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Torqeedo Electric Motors: Travel and Cruise Compared
Torqeedo Travel motors for kayaks, skiffs and dinghies, and the Cruise outboards for bigger boats. What I have seen them do on the water.
What I have seen from Torqeedo
Torqeedo builds electric motors for big boats, not just kayaks, and it shows when that power gets scaled down. At ICAST 2019 I tested a prototype 1100 watt Torqeedo on a Bonafide kayak with Jeff Little from Torqeedo, more than twice the power of the 403 series most kayak anglers run. At ICAST 2022 Jeff put me on his Osprey 1436 inflatable with a Torqeedo 1103 AC, and it ran about 6.7 to 6.8 mph. For comparison, a really good pedal kayak pedaled super hard gets around 5.
Back in 2015, instead of buying Hobie’s Torqeedo-based Evolve motor, I built my own drop-in motor for the Mirage drive well for under $165 at the time. So I know both sides: what you get with a premium electric motor, and what you can do on a budget.
Some background: Torqeedo was founded in Starnberg, Germany, in 2005, has locations in Gilching near Munich, Crystal Lake, Illinois and Bangkok, and was acquired by engine maker DEUTZ AG in 2017.
How to read this page: my first-hand Torqeedo time is in the videos below. Torqeedo makes far more than kayak motors, so the Cruise outboards here are for skiffs, sailboats and small powerboats.
Which Torqeedo is right for you?
- Kayak, canoe or small inflatable: a Travel motor. The Ultralight is the light kayak option.
- Dinghy or skiff that needs more push: a Travel XP or the larger Travel models.
- Bigger boat, real outboard replacement: a Cruise outboard. The T models are tiller, the R models are remote steering, and FP is the fixed pod version.
- Just want a motor on a fishing kayak on a budget: compare with my best kayak motors guide first.
Travel motors
Torqeedo Travel XS S Trolling Motor
Torqeedo Travel Trolling Motor
Torqeedo Travel XP Trolling Motor
Torqeedo Travel Ultralight Trolling MotorCruise outboards
Torqeedo Cruise 10.0 T
Torqeedo Cruise 3.0 FP
Torqeedo Cruise 12.0 FP TorqLink
Torqeedo Cruise 3.0 T (48V)
Torqeedo Cruise 3.0 R (48V)
Torqeedo Cruise 6.0 T (48V)
Torqeedo Cruise 6.0 R (48V)
Torqeedo Cruise 12.0 R TorqLink
Torqeedo Cruise 6.0 R TorqLinkMounts
YakAttack Torqeedo Throttle Mount w/ Track Mounted LockNLoad™ Mounting SystemMy Torqeedo videos
Prototype 1100 watt Torqeedo on a BonafideICAST 2019, on the water
Osprey 1436 inflatable with a Torqeedo 1103: speed testICAST 2022, on the water
Bonafide motor options: Torqeedo and BixpyICAST 2019
My budget alternative: a homemade Mirage drive well motor2015 DIYTorqeedo FAQ
How fast is a kayak with a Torqeedo?
On Jeff Little's Osprey 1436 inflatable with a Torqeedo 1103 AC, I saw about 6.7 to 6.8 mph at ICAST 2022. A strong pedal kayak pedaled hard is around 5 mph.
Which Torqeedo is for kayaks?
The Travel motors. The Ultralight is the light kayak option, and the Travel XP and other Travel models are for dinghies and skiffs. The Cruise outboards are for bigger boats.
Who makes Torqeedo?
Torqeedo was founded in Starnberg, Germany, in 2005 and was acquired by DEUTZ AG in 2017.