trolling motor

[GB]

Has anyone ever used a trolling motor to power a 23-24 foot boat. If so how much thrust, how long would you run it, and how well did it work. Thanks.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

It doesn't work all that well

GB -I had a trolling motor on may Daysailer for a while and it didn't work very well, let alone on a larger boat. The issue is that while it is not hard to find a trolling motor with enough thrust, they move the boat at very low speeds. Unlike an outboard where revs are often limited by the weight of a boat, the trolling motor is designed to push the boat slowly. Doesn't work well in chop or tidal or river currents.The battery issue is also prohibitive, but you probably won't even get to that.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Ray Bowles]

The battery issue is the killer as sometimes you

need an engine that can carry you for miles, not minutes. Other times you might need speed which is low with electric motors. The beauty of a gas motor is that you can run for 3 or 4 hours and still have more than that left if needed on the same day.Ray

 

[Denny P.]

We are not there yet

I have seen some examples of electric powered boats traveling the waterways.. Tour boats, for example, however, they operate at the owners pleasure, I.E. when the conditions are just right. There are I believe three that operate from the Ft. Myers Yacht basin. These are dedicated electric boats used for a short span and then berthed for recharging. I have been using electric trolling motors on fishing boats for at least thrity years, sometimes on lakes that demanded that only electric motors be used. I always carried at least two or three heavy duty batteries and on very windy days also used two or three trolling motors to power my fourteen ft. aluminum jon boat. The technology is not there yet to use electric power as a sole, long distance, dependable, aux. motor on a sailing vessel.... Maybe someday, but, for now I would stick to an outboard. The lil fourstrokes are as dependable as anything marketed and mine use VERY little fuel and make hardly any noise when in use..All the best.......Denny P.