Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

[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. <br /><br /> I am on MAJOR budget restrictions. Currently i am looking at a total cost of around $2000 at the MOST, preferably less of course. <br /><br />The Boat needs to be portable with teh engine removed on the roof of a car. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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)<br />What can i expect to pay? for a boat, new or used. <br /><br />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?<br /><br />Thank you for everything.<br /><br />ray

 

[TonyM]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

I can chime in about the trolling motor and battery - from a newbie point of view.<br /><br />I just got my first boat - 14' aluminum. I trailer it, so I can't offer any advice about the roof.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Charger - also Minn Kota, automatic shutoff. Works well. About $75.<br /><br />Battery - deep cycle, middle of the road quality about $60.

 

[ccbangler]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

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.<br />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. <br />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)<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[rayfound]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

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.<br /><br />thanks

 

[DJ]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

Rayfound,<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

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.<br /><br />Good Luck!

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

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]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

rayfound,<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Dragged it back here, used it a couple of times, cleaned it up and made a handsome profit.

 

[jimkeith]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

You didn't say what kind of car you were going to put the boat on top of.
If you were talking about a new vehicle, you will probably cave in the top of the car. If it is a 66 model you are ok. Get a boat on a trailer. I just picked up a nice 14 ft. with 15 hp for 1,250. It's on a trailer too. You can get a hitch installed for 250 or so. You won't regret it.

 

[DJ]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

Whoa! This is an EIGHT YEAR OLD thread.

 

[brianvolt7]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

Unless you are totally against a gas motor, I would check out the Briggs and Stratton that iboats sells. It's a 5 HP 4 stroke for around 700. Light and easy to pack around. If you have 2K to spend, this will get you a nice used boat.

http://www.iboats.com/5-HP-Outboard-Special/dm/*******.199750961--**********.662096519--view_id.696617

 

[Doug N.]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

maybe his kids need a boat.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

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.<br /><br />Good Luck!

+1 I know things are different everywhere, but around here a couple grand will easily take down a new hitch and a 14' jon complete rig with enough left over to buy plenty of bait or lures (unless you're talking crank baits. They're kinda high). Good luck and welcome to iboats. You're going about it the right way. Tight lines!

 

[109jb]

Re: Questions about Aluminum boat and trolling motors

Whoa! This is an EIGHT YEAR OLD thread.

What DJ was trying to say:

Whoa! This is an EIGHT YEAR OLD thread.