Mercury electric outboard

bad link. Here's one to Merc...lot to like about a 48V e-ob...likely $1500 or so?

Worldwide Leader in Marine Propulsion

Mercury Marine is the world's leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. Get sales, service and parts info, and find a local dealer near you.
www.mercurymarine.com www.mercurymarine.com
 
SurfnFish said:
bad link. Here's one to Merc...lot to like about a 48V e-ob...likely $1500 or so?

Worldwide Leader in Marine Propulsion

Mercury Marine is the world's leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. Get sales, service and parts info, and find a local dealer near you.
www.mercurymarine.com www.mercurymarine.com
Click to expand...
Are you saying the motor? If it's less then 5 grand I would be amazed
 
Last edited:
I just don't know why you would pick this over a fancy GPS trolling motor that can run all day and would push a equivalent size boat probably almost as fast...
 
Billy said:
I just don't know why you would pick this over a fancy GPS trolling motor that can run all day and would push a equivalent size boat probably almost as fast...
Click to expand...

That’s a good question and will be interesting to see what the price point is.
I am looking forward to seeing what else comes out and the improvements in electric outboards as the battery technology advances in the future.
SF
 
I'm sure this is the future for outboards at some point down the road, though just like with cars I imagine there will be plenty of things to work out and stepping stones along the way.

I'm not itching to go buy one, but I would love the chance to play around with one. Would be cool to spend some time with that 50 and see how it performs
 
Electric motors have many fewer moving parts and should, once the bugs are worked out, be far more reliable than an internal combustion engine (though that has not yet proven true in practice for electric vehicles vs. internal combustion vehicles). But on the water, one always has to be concerned about worst case scenarios. What happens with an electric boat battery that runs out of juice? Solar recharging??? If a gasoline engine runs out of fuel, you can hope that there are other boaters around who might be able to share some gas. But you're stuck if the battery of your electric motor is out of charge. A tow will be your only real option.
Steve
 
Cabezon said:
Electric motors have many fewer moving parts and should, once the bugs are worked out, be far more reliable than an internal combustion engine (though that has not yet proven true in practice for electric vehicles vs. internal combustion vehicles). But on the water, one always has to be concerned about worst case scenarios. What happens with an electric boat battery that runs out of juice? Solar recharging??? If a gasoline engine runs out of fuel, you can hope that there are other boaters around who might be able to share some gas. But you're stuck if the battery of your electric motor is out of charge. A tow will be your only real option.
Steve
Click to expand...


Ya I have similar thoughts. On the water is a bit different when problems arise. It's like when digital throttles were first hitting the market. They are super cool and have some awesome features, but at the same time if something breaks there's little to no chance of fixing it on the water, where as a simple cable style throttle can often be pieced back to working order if something goes out. We had some issues with the first set Mark had and eventually decided to go away from them as it wasn't worth the risk offshore. That was 7 or 8 years ago though and it was still pretty new tech. Fast forward to today and there are digital throttles for the Yamahas on Integrity and they have been flawless. Many on the water motor issues can be resolved, at least well enough to get back home. Not sure how that would play out with electric power.

Not at all against electric motors, but I would have similar concerns. At least until the early issues got ironed out and they were proven reliable.

Of course at the sizes these motors are currently being made they likely aren't being used for crossing bars and the ocean lol. For lakes and rivers and stuff where these smaller motors are most often used those sorts of issues probably aren't as big a deal.

I've never driven an electric car but those I know who have say the acceleration is off the charts. I wonder if that would apply to outboards. Some torquey, head snapping hole shot would be fun!
 
Last edited:
When I look at something like the Mercury motor I posted, I only see small craft and water(s), not big open waters type adventures. The type of water where oars could possibly bring you home if needed.
On that particular motor, battery life at full speed was only 45 minutes, though greater at less than full throttle. It also recommended having extra batteries.
I think for a guy that likes bobber fishing and only needed the motor to relocate within smaller lakes, it might be a good tool…..if the price is right.
As Billy mentioned though, you can pretty much do the same with an electric trolling motor.
We’ll probably see some lively debates moving forward on electric outboards just like we’ve seen on electric vehicles. 😉
SF
 
Looking at the link Greg provided the prices aren't completely outrageous, and at least they offer some larger sizes. Merc says that motor is the equivalent of a 3.5 hp gas motor which I agree wouldn't offer much speed advantage over a decent electric trolling motor on the stern of a smaller boat. I haven't dug too deep into the links, but I wonder how big the batteries are. Carrying extras on a small boat I probably wouldn't want something too large.

