Average speed in the range test and the range itself, but also weight, noise emissions and battery charging time are the most important parameters that determine the quality of an electric drive. Another general question is the comparison with a good petrol engine. The test field: Aquamot's Trend 1.6, the Spirit 1.0 plus from ePropulsion, the Ultima 3.0 from Haswing, the Dingituner from SailnSea, Torqeedo's Travel 1103C and, as a reference, Yamaha's petrol F 2.5 AMHL.
We tested the models in a practical and comparative manner in the harbour basin of the Ultramarin Marina in Kressbronn on Lake Constance, always sailing the same laps and measuring the various data. We tested the drives on small cruisers of the Scholz 22 type and on an inflatable inflatable boat of the KL 320 type from the manufacturer Alpuna.
In the latest comparison test in YACHT 19, which will be available from newsagents from 2 September, you can read whether electric motors are now suitable for dinghies as well as for the main drive of a small cruiser, how they compare with petrol engines and which type has which strengths and weaknesses. A subscription is more convenient, cheaper and faster (the issue was already delivered on Saturday), the details can be found at here.
