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My 1979 Chrysler 22 sailboat, a heavy 22-foot sloop design with 3000-lb displacement. It had a 6hp Sailor model, long shaft, 2-stroke outboard motor that usually took me twenty minutes or more to start and keep it running. It had to be "warmed up" before leaving the dock or it would die 20 feet out! It always seemed to quit running at the most inopportune times. Since it was an old 2-stroke, it was a smoky, smelly, air and water polluter. Not at all consistent with my vision of sailing: smooth, quiet, and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine!

Then, in 2008, I replaced that 2-stroke gas motor with an electric, 24-volt Minn Kota Riptide Rt80/s, rated at 80 pounds of thrust. What a pleasure! Instant "on" and quick change from forward to reverse. No stalling and no warm-up necessary. No longer worried about the motor stopping or not starting, sailing that Chrysler 22 sailboat became the pleasure it was meant to be!

At the dock, ready to sail my 1979 Chrysler 22 sailboat, a 22-foot sloop design with 3000-lb displacement. Now fitted with an electric outboard trolling motor, a 24-volt Minn Kota Riptide Rt80/s, rated at 80 pounds of thrust.

Here's a closer look at the sailboat stern, our Chrysler 22 sailboat with electric Minn Kota Riptide Rt80/s on the old outboard motor mount. As you can see, even with a 42" shaft, the motor mount helps to raise and lower the prop into the water.

Cruising back into the harbor after a fun day of sailing. Nice to be able to lower and stow the sails before reaching the dock. The electric outboard motor makes it easy to bring our sailboat back to the docks and the instant "on-off" forward-reverse is a pleasure.

Cruising back in the harbor, steering with the sailboat tiller, not the motor, just like we did with the gas outboard. In tight spots the additional control of stearing with the moter can also be helpful.

View of the electric outboard motor plugged into the 24-volt outlet on the sailboat transom.

Cruising back to the dock. No worries about starting or stopping the electric outboard motor.

When I sold the Chrysler 22 and bought a 1975 Laguna Windrose 18 sailboat to replace it, I took the Minn Kota Rt80/s electric outboard trolling motor with me and it still does a great job: quiet, strong, and reliable!

The motor mount is different on the Laguna Windrose, but works the same way. The Minn Kota Rt80/s still does a great job: quiet, strong, and reliable. The Windrose is a smailler lighter boat so the Rt80 electric outboard is even more effective, moving the sailboat and changing direction with less hestation.

Getting ready to sail our 1975 Laguna Windrose 18 sailboat. The Minn Kota Rt80/s still quiet, strong, and reliable! We enjoy sailing off the southern California coast.