Electric outboard

[Andrew Walker]

I have a 5.3m X Pro Defender with a Suzuki 60 hp I use for fishing. I want to get in to relatively shallow water 2-3 metres as quietly as possible and maintain a safe distance from rocks etc (I know the area well) and wanted to use an electric outboard just to maintain a drift and make minor corrections etc. It would have to cope with tides but I would be going with the tide and not against it. Has anybody got any experience of using one? Any idea what pound of thrust I might need?

Thanks

[paintman]

Used them quite a bit in freshwater - local trout fishery is pulling boats only but allow you to bring your own electric outboard & battery - & they are very good. Used one belonging to a friend & I THINK it was labelled Shakespeare Sigma but I can't remember what thrust it delivered.
You might find this worth a read: http://www.tackletrade.co.uk/tacklet...boardebay1.pdf
and
BEST UK PRICE Outboard Motor Rib Inflatable Aluminium Boat Package have some fairly forthright views esp on chinese cheapies in their 'download advice sheets' section.

[ShinyShoe]

2-3m of water is fine. Why the silent approach or would you need to kill us if you tell us?

I don't know what the situation you would be in but if you are in 2m of water you aren't far from rocks. Do you want to risk an underpowered engine with a flattening battery near to hazards?

5.3m is not huge but its not small. If you work on the rule of thumb for an Aux of 1HP per m, you would want a 5HP if it was petrol. I may be wrong but I think thats quite big for electric? (??4kW at the prop)

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

2-3m of water is fine. Why the silent approach or would you need to kill us if you tell us?

I don't know what the situation you would be in but if you are in 2m of water you aren't far from rocks. Do you want to risk an underpowered engine with a flattening battery near to hazards?

5.3m is not huge but its not small. If you work on the rule of thumb for an Aux of 1HP per m, you would want a 5HP if it was petrol. I may be wrong but I think thats quite big for electric? (??4kW at the prop)

Bass fishing at a guess.

I wouldn't want a chinese cheapy. You could end up with your lower unit fizzing away.

Not quite sure what AdWords thinks this thread is about btw. I have this coming up as an advert:-

Magical Love Spells
for marriage, divorce, voodoo, luck and bad luck. Curse charms

[Poly]

Sixty is sending you subtle messages!

[willk]

Originally Posted by Poly

Sixty is sending you subtle messages!

Tuts, you mean Sixy

Sixty is his Mam

[r3tmac]

Electric 12 , 24, or 36 volt trolling motors are really used a lot here in North America, They are very popular with fishermen here, especially bass fishermen.
The power is measured in pounds of thrust.{LBS} 35 Lbs thrust and they go up from there with corresponding voltage increase, requiring 2 or 3 12 volt Deep Cycle batteries tied together
A 55 LB thrust electric would be ideal for an 18 foot Rib.
here is an example of high quality american electric motors. Minn Kota Motors

[Andrew Walker]

Thanks guys. Minn kota is my current choice as I have heard many good things. Yes, bass fishing close in is the purpose and the outboard would scare the bejesus out of any self respecting bass in 2 or 3 metres. I would always have the o/b should the electric pack up but that would end the fishing in that spot. Sounds like the 55lb thrust Minn kota would move the RIB but I only need nudging to keep the drift where I want it. If I have to move 5 yards with the o/b, - no point in fishing!


Thanks guys