Electric motors: Mitek MO 4.5 hp - doesn't look like it, but it's electric
YACHT-Redaktion
· 28.09.2023
With the MO 4.5 hp electric outboard motor from the manufacturer Mitek, SVB now has a drive for dinghies and small cruisers in its range that does not require petrol. Although the outboard looks like a combustion engine, there is an electric motor under the cover. Under the bonnet is a permanent magnet synchronous motor that drives the propeller on the short shaft with 3,100 watts. It is controlled in the conventional way using a tiller. However, a remote control is also available as an option to operate the throttle and forward/reverse gear as well as the steering from a control station.
SOG and engine data such as speed and temperature can be monitored on an external device via a Bluetooth module using an app. The basic data is also shown on a small display on the housing, where the cable pull for the manual start of a combustion engine would normally be located. The manufacturer specifies a maximum thrust of 51 kilograms. This means that the Mitek outboard is suitable for boats with a displacement of up to 2,800 kilograms. This makes it suitable for boats up to 25 feet, and with the remote control it can also be used in the shaft. The outboard weighs 17.5 kilograms and has an operating voltage of 48 volts.
Unlike electric motors from Torqeedo or E-Propulsion, there is no integrated battery; the outboard can only be operated with an external power storage unit. The manufacturer does not offer a ready-made solution for this, which is certainly a shortcoming. SVB states that both lithium and AGM batteries are suitable. With conventional 12-volt batteries, four would have to be connected in series to achieve the required operating voltage. The connections with suitable cable cross-sections would have to be made in-house. This would also result in considerable additional costs. A charger must also be considered. Due to the weight of the batteries, the motor is not suitable for very small boats. The drive is also available with 6.0, 9.9 and 15.0 hp. With 4.5 hp, the MO outboard motor from Mitek costs 3,200 euros.
Electric motorssmaller alternatives on the market
Torqeedo Travel 603
The Torqeedo Travel 603 impressed in the latest test of electric motors for dinghies. Although it is the smallest model from Torqeedo, it offers powerful thrust. This is mainly due to the large and powerful propeller. Thanks to the 500 Wh battery, it has a long range. It can be motorised for around three hours at rudder speed. The drive contains parts from the more powerful Travel 1103, so everything is very solid and massive, which adds to the weight. The Travel weighs about as much as the lightest petrol engines. The floating battery can be removed for transfer to the dinghy. Price: 1,799 euros.
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 plus
The Spirit 1.0 plus was the test winner in the electric outboard comparison in YACHT 19/2020. Its output of 1,000 watts corresponds to around 3 hp for combustion engines. The Torqeedo replica scores points with its removable, floatable battery and the longest range in the test. Both the drive and the powerful second battery are cheaper than the original. The motor weighs 19.6 kilograms with battery. The widespread bad habit of selling longer motor shafts at a higher price has been put right. All three available shaft lengths cost the same with this manufacturer. Price: 2,200 euros.
