Duffy Electric boats....?

Hall-type rheostat throttles are well known for being troublesome. They work in a very specific resistance range . See if you can get another to test with.

Throttles & Parts

I have had a similar problem with my electric bike.

You would think the manufacturer would have someone down here that can work on their boats. I've seen about a dozen different ones around Fort Lauderdale. Try Lean Marine, they're a really good marine electricians outfit. I would be looking for a bad ground, or a bad connection at what turns the motor on or off.

Can you make it remote control? It would be real interesting to put a pirate manekin in it and stand at riverfront and drive it around. LOLOLOL

Electric throttle

Take that one, it is for sale and it will never fail on you, promise. It worked flawless during its former life for more than 100 years .

You're so true when saying how ideal they should be and that's what makes it so bad that they are failing to deliver to you. I was excited when you purchased it and we even talked about considering getting one sometime. Now, of course, I wouldn't consider one. Unfortunately, this is the way it so often is with innovation and uniqueness and creativity. One has an idea and takes it so far but then execution falls down.

The sad thing is that they are not new. Duffy has been at this since 1970. But they seem focused on building rental fleets. Otherwise they make direct sales. But in the midst of all that, they don't offer service throughout the country. They only talk about Duffy Direct. I'm assuming the Stuart store was of no help? What about the representatives in Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Naples?

Perhaps it's time to call someone in their headquarters other than service people. Executive or sales or someone in another area to express your dismay and disappointment.

Olderboater, you were saying in another thread how you had thought about getting a raceboat. Now you thought about getting an electric Duffy. I think you need to look at the AMG Cigarette electric raceboat.....the best of both words. You can cruise the New River and Dania Cutoff canal without the height restrictions, and you have a raceboat at the same time.....all while being able to have a conversation.
Cigarette Racing

Think I probably said a go fast but perhaps not, distinguishing as very fast vs. actually ready for racing. But that is one heck of a boat you linked to. I couldn't find what it's range was but I can't imagine it being more than a mile or two on a charge. Not so great for hauling your friends around with you.

And honestly we dismissed the idea of a super fast boat pretty quickly. 90 mph and up on the ocean, no thanks. 60 mph maybe, but so far we're sticking to the 40 mph range. The boat that tempted us most was probably Hustler but that's probably more due to our lake background.

Now do wish there was truly a functional electric day boat of some sort for local cruising. The boat I still find fascinating is the Solar Sailor.

Probably best these aren't more fully developed. Helps us resist the temptation. If it will go on water we love looking and thinking. Even things like the Gibbs Amphibians.

Well, for now we're sticking to more practical solutions but doesn't mean some of these concepts won't continue to get our attention. Maybe one day they're actually reach practical use.

There is!!!!!!!!!!! The Water Taxi.....most of them are diesel electric anyways!!!! and best of all it's only $20 for the entire day

The range on the cigarette was like an hour at 70mph or something like that, 12 minutes at 112mph, and something like 150 miles at normal speeds 40mph or so if I remember. I posted another thread on it a while back.

Here's a 30hp electric outboard......They also make a 20hp, and it would be interesting to see it on a duffy.....you'd have better maneuverability and less maintanence as it can be tilted out of the water..... .http://www.gizmag.com/30hp-aquawatt-most-powerful-electric-outboard-motor-in-the-world/18511/

There are a lot of unique items out there. Most not quite ready for prime time of having limited use. Many tempting but too much sacrificed. I looked just now at the entire Aquawatt offering. Interesting but no US presence that I could tell.

A little something for your viewing pleasure.

aquawatt Elektro Boot 550 elliniko - YouTube


Also:

Ray Electric Outboards, Inc
908 N.E. 24th Lane
Cape Coral, Florida 33909

Ray Electric Outboard most powerful, durable, not plastic underwater trolling motor. We don't troll, we motor. Made in the U.S.A. two year warrenty!

and

ReGen Nautic USA Inc.
850 NE 3rd Street, Suite 207
Dania Beach, FL 33004

Electric Outboards | ReGen Hybrid Electric Marine Power

The regen is a pretty interesting deal with a 300hp Outboard all electric. But the price with the largest battery bank is $95k. You can buy a 300hp Yamaha 4 stroke for $30-35k and a heck of a lot of gas for it. i think battery prices need to come down more and battery technology to come along more for the electric idea to really get out there.

True.

However, the 300 hp would have the Duffy zipping along the waterways of FLL.

Priceless.

It would be like hydroplanes, better keep it moving fast or it will sink from the weight.

Where did you find the rheostat?

Thanks!!!

Hope this helps:

Honeywell - RV4NAYSD203A - Variable Resistors - Potentiometers - Allied Electronics

Thanks guys...that will help!!! I'm hoping that is the problem, I have forward, but only have reverse after cycling throttle between neutral and reverse about 20 times!!!