Hi Steve,
Yep, I own a Travel 801L. For clarification, my long shaft model fits in its own dry bag that I just measured at 22" x 12" x12", less than 2 cubic feet. The smaller dimensions are important because I drop it through a regular Lewmar hatch in my trimaran float, though it would probably fit easier if I didn't fold it.
I haven't ever seen anyone using an external battery bank with an 801, but Toqeedo obviously had the option of including that feature. I'm guessing that they have a good reason why they didn't add that to the 1003 (it's not just to sell more integrated batteries).
While I like the adjustable motor mount, I found it interesting that the most common observation when I loaned out my motor was that the motor mount seemed flimsy and potentially fragile. Not that mine ever broke, but I bet that the new model doesn't get those comments as much.
On the last part, you have to ask yourself how many 801s were bought as auxiliaries as compared to dinghy or small boat motors. It's my impression that the 1003 has the same thrust and more speed than the 801 and should make a better auxiliary as well as a better dinghy motor.
The one guy that borrowed my 801 to check the feasiblity of the electric motor of an auxiliary on his 23' trimaran did buy a 1003. He says that the 1003 is a better product for his boat. So he is the only person that I know personally that has used both products and the 1003 wins his vote.
So the questions that should be asked to Torqeedo is 1) why not folding? 2) why not external battery? They're the only ones that can answer those questions definitively.
Fair winds,
Eric
Marina del Rey, CA
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <sstuller@...> wrote:
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> Just to list some of the virtues of the 801 that make it unique.
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> The Travel 801 was foldable and came with waterproof bag that allowed you to store the motor aboard in a space that was about 18" by 18" by 18".
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> It could be used with both the integrated battery or with an adapter that allowed you to connect to an external battery supply.
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> The motor mount was adjustable so you could use it on different transom heights.
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> The 14 to 1 stepdown gear made it a high thrust, low RPM motor and with its' three blade prop made it practical as an auxiliary. On a dinghy the high thrust made the motor difficult to turn unless you reduced the RPM. This may be a liability on a dink but you need thrust more than speed with an auxiliary. Thanks. Steve S.
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