Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-17-2019, 09:17 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
dirtdoc1's Avatar
 
City: Palo Alto
Vessel Name: Ann-Elyse II
Vessel Model: North Pacific 45
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 472
e Bike On Board?

I've been thinking about getting a folding e-bike to keep on my boat. I cruised the Pacific North West last year and found that the lack of transportation on the various islands that I stopped at was an issue. I'd like to be able to run to the store to get supplies when I pull in to port or anchorage. I'd also like to be able to explore the different towns that I stop at while cruising and maybe the trails too. Some of the harbors had a grocery store close by so I was able to buy what I needed and keep cruising.

I guess my question is - how many of you cruisers have an electric bike on board and how often do you use it? If you do use it, how useful is it? If you do have one and find it useful - what kind do you have?

I've got my eye on the Gocycle G3 but it's not cheap! I want to make sure that I'm really going to use the thing and not waste my money.

Thanks
__________________
Dirtdoc1
dirtdoc1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2019, 10:44 PM   #2
Veteran Member
 
City: Hobe Sound FL
Vessel Name: CORISANDE SHADOW
Vessel Model: PDQ 41
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 67
I love the go cycle, and they are coming out with a new one in late spring which is meant to be easier to fold.
I currently have a Ford branded Pedego which I ride around Jupiter Island but it is 60lbs, so unwieldy on the boat. The go cycle would be much better for your use.
Best,
Maldwin
Maldwin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 12:41 AM   #3
Guru
 
tiltrider1's Avatar
 
City: Seattle
Vessel Name: AZZURRA
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 54
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,308
I don’t have an ebike. I do have a high end road bike. It’s primary purpose is exercise while vacationing. However, it has been a bit of a life saver at times. Once road 12 miles to a marine store to get a macerater pump. Another time road 4 miles to buy a tool I needed. Many times I have gone for an exercise ride only to discover a better grocery store or farmers market.

Now the bike is always onboard
tiltrider1 is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 12:52 AM   #4
TF Site Team
 
Insequent's Avatar
 
City: Brisbane
Vessel Name: Insequent
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander 50 Mk I
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,262
I'd order one of these if I was in your part of the world
https://www.ridecarbo.com/
__________________
Brian
Insequent is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 06:52 AM   #5
Guru
 
ranger58sb's Avatar
 
City: Annapolis
Vessel Name: Ranger
Vessel Model: 58' Sedan Bridge
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,088
We have a couple of folders. Not e-bikes, which would be too heavy for me to schlepp around the boat, fling into a dinghy, shift from boat to dock, etc.

-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA
ranger58sb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 08:01 AM   #6
Guru
 
Codger2's Avatar
 
City: San Diego
Vessel Name: Circuit Breaker
Vessel Model: 2021..22' Duffy Cuddy cabin
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,691
I bought a Pedego Intercepter about a year and a half ago for my wife. I spent $3.5K as it is loaded with extras. She rode it 5 times and then complained that her knees were really bothering her so she rides no more. It's an incredible bike but I get my exercise on the flybridge, pushing buttons on the electronics. Anyone interested?
Attached Thumbnails
Bike Photo.jpg  
__________________
Done with diesel power boats! Have fallen in love with all electric!
Codger2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 08:23 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Flybull's Avatar
 
City: USA
Vessel Model: 1983 Trojan F44 FBMY
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 163
These are bitchin'...

https://www.jupiterbike.com/
Flybull is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 08:49 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
City: Annapolis, MD
Vessel Name: Think Big
Vessel Model: Camano Troll 2003
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 129
I have a Carbo on order. Should hopefully ship in March. Will post about it once I get it onboard.
MiltonP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 08:52 AM   #9
Guru
 
JohnEasley's Avatar


 
City: Palmetto
Vessel Name: Wanderlust
Vessel Model: 1999 Jefferson Rivanna 52'
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 713
A few months ago, we bought a couple of Rad Mini's. They're a bit on the heavy side but they fold easily, have great range and are very comfortable. They'll be going with us when we cruise this summer and when we cast off permanently.
JohnEasley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 09:27 AM   #10
Veteran Member
 
City: Manasquan
Vessel Name: EX MISS CHRIS
Vessel Model: Jefferson 42
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 33
A company called Hill Topper ( https://www.electric-bike-kit.com) makes kits that changes any bike or folding bike into a electric bike. They have four kits, 8, 12, 20, & 40 mile ranges using lithium batteries. The prices range from 599.00 - 899.00. You simply change out your front wheel to theirs with a built in motor in the hub, attach the control button to the handle bar, and put the small battery in the basket or attach it to the frame. We have had one for several years and love it. Ride the bike normally or press the button when you want to go electric. The top speed on ours is 15 mph.
Clam Digger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 09:55 AM   #11
Guru
 
Seevee's Avatar
 
City: st pete
Vessel Model: 430 Mainship
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 3,498
A little different, I have a tandem electric bike, made by Daymak.

The pix looks like it's plugged into the pedestal.... no, just parked there. While it's a tad heavy at 50 lbs, I can quickly take off the battery and the seats, turn the front handlebars sideways, and lift it onto the boat an up the stairs where it's stored on the flybridge rail. Works GREAT.

