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What does 'knot' refer to in the parameters of an electric outboard motor?

Time:2026-06-15 Visit:375 Occasion Author:FUBER

In the parameters of electric outboard motors (and all watercraft), the "knot" is a unit of speed, in English called Knot, abbreviated as kn or kt.

Simple understanding:

1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour = 1.852 kilometers per hour

For example: If an electric outboard motor can push a boat to 5 knots, its speed is approximately 9.26 kilometers per hour.


Electric Outboard Motor


Why use "knots" instead of kilometers per hour?

This originates from maritime tradition. In the past, sailors measured a ship's speed by throwing a rope with knots tied in it into the water and counting how many knots were released over a set time to calculate the speed. The term "knot" comes from these rope knots.

How fast is "a few knots" in an electric outboard motor?

You can refer to this comparison table to get an intuitive feel:


Speed (knots)Conversion (km/h)What it feels like
3-4 knots5.6 - 7.4 km/hEquivalent to the speed of jogging or brisk walking
5-6 knots9.3 - 11.1 km/hSpeed for casual fishing, low-speed cruising
7-8 knots13.0 - 14.8 km/hFairly fast, common speed range for small inflatable boats and workboats
10 knots and above18.5+ km/hVery fast, considered high speed for electric outboard motors, commonly seen in high-performance or racing models


⚠️ One thing to note

The "knots" in the parameters usually refers to the static speed in water (still water speed). In actual use, it will be significantly affected by water currents and wind waves:

Against the current: The actual speed will be noticeably slower.

With the current: The actual speed will be faster.

Wind and waves: In high winds and waves, you usually need to slow down for safety and stability.


Therefore, when looking at the parameters, you can use "knots" as a reference for the motor's power. When planning actual navigation, especially over long distances or in complex water environments, it is recommended to leave at least 20%-30% speed margin to account for the effects of currents and wind waves.



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