We have put the most popular boat outboards to the test and will give you the ultimate comparison guide here. We will also address some of the most frequently asked questions about these engines.
Both electric outboards are easy to use and have an integrated replaceable battery for driving. With a low weight and lots of power, the engines can drive boats with a total weight of up to 1.5 tons. After use, they can be removed from the boat transom within a few minutes and stowed in optional transport bags.
In this guide we’re comparing the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO to the Torqeedo Travel 1103 C in the following categories:
Power : Which electric outboard has got more power?
Battery : Which electric engine offers the better exchangeable battery?
Installation : Which electric outboard motor offers the simpler and safer installation?
On-board computer and display information : Which electric motor offers more useful information on the display?
Solar charging capacity : Can the batteries be charged by solar panels while driving?
Security : Which offers better security features?
Operating volume : Which electric motor makes the least noise?
Weight : Does the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO or the Torqeedo Travel 1103 C weigh less?
Remote control capability : In addition to the tiller version, is there also a remote-controlled version of the engine?
Smartphone connectivity : Can you connect the engine to an app on your smartphone?
Hydrogeneration : Does the electric motor produce energy when under sail?
We’ll present the number of points achieved in the final results at the end and select a winner. Looking at these well made engines, it’s not going to be a surprise for you, that this will be a close call!
1. Power
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 0.5 points
Torqeedo Travel 1103 C: 1 point
In terms of power, the Torqeedo Travel 1103 C with 1.1 kW is just ahead of the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO with 1 kW. However, this difference is hardly noticeable in practice. Both electric outboards offer a lot of power and the propulsion power corresponds to a conventional combustion engine with 3 HP. From light inflatable boats to sailing boats with a total weight of up to 1.5 tons, the boat engines are up to their task.
2. Battery
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 1 point
Torqeedo Travel 1103 C: 0 points
When it comes to exchangeable batteries, the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO is particularly impressive in a direct comparison. With a battery capacity of 1276 Wh, the Spirit outperforms its contender by Torqeedo with 915 Wh in comparison. In practice, this difference results in a running time at full throttle of about one hour and ten minutes for the Spirit compared to about 45 minutes for the Travel 1103 C. This is a clear difference, but you should be aware that in practice you will rarely run the engine at full throttle. The motors and their propellers are made for displacement travel and a drive at around 150 watts will in practice offer you half the speed compared to driving at full throttle. You can also extend the range with an additional exchangeable battery for both engines.
With an adapter, you can even operate the Spirit with other 48-volt batteries, which is not possible with the Travel 1103 C. Another great feature of the Spirit exchangeable battery: The battery floats when it falls into the water.
3. Assembly
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 1 point
Torqeedo Travel 1103 C: 1 point
Both engines can be assembled without prior knowledge and within a few minutes. Tighten the clamping bolt on the transom, insert the kill switch, press the start button and the engine is ready for the journey. The ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO also impresses with a high-quality metal connector for connecting the battery to the motor unit. The simple assembly and disassembly has advantages in terms of theft protection as well. Not only are you able to secure the motors with a classic outboard lock on the clamping screws, but you also have the option of taking the engine off your boat after use and stowing it in the cabin of your boat or in your car.
4. On-board computer and display information
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 0.5 points
Torqeedo Travel 1103 C: 1 point
Both motors will show important information on the battery status, battery capacity and current power consumption on a display on the tiller. The Torqeedo Travel 1103 C excels in this category. With an integrated GPS module, the Torqeedo can reliably calculate the remaining range in kilometers, whereas the Spirit can only display the remaining travel time in hours and minutes. The GPS module enables the 1103 C to display the current speed in km/h. The Travel 1103 C is also a bit more convincing when it comes to the battery indicator: A percentage display provides precise information about the remaining battery charge. With the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO, the remaining battery charge is shown on the display with eight battery status bars.
5. Solar charging capability
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 1 point
Torqeedo Travel 1103 C: 1 point
Both engines excel in this category. Both motors offer the option of recharging the battery with the help of the sun. When it comes to the power of the solar modules, the Spirit has the edge. The Spirit solar panel charges with a peak power of 100 watts, as opposed to 50 watts for the Torqeedo solar panel. The solar panel of the Torqeedo 1103 C, however, has the solar charger integrated into the panel and is therefore a bit simpler and will save you space.
