but also in large rivers and even seas.

Electric motor design

A boat electric motor is a device that acts as a traction force that sets the craft in motion. A typical electric motor consists of the following elements:

an engine with a propeller attached to it, due to the rotation of which the boat sets in motion;
the battery that powers the engine;
speed control system. Many modern models of outboard electric motors are equipped with this device. The speed control system promotes a smooth way of gear shifting, eliminating jerks when starting the engine;
the rod (deadwood) to which the engine is attached. It is made of a special flexible material that helps to avoid severe damage when the device encounters possible obstacles under water. The deadwood has an adjustment system so the engine can be moved up and down with it. This feature of the rod design helps to move the motor boat in shallow water conditions;
clamps - special devices that attach the motor to the transom of the boat;
tiller - a movable element that sets the direction of movement of the boat;
control Panel. With its help, you can turn on the desired speed level, or change the direction by setting the movement forward or backward.

Unlike a noisy gasoline engine, an electric motor makes virtually no loud sounds and does not pollute the water body with harmful substances. This device allows you to skillfully maneuver in hard-to-reach places, in shallow water and in large deep lakes and rivers, without causing damage to the ecosystem of the reservoir.

Prices

The price of an electric motor directly depends on its power, which is measured in rods and denoted in pounds (lbs). Traction force is obtained from the maximum mass that the engine is capable of pushing at maximum speed. For the domestic buyer, many stores still convert pound thrust (lbs) into the usual horsepower (hp) or, at least, into kg. In general, prices for electric motors can be divided into 3 segments: Up to 10 thousand rubles. Motors of the entry-level category with a thrust of no more than 35 lbs (0.5 hp). Such models rarely have smooth gear shifting. At the same time, they have a charge level indicator and consume 12V. From 10 thousand rubles. up to 40 thousand rubles.

Most models on the market fall into this price range. Their power is approximately 0.7 hp. They are equipped with smooth gear shifting, digital voltmeters and an increased threshold for maximum current consumption. There is also a foot control system and a telescopic tiller. From 40 thousand rubles. up to 300 thousand rubles. for the top models.

Professional motors made from the best materials, capable of pulling the largest boats. Their power can reach 3 hp. They have autopilot functions and control via pedals or remote control. U

improved propellers, built-in sonars - all this provides maximum comfort, but also requires significant costs. The best companies producing electric motors today are: Minn Kota. Flower. Haswing. WaterSnake. The battery deserves a special mention. Initially, batteries are divided into: starting batteries, which supply instantaneous current pulses and are not capable of operating for a long time; traction ones, used for boats, traction ones work for a long time and do not fail even when completely discharged. Among the characteristics here we can note: battery capacity, measured in A/h, depending on the engine power; battery power in volts, which affects engine efficiency.

The cost of traction batteries varies from 1,500 rubles. for the simplest ones and up to 30 thousand rubles. for expensive helium models. How to choose electric motors for inflatable boats

Speaking about the power of the motor, you should take into account the size of the existing watercraft: for boats up to 3 meters long and a maximum weight of 500 kg, motors with a thrust of 30 lbs or 0.4 hp are suitable; boats from 3 to 4 meters and a maximum weight of up to 900 kg require motors of at least 40 lbs; For vessels with a length of 4 meters and a carrying capacity of more than 1000 kg, the most powerful electric motors of 50 lbs and above are needed. Also, when choosing a motor, you must plan its operating time without recharging: batteries with a capacity of up to 75 Ah can power the motor for 1 day and travel no more than 12 km in 5th gear, and 22 km in first; batteries with a capacity of 100 Ah will keep the ship afloat for about 2 days and are capable of traveling up to 26 km in first gear; capacity above 100 A/h is not used so often due to its enormous weight (up to 50 kg), high cost and the requirement for a special charger.

Types of electric motors for PVC boats

At the moment, there are a large number of varieties of electric motors on the market, so making the right choice among such a variety is especially important.

In general, they differ according to such criteria as:

Control. It can be done using a tiller, remote control or pedals.
Number of switchable speeds. The maximum number of gears is 5.
Presence of reverse. This feature allows you to go forward astern by engaging reverse gear.
Motor power.

Now let us examine in detail the main types of such motors:

Outboard electric boat motor. It is installed on the transom of the boat and can be easily dismantled and mounted back using threaded clamps. Installation next to the main engine of the vessel is also possible.
Mounted electric motor. Mounts to main outboard cavitation plate. The speed and maneuvers of the motor are controlled remotely.
Bow electric motor. It is installed on the tank (i.e. on the bow) of the boat on a special platform. This is a labor-intensive and difficult process.

There are also two subtypes of electric motors depending on the type of battery:

with traction device; it is very efficient, holds a charge for a long time (about 2-3 days), but has a fairly large mass and cost;
with a starting device, which is used to supply current to the main motor; Such batteries are lightweight, inexpensive, easy to install and operate.

Control systems

Three control systems are available for outboard electric motors:

• Tiller

is called manual and is no different from controlling conventional gasoline engines. The speed is changed by turning the tiller handle, and the direction is changed by moving its entire structure. This control method is convenient because the screw is always “at hand” and if something happens, it can be quickly lifted.

• Pedal control

carried out with the feet. Pressing the pedal controls gear selection, direction and even turns. This control method is especially convenient for spinners.

• Expensive models are equipped with an additional remote control

However, this control method is suitable for especially large boats.

Tips for using electric motors on boats

If the device is not equipped with a smooth speed shift control, then you should change gears gently and in order. In addition to harm to the motor itself, damage is also caused to the battery. The traction battery does not like voltage surges. Properly distribute weight on the boat. It is much easier for the motor to pull the boat, so you can place it on the bow, although this requires additional tuning. The main weights should be placed evenly in the middle of the vessel. This will help you control turns easily. The most preferred speed is third. It saves the battery as much as possible, plus it is convenient to switch smoothly. Watch the depth of the screw. If there are poachers' nets in the water, raise the bar higher. Periodically clean the screw from foreign objects. Don't forget to change the brushes. Dry and lubricate the engine once a season.