Trolling motor instead of gas?

Kermit · Feb 18, 2013

Try it. Let us know how it works out. Inquiring minds want to know!

jepomer · Feb 18, 2013

oliversdad said:
I recently acquired a trolling motor and two batteries.The motor is rated at 28# thrust.I have a 19 weekender and am thinking of using this motor instead of the 4.5 evinrude.Anyone have any experience with electric motors?Is this enough power?I'm on a lake and only use the motor for docking.Thanks...Barry:neutral:

I used a Minn Kota Endura 50 on my O'Day 19 for several years. It was very practical to use for simple maneuvering in the mooring fields and docking. The motor was sufficiently powerful enough for most situations.

The two (2) GC2 "golf cart" batteries (225 amp-hours at 12 volts) were mounted in the cockpit where the portable toilet or cooler goes. I actually had two sets of batteries (450 amp-hour) since I wanted to go for a week on Lake Champlain without needing a charge. The added weight was centrally located and did not affect the balance. It also helped a bit with stability (260 lbs).

I also used the Minn Kota in Boston Harbor and Portsmouth NH even going up the Piscataqua River. But don't expect to do more than 3 knots...

Three years ago I used the same trolling motor on my Capri 22. The motor did not have enough power to move and control the Capri 22 into the wind. I switched to the Torqeedo Cruise 2.0 - it was like using the Nissan 5 HP gas engine. I used the same set of four (4) GC2 batteries arranged to give 24 vdc at 225 amp-hours. The Torqeedo motor is very efficient compared to the Minn Kota.

The Torqeedo Travel 503 would be sufficient to move your O'Day 19 even better than a trolling motor. But the trolling motor would be much less expensive.

So, try the trolling motor since you have it. Unless you are dealing with high winds and strong currents, you should be fine.

Joe11688 · Feb 20, 2013

I would go for it Barry.
Let me make one other suggestion while I'm at it too; I would build a sculling oar or a Yuloh and mount a provision for an oar lock on the stern and also on the combing of which ever side of the boat you choose. I'm right handed so I would mount it on the Starboard combing.

Either that, or pick up a small kayak of about 9' and tow it behind your boat. A small kayak offers little to no resistants. You wouldn't even know you were towing it. If something happens where you have no power or no wind, you could tow your boat with your kayak. I'm serious. I've towed my O'Day 222 with my 9' Aqua-Terra kayak a few times. It's not that easy but ya know what? I'd get in the water and swim while towing my boat with the rope in my teeth before I'd call Sea Tow.

Griffinroydonald · Feb 20, 2013

I replaced my Gas 9.9 with an electric trolling motor several years ago and have no regrets. The boat is fresh water use only at this time and I don't have problems with currents and tides by being in a small lake. I plan on installing the gas motor again in the spring and using both as needed. I love the ability to step from the dock and move the boat to a safe place to raise the mast and set up the rigging. The electric motor calls for a full charge at the start of the day or I can just run the generator to charge the batteries. I am using a large battery bank of 6 deep cells at the moment with no problems.

soldier1964 · Feb 20, 2013

I used my minn kota on a 20' oday on the lake. even in windy conditions, it moved me across the lake and back to the dock. it should work pretty nice for you. by the way, mine was hooked to two semi truck batteries and running on low and med-lo. have fun with it...

Bruce · Feb 23, 2013

I used. 32lb thrust Minn Kota on a Chrysler c-20 and loved it. In the right situations it was perfect . Quiet and dependable for smaller lakes / winds under 12 knots. Useless in windy conditions though.

Mike19 · Feb 26, 2013

I have used several Minn Kota electric motors on different boats including a Precision 21 and 23, which are much heavier than the O'Day 19. I sail on a "no power lake", so it's the only option. In a strong blow, they struggle, but they work. We use a solar charger so that the battery is always charged, and we have never run out of juice, even running the motor for a couple of hours at medium speed on no wind days. The motor on high seems to be able to move the boat in any kind of breeze, but being on a lake, we don't deal with big wave action. It's a beautiful thing - no gas, no fumes, no pollution, and almost completely silent. There is one larger boat on the lake of about 25' that has two electric motors, which I suspect would work in just about any situation.