6. Security
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 1 point
Torqeedo Travel 1103 C: 0.5 points
With both electric engines you are very safe while moving. The batteries are solidly built and tested. Both engines offer the classic magnetic kill switch, that stops the motor if the captain falls overboard. The ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO secures the full number of points for the new safety wristbands. Up to eight safety wristbands can be connected to the Spirit EVO. If a person carrying a wristband falls overboard, the engine switches off immediately. This way, potentially all of your passengers are safe as well.
7. Operating volume
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 0.5 points
Torqeedo Travel 1103 C: 1 point
First of all: Both engines are super quiet and you can practically only hear the pleasant splashing of the water when they are running. Nevertheless, the Torqeedo with its whisper-quiet motor and a motor noise of a maximum of 33 dB has a lower noise level than the Spirit with a maximum of 60 dB. In any case, both provide a typical electric motor experience and you can enjoy the ride without engine noise, fuel spills or toxic exhaust gases.
8. Weight
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 0.5 points
Torqeedo Travel 1103 C: 1 point
Here too, the same picture emerges as in the previous category. Both motors are light and the battery can also be removed and transported separately. Nevertheless, the Torqeedo Travel 1103 C has got a small advantage on its side with a total weight including battery of 17.3 kg in the short shaft version and 17.7 kg in the long shaft version. Due to the larger battery, the ePropulsion weighs a total of 20 kg in the short shaft version and 20.2 kg in the long shaft version.
9. Remote control capability
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 1 point
Torqeedo Travel 1103 C: 0.5 points
The Spirit 1.0 EVO is available both with tiller or remote control. With the remote controlled version, there are even three different controls to choose from. The remote control for top mounting has got Bluetooth connectivity and does not have to be connected to the engine by a communication cable (it still can, if you prefer to wire the remote). In addition, there is also a remote control for side mounting and even a double control for top mounting for two Spirits. The Torqeedo Travel 1103 C is only available in a tiller version, however. But if you are rigging the engine to a sail boat and lock the steering, you can still remove the tiller and accelerate the boat with a remote control.
10. Smartphone connectivity
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 0 points
Torqeedo Travel 1103 C: 1 point
The Torqeedo 1103 C can connect to the Torqeedo TorqTrac app for Android and iPhone via a Bluetooth module. You can display your location on Google Maps and you will get useful information such as speed and route on your phone and you will be able to set waypoints on the map as well. The Spirit cannot be connected to a mobile app.
11. Hydrogeneration
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 1 point
Torqeedo 1103 C: 0 points
Here the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO comes up with a great new feature. Sailors can charge the battery under sail by hanging the Spirit in the water and generating electricity at speeds exceeding four knots. An incredibly great feature for sailors. However, this feature is of no use to all other boaters.
Result
ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO: 8 points
Torqeedo Travel 1103 C: 8 points
According to our criteria, it is a perfect tie. But the advantages and disadvantages are different for every boater and the distribution of points should only be a simple framework for a comparison.
To summarize, these are the main differences:
Advantages of the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO
+ Bigger battery
+ Possibility to expand the capacity with other 48-volt batteries
+ Hydrogeneration feature for sailors
+ Safety wristbands
+ Remote steering possible
Advantages of the Torqeedo Travel 1103 C
+ 10% more power
+ integrated GPS module
+ better on-board computer
+ quieter operating noise
+ lower weight
The differences between the two engines are small and both engines are convincing and are fun to drive out on the water. There’s no wrong choice with going for either one those engines.
If you are more convinced of the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO, but you do not want to equip a sailboat, then going for the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus could be worthwile. The engine is cheaper and has no Hydrogeneration feature for sailors, does not support the new safety wristbands, has a lower tilting angle of the tiller and has no remote controlled version. Otherwise it’s practically the same engine.
Since you’ll probably rarely use the full power of 1 kW or 1.1 kW, it is also worth taking a look at the Torqeedo 603 S. This electric engine has got a maximum power of 600 watts and the motor is only available in a short shaft version. It also comes with a smaller battery with 500 Wh by default, but the larger 915 Wh battery can be connected as well.