Electrification of small boats has ceased to be a niche fun for enthusiasts and has become a full-fledged industry offering reliable solutions for fishing and recreation. Boat electric motor Now, not only is it an environmentally friendly alternative to a gasoline engine, but it's also a way to get absolute silence on the water, which is critical to trophy fishing, and unlike the loud two-stroke brethren, electric powertrains allow you to sneak up on fish at a throwing distance without scaring them with vibration and the smell of exhaust gases.
But the market is saturated with huge ranges of prices and features, which poses a difficult choice for the buyer. Many beginners make the mistake of focusing solely on horsepower, forgetting about the power of the car. thrustThe wrong choice of the motor-battery-boat bundle can lead to disappointment: either the boat will barely crawl against the wind, or the battery will run out in an hour of active operation.
In this article, we will discuss all the technical details, from calculating the necessary traction to choosing the type of battery to make your voyage comfortable and safe. You will learn why the on-board voltage plays a crucial role in the efficiency of the system and how not to overpay for functions that you will never need.
Calculation of traction and choice of engine power
The first thing that begins with the selection of equipment is the definition of the necessary tractionUnlike gasoline engines, where horsepower is important, for electric motors, the key indicator is traction strength, measured in pounds (lbs). One pound of thrust is approximately 0.45 kg, and this value is often enough to understand scaling, but not to be confused with maximum speed or payload.
There is a proven formula that allows you to roughly estimate the required thrust: for every 500 kg of total weight (boat + engine + battery + crew + equipment), approximately 50-60 lbs of thrust are required to move comfortably into calm. However, wind and current can increase this requirement by many times. If you plan to walk on large reservoirs, where a strong sidewall often blows, the power reserve should be at least 30% of the calculated minimum.
⚠️ Attention: Never choose a close-up motor for maximum load. The engine running at 100% power causes windings to overheat, drop in efficiency and reduce battery life. The optimal cruising mode is 60-70% of maximum thrust.
It is also important to consider dimensions and type of boatFor soft-bottomed PVC inflatable boats, short-devwut engines are suitable so as not to screw the cylinders when rolling. For flat-transed metal or fiberglass boats, the length of the daywut should be adjusted so that the screw is immersed in water 15-20 cm below the keel, but does not create excessive drag.
- 🚤 Small boats (up to 300 kg of total weight) - thrust up to 30-35 lbs.
- ⚓ Medium-sized boats (300-800 kg) - thrust from 40 to 55 lbs.
- 🌊 Large boats (over 1000 kg) – thrust from 60 lbs and above, often using two motors.
Onboard network voltage: 12, 24 or 36 volts
The choice of voltage depends on the required thrust and duration of battery life. Most low-power models (up to 40-45 lbs) run on the same level. 12 volts.This is the simplest and most budget option, ideal for small bodies of water and calm water.
When the motor thrust exceeds 50-55 lbs, manufacturers switch to 24 V or 36 V systems. This is done for a reason: increasing the voltage allows you to reduce the current in the circuit at the same power, which reduces the heating of the wires, contacts and the engine itself. The 36 Volt motor will work quieter, more efficiently and give more energy to the propeller than the similar in thrust, but running from 12 V.
To implement 24B or 36B circuits, you need to connect batteries in series, which imposes a strict requirement that all batteries in a bundle must be absolutely identical in capacity, age, type and even date of purchase, and using a multi-pillar battery will cause the weakest battery to fail first, dragging the entire system along.
Can I run a 24V motor from a single 12V battery?
No, this is impossible without a special voltage converter, which will have low efficiency. Attempting to connect the 24V motor directly to the 12V will only lead to weak operation or complete inoperability of the device, since the windings are designed for a different resistance.
It is also worth noting that the transition to a higher voltage requires the use of special chargerIt can charge two or three batteries in a row, or it can have multiple separate chargers, which increases the initial cost, but in the long run, it pays off with the cost savings and the resource of the equipment.
Battery types: AGM, GEL and Lithium
The heart of your electric boat is the battery, and you can't save or use the car's starter batteries. The battery is designed to give you a short-term huge current to start the engine, and then immediately charge the generator. Deep discharge kills them in a few cycles.
There are special electric motors for boats. traction Deep Cycle, designed for long-term low-current energy output and the ability to withstand deep discharges, has three main types of technology on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
| Type of AKB | Resource (cycles) | Weight. | Price. | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGM / GEL | 400-600 | Heavy. | Medium | No maintenance, safe, afraid of overcharging |
| LiFePO4 (Lithium) | 2000-5000 | Lungs (-60%) | High. | They keep the voltage until the end, have BMS protection. |
| Starter | 50-100 | Heavy. | Low. | Not suitable for electric motors, they die quickly. |
The most promising option today are lithium-iron-phosphate batteries (see below).LiFePO4Despite the high initial cost, they are 2-3 times lighter than lead counterparts, which is critical for balancing a boat, and last 5-10 times longer. In addition, lithium gives full power even at a discharge of 90%, while lead by this time already loses significantly in voltage and, as a result, in the speed of rotation of the screw.
