Newbie - Electric Pontoon

kalexan3

Recruit
Joined
Mar 21, 2011
Messages
2
Ok, go easy on me bc I am a novice when it comes to boating. My father-in-law owns a house on a spring fed lake so we are not allowed gas powered motors.

Right now, he has a paddle boat, canoe, row boat. It meets all of our needs except when we want to take more than 2 people out.

I see someone on the lake has a pontoon with a trolling motor.

What is the best route to get something like this. Buy a small used pontoon boat and add a trolling motor. I see the wireless control which would work great.

Does anyone have an estimate of how much this might cost? I don't want to recommend or look into it, if its super expensive.

Any help would be great!!
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Newbie - Electric Pontoon

Welcome to iboats.

They actually make electric outboards now, they aren't common but they are out there.

One brand is Torqeedo, not sure of spelling, but they are probably the most popular brand and they hook right up to your current helm, price I am sure is alot.

As far a trollers the wireless ones are awsome, I have a Motorguide wireless on my boat and love it, the hand held remote hooks right to your pants and you can run it from anywhere on the boat.

Cost on those is @ $650 + @$200 for 2 good batteries.

Remember if you aren't going to use the engine that is on the boat you buy you cna sell it and recoup some of the cost.
 

kalexan3

Recruit
Joined
Mar 21, 2011
Messages
2
Re: Newbie - Electric Pontoon

thanks for the info. I would love one of the electric pontoon boats, but I dont think I am looking to spend that much. I was hoping to get in for a little bit less.

Thanks for the ideas.
 

ONERCBOATER

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 11, 2010
Messages
536
Re: Newbie - Electric Pontoon

well there is also the older system like this one for instance http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/boa/2278022345.html
it isn't in my price range, and I haven't and don't intend to check it out further..... but if you look around you will find there are less expensive options to the ridiculously expensive "electric outboards"

that said, if your understanding of electronics, and electrical is sufficient you can make something like this
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=electric+outboard&aq=f this link is just for the search...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzfYAeXTOUk this one shows some detail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6RTPXkq_IY this is another one not quite as interesting in my opinion...but It is three phase A/C converted with a VFD
hopefully you won't give up yet if you really wish to have electric... I prefer both gas and electric aboard.

Sean
 
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