It can be a bit of a challenge getting it up and down single handed and one will use a bike (or anything) depending on how easy it is to launch. I use mind ALL THE TIME! Rarely a stop where I didn't get it down, unless wx was bad. Toured with it, grocery and parts stops and just fun, but it was not fast using electric alone.

If one has the slightest inkling to biking, I'd say GET ONE and try it out. There's many used ones out there to try.

And they are super handy for just getting around, shopping, restaurant stop, etc. Mine will hold a lady, plus two backpacks of groceries and a few cases of beer. Great bike!
Attached Thumbnails
Tandem-ElectricW.jpg  
__________________
Seevee
Seevee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 11:52 AM   #12
Guru
 
AKDoug's Avatar
 
City: Kenai, Alaska
Vessel Name: Melanie Rose
Vessel Model: 1999 Willard PH
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,236
A little off topic, but when I was in Anacortes the Harbormaster's office loaned out bicycles. It made me wonder how many other places had loaner bikes in the harbor? For me it was a complete blessing and some of the bikes had racks and baskets for hauling your stuff... My boat is small enough having a bicycle on board would be problematic, and the salt exposure would make upkeep hard.
AKDoug is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 12:01 PM   #13
Guru
 
Woodland Hills's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Vessel Name: Alzero
Vessel Model: Hatteras 63' CPMY
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,548
Terns are popular here perhaps due to the ultra fat tires which soften the bumps and do batter in sand or gravel. Actually 1/2 of the bikes you see in Key West are fat bikes, they are really getting popular. Or maybe 1/2 the bikes that I notice are fattys........
Woodland Hills is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 01:45 PM   #14
Guru
 
wkearney99's Avatar
 
City: Bethesda, MD
Vessel Name: Solstice
Vessel Model: Grand Banks 47 Eastbay FB
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,164
Quote:
Originally Posted by AKDoug View Post
A little off topic, but when I was in Anacortes the Harbormaster's office loaned out bicycles. It made me wonder how many other places had loaner bikes in the harbor? For me it was a complete blessing and some of the bikes had racks and baskets for hauling your stuff... My boat is small enough having a bicycle on board would be problematic, and the salt exposure would make upkeep hard.
THIS. I get hung up on the cost-per-use equation. The limited number of times we'd actually use the bikes versus their cost, and hassle to store/deploy them, keeps making me not want to get any. Especially not the e-bike style.

However, the wife keeps pushing the idea, so it's on my 'to do' list to visit a local e-bike shop to see what sort of electric-assisted ones are available.

Me, I don't mind walking or riding some marina rattle-trap bike.
__________________
-- Bill Kearney
2005 Eastbay 47 FB - Solstice, w/Highfield CL360 tender
wkearney99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 03:00 PM   #15
Guru
 
Benthic2's Avatar
 
City: Boston Area
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,610
I have a Rad ebike and really love it. They make a small folding bike as well.

https://www.radpowerbikes.com/produc...lding-fat-bike
Benthic2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 03:06 PM   #16
Guru
 
wkearney99's Avatar
 
City: Bethesda, MD
Vessel Name: Solstice
Vessel Model: Grand Banks 47 Eastbay FB
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,164
Fat tires are great for comfort, but at 67 lbs and still pretty big folded I'm hesitant to picture hauling three of them in/out of the engine room...
__________________
-- Bill Kearney
2005 Eastbay 47 FB - Solstice, w/Highfield CL360 tender
wkearney99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 03:13 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Cat Daddy's Avatar
 
City: Boyd, Texas
Vessel Name: Cat Daddy
Vessel Model: PDQ mv/34
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 113
I had a Prodeco Phantom X2, a well made bike built in Ft Lauderdale. About $1500 as I recall six years ago. It's a bit heavy but worked great. It cannot swim however and lithium batteries mixed with salt water create fire. I miss that bike.

Rafe
Cat Daddy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 03:28 PM   #18
Guru
 
wkearney99's Avatar
 
City: Bethesda, MD
Vessel Name: Solstice
Vessel Model: Grand Banks 47 Eastbay FB
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,164
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cat Daddy View Post
It cannot swim however and lithium batteries mixed with salt water create fire.
As in, whoops, >splash< sizzle.. boom?
__________________
-- Bill Kearney
2005 Eastbay 47 FB - Solstice, w/Highfield CL360 tender
wkearney99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 04:53 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
AdmiralS's Avatar
 
City: Stony Point, NY
Vessel Name: VARKA
Vessel Model: Helmsman Trawlers 43 PH
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 250
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flybull View Post
These are bitchin'...

https://www.jupiterbike.com/
+1 for Jupiter

We will be getting 2 of these in the coming months. Saw them at the Annapolis show and really liked them.
AdmiralS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2019, 05:47 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Cat Daddy's Avatar
 
City: Boyd, Texas
Vessel Name: Cat Daddy
Vessel Model: PDQ mv/34
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 113
Quote:
Originally Posted by wkearney99 View Post
As in, whoops, >splash< sizzle.. boom?
Was in Key West and just returned from the grocery store. Rode out on the dock to unload. While stepping onto the boat a 30 kt gust blew the bike over and it fell between the boat and dock into 9' of water. I had it out in in 5 minutes or so, and while rinsing the bike with fresh water the battery started to smoke. By the time I got it open a small flame was present. That's when it stopped being an electric bike. I still used it as a normal bike but corrosion was a constant battle.

Rafe
Cat Daddy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:37 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012