I have yet to get out on my Mariner this summer simply because every year I seem to have problems with my outboard motor. My funds do not allow me to go out and "spring" for a new motor. The main use for the motor is simply to get in and out of the marina where I launch. I saw an ad in a flyer for electric trolling motors and wondered if those would be powerful enough to move my 19' Mariner around. Has any one had experience using these types of motors on sailboats? What "thrust " power would be recomended? How much motoring can be done on the battery before recharging? Any comments would be helpful, pros and cons! thanks
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Electric Trolling Motor
Greetings: I have an O'Day 22 that I used a Minn-Kota Motor on, it has a 28 Lb. thrust, and 5 speeds. I got in and out of the harbor just fine without a wake on speed #3, #5 was just a-bit too fast to snake around the other boats in the harbor. On my motor, a charged battery would last over two hours, but that was just a regular car battery. A deep-cycle may last longer. I needed to switch to gas because I got caught on Lake Winnebago in a storm, and the electric wasn't powerfull enough to bring me back to the harbor, I rode-out the storm under sail, then I started using my 5 Hp. that I bought used for $50. at a garage sale. Hope this helps. I also have a Mariner 2+2 hull to give away if you want it.
Greetings: I have an O'Day 22 that I used a Minn-Kota Motor on, it has a 28 Lb. thrust, and 5 speeds. I got in and out of the harbor just fine without a wake on speed #3, #5 was just a-bit too fast to snake around the other boats in the harbor. On my motor, a charged battery would last over two hours, but that was just a regular car battery. A deep-cycle may last longer. I needed to switch to gas because I got caught on Lake Winnebago in a storm, and the electric wasn't powerfull enough to bring me back to the harbor, I rode-out the storm under sail, then I started using my 5 Hp. that I bought used for $50. at a garage sale. Hope this helps. I also have a Mariner 2+2 hull to give away if you want it.
S
Steve
thanks for the input
Mr. P.K. Thanks for the reply, I see that Fleet Farm has 30, 36, and 46#'s of thrust models, as well as Minn Kotas with 40 and 55 #'s. If my outboard does not return home soon I will need to consider other options. As for the Mariner hull, I'm going to have to pass, but thanks for the offer. Steve
Mr. P.K. Thanks for the reply, I see that Fleet Farm has 30, 36, and 46#'s of thrust models, as well as Minn Kotas with 40 and 55 #'s. If my outboard does not return home soon I will need to consider other options. As for the Mariner hull, I'm going to have to pass, but thanks for the offer. Steve
B
bruce cornell
minn kota
i have a minn kota 32 pounder, and it has worked for me on a mac 23 and mirage 236, however, against tides and winds it could be a problem. would recommend the minnkota 55, with high thrust prop if you choose.
i have a minn kota 32 pounder, and it has worked for me on a mac 23 and mirage 236, however, against tides and winds it could be a problem. would recommend the minnkota 55, with high thrust prop if you choose.
Tried it...didn't like it.
Steve, I have to recommend against a small trolling motor. My wife and I recently bought a Mariner 2+2 and the outboard it came with was shot. We used a trolling motor (46 lbs thrust) to get in and out of the harbor until we finally found a 2hp Honda in our price range. Trolling motors work fine in good weather but they do not leave you with any safety margin. They are not made for the duty cycle that outboards are designed for. Buying a small outboard has reduced the stress of learning to sail to a minimum. Now we can go in when we want to. And the motor is small enough for her to crank by herself. (in case I go overboard) We can always carry an extra gallon of gas, and don't have to worry about the battery running down right when we need it. Good luck in finding the right solution for you.
Steve, I have to recommend against a small trolling motor. My wife and I recently bought a Mariner 2+2 and the outboard it came with was shot. We used a trolling motor (46 lbs thrust) to get in and out of the harbor until we finally found a 2hp Honda in our price range. Trolling motors work fine in good weather but they do not leave you with any safety margin. They are not made for the duty cycle that outboards are designed for. Buying a small outboard has reduced the stress of learning to sail to a minimum. Now we can go in when we want to. And the motor is small enough for her to crank by herself. (in case I go overboard) We can always carry an extra gallon of gas, and don't have to worry about the battery running down right when we need it. Good luck in finding the right solution for you.
keep it running
Most problems w/ small outboards are related to lack of maintenance & lack of use that translates to fuel/carb problems. I know many sailers seem to hate/fear outboards, but a little knowledge & prevention goes a long way. First get a service manual-preferably the OM version. Their are many things you can do to keep it running. Cleaning a gummed up carb is a snap if you have the manual. T-stats & water pumps aren't that hard either, just a bit more involved. Second thing is to run it whwnever you sail & run it wide open occasionally. It keeps carbon from building up & helps keep things blown out. Also use an engine tuner spray as sold by most outboard makers(it doesn't matter what brand) to keep the innards clean. Third is use a gas conditioner to help keep the gas from going bad. If the gas smells bad, it is. Get rid of it. I could go on, but I'll stop. A little education & care of outboards & they can last a long time. Many sailers treat the outboard like a sail. They think or hope you can just pull it out of a bag, put it on & haul it up & it will go. PS. An electric trolling motor will get you out of the slip, but will most likely let you down when you really need it.
Most problems w/ small outboards are related to lack of maintenance & lack of use that translates to fuel/carb problems. I know many sailers seem to hate/fear outboards, but a little knowledge & prevention goes a long way. First get a service manual-preferably the OM version. Their are many things you can do to keep it running. Cleaning a gummed up carb is a snap if you have the manual. T-stats & water pumps aren't that hard either, just a bit more involved. Second thing is to run it whwnever you sail & run it wide open occasionally. It keeps carbon from building up & helps keep things blown out. Also use an engine tuner spray as sold by most outboard makers(it doesn't matter what brand) to keep the innards clean. Third is use a gas conditioner to help keep the gas from going bad. If the gas smells bad, it is. Get rid of it. I could go on, but I'll stop. A little education & care of outboards & they can last a long time. Many sailers treat the outboard like a sail. They think or hope you can just pull it out of a bag, put it on & haul it up & it will go. PS. An electric trolling motor will get you out of the slip, but will most likely let you down when you really need it.
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