Are ELECTRIC OUTBOARDS A Gimmick? Or A Game Changer? (My First Impressions Of The Mercury Avator)

Jump aboard with me as I take a spin with one of the new Mercury Marine Avator electric outboards and offer my honest initial thoughts on it.
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Thanks... and cheers!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Here's a great review of the Avator 35E that Steve Morgan from Fishing Monthly did: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYCsZpl6mcqGg6s

[@jakepenner8476]

Nice review. can't wait to get one

[@feartheduck6664]

It’s the way forward, no doubt. Engines are fine. Battery technology is what the improvement focus is on. Plus chargers for use in remote areas!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Spot on!

[@Selfsufficientme]

I've had an ePropulsion outboard for a few years now, and we just love it to power our blowup rubber dingy. Lightweight and no fuel needed electric outboards are handy, but I can't see this becoming mainstream for big boats even though it's the so-called future. The battery technology and range have a long way to go, and I can't see it getting there personally... I might be wrong about that - we'll have to see 🙂

[@StarloGetsReel]

You could be right. It will definitely require some significant breakthroughs in battery technology... but I wouldn't rule them out!

[@rachelmorton4734]

Merry Christmas legend 🤛🌺🇦🇺

[@alexmarti7684]

Very cool Starlo. One day I would love to get into the bat electric bass tour and these are cool option! Hopefully after a few generations the cost will go down for the average joe can afford 😊 Love your videos mate and the message you spread.

[@StarloGetsReel]

I hope so too! Thanks!

[@Hogryder30]

Hey Starlo I have a question. I’m getting a new reel and should I get it spooled with braid or fluorocarbon because I want to be able to cast lightweights and to skip soft plastics.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Totally your call. I love braid and use it 90%+ of the time but many fine anglers prefer mono (nylon or fluorocarbon).

[@leewood509]

Hi Starlo - whats the indicative costs for what you were using - motor, batteries, and is it a simple plug into 240volt or does it need a special charger?

[@StarloGetsReel]

Motor, two batteries, battery management pack and charger won't leave you much change out of $18K, I believe, but don't quote me on that. Like I said, not cheap!

[@offgriddreaming5403]

Bring on electric boat motors for sure. The more manufacturers that make them the better and should bring the price down hopefully

[@christurner68]

@@StarloGetsReelcan buy 115hp outboard for that …….

[@grimreaper6112]

I dont think you have any idea about what salt water does to things it destroys everything on a boat if you let it.@@offgriddreaming5403

[@glentaylor4867]

What a great thing who cares how fast it goes it would be great for river and lake and dam trolling quite could be a game changer love your channel

[@StarloGetsReel]

Cheers! Yes, I'm looking forward to having a longer run with one. I have a couple of spots in mind that would be PERFECT for it!

[@omieyouknowme]

Trolling is all it's good for. A boat on plane is where a motor is running at its peak efficiency regardless of how it's powered If this can't plane a boat like a 9.9 then it's going to be like the ev trucks just a gimmick.

[@scottmcauliffe7265]

Love ya Starlo but... yeah, nah to that thing

[@StarloGetsReel]

Fair enough. Each to their own. But I badly want one for the electric-only waters and comps! Bit out of my price range, though. 😞

[@kingofpower2]

i love it. but that price

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yes, not cheap. Hopefully they’ll become more affordable.

[@timcheeseman2956]

Can you also use this for spotlocks etc like a normal electric?

[@StarloGetsReel]

No. This is purely a propulsion motor to be used in place of your standard, petrol-powered outboard. Lots of end users will likely also choose to mount a traditional electric on the nose for fishing.

[@christurner68]

You can have spot lock on normal petrol engines👍

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@christurner68really? I wasn’t aware of that. Can you give me some links? I’m keen to know more.

[@nobodyhome8148]

Just like Electric cars, manufacturing and charging cause more pollution than running a good petrol engine. Hmmm I wonder if anyone has ever thought of powering boats with wind power 😝

[@StarloGetsReel]

Depends where the power for re-charging comes from. If it's primarily from renewables, a lot of that argument is defused. Nothing is perfect, and everything has a "footprint" and a cost. The manufacture of internal combustion driven vehicles has an impact, too.

[@nobodyhome8148]

@@StarloGetsReel True enough Mate. I usually find a paddle gets me where I need to go anyway ;-)

[@christurner68]

@@StarloGetsReelwhat is truely renewable power? Can we recycle solar and wind, no is the answer tio that question. Hydro yeah to some degree if not pumped back up into dams. (Snowy hydro).

[@Kearnesy]

Up north in one of the barra dams pretty sure there has been a charter up there for quite along time using an electric only

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, there are a few around. Different systems to this one.

[@omieyouknowme]

If you can, run a 9.9 on this tinny and compare speed and range on both. Full power range on one charge vs 12 liter fuel can. A gas motor is most efficient when boat is on plane to get the most out fuel burn and range. A real comparison pleas. 35e is 3700 watts which is 4.9hp. Good marketing to say its like a 9.9. Has anyone actually compared? 75e=7500watts or 10hp

[@StarloGetsReel]

Great suggestion!

[@rockfly8384]

Would love to see a follow up down the track, once have really put it through its paces.

[@StarloGetsReel]

I'll try.

[@deriserudder5098]

Good one Steve I'm looking forward to going electric I think it's the way to go even though I love my Yamaha 👍👍up MATE

[@StarloGetsReel]

You and me both!

[@stephentalbot3256]

Love it steve

[@StarloGetsReel]

Cheers!

[@MrLobstermash]

Electric is definitely the future, and the performance per kW is much better than petrol outboards due to the torque. They are unreasonably expensive at the moment though for a technology that's pretty well developed in other machines. I don't mean to nitpick, but your passenger should have been wearing a life jacket.

[@StarloGetsReel]

I agree with all of that. ;)

[@gregorymcleod]

I think EV and electric outboards will benefit from future better sustainable battery technology. Lithium is not a answer for cars or boats especially in an environment where you can not escape away from thermal runaway and potential of fire. Another issue is also range anxiety with the high cost of outboard and then solely dependent on battery state of charge to have entire day out and back. So whilst I welcome the technology. I do not welcome lithium batteries as they are far from ecco friendly and lithium is a scarce resource been way over stretched in the crazy race to net Zero.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, I tend to agree. We need new battery technologies. However, i think "range anxiety" is a tad overstated... and assumes that no one ever ran out of petrol. ;)

[@needmoreboost6369]

@@StarloGetsReel range comparison on my kayak with lithium is far better than fuel! By weight I get further on the batteries than carrying two stroke mix! That’s running a highly efficient tuned motor too!

[@the_amazing_adventures_of_andy]

Lithium is far from scarce. Its actually quite common. A lot of rare earth minerals are named rare incorrectly. As for fires, it was a risk in early EV cars, and its a risk in cheaply made ebikes and scooters (you get what you pay for). But the whole lithium battery fire risk is blown out of proportion from those funding the anti-ev campaigns. There is even studies our of the US just recently that found that out of Hybrid, ICE and EV,s EVs were the least likely to catch fire. Not ignoring the fact that a lithium fire is hard to put out, but they are safer than the two other vehicle options. Range anxiety is overstated. But you are correct with the initial cost of EVs, and the weight of batteries need to come down as well. But I run lithium batteries in my boat, absolutely love them. So much better than their lead acid counter parts.

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@the_amazing_adventures_of_andy Brilliant response. And spot on. There’s so much bullsh*t out there being pedaled as fact in the post-truth Trump age. I’ve largely given up trying to counter it as those who want to believe rubbish will do so, regardless of the science. If there’s one thing Covid taught us, it’s that. You can’t beat stupidity, dogma and blind “faith”….

[@the_amazing_adventures_of_andy]

@@StarloGetsReel You are so right! It's frustrating at times, but I try to encourage people to seek out real facts about EVs and not believe the fear campaigns. I have no problems with people hating EVs for whatever reason, but I like to make sure the information people are sharing to back up their hate is based on real information not fear based information. 90% the information anti EV people share is always based on fear. Lol.

[@MrFrosty888]

Great idea but will not use one

[@timdevries7350]

Very interesting starlo! 👍

[@StarloGetsReel]

I think so too!

[@PeachyFlyFishing]

Very cool mate! Yep definitely the way of the future, but there needs to be a significant drop in price and rise in power for it to be truly competitive I'd say. At this stage I guess development costs are high and sales numbers are low, but it will get there. :)

[@StarloGetsReel]

I agree. A way to go yet, but it's early days.

[@randy8643]

Pass.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, each to their own. It's not for everyone.

[@oldbloke204]

Sort of like battery tools and garden tools these days. I was all about petrol powered but these days I reckon that the smaller stuff is so much better in the battery tools. Less noise, no keeping or using petrol, less emissions, no or little servicing etc etc. I guess the downside with these will be the amount/weight of batteries that will be needed for them to be useful? Plenty of new technology on the horizon for sure.

[@StarloGetsReel]

For sure. The batteries weren't bad, weight-wise... but pricey!

[@oldbloke204]

@@StarloGetsReel Not that I will ever need one but I will have a bit of an investigate. I watch a lot of vids. about 12v systems in 4wd's etc but I try to get by with the least amount of power use and complexity that I can. One of these with a half decent solar set up at a base camp might be a good option for some. Thanks for the video.

[@timrosenthal46]

Definitely the way of the future, especially for the smaller HP electric outboards. Exciting times, I cut a small load of fire wood the other day with my electric/battery powered chainsaw, so good, clean easy and quiet !

[@StarloGetsReel]

Nice!

[@trapp84]

This will be the future

[@StarloGetsReel]

Agreed.

[@dennisgriffin6742]

For small boats, maybe. No way these will be practical for a heavy fiberglass bass or off shore boat.

[@chrishackett554]

The smaller ones definitely have a niche in the tender realm but the larger ones are a total gimmick or better yet scam. Look at that ridiculous Four Winns costing approximately 160k for electric that lasts about half an hour at 34-40 mph while the gas outboard version is about 70k. You’d have to have to head examined to think the large electric motors will complete

[@StarloGetsReel]

Hmmm. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Whenever I hear people write off new tech' like this, or say it has a very limited future, I'm reminded of the prophetic words of Thomas Watson, the president of IBM back in 1943, who famously said: “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” Oooops! ;)

[@DCJiuJitsuGeelong]

good to see this happening

[@StarloGetsReel]

Agreed.

[@christurner68]

Would be great if there was a true renewable energy and not having to destroy our planet to make this lie of renewable energy. How many more holes in the ground, forest ripped down, usable land destroyed to put up non recyclables like wind and solar??? We are heading in the wrong direction at the moment.