3D Superlight Twin Air 290, Torqeedo 1103C outboard review | Free Spirits II

A review of our new dinghy/motor combo:
3D Superlight Tender Twin Air 290
Torqeedo 1103C (short shaft) electric motor
We love the dinghy and the motor, though we're gonna get an electric pump to blow it up!

[@andycheetham3549]

Great review thank you. I think that’s the tender for me!

[@FreeSpiritsII]

You're very welcome, we'll be making a followup video to show you how we've got on with the dinghy and motor since.

[@andycheetham3549]

@@FreeSpiritsII I bought one and I’m very pleased with it!

[@christopherkohel8555]

Ohhhh shit! THIS was effing HILARIOUS! I am now a new sub. Looking forward to more hilarity and hijinx!

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Thank you! I owe you guys another video to fill you in on how it all turned out - coming soon-ish!

[@obersuchty]

You have a very calming voice

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Thank you!

[@s2oooo]

Great video loved the view 🤣🙈

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Hahahah! The view of the Brentford marina? A lovely sight indeed, nothing beats the view of hundreds of apartments with thousands of prying eyes looking down upon one's misfortunes attempting to assemble a dinghy! We'll make a followup video down the south coast at Haslar Marina in Gosport - that's where we're keeping the dinghy and motor now. With more miles under our belts we can paint a richer picture about this little outboard/dinghy combo.

[@sanibel2008]

loved it

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Thank you! We just replaced this dinghy/motor combo with a Highfield RIB (inflatable sides, solid hull) and a 20hp petrol engine. After a year or so of use, the 3D and Torqeedo just didn't have the oomph that we were after. We'll do a review of the new combo some time soon!

[@giannissarris2135]

thank you for your informative video. i woold like to know if the floor is a high pressure inflatable honeycomb and if it is what is the recommended pressure? thanks

[@s2oooo]

Normally 11psi Sides 3.5psi

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Hi there, the plate on the dinghy says working pressure is 0.25 bar. That's 3.5 psi. We inflate the floor and sides to that and it works just fine. You can stand in it, dance in it, walk around in it. But to inflate to that pressure really needs an electric pump. We bought a twin speed unit, inflates quickly to about 0.15 bar and then tops up at the slower speed. All in all it works really well, and also works as a deflator - otherwise it's difficult to get all the air out to get it back in the bag. New video coming soon-ish to show you all of that.

[@skipperlinguini1628]

Looks like not enough air in tubes and floor. Right? Any experience report after a year? Would highly appreciate! Thx!

[@s2oooo]

He also put it in cold water so we will let him off for the lack of pressure 😂

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Exactly right, not enough air. We have a 12v pump to inflate it now, it's much sturdier when inflated properly, you can stand in it without fear of taking a swim. And it's much faster to inflate and deflate too. We had some trouble with the Torqeedo motor, and not much support from the UK service agents. I'll make a followup video soon to tell all of that story and show you how it's all worked out.

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Hahahaha! Thanks! Yes UK water is never very warm. The 12v inflator has sorted us out. Watch out for a new video, we'll show you how it's all turned out.

[@carmi9580]

Does the electric motor vibrate less than a petrol engine? Thank you for the answer.

[@alastairlord]

Yes much less! It’s very smooth. Though it is also not very powerful - about 3.5hp equivalent petrol they say. It’s fine for moving around in a marina or anchorage, for us at least

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Yes the electric motor vibrates much less than petrol, it's quite smooth and very very quiet. We had a problem with our first Torqeedo, we had to send it back for replacement - something shook loose and it wobbled and vibrated all over the place! That took ages to fix because the sole UK service agent (Golden Arrow Marine) took months and months to convince that there was a problem. I ended up taking it back to them three times and threatening legal action before they would take the problem seriously. All sorted in the end - video coming to tell the story.

[@catalinpetre3845]

Hi! Is the airdeck hard enough to stand. I want to buy one like yours for fishing. Thank you

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Hi there, when inflating with the supplied foot pump, it’s a little wobbly. We’ve bought an electric high pressure pump to inflate it to its specified pressure (which I think is higher than is possible to achieve using their foot pump). I’ll let you know how that goes when we use for the first time - probably this weekend

[@catalinpetre3845]

@@FreeSpiritsII thank you for the fast reply. Looking forward for your test

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Hi there, we used the electric inflator and it is MUCH better than the supplied foot pump. The floor can be stood on, I did that in the marina. Find a two-speed pump, they inflate quickly most of the way and then inflate to a higher pressure near the end.

[@doubletee5250]

Love the vid, great fun. But you have nowhere near enough air in that thing.

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Thanks! We learned our lesson and bought a two speed high pressure pump., running off 12v. It does the job quickly and brings the dinghy up to an admirable hardness. All ship shape now, and gets the best out of the little motor.

[@blaaaaahhhh15]

Dog gets a pfd but the humans don’t 😂

[@FreeSpiritsII]

Quite right! Dog can’t stand up in 3 feet of water, humans can!

[@Theskaterenegade]

What motor are you using for yours?

[@FreeSpiritsII]

It's the Torqeedo 1103 CS - the short shaft variant

[@Theskaterenegade]

@@FreeSpiritsII thanks so much!