Trolling Motor

[hoglahyou]

Hello. I want to buy a trolling motor for my small aluminium boat so that I can get into the nooks and crannies around my fishing area. My problem is that I don't want to fire up the big 15 hp and scare all of the fish away. My other problem is about the weight of the battery in my boat which says can only take 395 lbs. Is this not a smart idea to get a trolling motor + battery for the boat? I have about an 150 lbs motor on the boat already. Thanks for the help.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Trolling Motor

Hmm. Not a lot of wiggle room on the weight capacity.

Fortunately, with a boat that small, you don't need a honkin' big trolling motor and multiple batteries. Will you be using the 15 HP motor on the same fishing expeditions as you be using the trolling motor? If the 15 HP has the ability to charge a battery, you can get by with a smaller battery, like a Group 24 deep cycle hooked to a 30# thrust trolling motor. All-day trolling won't be possible, but you'll get a couple of hours out of this setup.

 

[hoglahyou]

Re: Trolling Motor

Thanks NWB that helps a lot. But im not sure if my outboard can charge a battery while running, due to the fact that it is a 1981 Johnson. I would need to know if the engine is capable of ddoing such things, so if you could give me some info on it, that would be great. The model number is "J15RCIS" and I have a small flat bottomed aluminum boat. Surprisingly, I got both boat and motor for like $50 and they were both in good condition, so its not like i just spent a lot of money. So if it is possible, get me web addresses/ prices for attachments for battery charger + engine and ill get back to you. Thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling Motor

Unless the engine has electric start it very likely cannot charge a battery. Even if it did have a charging capability, it would not have sufficient output to charge a trolling motor battery. This is discussed to death in this forum. A 30# trolling motor would draw about 30 amps for each hour run. Even if the engine had a charging system it would likely be about 6 amps max. Do the math. You would need to run wide open for five hours to replace the juice used by the troller in one hour. As for whether it is a good idea to install the troller on your boat, you would be dangerously close to weight capacity. I'm surprised a boat that light can tolerate a 15 HP motor. For a battery charger there are many portable chagers available. You do not need an on-board charger which is one that is permanently mounted in the boat and plugged into ac power at the dock.

 

[hoglahyou]

Re: Trolling Motor

Thanks for the feedback. Im testing out the 15 on it but it recommends a 7.5 on the plate. If this engine is too powerful, ill change them out.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Trolling Motor

You will be overpowered by 100% with the 15.