TEMO 1000 delivers more power & versatility to the North American market
by Richard Matthews 5 Jun 07:17 PDT
TEMO 1000 on a sailboat © TEMO
TEMO, the French manufacturer of 'the lightest outboard motor in the world', released the TEMO 1000 in North America on Friday, April 25th, at the Annapolis Spring Boat Show. The new electric outboard is a follow up to the very popular - and famously lightweight - TEMO 450 released in 2018.
TEMO-USA, launched last April to support the growing demand worldwide for the 450, is headed by Nicholas Steenberg in Portland, Maine. Steenberg has built a national network of dealers and
representatives in anticipation of the April launch of the 1000 and his time in the field has convinced him that this is the right product at the right time.
"Participating at major events like the Newport boat show convinced me that the market was ideal for the 1000," he says. "People loved the 450, but a large number of sailboat owners I talked to asked if we had a model offering more power."
The 450 turned heads and won awards (Pittman Award in 2021, and the IBEX award in 2023) for its design sensibility and paddle-like shape. It's ultra-light weight and size is ideal for small dinghies and rafts, but the power capability only fits smaller craft. The 1000 offers significantly more power than the 450 and is designed as auxiliary propulsion for lightweight sailboats up to 26 feet in length. The retractable tiller handle that stows away when not in use on a larger vessel but is instantly available for use on offshore dinghy or raft.
Maine residents can check out the 1000 at SailMaine's (www.sailmaine.org) Open House on June 8th at Ocean Gateway Pier in Portland from 12pm-4pm. TEMO is an official sponsor of SailMaine and its many educational programs.
"I grew up in Maine sailing and teaching in these waters, and it means a lot to me to get TEMO involved," says Steenberg. "Among other programs, SailMaine one of the largest high school sailing
programs in the country." Before his tenure at TEMO, Steenberg has directed sailing programs at Northeast Harbor Sailing School and Maine Maritime Academy.
The TEMO 1000 is designed for large dinghies and sailboats up to 26 feet, and features a swappable cable-free battery system to extended range, an adjustable shaft length to fit a wide variety of boats, and a retractable tiller to de-clutter cockpits and for compact storage. Its standout innovation—a 360 degrees rotating mounting bracket— allows users to mount the motor safely inboard from the transom, and allows the motor to lie flush against the transom when not in use.
Bill Lynn, the President & Executive Director of New England's venerable Herreshoff Marine Museum and the America's Cup Hall, was one of the first in the US to see the 1000.
"The TEMO 1000 outboard looks really well-engineered," says Lynn. "I was pleasantly surprised at how user-friendly it is, especially after dealing with other small battery-powered outboard options and gas-powered engines that won't run on anything with ethanol. One-design keelboat owners interested in minimizing their carbon footprint should check this engine out!"
The 1000 is also attracting boat dealers who are looking for innovation in both design, sustainable manufacturing advancements and quiet, reliable performance; in Maine that network includes Hamilton Marine and North Atlantic Inflatables of Maine.
"We love the fact that the TEMO products have very few parts and are easy to repair and support," says Bridget O'Brian, who is the co-owner of North Atlantic Inflatables of Maine with her husband Rob O'Brian. "With the 1000, we think our clients will go for the retractable tiller, which is perfect for sailboats. The adjustable shaft length means one motor will work on both a dinghy and larger transom sailboat. The super lightweight motor and battery (33 pounds) makes it easier for anyone to use and move."
For further information about TEMO and all its products, go to www.temo-usa.com.