The French brand is offering an electric motor designed for light cruising yachts, combining the advantages of a fixed pod with the simplicity of a pop-up outboard. It’s a modular solution, with no need to drill holes in the hull, as part of a wider strategy to democratise plug & play electric propulsion, from dinghies to coastal cruisers.
A concrete response
Electrifying a 7 to 9 metre sailboat is still a tricky business. Fixed pods require extensive work, including drilling below the waterline, while thermal outboards are noisy, polluting and difficult to integrate. TEMO has positioned the OutPod 1000 precisely in this middle ground. Presented as a genuine ‘simplified inboard’ electric motor, the OutPod is based on hybrid architecture. We have a submerged pod-type motor unit, powered by 48V, mounted on an external sliding mast that can be raised. The whole unit is attached to a slide rail on the transom or skirt, with no need for any structural work on the hull. For both owners and boat builders, the promise is clear: electrify without having to convert.
The OutPod’s main innovation is this synthesis of two worlds. Once reassembled, it generates no drag under sail, reduces fouling and makes maintenance and wintering easier. Another notable feature is that the drive shaft pivots through 180 degrees. This rotation considerably improves manoeuvrability in port and opens the way to hydrogen generation under sail, a powerful argument for coastal sailors seeking energy autonomy. TEMO also places great emphasis on weight distribution. The engine unit weighs just 8 kg on the transom, with the rest of the weight inside the boat.
A system designed for real-life use
The OutPod 1000 is fully integrated into the SEASIDE ecosystem developed by TEMO. It currently covers a power range from 450W to 6kW. In the case of the OutPod, three power levels are available: 500W, 1kW and 3kW, so that the motorisation can be precisely adapted to the boat’s programme. In terms of power, TEMO offers a choice of 2.3 kWh modular battery cassettes or a 48V stationary battery, developed in partnership with Powertech. The remote control and cockpit display make for intuitive operation, in keeping with the brand’s philosophy. The aim is not pure speed, but a reliable, silent propulsion system designed for manoeuvring in and out of harbours.
The OutPod offers a number of significant advantages over a conventional internal combustion outboard. It eliminates local emissions, drastically reduces noise and vibration, and eliminates the need to store fuel on board. Compared with a fixed pod, it eliminates the main point of friction: the hull hole below the waterline, which is often a problem on existing boats. This intermediate position makes it a particularly attractive solution for electrical retrofitting, a rapidly expanding market. TEMO is clearly targeting yachtsmen who want to modernise their boat without making an irreversible commitment, as well as boatyards looking for a turnkey solution that can be industrialised and is reassuring for their customers.
A coherent industrial strategy
The OutPod 1000 is part of an industrial trajectory already well underway at TEMO. With more than 5,500 engines sold, French manufacturing in Vannes and a three-year warranty, the brand now has solid credibility. This recognition recently translated into an award at the Paris Nautic Show, where the OutPod was hailed as a major product innovation. A strong signal for a solution that aims to become the standard for light electrification under sail.
With the OutPod 1000, TEMO is seeking to offer a simpler, more accessible alternative. By combining modularity, energy efficiency and ease of installation, the brand is responding to a growing demand for a new way of sailing, without sacrificing practicality. The OutPod is a perfect illustration of the transition underway in the boating industry, where innovation is no longer just about power, but about intelligent use. It’s a well-thought-out electrification, designed for the real world, not just for show.
Sources: www.temofrance.com – figaronautisme.meteoconsult.fr
