1st short trip on my new Ocean Torque

Didn't get the new kayak in the water till 4:00 PM, because didn't leave the dealer's business till 3:15 PM. No sweat, a couple hours till dark and I'm only running (2) small AGM batteries, one pulled from the T, and the 17 year old one from the T and now in the garden tractor. Video coming later.

The 2 AGM batteries. Use the 17 year old one upriver so that I would have plenty of reserve to get back.


Heading out for 1st cruise upstream on the American River, putting in at Nimbus Dam.


VOM and tools


Heading back after 3 nm up river on that 17 year old battery.

Fickle winds, glad I had electrons flowing.

did you have a GPS so you know your speed, etc? This yak seems so right to me for trolling n traveling a great distance from the launch.

Very cool!  Does it need to be registered since it is motor driven?

Didn't bring the GPS but when I got home determined the Lat and Long from Google Earth for distance. Probably went a tad further because my Lat and Long calculation was for a straight line, which neither the river or my route was, so closer to 7 nm roundtrip. Those aren't the batteries I'll be using. I have ordered lithium batteries that should give a 75 nm range on a single charge. I'm not going to register it, but you are correct it is a gray area.

OK, now I'm ready for some serious range. I ordered these cells back on 8-24-12 and they came in yesterday. Have to set up with high current connectors and my trusty watt-hr "fuel" gauge, and come this spring/summer will be ready for some kayak camping and 75 mile, 2 day runs. Later comes the solar panels.

type, brand, weight, charging issues, water proof?????

type, brand, weight, charging issues, water proof?????

Winston's older cells for Thunder Sky. 31 lbs for an honest 100 a-hr that can be pulled down to 80% DOD (depth of discharge) 2000 times. Bought a charger just for lithium profile, 50 amps, less than 2 hours to fully charge. I haven't submerged the cells, but would guess at least as waterproof as an AGM battery, and much better than gel or flooded.

Awesome glad those batteries held up


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I would think lithium would have to be water proof. Because the two do not mix well. you will have to either fake paddle it or get CF numbers as well. But the boat sounds real fun. How fast is it suppose to go?

5.5 mph, and fake paddling is good exercise.

I have a Torque, and notice u have a rod pod hatch for your battery compartment cover.  Was that stock?  Do you know if it can be reto-fit to an older Torque?  Mine is a 2010 model.

Thanks,
Tom

Your torque looks to have room in the battery compartment for tools & cell phone, w/ a 3rd party hatch cover that has rod holder mount holes.  Is this all stock on the new Torque?  OK website shows the std hatch cover, etc. Room for tools etc & that hatch cover would be appreciated on my boat.

The battery cover and tray are now standard. I ordered for a September delivery but the factory had switched to next year's model and I had to wait for the first production run. Much better seat too.

The lithium cells are being balanced before use in the Torque. These cells are amazing, pulling a 30 watt load for 96 hours.


If my calculations are correct, these two batteries should be good for the 75 mile shoreline of Lake Tahoe. Looking forward to finding out, but to be on the safe side I'll pack the 8 lb switching 50 amp charger and on a meal and beverage stop, charge the first depleted pack.

Wheres the flux capacitor? 

Anthony