I'm a business school student looking at the market feasibility of
introducing a 2-10HP electric outboard engine that could be used as
primary propulsion. This product would be introduced by a major player
in the industry within the next few years. I would like to hear your
reactions and get your thoughts on whether or not this would be an
attractive product. I would also like to know how you see this product
being used once it is introduced.

It depends what you mean by 'primary' propulsion.

On a sailboat the sails are the primary propulsion system, and the engine
(if any) is the auxilary propulsion system.

My first questions would be how heavy would the batteries be? How long
would it take to charge them up?

What would the uses for your engine be? Powering a dingy? Then I would
really wonder about the size and weight of the batteries needed. At first
glance it does not seem practical. Fuel for outboard engines is readily
available, even in places such as islands where electricity is scarce.

And you are calling this an electric ENGINE? Isn't it an electric MOTOR? I
always thought an engine was powered with fossil fuels.

Of course, there are already electric motors that are used as trolling
motors on bass boats. Perhaps that would be the market you would target, as
it is already developed, instead of developing new markets? Just some
random thoughts.

Lonny B


"Andrew" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm a business school student looking at the market feasibility of
introducing a 2-10HP electric outboard engine that could be used as
primary propulsion. This product would be introduced by a major player
in the industry within the next few years. I would like to hear your
reactions and get your thoughts on whether or not this would be an
attractive product. I would also like to know how you see this product
being used once it is introduced.

Bob....Stop picking on the newbee.

Joe

"Andrew" wrote

.. I would also like to know how you see this product
being used once it is introduced.


Might make a decent emergency anchor!

But, seriously, a continuous duty electric outboard motor could be used
to circumvent registration laws in most states. That alone might be a
serious selling point.

CN

Thank you to everyone that has provided comments thus far. Just to
clarify, the intent of my questions is to determine what the customer
values when they decide to purchase a small outboard engine. I realize
that battery technology has a way to go and may not be significantly
improved for a number of years. But there are some advances in electric
motors that can more efficiently utilize the battery power and
therefore provide either more power (up to 10HP or possible greater) or
greater lifespan utilizing the existing battery technology. I also
realize there are a number of smaller companies that do offer electric
outboard motors as a primary drive, however I am looking at different
markets to see if there is enough demand for for a major marine
producer to step in and provide a product on a larger scale. Any help
that you can provide will help me in providing good recommendations. As
a follow-up to my first question I would like to know what attributes
you primarily look for in a small outboard (either gas or electric) for
an auxiliary drive on a sailboat. Additionally, how much more money
would you be willing to pay over the cost of a small gas engine of
similar HP for those additional benefits (quietness, low vibration, no
emissions, etc.)?

"Andrew" wrote in message oups.com...
Thank you to everyone that has provided comments thus far. Just to
clarify, the intent of my questions is to determine what the customer
values when they decide to purchase a small outboard engine. I realize
that battery technology has a way to go and may not be significantly
improved for a number of years. But there are some advances in electric
motors that can more efficiently utilize the battery power and
therefore provide either more power (up to 10HP or possible greater) or
greater lifespan utilizing the existing battery technology. I also
realize there are a number of smaller companies that do offer electric
outboard motors as a primary drive, however I am looking at different
markets to see if there is enough demand for for a major marine
producer to step in and provide a product on a larger scale. Any help
that you can provide will help me in providing good recommendations. As
a follow-up to my first question I would like to know what attributes
you primarily look for in a small outboard (either gas or electric) for
an auxiliary drive on a sailboat. Additionally, how much more money
would you be willing to pay over the cost of a small gas engine of
similar HP for those additional benefits (quietness, low vibration, no
emissions, etc.)?


Perhaps you didn't understand the first time so let me summarize and
tell you again.

It's not the motor that's the attraction no matter how great the motor
is. Physical law dictates a certain energy use for the work the motor
does. Electric motors in the ten horsepower range, for example,
demand huge amounts of energy. The only real viable way to run
one would be to run a gas or diesel generator to provide the electricity.
Storage batteries won't cut the mustard for boat application. They are
too heavy, too costly and too bulky.

You don't have a plan until and unless you address the issue of how
and where the electricity to run your electric outboard comes from.

CN

Quiteness, a real plus. You will find that one of the great moments on a
sailboat is when the auxilary is shut down and there is the near silence of
the boat making way by sail alone.

Low emmisions? A real plus. There are some places (inland lakes) that have
banned 2 cycle outboards altogether. This explains the popularity of the
Honda outboard motors. 4 cycle, quiter than 2 cycles.

