Has anyone out there ever used a trolling motor instead of 2 cycle low horse power out board for an inflatable dinghy? Sure would be cheaper and cleaner! I'm exploring this option, but need to know if it is just a waste of money to buy electric. Any feed back would be great!
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Matt
yep
I use a 1hp trolling motor and it's fine for a tender, but w/any chop or winds it's tough. Got a 9 ft. achilles w/out a bracket so I hold it in my hand. Moves 4 people and gear. The only pain is the battery which is a heavy load to keep moving. MR
I use a 1hp trolling motor and it's fine for a tender, but w/any chop or winds it's tough. Got a 9 ft. achilles w/out a bracket so I hold it in my hand. Moves 4 people and gear. The only pain is the battery which is a heavy load to keep moving. MR
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Dan Bryant
I do it
I use a Minnikota trolling motor on my dinghy and it works fine. It doesn't go to fast, but is stores well under seatee (along with the battery). Big safety benefit: no gas on board. I've never run out of juice going to shore, and it opens up gunkholing spots that are far from the beach.
I use a Minnikota trolling motor on my dinghy and it works fine. It doesn't go to fast, but is stores well under seatee (along with the battery). Big safety benefit: no gas on board. I've never run out of juice going to shore, and it opens up gunkholing spots that are far from the beach.
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Royce
Considered it
I considered it, but I found a slightly used 2.7hp Cruise N Carry air cooled outboard for $150. It's so light and easy to handle and start. Only bad thing is I think they are out of business.
I considered it, but I found a slightly used 2.7hp Cruise N Carry air cooled outboard for $150. It's so light and easy to handle and start. Only bad thing is I think they are out of business.
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steven f.
battery life?
I've also considered it, in fact I'm in the market for a new 2.5 hp for my dink. I wonder how long a decient deep cell batt. will power a trolling motor and how do you recharge it while cruising?
I've also considered it, in fact I'm in the market for a new 2.5 hp for my dink. I wonder how long a decient deep cell batt. will power a trolling motor and how do you recharge it while cruising?
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chris
I use one
I use a trolling motor on my canoe to fish the gulf of mexico . It works great I will test it on my dinghy as the rowing is starting to get old. The battery lasts me a good 5 hour fishing trip no problem. I just asked for a trolling motor battery Chris
I use a trolling motor on my canoe to fish the gulf of mexico . It works great I will test it on my dinghy as the rowing is starting to get old. The battery lasts me a good 5 hour fishing trip no problem. I just asked for a trolling motor battery Chris
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Doug
What about cleaner, quieter 4 stroke?
We have a 10.5 foot inflatable floor Zodiak with a 4 stroke, 4 horse Yamaha engine with built in fuel tank. It is quite and burns clean without thowing 2 stroke oil into our favorite waterways (we have PWC for that). We can run for hours on this engine without refilling. It will travel about 15 kts or so but we are never in a hurry. My only problem with Trolling is that I don't like to row long distances against tidal current and wind and I have problems keeping my cell phone fully charges. Doug
We have a 10.5 foot inflatable floor Zodiak with a 4 stroke, 4 horse Yamaha engine with built in fuel tank. It is quite and burns clean without thowing 2 stroke oil into our favorite waterways (we have PWC for that). We can run for hours on this engine without refilling. It will travel about 15 kts or so but we are never in a hurry. My only problem with Trolling is that I don't like to row long distances against tidal current and wind and I have problems keeping my cell phone fully charges. Doug
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larry mckay
current
Great idea,I row now about 50yds to my mooring in the Kennebunkport river. The thing I question is would I have enough power for the current,about 3 to 5 knots?????????????/
Great idea,I row now about 50yds to my mooring in the Kennebunkport river. The thing I question is would I have enough power for the current,about 3 to 5 knots?????????????/
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Clyde Lichtenwalner
It could work
I believe that for the cruiser an electric tender may be an excellent choice. The 12 volts necessary to charge the battery can come from many sources, solar, wind, generator, or the main engine. No need to scout up gas in remote locations. I have used an electric trolling motor on an aluminum resevoir fishing boat for years, and can report that with a fresh group 27 battery it will power very nicely for 4 hours or so. I feel it is a great substitute for the typical 2 hp gasoline motor. Nothing is more silent when exploring the back waters. The down side is hefting a battery (as heavy as a larger outboard) on and off the tender for charging. It may be possible to bring the DC to the tender and leave the battery in place. Keeping this limitation in mind, I see no reason why it would not work.
