Newport, one of the top names in electric trolling motors, has entered the broader electric outboard market with the launch of the NT300 Electric Outboard Motor and the NK300 Electric Kayak Motor.
Both motors have power ratings of 1.3 kW peak and both are direct drive models with the motor operating below the water line. The company says the configuration results in performance equivalent to at least a 3HP gas motor.
Electric outboards have 1.3 kW ≈ 3hp gas equivalent
With their wide selection of trolling motors, Newport (formerly Newport Vessels) has offered anglers a variety of options for a number of years with a commitment to “enhance every facet of the fishing experience while lessening environmental impacts to small waterways and shallow water habitats”. These new electric outboards further expand those options.
“We want serious kayak anglers and other boaters to be able to experience freedom from hassle, cost and maintenance. Our new NK300 and NT300 are designed to usher in a new era of cleaner adventures, without sacrificing the capability of gas-fueled counterparts” says Josh Neville, head of marketing at Newport.
Both motors are brushless and incorporate field-oriented control technology (FOC). Without getting too technical about it, the efficiency of brushless motors to generate rotational torque depends on how the individual magnetic coils within the motor are driven. This can result in inefficiencies at certain speeds. What FOC does is provide excellent control capability and efficiency over the full torque and speed ranges.
The NK300 has a standard outboard setup with a tiller / throttle on top, shaft leading to the underwater pod motor, and transom bracket for attaching the motor to the boat. The kayak version has a truncated shaft and horizontal bracket for attachment to a kayak body. There is a digital readout on the tiller/throttle and a remote throttle is available. Both have an emergency magnetic stop key.
The Newport lithium-ion battery is external and attaches to the motors with a plug-in quick connect . The motors require 36 Volt batteries and Newport offers two options: the 36V30 with 30 amps and 1.08 kiloWatthours of energy storage or the 36V40 with 40 amps and 1.44 kWh of storage.
Got questions about batteries? The Plugboats Guide to Batteries explains it all
Speed and range for either motor depend on the size and weight of the boat. The Newport website provides this data (for the larger battery):
40 Watts = 30 Hours = 66 Miles
300 Watts (about 1/4 power) = 4 Hours = 17.7 Miles
1100 Watts (max power) = 1 Hour 10 Minutes = 6.76 miles
* The performance data is based on a 12-foot aluminum boat with one person and a 30ah Lithium battery in calm lake water. The actual speed, range and running time may vary because of different boats, load, weather, etc. (Ed’s Note: 40 Watts is low trolling speed, 300 W is about 1/4 power, 1100 W is max running power)
The Newport NT300 Electric Outboard retails for an industry-leading MSRP of $999, NK300 Kayak Motor for $1,299. Batteries with charger are an additional $849 for the 36V30, $949 for the 36V40.
“We’re excited to help shape a better, more efficient, and more enjoyable future for life on the water,” says Neville. “The traditional gas-powered outboard might be the way of the past, but the way forward is electric.”
Exciting things are happening every day in electric boats and boating.
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