Tough Night on the Water - Duffy Electric Boat Thread

[SJP]

Out by myself on my Duffy 21 in HB. Figure will not be hard to get a spot to eat in the lounge at Captain Jacks. The storm shot a bunch of hazards in the water. I am set on kill heading down the main channel and BOOM. I think I hit a submerged board. Threw not 1 but 2 blades off of the Prop. Pretty much at the half way point between my house and dinner and thought I may try to limp it to the Captain's. Man it was maybe 1/2 MPH if that and after going 20 yards decided to turn around. No one out and my younger boy was still at practice. I was on my own and it took me over an hour to get back to the dock. The prop shaft was spinning. My batteries were toasted on the last 50 yards I thought I was not going to make it. This is starting to feel like real boating. The cost of the the prop replacement is not cheap. Figure I might as well replace the batteries (I got 9 years out of them). That is boating even when you are dealing with an electric boat that tops out at 5MPH...

 

[monkeyswrench]

Duffy almost went SS Minnow on a 3hr tour
Glad you made it back to Port. Those things aren't exactly light, and rowing would have sucked.

 

[Mini Kat]

Well that sucks big time.


B-reak
O-ut
A-nother
T-housand

 

[TimeBandit]

Can you go Lithium like new golf carts do?

It might hit 6 mph.

 

[bilz]

Have you tried a different prop?

 

[boatnam2]

Not sure what's worse, no crab legs or broken prop.

 

[attitude]

5mph? Sounds you like you need a cleaver and some lithiums.

 

[4Waters]

5mph? Sounds you like you need a cleaver and some lithiums.

Might as well throw a motor out of a Tesla in it

 

[SJP]

Duffy almost went SS Minnow on a 3hr tour
Glad you made it back to Port. Those things aren't exactly light, and rowing would have sucked.

Direct Drive with a rudder - pretty much has a mind of its own if you have zero thrust. Neighbor has a Mikelson 90 Super Yacht and it is pucker time everytime you come into port. I do not want to get anywhere near that thing. LOL

Can you go Lithium like new golf carts do?

It might hit 6 mph.

I was thinking about it this go around but because of the CG and rooted balance on the keel with people in the boat I am hesitant. When loaded the boat is planted and does not list.

Not sure what's worse, no crab legs or broken prop.

That was the major downer of the night. I went home hungry.

5mph? Sounds you like you need a cleaver and some lithiums.

It is tempting - my neighbor (he sells high end exotics, custom stuff, super cool guy). Found me an aluminum 4 blade. Figure it may not like sitting in the water - the poly props with antifouling on them are tried and true along with the batteries. There is so much proprietary Duffy stuff on this 25 yr old boat that they may not want to service it if I start to mod it out. It would be nice to hit 8 / 9 MPH when I need the boost to get around the fishermen coming in. We will see but I use this boat almost everyday. I think Gigi would be less than pleased if I smoked the throttle control module in it and the boat was down. This is her favorite boat.

 

[SoCalDave]

That's crazy....hell with the wind today I wouldn't even attempt to go out on my patio much less on a Duffy.

 

[Cole Trickle]

Bummer

My uncle made the props for Duffy for the last 20 years but closed up shop 6 months ago after he sent them there last order.

The polyurethane biz in California became to big of a hassle with the fees and regulations.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Does your Duffy have a rudder? I thought they were more of an “omni drive“ unit. Prop, rudder and shaft all one unit.

 

[HNL2LHC]

Have you tried a different prop?

Not yet…..check 6th sentence in first post.

 

[SJP]

Bummer

My uncle made the props for Duffy for the last 20 years but closed up shop 6 months ago after he sent them there last order.

The polyurethane biz in California became to big of a hassle with the fees and regulations.

About every 5 - 7 years I need a new prop. Best part of the Poly ones your uncle made is they look like real props. I joke around and throw them at guys on the dock to catch and it freaks people out.

 

[SJP]

Does your Duffy have a rudder? I thought they were more of an “omni drive“ unit. Prop, rudder and shaft all one unit.

My Duffy has a rudder. The new ones are probably omni. I have a 99 21 Classic - I believe the power rudder was standard in 2008. Love the boat and is perfect for my harbour.

