How big is enough

[RL]

The more I read about these troling motors, ( a little knowledge is a dangerous thing I'm getting ready to go ahead and spend a little to get a decent motor, or possibly a kicker motor.<br /><br />Would a 50lb, or 55, or 65lb (possibly even a 74 lb), on a '72 15'Glasspar runabout with a 60 hp three cyl on it, be enough to manuver in a large river (Arkansas river , slow, but strong current) if the outboard gave out?<br />Would it be enough to get back to the ramp( sloooowly ) or would that just give me enough to keep it out of the trees until I could drift to the next ramp downstream?<br /><br />If not enough, how large a gas kicker would be appropriate for the job(or too big) 2, 4, 6 hp?<br /><br />Thanks-------Robert

 

[Boatist]

Re: How big is enough

RL<br />Good question I am not sure anyone can answer. It all depends on the speed of the current your going against, how big a battery or batteries, how far you are away.<br /><br />First, do you want a trolling motor anyway to control your boat while bass fishing??? Are you just trolling steady???<br /><br />For steady trolling in a river or lake I prefer a Kicker motor. If you can afford it go with a 8hp 4 cycle or more.<br />For Black bass fishing, working a shore line, just keeping your boat in a position to cast into fishing area then the only way to go is a BOW mounted electric trolling motor.<br /><br />Many types of Electric trolling motors. If you want your battery to last get a motor with more thrust than you need with one of the power saver, or pulse modes. All these motor do a good job of making the battery last on low power. Even the highest thrust motor will use less battery power than a smaller one that you have to run wide open. When run wide open none of the power saver mode work, but a high thrust motor run at 50 percent will last much longer than a motor with 50 percent of the power run at 100 percent.<br /><br />I would not count on a electric trolling motor to get me back to my dock unless I was fishing up stream. It will keep you off the rocks, tree stumps, ect until you can find a safe place to get to shore.<br /><br />I know not much help.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: How big is enough

I'm with Boatist. A small outboard will do way better in a river. I doubt that even the largest electric even comes close to a small outboard in current. You may be able to get away with even smaller than an 8hp...maybe a 4 or 5 hp. It really depends on the speed of the current.

 

[RL]

Re: How big is enough

Would a 9.9 or 10hp get to be a bit much for that boat weight wise ( just in case I stumble across a good deal on one )?<br /><br />Thanks------Robert

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: How big is enough

Even a 5 or 6 HP would do ya. If it's just to get you back in case of trouble, that should do it. If you were using it for trolling, I would say a 10 or so HP would be better...

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: How big is enough

Just to give you an idea, I have a boat which weighs 1400 #'s, engine @ 410#'s. I have an Minn Kota 65 # thrust Power Drive Auto-Pilot that will pull the boat @ 2.6 MPH (GPS) with the gas engine lower leg in the water, about 2.8 - 3.0 with the engine trimmed up.<br />JD

 

[Boatist]

Re: How big is enough

I have a 21 foot Aluminum boat that weighs about 2800 lb. I have a 1975 15 hp Johnson on it and it's weight is 76 LB for the long shaft. 9.9 motors weight the same. My boat is bigger and heavier but with my kicker top speed is about 4.7 MPH.<br /><br />Short shaft 9.9 and 15 are 74 lbs so if that is too much weight go with something smaller. You can probably get in with a 4 HP but very slow.

 

[RL]

Re: How big is enough

Well, I ran across a nice 10hp Johnson for a price I couldn't resist ($400) so I snached it up.<br />weight wise it really won't be a problem I think. I got to comparing the weight of a 24v electric tm and two batteries , and I think the gas burner may even be a few pounds lighter.<br />Now to round up a bracket.<br /><br />Thanks all-------Robert

 

[Mikevn1500]

Re: How big is enough

I think the weight Boatist is refering to is the weight hanging on the Transom/Bracket. Just make sure the transom can take it. I would think a 10hp would not be that heavy to lift up, but to hang one on a bracket off of your transom may put too much stress/force in that one spot. I am no pro just something to consider. I also think if you could get one custom made to spread out the weight you would be ok.

 

[RL]

Re: How big is enough

I've got some pieces of 1/2" aluminum plate laying around. I guess it wouldn't hurt to sandwich the transom with it where I mount the motor bracket.<br />I think the boat is rated for 90hp and the weight of 60hp 3 cyl on it combined with the little 2cyl 10hp should be pretty close in the weight depertment