Electric outboards, anyone gonna get one?

[throttleplate]

Mercury Marine achieves electrification milestone as first Avator™ electric outboards now shipping to global customers

Download as PDF April 18, 2023 6:00am EDT

 

FOND DU LAC, Wis., April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), has announced the first group of Avator™ 7.5e electric outboards has shipped to global customers, representing a major milestone in Mercury’s electrification strategy. The 7.5e is the first of Mercury’s five Avator electric propulsion systems to be announced this year. During the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in January, the company officially launched the 7.5e and displayed concepts of Avator 20e and 35e, both of which will be released later in 2023. Two additional electrification product announcements from Mercury will be made before the end of the year. 

“This is a historic and exciting day for Mercury Marine as we continue to deliver on our commitment to being the industry leader in both internal combustion products and electric propulsion,” said John Buelow, Mercury Marine president. “We look forward to all our customers around the world having the opportunity to experience Avator and to have the brand be prominently displayed globally.”

The award-winning Avator 7.5e electric outboard delivers clean, quiet power with innovative features that make it simple for boaters to enjoy the water. Additionally, the swappable 1kWh lithium-ion battery was developed in partnership with Mastervolt (Navico Group) and engineered exclusively for marine applications. It's a safe, reliable 48V power source that is IP67 rated for water resistance and has a vivid full-color display that tracks battery level and range for confidently exploring the water. Avator is the first propulsion system from Mercury to be compatible with the all-new Mercury Marine app, available for iOS® and Android™ devices.  

U.S., ANZP, and EMEA customers and distributors will begin receiving the Avator 7.5e over the next few weeks with a steady stream of engines to be shipped throughout the year to all Mercury global customers. Those looking to power their boat with Avator are encouraged to contact their local dealer for more information on shipping dates. Learn more about Avator and Mercury’s electrification strategy at MercuryMarine.com/Avator.

 

[Susky River Rat]

I think it will be good for some people just like cars are. I’m staying away from any electric power sports or vehicle as long as I can. They do not fit my needs.

[Captain Phil]

In the summer I fish a small lake that only allows electric powered boats.  They are quiet and trouble free. Electric power may replace gasoline engines some time in the future.   Like all major technological change, there are issues that need to be worked out.   At this time, range is a big problem.  Do you want to be 50 miles down a lake looking for a charger?  I am not against progress. Who doesn't want clean energy?  The question is how much are you willing to pay?  If they can build an electric outboard that can compete head to head with my mercury 4 stroke, bring it on.  I doubt we will see it any time soon.

[Functional]

Not for me. Maybe in the future but I feel like there are more tricks up my sleeve to limp a gas motor home vs an electric just not working and needing specialized tools. 

 

Not to mention electrical fires scare me...all fire on a boat is no fun but electric fires belong on a level in Dante's inferno. 

[Bankc]

2 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

In the summer, I fish a small lake that only allows electric powered boats.  They are quiet and trouble free. Electric power may replace gasoline engines some time in the future.   Like all major technological change, there are issues that need to be worked out.   At this time, range is a big problem.  Do you want to be 50 miles down a lake looking for a charger?  I am not against progress. Who doesn't want clean energy?  The question is how much are you willing to pay?  If they can build an electric outboard that can compete head to head with my mercury 4 stroke, bring it on.  I doubt we will see it any time soon.

Yeah.  Like just about any new technology, the first few generations have a lot of bugs to work out.  In particular with planes and boats is the weight of the batteries, which is significantly higher than that of an equivalent amount of gasoline.  In cars and trucks, the weight is less of big deal since the increase in torque largely makes up for it, and you're not trying to keep it suspended in or on a fluid medium.    

 

Still, solid state batteries are on the horizon, and once they go into mass production, this will likely become a much more viable technology for the average person.  You can recharge quickly and easily, they'll weigh much less, and probably be even safer than gasoline.  

