looking at getting one of these to use with both an inflatable dinghy and even maybe my canoe. anyone got any experience/thoughts on models/power/pros-cons etc?
have seen a couple on amazon reduced from around £180 to £70-ish
i'm thinking the battery is going to be the heavy/expensive bit!!
I own a Minn Kota (which appear rebranded). Trolling in a canoe/light boat is the best they can do, and even then in light weather.
The battery (not a car one) needs to be around 90 amp hours deep-cycle type- see caravan suppliers- will cost £70+, add charger and they are bloody heavy.
I love it, in the right conditions, the silent running is the key feature.
Go for one with a continuously variable speed control rather than set speeds.
Been thinking about this as well, my concern is if i was away for a couple of days, how long would it run? Might be better with a little petrol outboard. By the time you add the weight of battery would there be much between them as far as lugging kit around?Sb
8hrs at trolling speed pushing around 25 stone of boat and gear.
Honda 2hp four stroke weighs less than electric and battery, but costs (new) about twice as much (electric and battery).
Apache canoes do a bracket for about £30 that lets you fit it on a canoe but i suppose you could make one pretty simply. Sb
Id go with a small petrol motor every time.Our lochs are just too unpredictable.
They do have their place though great positioning engines and for slow trolling .
Quote from: fergie on December 09, 2012, 09:21:28 PM
Id go with a small petrol motor every time.Our lochs are just too unpredictable.
Agreed. These battery operated things are only suitable for small sheltered lochs or ponds. They are dangerous on big waters. I have a minn kota 36 and it's pretty hopeless. The bigger ones are a bit better but you will need a bank of batteries. Buy a small 2HP 4 stroke Honda.
They're great for drift control and surprisingly good on canadians. I've got a bracket rigged for my 30 Minn Kota and it works very well. If you keep it on .75 full power you'll get a lot more out of the battery for very little drop in speed. I use a 120 deep cycle leisure battery.
They are indeed brilliant for quick drift control and correction, especially on lochs like Loch Lee where you try to stay on the drop-off as you drift along the bank. The ideal set up would be a petrol engine for getting about safely and the electric whilst fishing.
Quote from: admin on December 09, 2012, 10:47:02 PM
They are indeed brilliant for quick drift control and correction, especially on lochs like Loch Lee where you try to stay on the drop-off as you drift along the bank. The ideal set up would be a petrol engine for getting about safely and the electric whilst fishing.
exactly
The above is the best set up for fly fishing boat, but for a canoe it is different question. My pal started with the electric but moved on to a 2hp outboard, using a bracket to mount it. Took some modifications to get canoe running at its best with the outboard in the form of a splash guard and the trim. If electric is good enough for your needs then probably Mini Kota are the best but I bought cheap electric motor (shaky) and spent the extra money on more / bigger batteries.