When buying a lithium battery, be sure to make sure that the built-in protection board (BMS) supports the discharge current consumed by your motor. Powerful motors (over 1.5 kW) may require a BMS with a current of 100A or higher.
DataWut design and management
The electric motor can be controlled in two main ways: through a hummel (handle) or through a remote pedal / remote. tiller models are classics where all control (gas, reverse, turns) is done with one hand. This is convenient, but requires constant being on the stern or nose (depending on the installation) and can tire during long transitions.
Foot control is the choice of professional anglers, and the pedal allows you to control the motor with your feet, leaving your hands free for spinning. anchorage Spot Lock, where the motor itself adjusts the position of the boat with GPS coordinates to compensate for wind demolition, is a complex electronics that greatly increases the cost of the kit, but gives incredible comfort.
A significant design element is a lower unit (foot), which is telescopic (with multiple positions of depth) and fixed. Telescopic models are more versatile, allowing the screw to be raised higher in shallow water or lower lower when the boat is fully loaded. The datawut material is usually reinforced composite or stainless steel, which provides resistance to corrosion in salt water.
- 🎣 tiller It is cheap, easy, and requires one free hand.
- 🦶 pedal - hands are free, convenient for trolling and spinning, more expensive.
- 📱 Remote/Bluetooth Control from a smartphone or key fob, rarely used as the main method.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the motor on a transom, make sure that the fastening clamp will not damage the material of the boat. For PVC, use special plastic linings or rubber gaskets that come with the kit to avoid cuts and depressurization of the cylinders.
Screws and speed
Even the most powerful motor won’t float fast if it’s equipped with the wrong screw. The standard screws that come with the kit are usually a compromise. To improve efficiency and speed, many users are thinking about replacing the screw with a more “traction” or more “speed”.
The main parameters of the screw are diameter and pitch. Increasing the pitch of the screw theoretically increases speed, but also dramatically increases the load on the motor and current consumption. If the motor lacks power, it will start to warm up, and the operating time will decrease. So replacing the screw is a fine-tuning that you need to do experimentally, measuring the current consumption with an ammeter.
The material of the screw also matters. Plastic screws are cheap and when hit by a stone, they just break or bend, saving the engine shaft from twisting. Metal screws are stronger and more efficient, but when faced with a hard obstacle, they can transmit the blow to the gearbox. For beginners and places with abundant vegetation or stones, it is better to use plastic or composite screws.
☑️ Screwing the screw before the season
Service and extension
Electric motors are known for their reliability and minimal maintenance requirements, but that doesn't mean that they can be completely forgotten. After every fishing, especially in salt water, you need to thoroughly wash the deadwuth with fresh water. Salt is the main enemy of metal parts and glands, causing rapid corrosion.
Once a season, check the condition of the ossels and the presence of water in the gearbox. Many models have control holes or transparent elements that allow you to visually assess the tightness. If you notice an emulsion (water mixed with oil) or rust inside, you need to immediately replace the oss and oil to prevent the bearings from failing.
Store the motor and batteries in a dry room at plus temperature. Lithium batteries are better stored charged by 50-70%, and lead batteries are fully charged, periodically (once every 1-2 months) recharging them to avoid sulfation of the plates. Proper storage in winter ensures that you get on the water immediately, not to the service center.
The main enemy of the electric motor is not water, but lack of prevention. Regular flushing with fresh water and checking the screw mounts prolong the life of the device at times.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can an electric motor be used in salt water?
Yes, you can, but only if the model is labeled "Saltwater" or "Sea" -- these engines have enhanced corrosion protection, special coatings and glands, and conventional freshwater models at sea quickly rust and fail.
What is the maximum speed of an electric boat?
Speed depends on the weight of the boat, the shape of the hull and the power of the engine. On average, electric motors develop from 5 to 10 km / h. Record speeds (up to 15-20 km / h) are possible only on light racing boats with powerful lithium systems.
Do I need to register a boat with an electric motor in GIMS?
In Russia (at the time of writing), boats with electric motors up to 8 kW (about 10.8 hp) are not subject to registration and do not require rights if the total weight of the equipped vessel does not exceed 200 kg.
How long does the motor last on a single charge?
The operating time varies from 2 to 8 hours and depends on the battery capacity (Ah) and mode of operation. At low speeds (30% of thrust), the engine consumes minimal energy and can run all day. At full power, the battery can sit in 40-60 minutes.