pro10is wrote:
1. now that I've locked the motor in straight position and not turning with the rudder, it is marginally too close, and when under full speed, the rudder can't freely move side to side, it gets 'caught' by the torqeedo. Currently I need to slow down the toqeedo if I want to swing the rudder across the other side when the Torqeedo blocks that direction till it bumps its way past. I've never had a problem with this. Mine clears the rudder by a very comfortable margin. If you could provide some photos at different angles, I might be able to diagnose the problem and offer a solution. What is the length of the horizontal tube? Perhaps the previous owner may have shortened it.
2. In reverse, the Torqeedo thrusts back, out of the water. I tried tightening the clamp-down bungee/rope, but if I have it too tight, my cleat doesn't hold the thin rope and it slides through. I guess in reverse I could hold the clamp-down rope manually to stop it doing that...must try this.Did you use the cleating method I detailed with the same hardware that Hobie uses? There's no way that should come loose. When going in reverse, use less throttle to minimize the problem.
3. my throttle control all of a sudden is no longer "stopping" when I pull the handle into the neutral position, it used to have a distinct bit of resistance between forward, neutral and reverse, now it just flops around a bit. Any ideas how to fix this?That sounds like a mechanical issue with the throttle lever. If your Torqeedo is out of warranty and if you have decent mechanical skills, you can take it apart to investigate what's causing the issue. You might be able to fix it. It might be as simple as tightening down a loose screw.
Finally had a chance to look into this.
1. Examining your photos your horizontal tube length looks much longer than mine. Mine is 405mm (16"), end to end when its not connected to the ball mount, just the total length of the tube (e.g. I ignored the two brackets connected to the motor, and measured exactly the tube beyond that.
I ended up loosening the ball mount and moving it to the other side, do you see any issues with this? I have now got the pole off to the port side and a bit further away from the rudder. Bonus that I can now raise the rudder easier.
Having it point to the port side of the boat it now clears the rudder with a good distance, straightened it to lock it in place again using a different hole, should be good to go, I hope ??
2. Still have not solved the reversing issue. The propeller just kicks up out of the water. I have the exact cleats/mounting method you depict. I feel there is not enough pinning the motor into the "down" position. Any other ideas??
3. the throttle 'click' has suddenly came good. But I asked them to check this when I send it back for warranty check of the battery recall..
I'm seriously contemplating a gasoline outboard motor (Suzuki 2.5HP) as I feel the range and speed is lacking what I want to do with the boat now... The torqeedo definitely has its place though for quick, easy, quiet day adventures. I'm wondering whether I'll leave it at home more and more after I get a gasoline outboard or if I will want to take both for redundancy!
What I like about it:
It is very quiet!
The range GPS calculation so I can easily manage my battery to go as fast as possible and end up back at the car with the battery all used.
Convenience of charging, bring it inside, plug it in overnight.
No maintenance/servicing.
What I don't like:
Slightly underpower, can't help in very rough conditions, swell, glitchy errors, bad support from torqeedo/dealer network, VERY VERY expensive, scared it may break at any time!