Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Trolling Motors

Has anyone put a trolling motor on their wood drifter? I have a 16' double with transom. I've been thinking of putting on a trolling motor for when I putt around lakes by myself. Anyone have suggestions? I've been looking at the Minn Kota motors but am unsure on what thrust I should go for and also what the minimum shaft length should be. For anyone that has put a motor on, did you find it beneficial vs the cost? Is it also worth it in terms of how often the battery will need recharging? Thanks, any input is helpful.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Clarke on August 2, 2011 at 12:47pm

I used an old MinnKota 35 lb. thrust trolling motor on my 14' Tatman in slow sections of rivers for a short period of time. The shaft was plenty long enough and it moved the boat along okay, but everything else about it was painful. Because I have an anchor pulley centered on the transom, the motor had to be mounted to one side, so trimming it out to go straight was tough. I thought I would be able to make minor adjustments with the oars while underway, but that proved tricky for me. Then, there was the issue of reaching the controls, which I never did resolve to my satisfaction. Also, there was the issue of a stupid lead-acid battery taking up room in a small boat. Like I said, it did move the boat along, though.

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Permalink Reply by mitchell on August 2, 2011 at 1:07pm

an electric trolling motor is a great way to get around on the lake or a mellow estuary. I've got a 35# thrust 12 volt and a 71# 24 volt rip tide. Both motors are minn kota's. The 71 has a longer shaft than the 35 but both do the job with my big arse ridding the gunnel back side. Ridding the gunnel is the trick! I too mount the motors just off to the side of the anchor pully.

Batteries last on average 6 hours and medium troll. They take about 24 hours to re-charge on trickle. I was told that the batteries should be re-charged asap after discarge. A full charge is 12.85 volts. Helps a ton to have a volt meter. 20.00 bucks.

Here is a link in case you'd like to see a 24v set up on a drifter...sorry the drifter is not wood but then again...it ain't mine. http://www.steelheaduniversity.com/drifter.html

I use that 24 volt set up with the bigger motor. But, I hardy ever use the 24 volt anylonger. The lil' motor takes care of the lake and esturay crabbing and leaves me an extra 12 volt battery to take along just in case the first one poops out.