[hunterfishercamper]

Re: Looking for a Canoe

While looking at canoes i noticed some come with the flat rear end. Do you need this flat transom to use a electric trollign motor or would a pointed end still work? I was think of buildign a bracket to mount the trollign motor on adn then mounting that onto the canoe. Has anyone used a canoe with a trolling motor before and if so how does it handle (especially durign turning a higher speeds)?

 

[idratherbfishing]

I have used a trolling motor on a canoe.  They are more stable with a square stern.  If you don't have a square stern there are mounts that clamp to the gunwales.  The problem with these is the motor is mounted 6-8 inches away from the side of the canoe.  A narrow canoe is more unstable with this configuration. Don't try to make fast tight turn!  You may easily find yourself in the water.  (I know from experience)

Definitely move the battery as far forward as possible especially if alone.  This will also help stabilize the canoe by keeping your weight balanced. (I used an old pair of jumper cables to lengthen the power cables and move the battery forward another 6 feet)  Sometimes I also put a bag of sand in the bow, kept me nice and stable.

only put the motor in about half the lenght of the shaft, deeper will make it more likely to tip.

You don't need a high thrust with a canoe 30 pounds of thrust is enough.  I could get the canoe going about 3-4 mph with that. 

Another thing to remember is any time you put any type of motor on a boat, raft or other floating device you need to have it registered and display the registration on the boat.

If i can remeber where i bought my motor mount at I will let you know,  I have had it about 3 years and it cost around 60.  Before I bought it i worked up a way to clamp it directly to the side of the canoe but switched to the mount because i was worried it would damage (crack or puncture) the side of the canoe.  Probably less of a concern with an aluminum or wood canoe.

Hope this helps.

Dan

 

[hunterfishercamper]

Re: Looking for a Canoe

Thanks. So you would recommend a wider bottom with a square stern? Does your trolling motor twist or warp your canoe any when you take off. If so have you foudn any problems with this? I researched the registration stuff last night and saw that i would have to register my canoe.

 

[idratherbfishing]

Re: Looking for a Canoe

I have not noted any twisting or warping when I take off. I would not expect that unless you have one of those super light weight models.

Dan