trolling motor ?

[Randy Dodson]

So the next time I make a run from Remmel Dam down to the ledge with a 65 lb. Boxer and a 42 lb. mutt who constantly moves all around the canoe :shock: ......and the wind is blowing in my face for the last 3 miles, I wanna have a trolling motor on my canoe. I made a trolling motor mount that fits onto my gunnels many many years ago so all I need is the motor and battery. Anybody got any suggestions? How many lbs of thrust, what battery size, etc.

[vtsquid]

this would work fine

http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines/ou ... r/?model=2
:roll:

[Randy Dodson]

thanks....all I need now is a way to mount the Cessna wings on the old canoe and a pilot's licsense.

[Jim Krueger]

Randy,

I still have my uncle's trolling motor. He was born in Arkadelphia in 1910 and had a Minn-Kota Model #2 I''m sure As a kid, when we were preparing for a fishing trip, he robbed the batteries out of the hay-bailer ,and at least one of our tractors, as that particular model ran on either 6 or 12 volts... He then teamed them both at the end of a LONG afternoon of fishing to make sure the little motor would run his home-made flat bottom boat back to the landing.


Best Regards
Jim

[Cowper]

How many lbs of thrust, what battery size, etc.

My first one was 30# thrust, Minn-Kota, prices start around $120. This is enough thrust to push one canoe at what would be a leisurely but steady paddling pace. You won't outrun your friends, but in two hours they'll be tired and you won't. You'll find it falls short of what you need if multiple boats grab on to you expecting to be towed, which is what generally happens when you take a trolling motor.

My next motor was a 40# thrust with the "digital maximizer" to extend battery life. These now start at 45# of thrust. I really like this motor, but prices jump to over $300, so you've got to really want the "maximizer" feature to allow longer day trips, or maybe even use for two days between battery charges. However, the feature only extends battery life when at reduced power, like say, less than 75%. So if you don't need the thrust, then just get the smaller 30# motor and run it full out, instead of paying high $ and then just throttling back to the lower thrust 90% of the time. Explaining the details and whys would take a lot more words; PM or call me if you want to dive into that. Bottom line, it was pricey, but I do love this motor.

So, for one canoe, 30# thrust will get it done. For a small raft, or multiple canoes, 30# is marginal, 45# thrust is nice. Even more thrust? Motor weight increasing dramatically, as is the size and weight of the batteries needed. And costs.

Now for the surprize - if you want a good battery, that's where your biggest expense could be. I used sealed gel cell batteries to eliminate the risk of getting battery acid on my gear. If you want to go Internet, search to find West Marine, then search their site for "gel cell", then look at the Sea Gel line. If you want to browse local, then go to Auto Zone and look at the Optima Blue Tops (deep cycle marine type). The smallest to consider would be a "group 24" battery, but you may also want to look at the slightly larger Group 27 or group 31, especially if you go with the Optimas. GET 70 amp-hour rating or greater. I picked Group 24 as the best compromise of "enough" capacity, without weighing so much that I couldn't easily carry it down to the boat.

One last tip - I always "jury rig" the motor so that it is free to "kick up" if I hit a rock. This has prevented damage to my motor or mounting bracket on many trips.

[gnick4]

Just do what I do with my Boxer. Tie a rope to her and throw the Frisbee.....

[Richard]

LL Bean use to sell a trolling motor gear specifically for canoes. They still sell motor mounts for canoes but no longer the trolling motor. I am thinking the demand no long is there as the paddling community evolved from canoes to kayaks.

[panicman]

Also be aware that if you have a trolling motor on your canoe you have to have it registered like a boat. Any boat powered by motor or sail has to be tagged in arkansas. You might get lucky but a game and fish guy can make a quick buck by writing you a $250 ticket.

[Randy Dodson]

Cowper, you've been a big help. Academy, Gander Mt. and several internet companies have the Minn-kota Endura 30 # right now for a hundred bucks. I've already decided to get that motor. Your battery info is worth a mint. I'll check out West Marine's Sea gel line as well as the Optima's and decide which one fits my needs the most.

Panic Man, thanks for the heads up. It's info that I knew but hadn't even thought about it. Probly cause I never ever thought I'd be putting a motor on a canoe. Guess I'm gettin old.

[Cowper]

Also be aware that if you have a trolling motor on your canoe you have to have it registered like a boat. Any boat powered by motor or sail has to be tagged in arkansas. You might get lucky but a game and fish guy can make a quick buck by writing you a $250 ticket.

Good point! I've gone past checkpoints without registration a few times - I can't prove it, but I believe it helps the officers find room for a little "discretion" if your boat or raft happens to be very full of other people's trash at the time.

But I hate counting on luck and one of my canoes now has valid registration. Cost is reasonable, but those numbers and stickers don't improve the looks any.