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Taking the Electric Avenue
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The Spirit 1.0 Evo motor with flip-down tiller tips the scales at 23 pounds.
For cruisers and passagemakers, powering a dinghy with a conventional gas-powered micro-outboard can be problematic. The larger vessels’ primary power source is often diesel, requiring owners to stow jerricans of gasoline that, in some cases, violate insurance restrictions. And to prevent theft, taking off and putting on gas-powered engines can be awkward and time-consuming.
Unlike their petrol-powered cousins, electric outboards don’t require routine maintenance or winterizing. Most small electric outboards have detachable batteries, so those doing the installation don’t have to handle the package’s entire weight all at once. A number of outfits have grown this segment to meet the demands of many boaters.