lid wrote:

On Thu, 8 Apr 2004 15:14:59 -0700, "Tony Roberts"
wrote:

Can't paddle like I used to - is a small outboard the answer?
Tony

I used to use a little MinKota electric on my canoe. Crept up river
relatively slowly and very quietly. A couple of times startled the
heck out of wild turkeys near the shore. Once during hunting season
when they're really paranoid. You'll want a motor mount (my Stearns
inflatable has one, but I quietly set it aside as soon as I bought
it). The battery, however, weighs as much as a full gas tank. I got
tired of carrying it to and from the truck. Hmmm. If I used the boat
ramp, I'd be closer, right? Maybe I'll try that again on this one.
But first I'll try hefting a battery. Now that I have an indoor
garage with electric plugs, I'd not have to carry it from vehicle to
house, either. And I'm using a car, so the lift in and out wouldn't
be as high. The motor itself is very light, btw.

There are smaller batteries that you could hook two or three in
parallel to get the same power and not have to lift so much. Also it
can be good to use one on the way out and while fishing and have the
other ready to take you home. That way you know you have the power to
make it back without having to break out the paddle.

--
Gordon Niessen
If you aren't on the bleeding edge, you are history.

On 12 Apr 2004 06:43:45 -0600, "Gordon Niessen"
wrote:


But first I'll try hefting a battery. Now that I have an indoor
garage with electric plugs, I'd not have to carry it from vehicle to
house, either. And I'm using a car, so the lift in and out wouldn't
be as high. The motor itself is very light, btw.

There are smaller batteries that you could hook two or three in
parallel to get the same power and not have to lift so much. Also it
can be good to use one on the way out and while fishing and have the
other ready to take you home. That way you know you have the power to
make it back without having to break out the paddle.


Cool idea. Thank you.
--
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Though I'm very slow to respond.
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Richard Ferguson wrote:

I have a 4 hp Yamaha 4-stroke, much quieter than my old 7 hp 2-stroke,
especially at low RPM. I imagine that a smaller Honda 4 stroke would be
even quieter.

I have not used it on my canoe, too heavy, probably too powerful, around
50 pounds, I recall.

What size is your canoe? For weight/power comparison (not sound levels)
I have an older Evinrude twin-6 which weighs just about 50# and drives
my 20' canoe just dandy. I have some counterweights that help trim the
canoe - run them up or down the right side till trim. Loaded light or
heavy I can make excellent time in calm water; loaded light to medium I
have excellent power & control in anything up to Class II+ whitewater.

Unless your canoe is ratther small, say under 16', I'd guess that
careful experimentation with load & trim would get you good results. I'd
suggest 18' minimum for canoe w/ flat bottom or very slight vee if any.

Yours in the north Maine woods,
Pete Hilton (Reg. Maine Guide) aka The Ent

--
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It's really that simple.
Walt Kelly