Electric propulsion continues to see powerful growth.
Electric motors are on a roll, and though they may not power up your center console with 1,000 horsepower just yet, they are growing in size and becoming powerful enough for pontoons and small fishing boats. In fact, Torqeedo’s Deep Blue 50 R outboard motor with the Deep Blue Battery 40 can reach nearly 28 mph on the new coach boats that worked in August at the 2023 World Sailing championships in the Netherlands. Then there’s the Candela C-8 foiling center console that can reach 27 knots for 57 nautical miles using Polestar batteries matched with the Candela C-Pod motor at the bottom of the aft foil. Elco has been building electric engines for more than 130 years and offer a range of outboard and inboard engines from 5- to 200-hp.
Mercury Marine Avator
Mercury Marine stepped into the electric outboard game this past January with the introduction of the Avator 7.5e, but has already beefed-up the power with the recent introduction of the Avator 20e and 35e outboards.
The Avator 7.5e outboard generates 750W of power at the prop shaft and produces similar speed and acceleration as a Mercury 3.5-hp FourStroke outboard. Offered with tiller or remote steering, the Avator, like most electric outboards on the market, is ideal for powering small boats. What’s nice is the integrated lithium-ion battery pack that drops into place under the flip-top cowling lid. Bring along a couple of battery packs for longer rides.
The 20e and 35e boast many of the same innovative features as the 7.5e, including industry-first transverse flux motor technology and vivid full-color intuitive display. With the new outboards, there’s more power (the 20e can produce similar acceleration as a 5-hp FourStroke outboard, while the 35e generates acceleration that is comparable to a Mercury 9.9-hp FourStroke outboard) with a remote battery of 2,300Wh developed in partnership with the Navico Group’s Mastervolt brand. Both engines have the ability to connect up to four batteries for optimal range. Offered with tiller or remote steering, both are ideal for powering small vessels, including the new Veer V13, aluminum fishing boats, micro skiffs, rigid inflatables, tenders, and small pontoons. mercurymarine.com/Avator
Minn Kota
Did you know that the first gear-driven electric trolling motor was invented in 1934? Minn Kota was named by O.G. Schmidt who was living on the Minnesota/North Dakota border. Eighty-plus years later, Minn Kota releases the QUEST series, including the new Riptide Instinct trolling motor with new features to make time on the water more efficient and enjoyable. A new, enhanced GPS suite allows features like Drift mode to automatically adjust speed and direction to combat currents and winds, and the updated Follow-the-Contour function integrates seamlessly with CoastMaster mapping to allow anglers the ability to maintain their desired course, while Dodge Mode enables anglers to swiftly leave the auto navigation mode to manually steer through waves and around structures without resetting their route.
The Riptide Instinct QUEST is a dual 24- or 36-volt brushless motor and a true, hands-free saltwater motor with up to 30 percent longer runtime on a single charge and up to 50 percent greater torque compared to running on a 24-volt brushed motor at maximum speed. The Auto Stow/Deploy function lets anglers effortlessly enter and exit the water at the push of a button without the need of physically handling the motor. Adapting to changing conditions is even easier with the Power Trim feature, and the Spot-Lock GPS anchor keeps your boat locked on your fishing spot. minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com
Forza X1
A new contender in the electric propulsion arena is Forza XI. This company has taken the extra step to make sure the 180-hp electric motor reaches maximum efficiency by designing a boat to match. From the hull design to the outboard to their modular Proliance intelligent battery to the Garmin controls, the F-22 Electric Center Console can reach up to 40 mph. At 15 mph, the F-22 has a range of 32 miles, and as with most engines, fuel or electric, the time on the water is depending on the boat’s speed and use. Forza, whose parent company is Twin Vee, has an F-22 dual console and FX-1 catamaran hull in the works and will be centering its operations at a state-of-the-art factory being built in North Carolina. forzax1.com
-by Jeremy Peters