Would I pay more? And how much more? Don't know. For as little as a
sailor runs his auxilary I am not sure I would pay much more if any.
Perhaps a little more mainly because of the silence thing. That certainly
has it's appeal.

Safety is another factor. Before I bought I would have to be shown that
this motor would do the job. Is it going to power my boat through current
and waves? Is it going to be dependable?

I know this next statement sounds obvious, but on a sailboat the only time
we start our engines are when we NEED them. When they don't start, then we
might have problems. What I mean is that sailboats can manuever on sail
alone. In some circumstances we can sail right up to our mooring, or into
our slip. Engines are used when we NEED them only. Not like in a motor
boat when someone might turn on the engine just for the heck of it, just to
cruise around. My point being, there is a safety factor directly related to
reliability of the auxilary on a sailboat.

And of course there is the two big factors of number and weight of batteries
required, as well as how long will it take to recharge them? I can refuel a
6 gallon gas tank in 2 minutes. Am I willing to wait for 6 hours to charge
up batteries?

Hope that helps.

Lonny B

"Andrew" wrote in message
oups.com...
Thank you to everyone that has provided comments thus far. Just to
clarify, the intent of my questions is to determine what the customer
values when they decide to purchase a small outboard engine. I realize
that battery technology has a way to go and may not be significantly
improved for a number of years. But there are some advances in electric
motors that can more efficiently utilize the battery power and
therefore provide either more power (up to 10HP or possible greater) or
greater lifespan utilizing the existing battery technology. I also
realize there are a number of smaller companies that do offer electric
outboard motors as a primary drive, however I am looking at different
markets to see if there is enough demand for for a major marine
producer to step in and provide a product on a larger scale. Any help
that you can provide will help me in providing good recommendations. As
a follow-up to my first question I would like to know what attributes
you primarily look for in a small outboard (either gas or electric) for
an auxiliary drive on a sailboat. Additionally, how much more money
would you be willing to pay over the cost of a small gas engine of
similar HP for those additional benefits (quietness, low vibration, no
emissions, etc.)?

I understand the negative perceptions regarding small electric outboard
motors. However, there may be an opportunity to provide better products
in the future by understanding what will make an electric outboard
attractive to consumers. I would like to ask all those that own an
outboard engine between 2-10HP (gas, electric, or trolling) to
participate in a survey if willing. All participants will receive a $5
certificate from amazon.com and have a chance to win $200 cash. To
participate in the survey go to www.outboardsurvey.com and click on the
link. I am also looking for people to talk to in person more about this
subject and ask for volunteers that I can interview over the phone. The
interview would take approximately 20 minutes. If that is too long I
could easily shorten it. Any help would be appreciated.

"Red Cloud®" wrote in message ...

Get your inexpensive, lightweight portable hydrogen fuel cell perfected, and
then come back. I'm serious.

rusty redcloud


I find myself agreeing with an asshole. Gag me with a spoon!

I've said it before, Andrew, and I'll say it again. The electric motor, no matter how sweet
and sexy, will be a flop because the energy source is not yet there.

CN

I can buy a 3HP outboard weighing 15 kg and that runs for an hour on a
tank of 100:1 premix costing a few bucks and capable of being refuelled
in a couple minutes from a bigger can. Call it a kilogram of fuel per
running hour, it's probably less. The outboard costs less than $1000
AUD. Design an electric o/board with similar weight, endurance, power,
fuel weight and refuelling ability at a price point no more than 20%
more expensive and I'd buy one. Until then, forget it.

Point is, I can load an awful lotta fuel aboard before I get to the
weight of a big battery. As I burn the fuel, the weight diminishes. The
battery weight stays the same for all intents & purposes.

PDW

In article .com,
Andrew wrote:

I understand the negative perceptions regarding small electric outboard
motors. However, there may be an opportunity to provide better products
in the future by understanding what will make an electric outboard
attractive to consumers. I would like to ask all those that own an
outboard engine between 2-10HP (gas, electric, or trolling) to
participate in a survey if willing. All participants will receive a $5
certificate from amazon.com and have a chance to win $200 cash. To
participate in the survey go to www.outboardsurvey.com and click on the
link. I am also looking for people to talk to in person more about this
subject and ask for volunteers that I can interview over the phone. The
interview would take approximately 20 minutes. If that is too long I
could easily shorten it. Any help would be appreciated.