Can I use my ePropulsion electric motor in saltwater?

Yes, all ePropulsion outboards are designed for use in saltwater. ePropulsion uses high-quality, aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, which is naturally highly-resistant to corrosion, as the base material.

Protective Coatings

On top of the aluminum alloy are two protective coatings. An anodic oxide coating (anodizing) is applied to aluminum alloy, and then it’s powder coated.

Pod drives require additional corrosion protection since they remain submerged in saltwater for years at a time. A hard anodic oxidation coating and Teflon coating to replace the normal anodic oxide coating and the powder coating.

Metal Connectors

To improve the connector durability, Spirit 1.0 Plus and Spirit 1.0 Evo feature a metal connector between the power cable and the battery. The base material is stainless steel, and PVD (Physical vapor deposition) processing is applied to the connector. PVD coating is harder and more corrosion resistant than coatings applied by a standard electroplating process. So after hundreds of times connecting and unplugging, the metal connector can still be corrosion-resistant.

Anodes

Sacrificial zinc anodes add further corrosion protection, and can be easily replaced as needed.

Tips for Keeping Your Electric Motor Corrosion-Resistant in Saltwater

Don’t keep your outboard immersed in saltwater permanently. Remove it from the water after each use and rinse it with fresh water. It’s so light and quick to remove (and even quicker if it’s an eLite!) and there is no fuel smell or fumes to worry about, so there’s really no excuse not to stow away indoors once it’s dry.

It’s also important to avoid scratches that could damage the protective coatings. If you happen to scratch the motor body, contact us (and include a photo of it) for inspection. Early damage control and repair will prevent it from getting worse.