Trolling Motor for Canoe.

[KatoMike]

I have an old 17' Alumacraft canoe that I want to put a trolling motor on (I have a side mount already for a motor). Any thoughts on whether 30lbs. thrust is enough or should I spring for the 36 or 40 lbs? Thanks! (would be used for fishing in small river or small lake and duck hunting).

[Bobby Bass]

30# will move it right along but of course bigger is better. As long as you stay with a 12 volt system going to have to remember the added weight of the motor and battery. Sure beats paddling!

[Duffman]

When my 36lb motor died, I upped it to a 40lb for my canoe. No regrets, but a 30lb would do the job. If ya get a 40, be careful when turning the motor from dead to full power when positioned sideways, it'll want to roll ya. Takes a while to get used to, the keel on the Alumacraft should minimize that though.

[Dan Thiem]

One other tip, put the battery up near the front. Then just run a set of jumper cables back to the electric.

[gunflint]

Another tip: Don't put the battery under an aluminum seat, especialy if someone is going to be sitting in it. If the seat touches both posts it can get very warm very fast.

[uffdapete]

If you plan on using the canoe on a river, bigger is definitely better. I run a 55# Maxxum on a 13' River Ridge Custom Canoe and that's what the manufacturer recommends. Most importantly though, get a variable speed. I've owned 4 different canoes over the past 40 years and have run at least 5 different trolling motors and won't have anything except variable speed from here on.