Trolling motor advice.

[EvilGenius]

I know salt water motors are more resistant to corrosion, but what exactly corrodes on a freshwater motor?


We're going to be using a small boat to visit some small inland islands down near Corpus when we vacation there in may. One of the boats we're looking at has a board in the back for mounting a trolling motor.

I'm not opposed to paddling, but if a small troller helps us get to see more places faster I could throw a couple hundred bucks at a motor and battery.

[Dilligaf0220]

They flatten a battery quicker than you might think, a 50lb motor will drain your standard 100Ah deep cycle battery in 6-8hrs taking it easy, much faster at more than half throttle.

[EvilGenius]

Originally Posted by Dilligaf0220

They flatten a battery quicker than you might think, a 50lb motor will drain your standard 100Ah deep cycle battery in 6-8hrs taking it easy, much faster at more than half throttle.

The biggest motor I'm looking at is 30lb thrust and 6-8 hours of run time isn't too bad to me.

[T-Stoff]

Originally Posted by EvilGenius

I know salt water motors are more resistant to corrosion, but what exactly corrodes on a freshwater motor?...

The technical stuff: http://www.roscoemoss.com/tech_manuals/fmcf/

[mofo62]

If your trolling, spell poorly and be an asshole. Moves you right down the river.

[EvilGenius]

Anyone got advice on lbs of thrust per lb of boat?

I'm getting things like 1lb of thrust for every 20-40lbs.

Not looking for blistering speeds, just trolling speeds.

I'm looking at a max weight of maybe 430lbs (including people, stuff and weight of drive components). According to some theories I need at least 10lbs of thrust, some only 6, some as much as 24.

[motometal]

The 24V (or higher) models are more efficient, but of course it means either two 12V batts or one 24V

[Motoplaner]

Hang around fifteen sacrificial anodes to the hull and corrosion won't be an issue. Never know.

[Reverend12]

OMC/Evinrude are the best the 24's are very efficient and a 45-55lb thrust will go all day.

[motometal]

I just re-read your post, I'm not sure how far "couple hundred bucks" will get you with 24V equipment. It's a thought anyway.

I had a small plastic flat bottom with a 24V rig, I think it was 50 lbs thrust, could make my way upstream on most rivers (although slowly of course) but having two batteries was a drag if things got shallow and we had to portage.

[kawalaser]

why not just get a cheap 4-stroke

[Rev Tiny]

i would agree a small 4 stroke motor would be better no battery to wory about
but my sugestion is get the biggest one you can afford you can have it just tick along and wont draw to badly but if need be you have a bit of power in reserve
i run a non saltwater series minkota in 55lb on a 3.99mtr aluminum boat and it pushes it along at walking pace with 4 large people and a full ice box without a problem
i just make sure i give it a good flush with fresh water after every use and havent had any corrosion that i can find

[G.Gordon]

I use a 12v 35lb thrust on our local "electric motor only" lake. It pushes three of us around on a 14' aluminum boat all day if we wish.

You can buy trolling motors all day at Wally World for $100 add $70 for a good battery... you're golden.

[EvilGenius]

Originally Posted by kawalaser

why not just get a cheap 4-stroke

I thought about that, bu were looking at inflatable craft so that we can bring it in the trunk which means the drive would be back there too. I'm not comfortable with having a gassed/oiled up motor in the trunk, I'm not afraid of explosions or anything, just don't like cleaning up oil spills in the trunk of cars.

[EvilGenius]

I'm not sure what kind of boat to get either.

Has to be inflatable.

The dedicated "small motor" boats that are raft like are heavier, but equipped to be propelled. I'm also looking at large 2 person kayaks that could be fitted with a "kayak mount" which might be a little bit of a hassle, but I think as long as I keep it under 50lbs of thrust would be fine and it'd move through the water more efficiently and probably be more directionally stable.