For me, the decision came down to the fact that the total drive weight, including battery and extra stuff was considerably lower for the Torqeedo 801. Also, with everything in one compact unit, dealing with it as a tender drive is much simpler. Mine packs into its own drybag when not in use, so handling and storage is a breeze.
But since my primary use is to power the dinghy on my racing trimaran, weight was the biggst reason. This setup is lighter than even a 2.5hp gas outboard and the limited range is no problem in the way that I use the motor.
Of course, I don't have a bilge pump or any other electronics in my inflatable, though I do keep the foot-operated bellows pump aboard when the dinghy is in use.
If you don't have similar considerations for your situation, then perhaps the MinnKota is a better solution, but the decision wasn't even close for me.
Fair winds,
Eric
Marina del Rey, CA
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, Ben Okopnik <ben@...> wrote:
>
> Hello, all:
>
> I'm about to go all electric for my 10' Walker Bay Genesis inflatable
> dinghy, and the two reasonable choices at this point look like 1) the
> Torqeedo 1003 or 2) the MinnKota RipTide 55 (from their saltwater
> series.) There's a fairly large difference in price between the two -
> the former is $2k, while the latter is about 1/4 of that; in addition,
> the cost for the Torqeedo accessories is quite high (e.g., $700 for a
> spare battery) whereas the MinnKota uses relatively cheap, off-the-shelf
> components. The Torqeedo's battery is integral; however, that's not
> necessarily a benefit, since I can power a bilge pump and a navigation
> light (conveniences that I've become quite used to with my gasoline
> engine) from the external battery used to run the MinnKota. For another
> $50, I can add a high-end power analyzer to the MinnKota if I feel like
> it, although the RipTide has a voltage-based "SOC indicator" built it.
>
> So, money-wise and convenience-wise (i.e., I can have the RipTide today,
> from one of several local stores, but would have to order and wait up to
> a week for the Torqeedo), the MinnKota looks like a better bet. If I
> really wanted more thrust, I could go to 24v and get a RipTide 80 for an
> additional $125 or so. Is there some key factor I'm missing here that
> would make the Torqeedo a better choice?
>
>
> --
> Ben Okopnik
> -=-=-=-=-=-
>
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