16' Canoe w/ 36# Thrust Minn Kota

[kingkidfisher4431]

I was wondering about this set up??? Me and a bud are heading to a smaller lake (about 622 acres) with his canoe which is about 16 ft and my 36# Thrust Minn Kota electric Trolling motor. I was wondering what the speed, lasting ability, and reliability, of this set up would be. Is it worth it to bring along or should we just paddle? How about in wind? Etc? Never done it before but i thought it would work. Anybody done this please comment/help in any way...??!!

[Fisher Dave]

It will work. How long the motor last will vary on the battery you have, and the speed you are traveling. A good battery will last most of the day if the motor is set on very low settings, it will only last a couple hours if you are traveling at full throttle.

Even a few hours of battery life will save a whole lot of paddling* when trying to cover some distance.

[Dan Thiem]

I run a set-up like you described and it works great!

One thing you might want to consider is moving the battery up towards the middle. Just behind the guy in the front.

Two things benefit from that. It moves the weight forward keeping the front down in case of wind, and also it keeps the stern from being so deep in the water. That way if you have to go in reverse, water won't be splashing up over the back.

Just use a pair of jumper cables to run the juice from the battery to the electric motor. Tape up the alligator clamps on the motor side so they don't short out. Maybe put your battery in a milk crate. That's what I do and it helps it from accidently being tipped over.

Like Fisher Dave says a couple hours of electric motor sure beats a couple hours of paddling.

Sounds like a fun trip. Good Luck and let us know how you did.

[art]

I do it all the time. Why paddle when you can use the electric? Keep a paddle on board should you run out of juice on the opposite side of the lake, however. I used to run a 27lb thrust motor but upgraded to a 46lb one. She really scoots now. Nearly rolled the canoe when I had it too far down in the water and facing sideways when I hit the full throttle the first time. Also, as a friend and I found out the hard way, you need to have 2 inch call letters on your canoe just as if you were a 25ft pleasure boat or any other motorized boat for that matter. The Sheriff on Bald Eagle pinched us and was a real a$$ about the whole deal. Mister big shot he was. Probably trying to show off for his rookie on board as he pretty much read us the riot act. We we're even picking up trash along the shorelines to boot. My buddy went to court and the judge laughed it off knowing the sheriff all to well. No fine. Good idea moving the motor to the middle. I'll have to do that next time.

[kingkidfisher4431]

Thanks guys for the help!! I am now contiplating whether or not i should bring maybe two batteries just in case. And im pretty sure they are those XL 12 volt batteries because they look huge against a standard 12 volt. If i had 2 of those puppy's we ought to be just fine for 3 nights of fishing only in the evening right???

[anordqu42]

Dan, thanks for the tip on using the jumper cables! I just started using a canoe/trolling motor setup and love it for fishing smaller lakes. I keep forgetting to get some extra wire so I could push the battery farther to the front, so when I went out last night I grabbed the jumpers. Much better.

Can anyone clarify…if the canoe w/motor is shorter than 16 ft, it does not need the 2” letters, correct?

Thanks.

[Ralph Wiggum]

From the DNR boating regulations:

"Except for non-motorized canoes, kayaks,

rowing shells, paddle boats, sailboards and sailboats,

this number must be displayed on the forward

half of the hull on each side of the craft (see

illustration on page 8 ). The letters and numerals

must be at least three inches high, of a block character,

and contrast with the background.

If your canoe or sailboat is motorized, affix the

three-inch letters and numbers as previously described

for other motorized craft."

To me, sounds like you'll need the numbers on your canoe.

[Walterwontfalter]

That's the same setup I fished out of for many summers. I would suggest though that on your way to and from your fishing spot I would paddle and then use the trolling motor so it leaves two free hands to fish with. Plus it saves on the battery. Take a battery box with you because you don't want that battery to tip over and the terminals to touch the canoe...very bad ju ju. You will find out quickly that the trolling motor will easily move you faster than you can paddle but don't let it spoil you.

[danfall]

Nice thing about the motor is trolling or jigging without paddling required, more fishing.