 

[stephenkatsea]

My Duffy has a rudder. The new ones are probably omni. I have a 99 21 Classic. Love the boat and is perfect for my harbour.

Understand. I’ve operated only my cousin’s 22’ Duffy in Newport. It does have that Duffy ‘power rudder’. Basically an omni drive. Good boat. But, you could still ding the prop on debris in the water. Capt Jack’s is a very desirable HH destination. I totally understand and bummed about any damage to your Duffy.

 

[MeCasa16]

9 years seems really impressive for those batteries.

 

[SJP]

9 years seems really impressive for those batteries.

100% I am going to recheck the date codes but those batteries do not owe me anything. I have a guy replacing them tomorrow. 8 X at 165 per (installed).

 

[LHC Kirby]

I have a 18' 2015... power rudder. LOVE IT, but I am lucky enough to be on a lake that does not have outside influence like the harbor. Not to say it couldn't happen. The nice part of the prop that destroys itself when it hits something, it saves the rest of your driveline. The big problem with the power rudder is it's not serviceable. It's thousands to replace. If water gets inside it, it's just a matter of time before fails.

But I do love the Duffy "Wine N Down" is her name.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Out by myself on my Duffy 21 in HB. Figure will not be hard to get a spot to eat in the lounge at Captain Jacks. The storm shot a bunch of hazards in the water. I am set on kill heading down the main channel and BOOM. I think I hit a submerged board. Threw not 1 but 2 blades off of the Prop. Pretty much at the half way point between my house and dinner and thought I may try to limp it to the Captain's. Man it was maybe 1/2 MPH if that and after going 20 yards decided to turn around. No one out and my younger boy was still at practice. I was on my own and it took me over an hour to get back to the dock. The prop shaft was spinning. My batteries were toasted on the last 50 yards I thought I was not going to make it. This is starting to feel like real boating. The cost of the the prop replacement is not cheap. Figure I might as well replace the batteries (I got 9 years out of them). That is boating even when you are dealing with an electric boat that tops out at 5MPH...




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Love that spot for crab tails... walked in maybe 20 years ago and absolutely fell in love with the nautical decor and that melted butter smell.... we sat down and there was a tall dude owner/ mgr type mingling.... he came over and if I recall correctly he was the Laker guy they kept around to calm Dennis Rodman down. Haley I think.... not sure maybe it was his brother. Anyway a great spot.... I'm sure you'll be repaired and back soon. Never heard of a Duffy blade strike but rains bring that wood around channels

 

[SJP]

Love that spot for crab tails... walked in maybe 20 years ago and absolutely fell in love with the nautical decor and that melted butter smell.... we sat down and there was a tall dude owner/ mgr type mingling.... he came over and if I recall correctly he was the Laker guy they kept around to calm Dennis Rodman down. Haley I think.... not sure maybe it was his brother. Anyway a great spot.... I'm sure you'll be repaired and back soon. Never heard of a Duffy blade strike but rains bring that wood around channels

That is my spot on Monday night with Gigi. The bartenders have been there 25 plus years. It is a HB treasure. I put it up there with 21 Oceanfront visiting with Big Tony and Little Tony. Have not heard from you in a while enjoyed your thread on the Mex adventures. Hope all is well.

 

[Bobby V]

Love that spot for crab tails... walked in maybe 20 years ago and absolutely fell in love with the nautical decor and that melted butter smell.... we sat down and there was a tall dude owner/ mgr type mingling.... he came over and if I recall correctly he was the Laker guy they kept around to calm Dennis Rodman down. Haley I think.... not sure maybe it was his brother. Anyway a great spot.... I'm sure you'll be repaired and back soon. Never heard of a Duffy blade strike but rains bring that wood around channels

That tall guy was probably Jacks son who played in the NBA.

Jack Haley (basketball) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[2Driver]

Next time at least take Wilson with you.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Lets consider a Jet drive now ?

 

[Maw]

Got a 21' Duffy in HH also, one prop lost in the last 10 years, chunk of lumber floating in the main channel did it in. Thought about printing one up on our 3-D printer if the file is out there for the download.

We changed out our batteries to Lithiums a couple of years back, new charger/inverter needed as well due to the battery technology change. Battery wiring needed to be "upgraded" as well, it was rotted out. Let my son spec out the batteries and he went a little bit overboard, my calcs indicate we can make it to Avalon now on a full charge.

