When I was researching gas outboard motors, I found these electric motors which are very quiet and compatible with gas outboard at 3 hp. So, I decided to write a helpful post on it.
When it comes to an electric outboard motor, there are only fewer models at 3 hp range. This makes it easy to select one. And the best 3 hp outboard motors are
- E-propulsion spirit 1.0 plus
- Torqeedo Travel 1103 C
- Electric paddle carry (EP carry)
All these models worth the cost in the long run. Let’s see how. These are the good electric motors available at 3 hp. Still, there are few more products at this range.
E-propulsion spirit 1.0 Plus vs Torqeedo Travel 1103 CL
You might be wondering why I kept EP carry(1 hp equivalent) in the 3 hp category. The reason is for a small dinghy EP carry is a good choice, which can carry up to 600 lb.
| Specifications | spirit 1.0 Plus | Travel 1103 CL | EP carry |
| Horsepower | 3 hp | 3 hp | 1 hp |
| The total weight(lbs) for long shaft | 42.2 | 39 | 21 |
| Weight without battery(lbs) for long shaft | 24 | 25.7 | 14.4 |
| Total weight capacity it can hold(lbs) | up to 3306.934 | up to 3306.934 | up to 600 |
| Battery capacity(Wh) | 1276 | 1000 – 1100 | 230 |
| Battery type | Li-Po | Li-Ion | LiFePo4 |
| Shaft length() small medium large | 52.5 cm 62.5 cm 75 cm | 62.5 cm 75 cm | 33 cm 33-43 cm 43-55 cm |
| Input power(watt) | 1000 | 1100 | 250 |
| Speed range(km) slow throttle half throttle full throttle | 35 km(avg range) 11.25 | 74 km 33 km 8.3 km | 13 – 20 9.2 – 13 4.6 – 7.4 |
| Running time slow throttle half throttle full throttle | 5 hr(avg time) 45 min | 20 hr 6 hr 50 min | 3 – 7 hr 2 hr 1 hr |
| Price | $1,999 – $2,349 | $1,999 – $2,699 | $1,600 |
Check this E-propulsion website for more details click here (don’t worry, it will open in next tab). On the bottom, you will see everything about spirit 1.0.
Check this Torqeedo website for more details click here (don’t worry, it will open in next tab).
Check this electric paddle website for EP carry click here (don’t worry, it will open in new tab)
Electric outboard motor: Are they worth the cost?
The gas outboard motors are cheaper than the electric ones. But, electric motors are better than the gas because, in the long run, you will get benefited from it. For an electric motor, we need to charge them(it will cost less than petrol), whereas, for gas ones, we need to buy gas every time.
For a gas outboard motor, you need to bring an extra gas tank if you are thinking to go for a long trip. Whereas for an electric outboard motor you need to carry a small solar panel with you on the boat. So, you can charge it right away. You don’t need to carry a big thing(gas can) with you while boating.
If you have a solar panel then we need to allocate some space for it on the boat for charging. That is the only problem with an electric outboard motor. Whereas for a gas motor we can use an extra gas tank instantly and we can go.
From the price perspective
When it comes to the price, the gas outboard motors are way cheaper than the electric ones. But, the electric ones are far better than the gas ones because, in the long run, you will get benefited from it.
Okay, now let’s do the math. Consider the electric outboard motor price is around 2000 dollars, for a 3 hp motor (a good outboard motors). For that same price, we will see what all gas outboard motors will come.
| Brand | model name | price | HP |
| Yamaha | F6LMHA 4-stroke | $1700 | 6 hp |
| Honda | 2020 HONDA 5 HP BF5DHLHNA | $1733 | 5 hp |
| Mercury | MERCURY MARINE–8hp 4-Stroke | $2070 | 8 hp |
| Tohatsu | MFS6CSPROUL Sail Pro 4-stroke | $1980 | 6 hp |
| Suzuki | Suzuki 6 HP DF6ASW2 | $1565 | 6 hp |
Four cycle engines (four-stroke engines) are now boasting of even better gas consumption. Many burn gas according to the formula:
Gas consumption per hour= horsepower/15 gallons/hour.
| Brand | model name | HP | consumption |
| Yamaha | F6LMHA 4-stroke | 6 hp | 0.4 gallons or 1.5 liters per hour |
| Honda | 2020 HONDA 5 HP BF5DHLHNA | 5 hp | 0.33 gallons or 1.2 liters per hour |
| Mercury | MERCURY MARINE–8hp 4-Stroke | 8 hp | 0.53 gallons or 2.01 liters per hour |
| Tohatsu | MFS6CSPROUL Sail Pro 4-stroke | 6 hp | 0.4 gallons or 1.5 liters per hour |
| Suzuki | Suzuki 6 HP DF6ASW2 | 6 hp | 0.4 gallons or 1.5 liters per hour |
On average outboard motor above are consuming = 1.542 liters per hour. Assume that in one month you will use 15 liters of gas for your outboard motor. Then the total cost will be $30 per month (1-liter petrol = $2).