 

This is the direction we're all going and in probably 10-15 years it'll just make more sense than the old gas engines.  They'll be cheaper, faster, and much more reliable.  But we're not there yet.  And where the tech stands now, it's really more of a toy for wealthy people to play with than a practical solution for the budget conscious.  And that's a good thing, because it sustains the sector and keeps money flowing in to allow for more development and gradually larger scales, where it will inevitably become the standard.  

 

So I'd say, if you're looking for a practical way to get your boat around a lake, then stick with the tried-and-true gas engine, for now.  But if you have the money and want to be a part of the next wave and don't mind working around a few bugs, then go for it!  

[casts_by_fly]

like anything, it depends on usage.  A 9.9 equivalent electric would be perfect here in north Jersey.  Some lakes are 9.9 restricted.  Some are electric only.  The couple that are unlimited are <400 acres except one and its still only 2700.  So a 9.9 electric and a boat designed for it would be perfect and exactly what I would build given the option.  A modest 48V battery would cover me all day.  All of the lakes are small enough that I fish them with a trolling motor only right now in the kayak so if something happened with the big motor I could get it home.

 

I'm sure my situation is not typical for all though.  If you're fishing Lake Wylie (13k acres), Kerr Lake (50k acres), or god forbid Toledo bend (185k acres) I'm pretty sure you're going to find the battery capacity limiting.  Like rods, different strokes for different folks.

 

For this motor specifically, Mercury is behind the curve.  Its a 3 HP equivalent (750W) and has a 1kWh battery.  ePropulsion has that already on their spirit 1 plus model which has been out for a while and is proven on the water (and also is a 1000W motor).  The spirit is about $1500.  Same company has the navy model 6 which is a 9.9 hp equivalent.

 

rick

[Craig P]

Performance vs Price is what immediately comes to mind for me.  That 7.5e is a 3 1/2 hp rating at roughly $3750.  That is a steep price to pay for that size of motor when the equivalent gas motor is $1150.  Their future release will be a 20e and 35e, comparable to a 5hp and 9.9hp respectively.  I cannot imagine what they would cost, maybe $6k or more for the 35e?

 

It looks like a nicely built unit, I like the tech but performance vs price makes it an easy decision for me to stay gas.  I am sure it fits some segments nicely.  A lake local to me has HP restrictions and many of the pontoons docked there have Torqeedos and other electric motors to get around.

[airshot]

As far as considering one now...why???

[flyfisher]

They have been available for a while now from other companies.  Price is always a factor but that will start to come down with increased nee and production.  There are quite a few electric only lakes around here that I have seen people have set up with torqeedo motors for the electric only lakes and they are solid.  I haven't seen the cost comparison for charging versus gas and I am guessing lighter weight towing etc...but that could be interesting.

[Puggz]

No! Just stupid at the moment. Talk about range anxiety on the water?  No way.

 

With that being said, maybe a cottager on a motorless lake? I guess there may be applications but I'll stick with my 250hp V8.

[WRB]

Lithium batteries use materials mined by children* and made in China. For that reason I avoid buying anything with lithium batteries.

When we start mining our own resources and make the needed products here or somewhere without child labor the technology is good.

Companies like Ford and Mercury are being forced to go with electric power.

Tom

*Colbalt Red

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, WRB said:

Lithium batteries use materials mined by children

Maybe some of it - but Australia produces over 50% of all the lithium mined, and I doubt they use child-miners.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/chart-countries-produce-lithium-world/

5 minutes ago, WRB said:

and made in China

China production is accurate - 90% of Australia's lithium is shipped to China (same link)

[WRB]

Australia is a major supplier of lithium to China but it’s Cobalt mined in the Congo that is criminal use of child labor, key component for Lithium batteries.

Getting too political for this site, suggest reading Cobalt Red.

Tom

PS, Owens lake/Death Valley has the worlds largest lithium deposits.

[Bankbeater]

I have an electric trolling motor.  I think I will stick with that for now.

[rboat]

No thank you. Range anxiety would kill me. EVs are also not green or economical.