Electric trolling motor for canoe

[buzbunni]

I'm thinking of picking up an electric trolling motor for my canoe, and was wondering what anyone has to say about necessary thrust and shaft length.

I know more power is always better, but I was thinking 36-40lbs would be fine. I do not have a square stern, but I have a transom mount attachment.

Also, I'm kind of a Minnkota guy, but in this case I'm looking for the lowest priced, least fancy unit. Do motorguide products generally run at a lower price point for the same basic features? If not, I'll probably go with Minnkota.

Thanks.

[Dan Thiem]

Buzz,

Are you mostly going to be using in a river with current and rocks and other hazards or in a lake.

[icehousebob]

One of my sons has a 27 lb. thrust Minnkota and I have a 30lb. both with, I believe 30 inch shafts. Either one will move a canoe on the lake at least as fast as you can paddle. To get any more thrust, you will end up with a longer shaft, which will be really clumsy in a canoe. You don't need any special mounting brackets. The Minnkota will clamp right to the side of the canoe, at least it does on an Old Town. Its a great way to fish small bays and boat channels. I've watched as we went over pan fish schools in shallow water and never spooked them.

[Fisher Dave]

Bob has some good points. i used to use a canoe a lot on the inner city lakes. I have had several different trolling motors ranging from 18-50# of thrust on them.

The shaft length is a big issue, the longer shafts are a burden on a canoe.. Its a hassle when tilting them, and running shallows in the weeds, or even a solid bottom. It's not a whole lot of fun trying to use a motor with the head 20 feet in the air.

On my older trolling motors, I simply shortened the shaft on the higher thrust models. I dont think its as easy on the newer motors. I know a person can get different shafts for their trolling motors, and shouldnt cost much to have changed if they dont want to tackle it theirselves.

The BEST motors you can get are motors with the *infinate* speed control. This will allow slow speeds when wanted. A 50# motor will get you around in a hurry, but it will not go slow enough on calm water unless it has super slow(infinate type) speed settings.

If I had to choose a normal 5 speed model, I would stay 36# or less as long as I didnt plan on fishing anywhere regularly that you had to travel long distances(chain of lakes, etc). In any case you that want to have some range, go with a higher thrust motor... keep in mind a 30# motor will eat a battery as fast as a 50# motor on high. If your covering a distance, you will use less juice if your going twice as fast(travel time). Lower speed settings(trolling) with a more powerful motor will last MUCH longer than a lower thrust trolling motor that will have to run a higher speed to achive the same speed, especially when wind is a factor.

[uffdapete]

I've owned and fished 2 square sterns & 4 double end canoes over 35 years and also tried several electric motors. My current set up is a 13' River Ridge square stern with a 55# Minnkota w/variable speed and 42" shaft. I had planned to use the same motor for another application that required the longer shaft. Everything works great except the longer shaft which is a pain. Since this rig is used primarily on rivers, the 55# is very nice. I've had previous motors with 3 & 5 speeds and with a canoe you can rarely find the right speed unless you have variable speed control. First preference on the shaft would be 30" but it's hard to find a 40+ lb thrust with variable speed that has a 30" shaft.

If primary use is on a river, stay with a variable speed, composite shaft and plenty of power. If on a lake you'll probably be okay with a steel shaft and less power.

Some day I'm going to try a foot control bow mount on a canoe - maybe an auto pilot if they get all the bugs out!

[gspman]

I think you should get a 74# thrust 24 volt one just to see how fast you can go.

[Eric Wettschreck]

You could use that puppy for water skiing!!!!

[buzbunni]

Quote:

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It's not a whole lot of fun trying to use a motor with the head 20 feet in the air.

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Oh, that's funny FisherDave . Nice image. I guess I never thought of having the shaft above my head in shallow water, I was thinking of it more from a performance standpoint. But hey, if one isn't using the shallow water benefits that the canoe offers, one is missing out...isn't one ?

Dan: Most usage will be on inner ciy lakes(Calhoun, Harriet, etc.), or smaller bays of larger lakes, Minnetonka for instance...not unlike what I assume FisherDave used his rig for. I may try to use it a bit on the MN river, but only in slower areas.

uffda: I have been looking at the River Ridge set-up. Saweet! is all I can say. Maybe one day.

gps: My buddy has a 74# bowbount....it might just be worth a shot.

Thanks for all the advice guys. Really helpful...as usual on FM.

Good Fishing.

[Walterwontfalter]

I picked up an old Minkota trolling motor at a garage sale It didn't have enough thrust to push my boat through the water but it hooked up and skipped my canoe along pretty well. The thing I like most about it is that it has a foot control which leaves both my hands free to fish. It has long leads and if I'm fishing by myself I put the battery in the front of the canoe to balance the weight. If I'm just puttering around the lake I live on I prefer to take the canoe out because it works so well. It does't take much thrust to push a canoe faster than you can paddle.

[smallieobsession]

A buddy gave me a 36# minnkota turbo to use on my canoe. I have not used it yet but it does have the 36in shaft and I'm a little concerned about having a long shaft like that. I do a lot of river fishing and there of course are lots of rocks. Can you cut the shafts down on a trolling motor??? I thought maybe I could disassemble, cut off 6ins and then put it back together. Anybody done this or think there would be a problem doing it?