Torqeedo Cruise pod for yachts arrives in Australia

German electric marine-motor maker Torqeedo has shipped the first of its award-winning hull-mounted electric marine motors to Australia for fit-up on a yacht.

Suitable for power sail and motor boats up to 10 tons, the Torqedo electric motor Cruise range includes three models; the Cruise 2.0/4.0 FP and Cruise 10.0 FP. All are
lightweight with an optional folding propeller to save space.

Torqeedo says the Cruise 2.0/4.0 FP will propel a
sailboat up to four tons at about 6 knots and has a running time of
approximately nine hours at slow speed (boat dependent),

The bigger Cruise 10.0 FP is designed to propel motorboats and sailboats up to 10
tons up to 17 knots at full throttle and has a running time of more than
six hours at slow speed (boat dependent).

AUSTRALIAN YACHT FIT-UP
Melbourne sailor Matthew Geake recently became the first person in
Australia to experience Torqeedo's new award-winning hull-mounted Cruise
4.0 FP electric marine motor on a boat.

A 4.0 FP (fixed pod) model was installed on his wooden yacht Jolly where it apparently earned a rave review.

"Putting my Torqeedo Cruise pod drive to the test was exciting — she performed really well, with a generous amount of power even with six of us aboard! And so very quiet, it’s amazing," Geake said.

BIG BENEFITS
The electric Cruise motors have minimal noise, even at full load, direct cooling in the water,
and an intelligent on-board computer with an interface for the
optional smartphone app called TorqTrac.

The lithium
batteries also provide far greater performance with lower weight than
conventional lead batteries – not weighing down your boat and resulting
in increased range and power.

Like all Cruise drive systems, the
pod versions are saltwater-compatible, corrosion-protected, very robust
and safe, Torqeedo says, with an emergency magnetic kill switch and no need to
carry fuel on board.

Tests have found that a hull-mounted pod drive decreases performance by less than 0.1 knot – ensuring drag is not an issue — the German motor maker says.

AWARDED AND ACCLAIMED
The Torqeedo Cruise pods, which took out the 2016 DAME Design Award presented at Mets Marine Trade show in Amsterdam, are compact, lightweight and economical.

The Cruise FP drives deliver eco-friendly performance, saves space, is whisper quiet, and has minimal drag. Despite being virtually silent, the pod drives are said to have a commanding punch with the performance equivalent of 5, 8 or 20hp engine.

Local importers Power Equipment, are exciting about pesent and future prospects of these new electric drives.

"The Torqeedo Cruise FP drives have everything a sailor could want — they’re inconspicuous, mighty powerful, super quiet, solar chargeable and highly efficient, which ensures plenty of range," says Jason Hodder from Power Equipment.

"Like all Torqeedo motors, they’re backed by German technology – innovative, eco-friendly and convenient. They are so discreet you’ll forget all about them and focus on what’s important... enjoying time on the water."

TORQEEDO TALK
Power Equipment says the new Cruise 4.0 FP range and first installation in Australia follows a  successful 2016 for Torqeedo in Australia.

After Power Equipment took over the distribution rights in 2016, more than 100 outboards have been sold in Australia, and the outboards were recently mounted to the safety kayaks during the Massive Murray Paddle event.

The RRP for the Cruise starts from AUD $5610. More from Power Equipment at www.powerequipment.com.au.