electric outboard for an inflatable

[Rod Shiers]

I have a very small inflatable (a 2 meter 3D) which is very light and stows in the cockpit locker of my BC23. I can just row it with two of us aboard but it would be much easier with an outboard when we could sit on the sponsons.

Has anyone bought one or would know what size I would need? Would a trolling outboard do the job?

[Graham W]

I would have thought that a marinised trolling motor would be sufficient and the heavy (or alternatively lightweight but expensive) bit would be the battery that drives it.  The seriously expensive solution would be a proper electric outboard, like an eProp or Torqeedo but that might be overkill on such a small dinghy.  I've used a Torqeedo 1003 (since sold for doing too much whining) on my 2.3m 3D inflatable.  I couldn't get it up on to the plane (unlike with my Suzuki 2.5hp stinkpot) but it was more than adequate for doing shore ferry duties.

[Matthew P]

A Temo outboard looks a good solution for small boats.     

See https://www.temofrance.com/en_GB/

But it is expensive and not available in the UK - unless someone has more recent information than me?

Matthew

[Rod Shiers]

Hi Matthew, Hope you are well. Thanks for that info. Yes the A Temo looks good and would save using the bulky outboard bracket. I'll have to start saving.

Regards

Rod

[Matthew P]

Does anyone know where I can buy a Temo in the UK? 

Matthew

[Graham W]

Matthew,

I don't think Temo have any dealers in the UK yet.  However, I just put one in my panier on the Temo site and it came up with a Euro price without VAT.  I think that this means that they will ship to the UK (with a continental plug on the charger) and you have to pay UK VAT at this end.  I don't know about shipping charges - I didn't go any further than the initial panier.

[Matthew P]

After helpful responses from Temo to my technical queries I ordered a Temo 450 via their website and paid by credit card in March this year.  Delivery was promised end of April.  A week before delivery Temo emailed to say that carriage costs had very significantly increased, I presume because of the lithium batteries.  I said I was willing to wait but Temo responded the problem is that Temo "can't provide any after sale service if the [transport] prices are so high". Temo cancelled my order and refunded my payment.

Although costly the Temo 450 system is a good solution for my requirements, so I am hoping that Temo electric outboards will be available in the UK in due course.

Matthew

[Graham W]

I suspect that this has more to do with Brexitophobia than lithium.  German retailing giant SVB24.com has them for the same VAT-free price plus €40 for shipping.  They also stock the full range of Temo accessories.