I TEST DRIVE Mercury's Avator 7.5 Electric Outboard: The Future Of Boating Or Work Of The Devil?

[@Fun.Guy.Forager]

If you thought the 35e had some get up you should try the newer 75e or 110e they just came out with. Those pack some good power on a setup like you have there.

[@StarloGetsReel]

I bet!

[@PeachyFlyFishing]

Definitely the way of the future mate, there's no holding back the tide.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Agreed.

[@Spectrecontrol]

The beauty of the electric is that you can plug in your sandwich toaster and hair dryer too, so you can always look your best out there 😄

[@StarloGetsReel]

🤣👍

[@Ekka007]

Starlo could plug in his shaver, clearly doesn't work at home LOL

[@ianbertenshaw4350]

a toasted sandwich maker for some cheese melts while you troll ? now there’s something I need for my boat !

[@Ekka007]

@@ianbertenshaw4350I got a 12V oven from Supercheap for $50 it heats up ya hot dinner in foil!

[@timrosenthal46]

Looks fantastic, what a great little set up .. I'd love to have that to potter around the Glenelg River in.

[@StarloGetsReel]

It’s so good! 👍

[@hawkey92]

If only everyone had the same positivity and open mindedness that you've got Starlo!! Big fan of the content you're producing and the way you present. Happy fishing 🎣

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks so much! I think we all need to keep open minds these days. 👍

[@mtnmonk2301]

Well done Starlo! It's a bit like the Ford Model A at this stage, but how good are they going to be just a few of years down the track! And for those big adventures, with solar panels, you'll be able to "re-fuel" at sea. Can't wait!!!

[@StarloGetsReel]

So true! I'm with you on that. Exciting times ahead!

[@billycairns9395]

Love the electric outboards... magic!😊

[@StarloGetsReel]

Me too. 👍

[@kendlcramer9184]

I love our little boat! It is the ultimate competition vessel for us to develop the skills of our ladies. Look out fellas, we are coming for you :)

[@StarloGetsReel]

Well said!

[@StarloGetsReel]

On their own heads be it! 🤣

[@feartheduck6664]

That was a nice flattie the ladies caught! Yamaha have been working on hydrogen power. That will be interesting to follow too. 👍

[@StarloGetsReel]

Sure will! Very applicable to the bigger donks, I think.

[@downunderdave5417]

Looks fantastic I heard a lady from the WRFL speaking about them on The Dig Fish (ABC radio) She said they are very light as well.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yes, not bad at all.

[@MontanaWelldigger]

My father was born in 1911 in the USA and went to high school in the State of NY. He told me that the scientists in the 1920's were saying that the crude oil was running out and would be used up by 1940's. My issue with electric is the was were being force fed the damm things. When they get good enough, they will sell themselves just like every other breakthrough product.

[@StarloGetsReel]

True enough.

[@olitheballer2268]

You’re not being forced fed anything, the petrochemical industry makes you believe that. Mercury is investing in new tech; good for them. I look forward to gen 2/3/4.

[@robbiefishing]

Electrickery. I see what you done there!! Haha Great video. Personally, I am excited for the future of small electric motors. I have an electric Stihl chainsaw and it is absolutely brilliant. Solar power is infinite.

[@StarloGetsReel]

I agree Robbie! Might not be the ONLY way to go, but it’s definitely ONE way.

[@bensingleton1661]

What about he noise? Looks way more piece feel out there with the electric outboard

[@StarloGetsReel]

For sure.

[@cancerman525]

Would love some feedback from people fishing trout. I hear they are easy to spook. Hope to get something electric to push boat I picked up because lake closest to me doesn't allow gas engines and don't have the health to row or paddle.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Trout can be fairly spooky. Sounds like an electric would suit you nicely. 👍

[@nicholasminter4044]

Oof... $1650 for an additional battery, though understandable for a marine spec 1kw battery. I would love one but as you said I would have to wait until they are significantly cheaper.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep. Me too.

[@ianbertenshaw4350]

Funny thing is when I use the lekkie to troll then start the outboard up to change location and I finally get to that location - I usually mutter to myself- thank god I can turn that noisy bloody thing off ! After an hour of silent trolling you sort of slip away into your the serenity of it all . I have to be careful though as I have been known to nod off while trolling 🤣🤣🤣 What would be awesome is if they could incorporate the abilities of the bow mount into that transom mount - GPS and spot lock etc - the 3.5k motor on my boats bow would be redundant and I could use that money towards the transom motor !

[@StarloGetsReel]

I like the way you think!

[@alexmarti7684]

I would love to set up a little electric tinny for creeks and dams. One day!!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Same! Wish I could afford one...

[@Ekka007]

It's all about range and weight. As an offshore fisher throwing in a jerry can or two is far easier than looking for extra electrons. Battery weight vs fuel weight for range?