 

[SJP]

Got a 21' Duffy in HH also, one prop lost in the last 10 years, chunk of lumber floating in the main channel did it in. Thought about printing one up on our 3-D printer if the file is out there for the download.

We changed out our batteries to Lithiums a couple of years back, new charger/inverter needed as well due to the battery technology change. Battery wiring needed to be "upgraded" as well, it was rotted out. Let my son spec out the batteries and he went a little bit overboard, my calcs indicate we can make it to Avalon now on a full charge.

Shoot dang! I need to check out your setup. This just kind of crept up on me - so I am just swapping out the batteries today. Should be up by next Wednesday with the new prop. You want to run over to the Pelican on Wednesday? Maybe a HH shootout run - would like to get some GPS numbers.

 

[gqchris]

This is truly first world problems, Sam! May I suggest a backup plan for your next Prime Rib adventure? $250 bucks

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

That is my spot on Monday night with Gigi. The bartenders have been there 25 plus years. It is a HB treasure. I put it up there with 21 Oceanfront visiting with Big Tony and Little Tony. Have not heard from you in a while enjoyed your thread on the Mex adventures. Hope all is well.

Thanks. I actually ended up on a flight home from Cabo with the 21 Oceanfront owners kid. Armenian family realestate guys... son was maybe late thirties starting family and a nice chap. Later we spent some time around each other in Newport looking for common interests... his dad owns 21 Oceanfront and Pavilions but Leos real joy is dinners at 21 Oceanfront. Man that guys a little firecracker ex marine. If you're old enough to appreciate 21 Oceanfront you may recall The Ritz in Fashion Island as well. Throw backs to a more elegant era. Glad both jacks and that one are still making it.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

That tall guy was probably Jacks son who played in the NBA.

Jack Haley (basketball) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Ya know I was thinking that however I knew of Jack but this guy I believe was his brother and man did they look similar. Could be wrong but good dude who stayed chatting just the correct amount of time.

And this guy Jack had a fun nba story cause he wasn't a star by any means but Rodman liked him and i remember the Lakers actually kept Jack around basically to keep dennis from going off the rails lol.

 

[old rigger]

That is my spot on Monday night with Gigi. The bartenders have been there 25 plus years. It is a HB treasure. I put it up there with 21 Oceanfront visiting with Big Tony and Little Tony. Have not heard from you in a while enjoyed your thread on the Mex adventures. Hope all is well.

My friend has been the manager and main bartender there for almost 40 years. He's cutting back on his shifts now, a 'Nam vet, getting up in age a little.

Super nice guy.

He's got some great Rodman stories too

 

[Maw]

Shoot dang! I need to check out your setup. This just kind of crept up on me - so I am just swapping out the batteries today. Should be up by next Wednesday with the new prop. You want to run over to the Pelican on Wednesday? Maybe a HH shootout run - would like to get some GPS numbers.

Maybe the following week as we fly out early Thursday morning for Cabo.

BTW we used 16 ea of the Ampere Time 12V 100 AH batteries in a series/parallel arrangement, the charger/inverter is a Victron that's programmable for virtually any battery technology.

 

[SJP]

Batteries are going in.

Confirmed - Old batteries are from 2016 - Joe could not believe it.

Huge props to Joe the battery guy.

Battery Specialist in CA - Joe battery service

Joe Battery Service offers premium quality batteries with free delivery & installation in California. Reach out for more details.

joebatteryservice.com

Called him yesterday at 4pm - he beat Duffy Care quote by $700. No BS dude.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Batteries are going in.

Confirmed - Old batteries are from 2016 - Joe could not believe it.

View attachment 1487149

Huge props to Joe the battery guy.

Battery Specialist in CA - Joe battery service

Joe Battery Service offers premium quality batteries with free delivery & installation in California. Reach out for more details.

joebatteryservice.com

Called him yesterday at 4pm - he beat Duffy Care quote by $700. No BS dude.

yeah anything with name "Duffy"in it is pricey right!

 

[Done-it-again]

Joe’s a good guy. He’s replaced golf cart barriers and motorhome batteries for us.