Then, each year you will be spending around $350 for gas on the outboard motor. And for 2 years it is $700. You can avoid this if you use an electric motor. The electric motors are good for health and to the earth.
E-propulsion spirit 1.0 outboard motors: are they worth the cost?
All the electric motors will be benefited in the long run. If you are using gas outboard motors, you need to use gas whenever you ran out of the gas. So, for gas, you need to pay more when compared with the current. So, in the long run, you will get benefited.
E-propulsion spirit there are 3 models.
- E-propulsion spirit 1.0 r (Price = $1999) can be controlled by remote(or steering wheel) that’s the difference between the rest of them(1.0 & 1.0 Plus). Except for remote control, 1.0 r is the same as 1.0.
- E-propulsion spirit 1.0 Plus (Price $2300 – $2349) is the upgraded version of 1.0 & 1.0 r with extra running time.
- E-propulsion spirit (Price $1999) can handle a 13 ft RIB to go at 4.3 miles per hour.
Specifications of E-propulsion spirit 1.0
- It has a GPS so, you can find it when you lose it.
- The battery will float in the water, no worry for losing it in the water.
- It has a magnetic kill switch.
- Power button to start the motor.
- And it has a small display on the battery which will show battery percentage, volts, run time, and remaining run time.
Simple to use
- Turn the throttle clockwise for moving in the forward direction and anti-clockwise to move in the reverse direction.
- It has a tilt angle of 75 degrees.
- You can use this motor in both freshwater and saltwater.
- There is not pull-start, just a button to start.
Advantages of E-propulsion spirit 1.0
- It is quiet
- No exhaust
- No need for maintenance
- Lightweight
Every model(1.0, 1.0 r, 1.0 Plus) is almost the same as for the maintenance and quietness. So, I will be using the name spirit 1.0, which resembles all three models for the rest of the article.
1. It is quiet
- This is very silent compared to all other outboard electric motors.
- It’s quiet because there is no gearbox and very few moving parts that cut down friction noise.
- It’s way quieter than 4-stroke and 2-stroke.
2. No exhaust
- There is no gas tank and it’s green, good for your family.
3. No need for maintenance
- It can last for 20,000 hours without maintenance.
4. Lightweight
- These electric motors are very light and easy to handle, especially when you are tilting the motor. You can say goodbye for the back pain you will get while tilting the gas outboard motor.
- Even small children can lift this motor.
Disadvantages of E-propulsion spirit 1.0
1. Price
- The price of the E-propulsion spirit is a bit high, at this range we can get a good 4-Stroke gas outboard motor.
- Especially these 3 hp motors are not that compatible with 3 hp gas outboard motor.
Uses of E-propulsion spirit
You can use this spirit 1.0 for sailboats, fishing, commercial rentals, and tenders.
- For a boat between 18 – 25 feet, spirit 1.0 will allow you to get a speed of 5 Knots.
- As for the fishing, it is very quiet so that fishes will no notice much.
- And there is no need for maintenance up to 20,000 hours.
Check this video on spirit 1.0, he explained it very well.
Check this E-propulsion website for more details click here (don’t worry, it will open in next tab). On the bottom, you will see everything about spirit 1.0.
Torqeedo Travel 3 hp: Are they worth the cost?
All the electric motors will be benefited in the long run. If you are using gas outboard motors, you need to use gas whenever you ran out of the gas. So, for gas, you need to pay more when compared with the current. So, in the long run, you will get benefited.
In Torqeedo travel, there are 3 models with 3 hp.
- Travel 1003 S – 1,999
- Travel 1003 CS – $2,499
- Travel 1103 CL – $2,699
| Specifications | Travel 1003 S | Travel 1003 CS | Travel 1103 CL |
| Horsepower | 3 hp | 3 hp | 3 hp |
| The total weight(lbs) for long shaft | 32.6 | 34.1 | 39 |
| Weight without battery(lbs) for long shaft | 20.9 | 20.9 | 25.7 |
| Total weight capacity it can hold(lbs) | up to 3306.934 | up to 3306.934 | up to 3306.934 |
| Battery capacity(Wh) | 530 | 915 | 1000 – 1100 |
| Battery type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Shaft length() small large | 62.5 cm 75 cm | 62.5 cm 75 cm | 62.5 cm 75 cm |
| Input power(watt) | 1000 | 1000 | 1100 |
| Speed range(km) slow throttle half throttle full throttle | 37 km 19.4 km 5.2 km | 64.8 km 33 km 8.4 km | 74 km 33 km 8.3 km |
| Running time slow throttle half throttle full throttle | 10:30 hr 3:30 hr 35 min | 17:30 hr 6:00 hr 55 min | 20:00 hr 6:00 hr 50 min |
| Price | $1,999 | $2,499 | $2,699 |
Specifications of Torqeedo travel
For all travel models(with 3 hp) specifications are almost the same.
