New Torqueedo 1103C this season, after some initial anxieties (Dreaded error code E32), I'm sold on the benefits that make singlehanded sailing much more enjoyable:

_Quiet - my completely reliable air cooled Honda just made too much noise

_Instant on/off, forward/reverse

_no volatile fuel on board (yes, ethanol free gas for any marine or air cooled engine)

_while Torqueedo claims 3HP gasoline outboard equivalent, my has no trouble pushing an Ensign above 4 knots

_complete display to lessen range anxiety. Need to go far? just dial down the speed/power consumption and watch remaining range increase

I would strongly recommend the Torqueedo remote throttle and extension cord. I mounted the throttle on a small pad of mahogany, and fix it to a corner of the seat with a c-clamp. No more stretching back to adjust speed. No need to leave the cockpit other than to pivot the shaft in or out of the water. There's a pin that can be mounted on the motor that fixes orientation straight ahead. An Ensign is surprisingly maneuverable with the rudder in forward or reverse so long as there is any headway.

The pain of initial cost quickly disappears as the benefits become clear through use.

Dick Beverly

Tracy #983

Vic, thanks for that great information on the Torpedo. I am considering purchasing one. It is costly for me anyway...about $2600. But if it will accommodate me sailing singlehanded I am willing to make the purchase. Do you think it would help me sail singlehanded?

Thanks,

Donnie George

Ensign #221

Thanks Vic...good information.

I'm in the habit of taking my battery home every time and keeping it plugged into the charger. I'll alter that routine now. I'll bring the controller home now too so I can monitor the charge and try to maintain the recommended level.

Bill Cheadle

#1622

Chien du Soleil

I talked to Torqeedo tech support earlier this week to get some guidance on their warning to not store the Torqeedo battery "at high temperature." Based on that warning, I had been taking the battery from my Torqeedo home after each day of sailing in fear that leaving it in the boat could subject it to "high temperature" in the middle of the summer. Here is what I learned.

The battery storage temperature limit is 110 to 120 F, and this is a battery life issue, not a safety issue.

You should NOT leave the battery mounted on the motor for extended periods of time when it is not in use. The sun beating down on the battery case could raise the temperature above 120 F.

You should NOT leave the battery in a closed, parked car in the summer sun for extended periods of time, as that could also raise the temperature to about 120 F. (Years ago, I measured a temperature of 150 F in a black VW Beetle parked in the Maryland sun in the summer.)

However, you CAN leave the battery in the cabin or covered cockpit of an Ensign, even in the summer sun, as the temperature is unlikely to get higher than 110 F.

In addition, the support tech recommended that the battery NOT be recharged if it has dropped only to 80 to 90 %. (Taking the battery home after each day of sailing encourages this behavior.) However, going out with a battery charged to 80% instead of 100% creates "range anxiety," so you need to make your own decision. Again, this is a battery life issue, not a safety issue. This also impacts on-board charging, though I don't know if any of us are doing that yet.

Finally, he recommended that the battery be charged to 50% to 60% for winter storage, instead of 100%.

Vic Roberts

#2032