I believe that for the cruiser an electric tender may be an excellent choice. The 12 volts necessary to charge the battery can come from many sources, solar, wind, generator, or the main engine. No need to scout up gas in remote locations. I have used an electric trolling motor on an aluminum resevoir fishing boat for years, and can report that with a fresh group 27 battery it will power very nicely for 4 hours or so. I feel it is a great substitute for the typical 2 hp gasoline motor. Nothing is more silent when exploring the back waters. The down side is hefting a battery (as heavy as a larger outboard) on and off the tender for charging. It may be possible to bring the DC to the tender and leave the battery in place. Keeping this limitation in mind, I see no reason why it would not work.
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sandra
we have electric motor
We have an electric motor on a 380 Hunter. It has worked well so far. The only concern would be in strong current or strong wind when the electrical motor might not be enough; however we have had no problems in the first year. We have the battery stored in the lazerette (sp?) it is wired to the alternator and have never had a problem.
We have an electric motor on a 380 Hunter. It has worked well so far. The only concern would be in strong current or strong wind when the electrical motor might not be enough; however we have had no problems in the first year. We have the battery stored in the lazerette (sp?) it is wired to the alternator and have never had a problem.
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A.L. ("Jim") Willis Pres of ISLAND GIRL PROD.
Use Sails (with a Tinker)
As an addition to the trolling motot and oars, Tinker inflatables have sails too and can be used (with canopy) ans an internally self-rightable liferaft. Coincidentally I do have a Tinker that I bouth some 6 years ago. JimW
As an addition to the trolling motot and oars, Tinker inflatables have sails too and can be used (with canopy) ans an internally self-rightable liferaft. Coincidentally I do have a Tinker that I bouth some 6 years ago. JimW
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Tony Z
Battery doesn't last too long
I had a 3 HP electric troling motor on an 8' inflatable. It really moved out and had good power too. but .................It sowed battery power big time. I had a big deep cycly batery too. If you only intend minimum use it has it's atvantages. One being it's real easy to use for those family members that are not "Motorheads"
I had a 3 HP electric troling motor on an 8' inflatable. It really moved out and had good power too. but .................It sowed battery power big time. I had a big deep cycly batery too. If you only intend minimum use it has it's atvantages. One being it's real easy to use for those family members that are not "Motorheads"
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Greg W
It works for me
I've got an 8' Walker Bay sailing/rowing dinghy made from molded plastic - which has a V-bottom so it sails & rows great. My power is a 1 hp Minnekota electric trolling motor and a small gel cell battery. On low draw it can last 2 to 3 hours, plenty for cruising around our lake coves. Granted, we don't plane this little boat, and when she's loaded it's slow going. But we're not racing anyway. Don't know how well this setup would work for your flat bottom inflatable.
I've got an 8' Walker Bay sailing/rowing dinghy made from molded plastic - which has a V-bottom so it sails & rows great. My power is a 1 hp Minnekota electric trolling motor and a small gel cell battery. On low draw it can last 2 to 3 hours, plenty for cruising around our lake coves. Granted, we don't plane this little boat, and when she's loaded it's slow going. But we're not racing anyway. Don't know how well this setup would work for your flat bottom inflatable.
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Bob Snyder/Nancy Snyder
Use a Trolling motor
WE use a trolling motor to propel our dinghy.We have used one for 4 seasons.We started using one on an inflateable and now use one on a 9.9 whaler type dinghy.It works great.We use a deep cycle battery for the power for the motor.One great thing about using a trolling motor is that it is very quiet especially when you come in late at night to your mooring.Enjoy!!!!
WE use a trolling motor to propel our dinghy.We have used one for 4 seasons.We started using one on an inflateable and now use one on a 9.9 whaler type dinghy.It works great.We use a deep cycle battery for the power for the motor.One great thing about using a trolling motor is that it is very quiet especially when you come in late at night to your mooring.Enjoy!!!!
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