Trolling Motors

[Bigplumbs]

I was wondering if anyone on here has any experience of the little electric trolling motors you can buy on ebay. There is a 40 lb thrust one on there for £80. I was wondering if anyone uses these on their tenders rather than a conventional outboard


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Outboard-Engi ... SwAYtWQKZ1

Dennis

[sprocker]

I looked into this last year Dennis, and decided against it. They were designed for propelling fishing punts on inland waterways, and I think your 2.6m Waveco with two people aboard would really struggle. Get it fighting against tide and wind and you may find yourself in trouble.

The only electric motor that came anywhere near being efficient was the Torqeedo range, and they are big money.

I decided to go with a 2.5HP outboard, I know it means another engine to service every year, but the power is there when you need it.

[BruceK]

Not suitable. Not always because of the motor itself, it is what it is, but because of the battery required and most especially because you have no real means of securing a battery in either your tender or that inflatable jobbie and not withstanding that soft bottom inflatables cause a lot of drag so you'd need a sizeable trolling motor and even bigger battery. A little 2-3hp engine makes much more sense.

[Bigplumbs]

I already have a 3hp Yam and I was kind of thinking the same as you but I thought I would ask

Dennis

[Ianfs]

I've used a couple of these but only Fly Fishing on our local reservoir.
One had the battery in the head and the other had a separate battery.
Most of the time I used a 3hp petrol engine to get around and then the electric motor for close in work.
They're fine if your boat has a hard floor as the guys have already said. I'd also agree that they work well with a boat with a fine bow, no wind or wave and no tide.
I'd like to try one on the sea and maybe a well built one would work for estuaries but for me the technology at the moment is good for lakes.
Hope that helps as well.