Electric outboards and I have come a long way. When the first Torqeedo outboards hit the market, I was skeptical. But after spending a summer testing an early model—one that boasted a high-pitched whine and earned the nickname “the blender”—I began to see the light. Today, depending on where you boat, it’s not uncommon for electric outboards to outnumber gas ones at the dinghy dock.
So, when a press release for a new French-built electric outboard—the Temo 1000 ($3,500)—came across my desk, I fought my initial skepticism and requested a test unit. What first intrigued me was its sleek and streamlined shape—unlike anything I’d seen before. After unboxing it, I realized that with a smaller boat like my Bertram 28, I could store the motor safely in a cabin closet instead of leaving it in the sometimes-cluttered cockpit when not in use.
When strapping the 1000 onto my dinghy, I discovered my favorite feature: its weight—or rather, the lack of it. My primary outboard is a 6-horsepower Suzuki that, for the record, I love. But at 54 pounds, loading it on and off the dinghy leaves me needing a protein shake and a nap. The Temo, with its 1,100-watt motor, offers power closer to a 3-horsepower outboard and weighs in at just around 35 pounds. Better yet, the 13-pound, 949-watt-hour battery is removable, bringing the base weight down to a feathery 23 pounds.
A clear, intuitive screen on top of the motor displays battery percentage and run-time remaining while underway. A speed demon she is not—but the 1000 propelled my family of four, several bags, and our 10.5-foot Sea Eagle dinghy along at 3 knots for just under an hour before needing a recharge. A full recharge takes about six hours, so if I were to keep the Temo, I’d probably spring for a second battery—just so I’m never stuck on the hook waiting for one to charge (ask my wife—patience isn’t my specialty).
Beyond its shape and weight, the Temo 1000 reminded me of how nice it is to move silently through the water on a dinghy ride. Listening to the sound of flowing water while exploring a secluded cove is about as peaceful as it gets these days. And when Connor’s aboard, he likes to explore and search for pirates. If we ever do find some while running the Temo, I daresay we might just sneak up on them and gain the element of surprise.
The Temo’s also exceptionally intuitive. Before testing the 1000, I opted to skip the instruction manual—because journalism, and because of my aforementioned admission about patience. Electric outboards can be sensitive when going into gear due to their instantaneous torque, but I got the hang of it within a few minutes. The little motor was really put to the test when I handed the adjustable tiller to my friend’s 12-year-old son, Blake. Within a couple of minutes, he was beaming and declared, “This is the best dinghy outboard I’ve ever driven.” Never mind the fact that it’s the only one he’s ever driven—but still, a pre-teen vote of approval was secured.
So, whether you’re a fellow pirate hunter or simply looking for a lighter, quieter alternative to your current dinghy outboard, the Temo 1000 is a lightweight and reliable solution. I suspect we’ll all be seeing more of them at the dinghy dock before long.
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This article originally appeared in the December 2025 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
