Electric trolling motor question

[AWS]

My Magnum Rat with a 3 hp motor, too much power and too heavy, with a trolling motor way too heavy with the battery and not enough power, it was a 38 lb thrust.



I picked up an outboard made from a larger 2 cycle weedeater (49cc) type motor at 17 lbs and aprox 80 lb thrust it is perfect.

[huntingfool7]

That weed eater motor is awesome.

FeathR- I have a little mahogany 1x4 that would work for building up the combing.  I handle wood products for a living and am in Tacoma also.  We've been hoarding it for project wood.  PM me if you'd like to take a look at it.

I run a 3 hp 2 stroke nissan on my little duckboats.  It'll do circles around the same boat with a 55 lb thrust electric. 
Other than power, the electric will leave you hanging when you need it most.  Getting back to the ramp when the weather/wind/waves turn on you.  It's the closest I've ever come to making the paper.

[Special T]

All of pudget sound, the mouths of the rivers that flow into it,all of skagit and columbia, Snohomish, and several others require a registration for ANY gas powered motor... Sucks but true

[huntingfool7]

All of Puget Sound, the mouths of the rivers that flow into it, all of skagit and Columbia and several others require a registration for ANY gas powered motor... Sucks but true

I don't think this applies if the gas tank is integral to the motor.  The Coast Guard stopped me a few years ago.  Had lots of questions about my little home built duck boat, the motor and whether there was an external tank or not.  The boat is 11' 4'' long and the fuel tank is internal.  They seemed satisfied with that. 

I think they were laughing a bit as my top end with two guys sitting in lawn chairs is about 6 mph.
Almost looks like we're out there fishing on a surf board. 

[fethrduster]

That weed eater motor is awesome.

FeathR- I have a little mahogany 1x4 that would work for building up the combing.  I handle wood products for a living and am in Tacoma also.  We've been hoarding it for project wood.  PM me if you'd like to take a look at it.

I run a 3 hp 2 stroke nissan on my little duckboats.  It'll do circles around the same boat with a 55 lb thrust electric. 
Other than power, the electric will leave you hanging when you need it most.  Getting back to the ramp when the weather/wind/waves turn on you.  It's the closest I've ever come to making the paper.

Yes, I would be very interested!  PM me your phone # and I'll stop by.   I was thinking of building decoy rails on the back like on a classic barnegat bay sneak box, and the mahogany would be perfect for that.  I could stain it and coat it with resin, and it would look great too.   Very cool.

I saw a small cruise 'n carry 2.75 hp outboard on craigslist recently that is light weight and looked like it would be perfect.

[BigGoonTuna]

keep your eyes out for deals on a minn kota riptide.  i picked up a 45lb thrust model 2 years ago for a little over 200 bucks from overtons(on sale + coupon code).

[bear hunter]

I have had my Minn Kota 44 mag camo for 10+ years in salt and have had no problems. You should bring oars to.. The tides will drain the battery fast in the currant. Just have oars for back up. I had to do this many times. Good luck

[fethrduster]

I have had my Minn Kota 44 mag camo for 10+ years in salt and have had no problems. You should bring oars to.. The tides will drain the battery fast in the currant. Just have oars for back up. I had to do this many times. Good luck

Thanks!

I cut the boat down fore and aft down to 9', and it is much lighter now, probably 60-70lbs.  I'm going to re-shape the bow with blocks of foam covered in fiberglass, and leave the foam in for flotation.  Same for the stern.  It should end up close to 10' and 80-90 lbs +/-.  I can even cartop it on top of my jeep now without a trailer.  As light as it is now, a 45lb thrust camo minn kota would probably work fine on small water, but I like rowing and may just install oar locks and call it good. 

Here's a couple in progress pics: