We’ve written before about the many advantages of electric motors over their gas-powered equivalents. Most of these are not surprising and are directly tied to the fact that there’s no burning of fossil fuels and the electric motor has one moving part so there’s virtually nothing to maintain or fix.
But there are also several unexpected, or “hidden” benefits that owners tend to discover only after they’ve used an electric outboard. Here are several “pleasant surprises” we’ve collected from our customers and our own experience of using an electric outboard.
No Gasoline Smell Permeating Every Surface of the Car Interior
One of the downsides of a gas-powered outboard motor is that no matter how careful you are, when transporting it in your car, the car usually reeks of gasoline for days afterwards. Even if you empty the tank completely beforehand and no gas is actually spilled (easier said than done), leftover traces of fuel in the carburetor and fuel lines somehow seems to get everywhere.
Of course, gas is not the only messy liquid that can escape a combustion engine. Engine oil can leak onto the back of your car (hope you used a tarp with no holes in it) or worse—into the cylinders and destroy the engine when you next start it up.
Contrast that with an electric motor, that has no fluids at all.
No Noxious Fumes
If you’ve owned a boat for any length of time you’ve likely gotten used to breathing in—and sometimes choking on—some nasty fumes. Because it’s just something that goes hand-in-hand with boating, it’s not something one generally thinks about, and therefore it’s a bit of a surprise when you first use an electric outboard and suddenly notice…wow, the air is clean!
As an electric outboard motor owner myself, I can state confidently that lately when I’m a guest on a boat with a gas motor, it’s definitely the first thing I notice. The smoke and fumes always seem a lot worse than I remember.
No More Refuelling
No longer needing to buy gas may not be unexpected (in fact, this is likely the one thing you’d be looking forward to the most). But it still comes as a bit of a shock how cool it is to never have to purchase gas again.
Not only the lack of purchasing, but also the act of refuelling. Owning an electric outboard motor helps you realize all the little aspects that you tend not to think about, but make a huge difference combined. Things like:
- Not having to wait in line for the pumps.
- Not having to mix fuel for your 2-stroke engine.
- Not having to dispose of it when it goes bad after being stored for extended periods of time.
- Having to close all hatches every time you pump gas.
- Ensuring everyone gets off the boat before refuelling.
- Accidentally overfilling, spilling fuel into the bilge or into the water.
- Running the blower for 5-10 minutes after refueling.
Seeing More Wildlife
I always maintain that the most dramatic difference new electric outboard motor owners realize is the silence. But one thing we don’t often think about is how much the noise of a gas engine affects wildlife.
It’s not difficult to understand how the clickety-clack of metal parts rubbing together in a gas motor—particularly a 2-stroke—scare the fish away (which is why electric outboards are prized for fishing). But when you’re trying to get a good view of marine mammals or birds, it’s not obvious that they hear you before they see you.
You’d be surprised how much closer you can get, and how less disturbed wildlife will act when you use an electric outboard. Not that I condone getting too close to wildlife. But I like being able to get close enough for some really good wildlife viewing and knowing you’re not causing much of a disruption in animals’ lives.
Not Waking Everyone When Taking the Dog for a Pee at Night
For the dog owners out there, you’ve surely experienced this: you’re moored out in the bay, and in the middle of the night, the dog needs to pee. After several pulls you start up the gas motor on the dinghy to take them to shore to do their business, and you just know you’ve woken up everyone in a 1 km radius (because sounds travels far over water).
Now contrast that with a single push of the button to start your eLite and cruising to shore in complete silence. Dog owners who’ve made the switch to electric know exactly what I’m talking about.
No Need to Worry About Knocking Your Spouse or Kids Out Cold While Starting the Engine
An electric motor’s push-button instant start means not having to warn everyone in the boat to watch their heads for fear of your flying elbow which will be coming their way with extreme force. This is not usually a problem for experienced boaters—unless you have younger kids who may at any time decide to stand next to you right when you least expect.
Regardless, not having to worry about it ever is an unexpected delight, as is not having to exert such unnatural movement on your elbow in the first place.
No Complexity Means Your Spouse and Kids Won’t Avoid Using It
I used to get frustrated at being the only one who could operate our small boat. My wife had no patience for all the tasks involved with just starting the motor, and forbade my kids from operating it.
| Gas Outboard | Electric Outboard |
| Connect fuel line Open fuel valve Open vent Choking Priming Ensure gear is in neutral Ensure throttle is at “start” or “re-start” position Pull the cord until it starts Warm up the engine | Push power button |
After we got an electric outboard, everyone felt confident operating it, and what’s even better, I feel completely comfortable trusting them with it even when I’m not present…there’s just very little that can go wrong.
The Extra Space in Your Small Boat
Another great benefit of an electric outboard that you wouldn’t generally think about until you get one, is that you don’t need to store a fuel tank. This frees up about 4 square feet of space—typically the entire back section.
Super Easy to Install and Remove From Your Tender
A Spirit 1.0 Plus electric motor weighs only 10.6kg/23.4lbs (with the detachable battery weighing 8.7kg/ 19.2lbs), and the tiny eLite weighs only 6.7kg/14.7lbs including the battery. This makes them super easy for even kids to install or remove. The eLite makes the process so super simple and quick—just snap it on.
It’s something I never considered before, but when I think back to lugging a heavy outboard, then lugging a heavy fuel tank, ensuring no fuel leaks, connecting them, (etc.)…life is so much easier now.
Precise Maneuverability and Control When Docking
Precision and control are vital in tight spaces, such as when entering or leaving the marina. Maximum torque at start up is an inherent characteristic of electric motors. This means that electric outboards have both greater maneuverability at slow speed and quicker acceleration times, making your boat both nimble and fast at the touch of button. Navigate through narrow water passages, smoothly dock at marinas, and enjoy seamless turns with unparalleled ease.
