Thought on electric saltwater motors

[martyg]

Any thoughts or experiences? I need to move a 17.5' composite boat that is about 2,700 wet. I just want it to move into, or away from, the shore as I drift.

I saw that Cabela's has reconditioned salt water motors for about $300 w/ 40 pounds of thrust.

[gt]

the almar i have under construction will in fact have a bow mounted minkota saltwater motor. 24v, 80# of thrust, cool remote fob controller which allows me to operate the motor from anywhere in the boat. i like this idea way better than a gas kicker. should allow some easy manuvering as well as some slow to moderate trolling if the need appears. the bass guys have been doing this for decades. the folks out in the PNW still seem to think the only motive source worth hanging is that OB kicker.

[Stonefish]

A much pricier option, but I've heard and read great things about these.
http://www.lencomarine.com/trollingmotorswi.html
Brian

[Smalma]

I use a 40# thrust minn kota transom mounted electric on my 16 foot Alaskan Lund and it works fine, however my boat weights about 1/2 of yours. The chart from Minn Kota shows that a 40 # thurst electric should be OK for a outfit that weights up to 2,800 #s, in other words you would be on the edge. Given that you will be confronted with winds and tidal currents I suspect that you would be happier with some with a little more power.

If we were closer I would lend you mine to see how it preformed with your rig. Maybe some one closer might be able to help you out. No matter what size you pick make sure that it is rigged for salt water.

Tight lines
Curt

[gt]

lenco got a bit thumbs down on the blanton site. proceed with due caution, or go read what folks had to say about this option.

[Stonefish]

GT,
Interesting, I read what folks had to say on Blanton's site. It sounds like there are some other tab options available out there also. While in Florida recently, I read a magazine article where a couple guys raved about their Lenco's. I have no personal experience with Lenco. I just offered the tab system as an alternative to an saltwater electric motor.
Like everything, folks have opinions on things. :ray1:
So when will your Almar be done?
Brian

[gt]

yeah, i thought the article was interesting as well. i guess my guideon is looking to see what the 'pro' bass guys are using for their livelihood. for all i know the lenco system could be great.

almar is about a month behind on the build right now. they are saying sept but i am not holding my breath. kind of missing some of the season without the boat. butt, the fall has always been a favorite time for me and the wind usually quites here abouts (blowing 25-30 steady right now).

as i get to visit the build, i will post some jpegs in the gallery, and thanks for asking.

[Jim Wallace]

I've got the MinnKota Riptide 50. Its 12 volt, and has the continuously variable speed control, which is cool cause you can negate the current and hold position in a spot long enough to fire off a cast. I like it on my square stern canoe for the canal, sound, and estuaries.
I read an article a couple years ago in STS (Dec '04 issue, I think) about rigging up a driftboat with a 24 volt system, I think it was around 70# thrust, which produces the needed power for moving a heavier boat in current.

My canoe weighs about 70#...up to 300# with me and all my gear for a day, and I do fine...the 50# thrust is actually more power than I need. I do fine with a 30# Endura in fresh water, but the 50 was the smallest saltwater motor I could find with the continuously variable speed control.

Get two batteries...its good to have a spare along for all day jaunts.

Gotta go see if mine's working right...high tide's in about two hours here:cool:

Jimbo

[Stonefish]

GT,
That will be cool to see some pictures of your new boat.
Brian

[Philster]

Check out Dan Blanton's Board. This topic gets beat to death there regularly by serious fishers/guides on both coasts and the gulf...

[Rich Schager]

http://www.danblanton.com/

Dan's board...

[Jeff D]

Martyg
I've got a bow mount Minnkota Power Drive that I'll likely be selling. It was on my 18'6" Weldcraft deep V. It's an extra long shaft for deep V boats with a foot control pedal that is on a 18' cord that will reach to the transom. It's the kind that slides up and lays flat on the bow when not in use.

Easy to mount with 4 screws, and it's either 50 or 55 pounds of thrust, I'm not sure. This unit has seen about 1 season of use. It still looks great, but you can see that it's been used some.

If you're interested I'll start thinking of a price. I live on Whidbey, but can drop it at my fathers house in Chimacum so you could look at it at your convience. That's about 60 minutes west of Gig Harbor if you're not sure where the thriving community of Chimacum is located :) 7 miles before you get to Port Townsend...

Jeff
Like this one... If I remember correctly, but I'm not at home to look.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0012372017257a&type=product&cmCat=searchFeat&returnPage=search-results2.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=minn+kota&Ne=2510&Ntt=minn+kota&noImage=0&Ntx=mode+matchall&N=3238

[Stonefish]

Marty,
Just an FYI. There is an article in the latest edition of "Fly Fishing in Saltwaters" magazine that reviews the latest saltwater electric motors from Minn Kota, MotorGuide and Lenco.
Brian

[allenro]

I've been using an Endura 30# for three years on my kayak. I fish 95% saltwater and its been holding up just fine. Just a quick squirt with the hose after I get home is all I have done.

[hikepat]

Allenro I would love to see a photo of your kayak set up with an electric motor. My fishing buddy keeps saying she wishes she had a motor when the wind or tide is going against her to help save her energy so she can fish longer. I would love to hear how you set up or beter yet a photo to see in my mind how it would work.
It would also be a great set up for the Shad runs I would think.
Any information you would be willing to share would be great.

[allenro]

Here's the only shot I have. I'll take some better photos this weekend when I rig it up.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f317/crazyotto/DSCN0908a.jpg

Its a milkcrate bungee'd in the rear well with a 2x4 bolted to it.