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, definitely an issue.

[@brettschurgott3808]

Mmm,great idea. We use electric motors on the front of or boats so why not. What's a spare battery worth,hope not like a Tesla. All in all I'm still divided about an electric main motor. Interesting times. Thank you kindly Starlo.

[@StarloGetsReel]

No worries... and yes, the spare batteries are expensive! About $1,650 for this one, I believe!

[@chemmer1127]

It's a trolling motor.... That's it, we've had this technology for decades

[@StarloGetsReel]

True enough at one level. I guess it’s about evolution and advancement. There are currently motors in this line-up that will plane a 4+ metre hull, and models coming that will offer similar performance to mid-range petrol outboards. It’s bit hard to think of those simply as “trolling motors” (which was always a bit of a misleading and meaningless term anyway).

[@petergoodall6258]

My grandfathers draft-horse didn’t have a battery

[@StarloGetsReel]

No, it didn't. And there were serious predictions at one stage in the early 1800s that by now the earth would be metres deep in horse manure, because of all the horses needed for such a massive population... Things DO change, sometimes even for the better. ;)

[@clarkey59]

Hi Starlo, will you be carrying a pair of oars, just for a emergency.

[@StarloGetsReel]

It’s not my rig but it’s always good to carry back-up propulsion in ANY boat, whether mandated by law or not. This one has the bow-mounted MotorGuide electric (with separate battery) as well as the Avator, so that ticks the box for me, but packing a single paddle - even a folding one - would still be a good idea I reckon… regardless of what else powers the vessel. 👍

[@Mark-ew5jm]

I’d never be able to afford one unfortunately.

[@StarloGetsReel]

I can't either at the moment. Hopefully prices will come down. The first Teslas were ridiculous, too. Still expensive, but not like they were.

[@DVMacPherson]

Not convinced battery power is the way to go, even e-car sales are flattening off and in some countries dropping. Go and have a look at a Lithium mine and watch how much fossil fuel is expended getting the raw product out of the ground. Then they don't know what to do with the batteries once they are buggered. Hydrogen holds much more promise , great video and content though but at this stage give me petrol , outboards have never in their history been more fuel efficient than they are now.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, fair enough.

[@pistolpeds]

When the fossil fuels run out the elecric motor will stop as well.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Hmmm. Possibly, although there ARE other sources of energy. 😉

[@ianadams7943]

I wish I knew the answer

[@Tw0tson]

10% review 90% lithium ion battery propaganda, sheesh we get it old man but can you talk about the features of the motor for a bit?

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@Tw0tson This was an “initial impressions” video rather than a full blown review, and was based on one 20-minute run in the rig. I’m hoping to get hold of it again at some stage for a more detailed review, but there are already plenty of those on KZbin.

[@keithprinn720]

not if made in China sorry. If decent countries not our enemy and treating us worse then maybe.

[@StarloGetsReel]

I hear you, Keith. According to Google: "The Avator is assembled in Wisconsin [USA] and Mercury Marine employs about 45,000 people." However I'm sure many, if not most, of the components and especially the batteries are coming out of China, although I can't be sure of that., so don't quote me on it! For better or worse, I don't think you're going to see much of this sort of tech' that DOESN'T largely originate from China. :(

[@bretloyd8097]

The Chinese like others can/will build ANY quality spec you want. Wholesalers and retailers order the cheapest spec possible from Chinese manufacturers and WE blame Chinese build quality.

[@Ekka007]

@@bretloyd8097Chinese are masters of supplying 100% on spec sample then slowly letting things degrade. A constant vigiliant checking regime is required when importing ..... like recently the entire ship load of Chinese vehicles was sent back due to bugs (yeah bugs but not like in the MIB movie). Google " A ship carrying Tesla electric cars has been forced to leave Australia, and sent back to Shanghai after stink bugs were discovered on board" ... fact is their QA is shit

[@mattc677]

The only problem with it is the fact that it was made by Mercury and Mercury engines are a complete joke. I suspect that they made another piece of unreliable garbage here...just like all their outboard motors.

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@mattc677 15 or 20 years ago I might have largely agreed with you, but modern Mercury outboard motors mostly seem to be very good, from everything I see and hear. I run a Yamaha, so I’m not speaking from personal experience, but many highly experienced boaters whose opinions I trust swear by the current generation of Mercury outboards, particularly the four-strokes. In fact, I believe ALL of the major outboard companies make pretty good motors these days. Any who consistently fall short of the mark tend to disappear from this highly competitive market, as relatively recent history proves…

[@TasmanianDevil3]

They couldn't build a decent petrol engine so hopefully the electric is a lot better.

[@StarloGetsReel]

30 years or so ago I might have agreed with you, but modern day Mercs are actually very good, in my opinion.