Running canoe with boat motor?

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Running canoe with boat motor?

I didn't read every post of this thread.

However, I thought if it hadn't already been mentioned Gheenoes should enter into the conversation.

They make a 15'4" canoe like boat that is rated to take 10hp and will run 18+ mph.

Take a look.

http://www.gheenoe.net/fifteenfour.html

 

[backcountryjunkie]

Re: Running canoe with boat motor?

Hey all, I own a 13.9 gheenoe, its rated for a 5hp motor however Im running a 15hp seahorse tiller motor. I use the boat primarily for backcountry and shallow flats trips. The motor is a little worn but with only I and my gear in the boat, the thing flies. The cav plate on the lower unit is directly inline with the lowest part of the aft keel so it works perfectly. Very fun little boat thats gets me into some super skinny water. Hope yall have as much as I do with mine look forward to hearing what you guys think.

 

[mikchesor]

Re: Running canoe with boat motor?

I know this hasn't been posted on lately but this is my two cents.
Last year I pulled my 18ft 1978 Lincoln fiberglass canoe from the fence row, patched the holes in it, built an outrigger for it, put a motor on it and had a ball.

Years previously I had a sidemount made by a friend and used a 2HP Johnson on it. I am guessing it ran about 6.0MPH at about 3/4 throttle. That may not sound that fast(try running at that speed) but you can cover a lot of river at that speed.

I wanted a more reliable motor so I found an older 2HP Honda 4cycle. I took a trip with it last fall. This time I had a GPS so I learned a little more. At 1/4 throttle, just beyond the start position, it ran about 5.5MPH. At that speed the canoe ran very level without the bow lifting out of the water. After that it took a lot more power to get a little more speed. This I assume was because the canoe was reaching its hull speed. I never went more than 2/3 throttle because I didn't trust the motor mount or my 32 year old fiberglas hull but it did run about 9.0MPH. At the slower speed the Honda was only using about one gallon of gas in nine hours or nearly 50 MPG. So for long trips carrying fuel is not an issue.

My suggestion, if you don't need a lot of speed, is to make a simple outrigger
and don't go too big on the motor.

 

[mikchesor]

Re: Running canoe with boat motor?

I know this hasn't been posted on lately but this is my two cents.
Last year I pulled my 18ft 1978 Lincoln fiberglass canoe from the fence row, patched the holes in it, built an outrigger for it, put a motor on it and had a ball.

Years previously I had a sidemount made by a friend and used a 2HP Johnson on it. I am guessing it ran about 6.0MPH at about 3/4 throttle. That may not sound that fast(try running at that speed) but you can cover a lot of river at that speed.

I wanted a more reliable motor so I found an older 2HP Honda 4cycle. I took a trip with it last fall. This time I had a GPS so I learned a little more. At 1/4 throttle, just beyond the start position, it ran about 5.5MPH. At that speed the canoe ran very level without the bow lifting out of the water. After that it took a lot more power to get a little more speed. This I assume was because the canoe was reaching its hull speed. I never went more than 2/3 throttle because I didn't trust the motor mount or my 32 year old fiberglas hull but it did run about 9.0MPH. At the slower speed the Honda was only using about one gallon of gas in nine hours or nearly 50 MPG. So for long trips carrying fuel is not an issue.

My suggestion, if you don't need a lot of speed, is to make a simple outrigger
and don't go too big on the motor.

 

[102020]

Re: Running canoe with boat motor?

DR, not sure how long you have been using than tiller extension, but be careful. It is a trolling motor extension and is not intended for use on an outboard. Over time, it will begin to flex at the end of the motor's original tiller. This will cause the steering to get sloppy.

I have one and use it for a Johnson 6hp kicker. The only reason that I have been doing this, is because the little Johnson only pushes my boat at 4.5 mph. Given that situation and the fact that my boat is very stable laterally (18' trihull), I can get away with uisng this extension. I don't think that you will enjoy the same resistence to rolling over in a canoe at 18 mph!

Please don't make me come fish a fellow Coastie out of the drink!

Yes, I realize this is a year old, but this is what happens when you put too big of an o/b on your canoe...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbDT0yotbPg&NR=1&feature=fvwp

as for the post previous to mine, do you have pointers on your outrigger/aba? I'm deciding still between single or double (will probably go double), and what materials did you use? The best I've seen is to follow the same concept as a surf board-use styrafoam (sp) (mold it of coarse), then give it an epoxy coat to finish it up.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Running canoe with boat motor?

I have seen 2 canoes spaced about 4 ft apart and used 2 ea 2x4s with a piece of 4x4 ft ply and a deck between them and a motor mount on the back of the deck. Then put a ez up over it all and rock on.

 

[102020]

Re: Running canoe with boat motor?

I have seen 2 canoes spaced about 4 ft apart and used 2 ea 2x4s with a piece of 4x4 ft ply and a deck between them and a motor mount on the back of the deck. Then put a ez up over it all and rock on.

hrm, dont really want to get another canoe though.

Anyone know what the buoyancy requirements would be for an outrigger (approx). I think I've seen about 45kg per side should do? I'm only asking because I've been also wondering if any cheaper solutions are out there (that are still durable), something like a bodyboard?

 

[dave11]

Re: Running canoe with boat motor?

If you've used a canoe before (with a paddle) it won't be much different, just not as much work. If you haven't ever used a canoe, don't put the motor on for the first trip, or at least until you get used to balancing it in waves. I would hate to see you dunk the motor while you?re getting in the canoe for the first time.

That is a very good point. I have spent a LOT of time in canoes. I have heard many people who don't like them because they are so tippy. I have been in some bad weather in canoes and never had a problem. I have rolled them and swamped them, but only on purpose.

 

[102020]

Re: Running canoe with boat motor?

ive got an 18 ft kevlar canoe, pointed on both ends, just made my own bracket for about 25$. bent a piece of welder steel to fit around the rear gunnel, works real good, i have put my full weight on it and it didnt budge. ill post a few pictures tonight. i think part of your canoe and motor combo should be based on the weight capacity of the canoe itself. example: mine can handle 600lbs max, so with said i used a 4hp evinrude, and you need to distribute your weight accordingly. ive played in 4ft waves without problem.

i would think if you put ama/outriggers on, you could easily put a 10hp on, maybe more? i have got that far myself...so i dunno if thats even safe.

outriggers can dramatically increase stability and decrease roll, but no idea on the limits of amas. i figure the outrigger canoes with a sail clip pretty quick, so maybe?

 

[jmj120]

Re: Running canoe with boat motor?

I've got a Gheenoe. It's basically a square back canoe, with a really flat bottom. Invented by a former NASA guy I think. I've got a 2.5 Merc 4 stroke on it and it's very stable. Not real fast though. It's rated for a 10 and I'm currently rebuilding a 9.5 Johnson for it.