I have just purchased a Hunter 170 and I am now looking at outboards. Can I avoid the bulk of a gasoline engine and use an electric trolling motor? If yes, which ones are big enough? I plan to use the boat mostly in lakes.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
R
Ray Bowles
Chuck, Does your boat have a battery already?
If so and if it is a deep cycle marine then an electric might be the best bet. Before buying a electric motor I would check with the engine manufacturer about the size motor required to push a boat with the weight of a 170 and for the amount of time required to return from the longest distance you might be sailing if the wind dies, which it will do. It could be that the battery demand is so great that it is not practical. Small gas motors sometimes have the fuel tank mounted on the motor, thus being 1 unit. Remote tanks do have a longer range which might be required. The weight factor of a gas motor might be less than that of 1 or more batteries. I have a Honda 9.9 four stroke on my 95 H26 and can go a full summer on one 6 gallon tank of gas. That much fuel returns greater that 12 hours of run time. Ray S/V Speedy
If so and if it is a deep cycle marine then an electric might be the best bet. Before buying a electric motor I would check with the engine manufacturer about the size motor required to push a boat with the weight of a 170 and for the amount of time required to return from the longest distance you might be sailing if the wind dies, which it will do. It could be that the battery demand is so great that it is not practical. Small gas motors sometimes have the fuel tank mounted on the motor, thus being 1 unit. Remote tanks do have a longer range which might be required. The weight factor of a gas motor might be less than that of 1 or more batteries. I have a Honda 9.9 four stroke on my 95 H26 and can go a full summer on one 6 gallon tank of gas. That much fuel returns greater that 12 hours of run time. Ray S/V Speedy
D
Don
Bad experience
I tried using a trolling motor on an old 20' I had way back when. All was fine until one day I got caught in a terrible microburst (thurnderstorm) on a lake. The electric motor couldn't even hold the boat in place against the wind, must less make progress. I wound beached on the opposite side of the lake. Not a good experience. I went back to my little 2hp gas after that. Just my 2 cents..
I tried using a trolling motor on an old 20' I had way back when. All was fine until one day I got caught in a terrible microburst (thurnderstorm) on a lake. The electric motor couldn't even hold the boat in place against the wind, must less make progress. I wound beached on the opposite side of the lake. Not a good experience. I went back to my little 2hp gas after that. Just my 2 cents..
P
Paul
Get the gas
I have a 3.5 HP outboard and its plenty of motor for this boat. I don't think I'd like to have a battery in this boat. This boat can heel quite a bit and I'd think you'd have a problem with the battery slipping around.
I have a 3.5 HP outboard and its plenty of motor for this boat. I don't think I'd like to have a battery in this boat. This boat can heel quite a bit and I'd think you'd have a problem with the battery slipping around.
M
Michael Stuart
3.5HP is fine for me
I have a 3.5HP Yamaha on my 170. More than enough power. Gas tank is part of motor. Enough gas in there for the whole summer. You might get by with a smaller motor. A bigger motor would be too much. I wish I could go without a motor, since the motor with most of its mass high above the water adds instability. But getting stuck out there once in a hot day or in a cold rain is convincing enough for me. Also getting away from the dock or beach in the 170 without a motor is very difficult.
I have a 3.5HP Yamaha on my 170. More than enough power. Gas tank is part of motor. Enough gas in there for the whole summer. You might get by with a smaller motor. A bigger motor would be too much. I wish I could go without a motor, since the motor with most of its mass high above the water adds instability. But getting stuck out there once in a hot day or in a cold rain is convincing enough for me. Also getting away from the dock or beach in the 170 without a motor is very difficult.
E
Edward Smith
2.5 Hp is what the owner's Manual
indicates the structural engineering will handle with the motor mount provided by JY. I had a heavier mount designed and installed so that I could run the 3.5. We couldn't mount the 5 Hp so I had to make do. I wanted the reverse/neutral/forward shift capability. The 3.5 Nissan and the 2.5 Nissan weigh exactly the same. They come in a long or short shaft. Suggest the long shaft cause with motor mounted on the starboard and you sitting on the port, the engine comes way up there and then with a following sea the short shaft would be up out of the water. I believe they make a 3.5 Nissan with neutral/forward but you would have to check that. I have only been on one lake where a motor was prohibitive and that was Lake Lure, NC where they wanted $500 to operate with motor and $15 without. I may be off a little on amounts but that is indicative of what was stated.
indicates the structural engineering will handle with the motor mount provided by JY. I had a heavier mount designed and installed so that I could run the 3.5. We couldn't mount the 5 Hp so I had to make do. I wanted the reverse/neutral/forward shift capability. The 3.5 Nissan and the 2.5 Nissan weigh exactly the same. They come in a long or short shaft. Suggest the long shaft cause with motor mounted on the starboard and you sitting on the port, the engine comes way up there and then with a following sea the short shaft would be up out of the water. I believe they make a 3.5 Nissan with neutral/forward but you would have to check that. I have only been on one lake where a motor was prohibitive and that was Lake Lure, NC where they wanted $500 to operate with motor and $15 without. I may be off a little on amounts but that is indicative of what was stated.
J
Jeff Wingo
This is what I have found out...
I am picking up my 170 next week. Our local lake does not allow gasoline, so I have been looking into a trolling motor. From what I can tell, a sailboat is pretty light compared to a bass boat and a 36# trolling motor would do fine for the 170. I am going to get a Minn Kota Endura 36# and we will see how she does. I have also heard that you can get a compartment for the battery installed in the seat. Check with your dealer.
I am picking up my 170 next week. Our local lake does not allow gasoline, so I have been looking into a trolling motor. From what I can tell, a sailboat is pretty light compared to a bass boat and a 36# trolling motor would do fine for the 170. I am going to get a Minn Kota Endura 36# and we will see how she does. I have also heard that you can get a compartment for the battery installed in the seat. Check with your dealer.
K
Ken Koons
Electric trolling motor
I had a trolling motor on my previous boat. A tanzer 16'. It worked fine most of the time. When the wind was blowing hard the trolling motor did not have enough power to get upwind. If your lake won't allow gas, you don't have any choice.
I had a trolling motor on my previous boat. A tanzer 16'. It worked fine most of the time. When the wind was blowing hard the trolling motor did not have enough power to get upwind. If your lake won't allow gas, you don't have any choice.
C
Collin Casey
Any Size
It does not take much to move the 170. Incedently, I move mine with a 2 hp wich is less bulky and weight than a trolling motor with a battery
It does not take much to move the 170. Incedently, I move mine with a 2 hp wich is less bulky and weight than a trolling motor with a battery
C
Chuck
Decision made - Gas
Based on all the inputs and the fact that the electric would cost as much as the gas, I ended up with a 2hp 4 stroke Honda. Still waiting for the snow to stop falling before I can determine if it was the right decision.
Based on all the inputs and the fact that the electric would cost as much as the gas, I ended up with a 2hp 4 stroke Honda. Still waiting for the snow to stop falling before I can determine if it was the right decision.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.