[rayfound]

Ok, I am a college freshman in southern california, and I want to buy a small fishing boat for me and my fishin bud (we would likely share the cost). We will use it on small lakes here in southern caliornia. I am on MAJOR budget restrictions. Currently i am looking at a total cost of around $2000 at the MOST, preferably less of course. The Boat needs to be portable with teh engine removed on the roof of a car. I figure an electric trolling motor is the only real option for power, budget, and portability. Not to mention teh savings in gasoline and repairs. What size of boat can be carried by car roof? 10 ft? 12 ft? what about unconventional boats (porte-botes, those plastic pontoon boats with chairs at walmart, others as well)What can i expect to pay? for a boat, new or used. What about teh motor, what do i need for thrust? How much running time can i expect from a abattery? What does a battery cost? How long is the charging time? How fast will this small boat plod along with and electric motor?Thank you for everything.ray

[TonyM]

I can chime in about the trolling motor and battery - from a newbie point of view.I just got my first boat - 14' aluminum. I trailer it, so I can't offer any advice about the roof.As far as the motor goes. I picked up a Minn Kota 50lbs thrust trolling motor - $200. It's a rugged piece of equipment and I'm really happy with it. I went for the extra thrust (as opposed to 36lbs) because I figured it would help fight strong winds better and push the occasional 3rd or forth person easily.Charger - also Minn Kota, automatic shutoff. Works well. About $75.Battery - deep cycle, middle of the road quality about $60.

[ccbangler]

Depending on your car's size you should be able to throw a 12' jon boat on top without too much of a hassle, I use to use my car for a 10', but its a small boat for 2 people. if you can fit the bigger one, get it.As far as trolling motors go, if its your only means of power, I would go with as big as you can get as far as thrust, 50lbs is good too, but I would go to 65 or so with a 24 volt (2 deep cycle batteries) to get you across the pond faster. Minkota is a more reliable motor than motorguide, in my personal experience. I have a motorguide now thats been pretty good, but I have seen a lot of people with problems with them, my last one is no exception. (I only baught this one because of its price, its used and I knew the owner, whom said it was real good, 67 lb Brute by Motorguide)Good luck!

[rayfound]

How Long will a full charge give me for running time? It will be my only propulsion, so i want to be sure i don't have to row back to the car.thanks

[DJ]

Rayfound,I ditto everything said about Minn Kota. If you go with a high quality/high cap. battery, it should run the electric all day. As long as you don't run it full speed all day. The charger is just as important as the battery and the motor. Buy a good one.I wouldn't discount getting something on a trailer. I don't know what your tow vehicle would be, but just about anything will tow 1000 pounds or less. A basic 14' boat and trailer will be less than that.I also would not discount a gas engine. You may be surprised what you can find. An engine in the 6-10 hp. range will do fine and will run for days on 3 gal. of gas. This type of boat is VERY popular and nice ones hold their value well. Plan to shop hard.

[BBogey]

Man, if you're willing to spend $2,000 (OR LESS!) I would pay for a hitch, and get yourself a nice used 14' alum with trailer, and that would probably come with a small gas motor/and or a electric? Remember, boats shrink by 30% when you put them in water! That's plenty of bucks for a "good" used set up.Good Luck!

[Fishbusters]

I would agree but not so much on the size of the boat but ease of transporting. I had a canoe I used an old boat trailer for. As to motor size if you realy don't want to go gas the 12 volt electric with at least 2 deep cycle batteries. For the most part any 12 volt would be enough power for a small boat and the savings would allow for the 2 batteries so when it comes time to switch you know to head back. Also Minn Kota rules Motor Guides are built to break.

[DJ]

rayfound,Don't discount looking on e-bay. I picked up (a couple of years ago) a 14' Klamath with a pristine 25 Evin. on a real nice trailer for $1600.00. The boat was in your neck of the woods also.Dragged it back here, used it a couple of times, cleaned it up and made a handsome profit.