Considering how quickly technology advances these days I'd imagine it won't be long till we see more and more electric options. Even if it's not something super appealing to me for my current uses I love to see all this cool new stuff. Last summer I was supposed to go out on a boat with a company making diesel outboards and see how their stuff performed, but I ended up with Covid that week and wasn't able to make it. I was looking forward to checking their motors out.
 
There seems to be a growing set of options for outboards with alternative (non-gas) power (electric, LPG, diesel,...?). However as many have pointed out here and elsewhere, still not clear if it makes sense price-wise or usage-wise depending on what you want that outboard for. In my case, I have been in the market for a kicker for a 16 ft aluminum boat, mainly for trolling/moving around between near spots in Puget Sound and maybe San Juan Islands/straigh of Juan de Fuca and as a way to limp back in case of main engine failure. Technology improvements are exciting to see, however as @Cabezon pointed out, I am also mainly concerned about on the water worse case scenarios and so far it seems it's hard to get away from alternatives to a more classic gas powered kicker.

For a local (Seattle) electric outboard alternative there is Purewatercraft. I have never used one of their outboards, nor have I seen them in the water, but I walk or drive at least once a week by their shop near the UW campus and I have seen a number of re-powers of pontoon and rowing support boats. The UW actually had a proposal and preliminary cost-benefit feasibility analysis (I think on a 10-year horizon) information online for their rowing use. Cost of the motor, battery pack and controls was around 20K if I recall correctly. Some specs and UW proposal/analysis below:

www.purewatercraft.com

Electric Outboard System from Pure Watercraft

Quiet, maintenance-free power with no direct emissions. Join the revolution.
www.purewatercraft.com www.purewatercraft.com

Electric Outboard Motors, Sustainability for Washington Rowing | Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF)

csf.uw.edu csf.uw.edu
 
Last edited:
200 hp equivalent, 8 hours run time at WOT.
Able to run off 36 volt battery system that also has to run a trolling motor and all the electronics for a full day with some left over and no special charger, has to plug I to 110.

A motor that doesn't do that isn't worth much.... BUT!!!! progress has to start somewhere.
 
apparently I'm WAY off on guesstimate pricing...could see the eco desirability for lakes or local tidewater for shorter runs and where speed limits are in effect...conversely, a 3.5 hp ultra low emission Tohatsu costs under $1200, and a 10hp 4 stroke with E-start and power tilt goes for $3300.
horses for courses..
 
I've been casually interested in the electric outboard progress since I was introduced to Torquito motors by the owner of Easyrider Kayaks. He was running around with one on his kayak in the sound one day while I was fishing.

High torque trolling motor or these new electric outboard motors; the appeal to me is they are quiet. The draw back is the price of the suitable motor to push a 14 foot boat, and the cost of having enough battery capacity for a day on the water. I am sure the day will come when I replace my 9.9 4 stroke with a electric outboard.

This Mercury is a right step forward in my opinion. But, like others have said, it's going to find its use on a lake. It's compact, and the batteries look like they just fit on top. They look compact enough that a you can have 2 or 3 extra in a rubber made tub with no problem. If the price point is good, it will sell. I'm all for electric. Not cause I am green minded or a tree hugger. I just am tired of smelling gas.
 
I wont drive my 14’ klamath with my tohatsu 18 on lake tahoe because i don’t want to add emissions into the lake. I asked the local electric motor dealer what they thought about going that route and it was a-resounding no. In addition to expense and run time limitations, there are 2 125 lb batteries needed that would definitely need to be centered in my little skiff. And then it could just be me and one other passenger. That said i cannot wait until electric outboards, sno mos and motos are on par with gas powered!
 
John Svahn said:
I wont drive my 14’ klamath with my tohatsu 18 on lake tahoe because i don’t want to add emissions into the lake. I asked the local electric motor dealer what they thought about going that route and it was a-resounding no. In addition to expense and run time limitations, there are 2 125 lb batteries needed that would definitely need to be centered in my little skiff. And then it could just be me and one other passenger. That said i cannot wait until electric outboards, sno mos and motos are on par with gas powered!
Click to expand...

Just curious, did they happen to mention what brand of electric outboards require the two 125lb batteries?
SF
 
I look forward to the days when i won't go out to the garage at the 1st of every month and fire up the blower, dirt bike, scooter, weed eater, lawn mower, chainsaws, vac/blower and pressure washer. (Did i miss an item?)

Batteries and chargers will be a nice upgrade with a few exceptions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top