- It has a GPS, with the help of that it will calculate how many kilometers left.
- It has a magnetic kill switch.
- Power button to start the motor.
- And it has a small display on the battery which will show battery percentage, leftover run time, speed, and current usage.
Simple to use
- Turn the throttle clockwise for moving in the forward direction and anti-clockwise to move in the reverse direction.
- It has a tilt angle of 70 degrees.
- You can use this motor in both freshwater and saltwater.
Advantages of Torqeedo travel
The main advantage of Torqeedo is, it is very quiet 33 dB. No need for maintenance. It will alert (gives small sound) us if the battery is low. With its emergency kill switch, it is very safe to use. The motor only runs when the emergency magnetic key is placed in the prescribed position on the remote throttle or tiller.
You always need to tie the magnetic kill switch or key to your wrist or your life jacket. If you fall overboard, the magnetic key will come off, and the outboard motor will stop immediately. All the advantages are similar to the e-propulsion outboard motor
1. It is quiet
- This is very silent compared to all other outboard electric motors.
- It’s quiet because there is no gearbox and very few moving parts that cut down friction noise, it is very quiet 33 dB.
- It’s way quieter than 4-stroke and 2-stroke.
2. No exhaust
- There is no gas tank and it’s green, good for your family.
3. Lightweight
- These electric motors are very light and easy to handle, especially when you are tilting the motor. You can say goodbye for the back pain you will get while tilting the gas outboard motor.
- Even small children can lift this motor.
Disadvantages of Torqeedo travel
1. Price
- The main drawback of an electric outboard motor is the price, it is a bit high. At that range ($1500+), you can get a good 4-Stroke gas outboard motor.
- Especially, these 3 hp electric outboard motors are not that compatible with 3 hp gas outboard motor.
Check this video it is very helpful.
Check this Torqeedo website for more details click here (don’t worry, it will open in next tab).
Buying an EP carry: Is it worth paying for the name brand?
EP carry is a good electric outboard motor, especially for small dinghies. It can hold a maximum weight of 600lb. This is equivalent to a 1hp gas outboard motor. Most dinghies will achieve max speeds of 6.1 to 8.3 km/hr. The weight of the outboard motor is 22 lb (motor + battery).
Advantages of Ep carry
Most dinghies will achieve max speeds of 3.3 to 4.5 knots. If you recharge each evening, the range is not an issue. Ep carry is very light and easy to handle, especially when you are tilting the motor. You can tilt the whole motor(90 degrees) from the water with very ease. The price is $1600(motor + battery).
Output speeds to expect on typical boats
- 10 ft Walker Bay @ 450 lb, 6.6 km
- 9 ft Inflatable Riken at 250 lb, 6.2 km
- 12 ft Gig Harbor Pt Defiance @ 520 lb, 7.2 km
- 8.5 ft Port-A-Boat @ 250 lb, 6.2 km
- 16 ft Wenonah canoe @ 300 lb, 8.7 km
Speed range of Ep carry
- slow throttle – 74 km
- half throttle – 33 km
- full throttle – 8.3 km
Powerful
- Lightweight, waterproof 6 lb. Lithium (LiFePo4) battery pack weighs 6 lbs.
- Fast battery recharge — 5 hours or less
- Easily recharged from house bank or solar
Disadvantages of Ep carry
- This is useful for very small dinghies only, not for big ones, because it is very small.
- The price is high ($1600).
Check this awesome video for more information
Check this electric paddle website for EP carry click here (don’t worry, it will open in new tab)
Related questions
1. What is the best electric outboard motor for 3 hp?
E-propulsion spirit 1.0 is the best for 3 hp because it is very light and very calm. Price is average compared to the rest at that range of 3 hp. This is very useful for fishing since it is very calm.
2. What is the best electric outboard motor under 2000 dollars?
The best electric outboard motors under 2000 dollars are E-propulsion spirit 1.0, Torqeedo travel 1003 S, and Ep carry. All these outboard motors are 3 hp range (except Ep carry).