electric boats

[prophead]

Hello

I would like to get a small dingy or tender inflatable or hard boat and put in 4 leisure batteries and a minn kota 40 riptide saltwater model. I would use it for estury fishing would this work OK or wold I be better off with petrol outboard

 

[JB]

Re: electric boats

Hello, prophead.

Years ago I fished a no-petrol-engines lake regularly with a single large deep cycle battery and a smaller-than-the-40 troller on a Sportyak II (seven feet, rigid, unsinkable RIB-like boat rated for 5hp). Rarely went more than a mile from the launch, but I could run at trolling speed for several hours.

Later, when the petrol ban was lifted and replaced by a under-10HP limit I used a Johnson 3hp outboard on the same little boat. I could go a lot faster, farther, and yet I could also troll at a crawl. Less weight, greater range.

Based on that experience I recommend a small outboard rather than the electric arrangement..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: electric boats

i've often thought about and hybrid electric boat, maybe using a small honda generator (quite), and an electric motor.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: electric boats

I've thought about that too over the years. But with todays small four strokes, why not just eliminate the electric and the resulting inefficiencies.

 

[steelespike]

Re: electric boats

I love electric. I have an electric car NEV(neighborhood Electric Vehicle) by GEM a devision of Daimler Chrysler.And years ago I adapted a 17 ft sail boat hull to electrec.Plusses are: very quiet.it moves polution to a more controllable source.Less messy especially with a gel cell battery.Draw backs are speed and range.Max speed is 4 to 5 mph with a proper boat and ideal set up.
A long slender boat like a square ended canoe at least 17ft. would be faster than a little dingy and be roomier.Most modern canoes are pretty stable.
The canoe would need a tiller extension or weight in the bow.with one person.
A 3 hp 2 stroke would be much faster but noisier and
messy.Your little dingy is not ideal for room or speed with either motor.A 12ft semi V would almost plane with
on person with a tiller extension on a 3 hp a 5 hp would plane easily.Of course a little dingy is handy to haul and launch.A small 12 footer will fit in a full size pick up bed W the gate down.Could also be car topped like a canoe.
The canoe would probably be happier with a 2 hp as there is no need to exceed 5 or 6 mph.

 

[MRS]

Re: electric boats

I am now setting up a small jon boat with a 5hp. motor and a trolling motor why would you not want both? the electric for trolling and running in the sticks and shallow water and the gas for going farther places. Plus you only need one battery four batteries is a lot of maintance and money.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: electric boats

I have a square stern canoe, 17', with a 5 hp outboard it will go about 14 to 16mph. With a 55# thrust troller, it only goes about 5mph wide open and about 3mph at 75%. The troller will not push it into a stiff wind. And if the wind is not directly on the bow, it is very hard to maintain a course direction with the troller. It's impossible if the wind speed is over about 10mph. Much more comfortable and confident with the outboard.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: electric boats

My favorite trout hole hole is elec. only. We usually bank fish there but are in the market for a jonboat. (If you've got one let me know) The issue w/ elecs is when the battery runs out of juice you can't charge it till you get home. Might be a pain on 3-4 day trips. W/ gas just filerup and go.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: electric boats

I'd only use electric if it's the only option available due to restrictions on certain smaller lakes/larger ponds. A small outboard is the way to go for all the reasons mentionned above: cost, speed, space, weight, and control. These outweight quiet and a little smell.