Electric mobility is poised to become a major part of everyday life for many people. Auto manufacturers continue to make aggressive pledges to transition their offerings over to alternatives to gas and diesel, and the marine industry has seen its share of prototype electric propulsion systems in recent years, with companies such as Mercury Marine® entering the space and hinting at more advancements to come.
Most current production electric outboards, like the new Mercury Avator™ 7.5e electric outboard that we carry, deliver equivalent performance to low-horsepower internal combustion engines. But just because their power equivalencies are similar, doesn’t mean the boating experiences are the same. Electric outboards offer unique performance and technologies not available from an internal combustion engine.
So, is an electric outboard like the Avator 7.5e right for you? Let’s look at some of its features and find out.
Advantages of Avator Electric Outboards
Minimal Maintenance
No oil changes, no gear lube, no winterization. The Avator 7.5e outboard is a breeze to maintain. Most of your care will be focused on battery charging and storage, and that’s not complicated either. Mercury recommends you charge the battery before storage and charge every six months if in long-term storage. The Avator system includes an advanced Battery Management System that monitors the battery to help keep it performing at its peak.
Easy to Use
Using the Avator outboard is just as simple as maintaining it. The tiller model clamps in place, with no extra cables or wires to connect. Then when it’s time to go boating, all you need to do is slide in the battery and push a button. Say goodbye to pull-starts.
Easy to Transport
Most portable outboards are easy to haul around, but with electric, you get the advantage of having no fuel or fumes, meaning you could transport the outboard in your car to get to the water. Mercury enhanced this feature with the Avator 7.5e tiller outboard’s quick-release bracket system. The clamp bracket can remain on the boat, while the outboard itself is lifted off for carrying. The tiller also folds down to become a convenient carrying handle. As an alternative, there’s a carrying bag with rolling wheels that fits the 7.5e tiller model with 15-inch shaft.
Connected Technology
Engine-connected apps are not new from Mercury. Its VesselView Mobile® system is available for combustion outboards ranging from 25 to 600hp. With its electrification program, however, Mercury incorporated a series of new helpful tools into an Avator-specific app, like visualized range estimates to help you see how far you can go. The app is available for the 7.5e outboard with the addition of a Mercury SmartCraft® Connect module.
Digital Display and Throttle
Kiss analog gauges and throttle cables goodbye. Mercury lets you manage and monitor the Avator propulsion system from the digital display, which is integrated into the outboard on tiller models. Throttle controls are also digital for smooth, responsive performance.
Exceptionally Quiet
This is one of the more attractive features of electric propulsion. The transverse flux motor technology Mercury uses in its Avator 7.5e outboard is whisper-quiet and ultra-efficient. Whether you’re into wildlife watching or simply want to immerse in nature – or in conversation – there’s no need to do it over the noise of an engine. The 7.5e outboard is four times quieter to the operator than one 3.5hp four-stroke outboard at full throttle.
The Torque Advantage
When considering an electric outboard and how much power you need, it helps to understand a few aspects of the technology. First, electric outboards spool up nearly instantly, so you get immediate power. Second, they generate incredible torque. Combined, these traits allow the outboard to produce speed and acceleration that rivals internal combustion engines with a higher power rating.
The Avator 7.5e electric outboard, for instance, generates a full 750W of power at the prop shaft. It’s capable of speed and acceleration performance similar to a 3.5hp four-stroke outboard.
Where Electric Outboards Work Best
If you’re thinking about electric, you should ultimately consider what you want to do on the water. If you want to run offshore in big waters, a high-horsepower Mercury FourStroke outboard is still your best choice. If you want to fish, cruise, explore or just enjoy an easy boating experience on lakes and reservoirs, then an electric outboard could be just right.
Many boaters today are wired to think that bigger and more powerful is better. But at one point in time, it was extremely common for anglers and other recreational boaters to rely on small portable outboards – especially when outboards were first coming onto the scene. Boaters started swapping oars and “people power” for engines and horsepower on small fishing and recreational boats they already owned and could still have incredible days on the water with a small boat and outboard. Like those early outboards, Mercury’s Avator system is a great fit for small aluminum V-hull boats, jon boats, canoe-boat hybrids, dinghies, rigid inflatables, micro skiffs and square-stern canoes.
Small Boats
If you’re like a lot of outdoor enthusiasts, you might already have a boat you can pair with the Avator outboard. It’s perfect for powering that small aluminum boat you’ve been holding onto, or what many lakefront owners keep along the shoreline for occasionally outings. Plus, since the 7.5e outboard has an internal battery, you don’t need an external battery or fuel system to power it, saving you valuable space in the boat.
Secondary Sail Power
Electric outboards are a great choice for secondary power on sailboats, or for sailboat tenders. You can stow one on board when not in use or keep the outboard in a storage shed for when you need it.
Boating Where Internal Combustion is Restricted
If you live in a region where internal combustion engines are prohibited or limited, an electric outboard will make boating possible.
One Complete Kit
Electric outboards are also a great choice if you want to get set up to boat quickly. The Avator 7.5e tiller outboard comes with everything you need to get started in one complete kit. It includes the outboard with integrated digital display, the quick-release transom bracket, a quick-connect lithium-ion battery, a charger and prop. Just buy the kit, clamp the bracket in place on the transom and you’re on your way. There’s no need to source an external battery or charging system that’s optimized for lithium battery technology, though if you want them, you can buy an additional battery or a faster charger designed for the Avator platform.
Electrification FAQ:
How far can I go?
A lot of factors impact range and runtime, including water conditions, battery state of charge, throttle level, load and boat design. According to Mercury, the Avator 7.5e outboard on a Veer™ V13 boat can run for 60 minutes or 5 miles at constant full throttle on one fully charged 1 kWh battery, and up to 19 hours or 34 miles at constant 25% throttle. Its digital display and the app show you your state of charge and can estimate remaining range and runtime, for additional peace of mind.
How long does it take to charge?
Charge times can also vary. The Avator 110-watt charger can recharge a fully depleted 1kWh battery in approximately nine hours. When a faster charge time is needed, the available 230‑watt charger can complete the job in around four hours – all from a standard household outlet.
Electric Offers Options or an Alternative Based on Your Needs
For some people, electric propulsion offers an easy entry into boating that’s perfect for getting started. Even if you’re in love with your current Mercury outboard, you don’t need to give up the thrill of high-horsepower performance to also enjoy the electric experience. A small Avator electric outboard-powered boat might have a place in your personal fleet right next to your current rig for days when you want to enjoy the immersive, easy-boating experience that electric provides.