17' Canoe Trolling motor options

I was looking for some opinions regarding trolling motors for my 17' canoe.

I have a 17' Wenonah Spirit II with a side-stern mount and I am looking for what might be reasonable options for trolling. This will mostly be used close to camp with 1-2 people on board. Most of the fishing will be solo with the occasional tandem adventure. All will be day trips. I would like to have options to do 2-3 day trips as my son gets a bit older so having some range is important. My concerns are weight as well as range

The obvious options are electric (considering 40+lb/thrust), 4-stroke 2.5hp'ish or an older 2-stroke 2+hp engine.

If gas trolling is the way to go, would a 4-stroke be worth the weight? If not, is anyone currently making 2-strokes? I can't find any from the big manufactures (unless I completely missed it!).

thanks for the input.

bb

I had a 17 ft Coleman canoe. I notched a 2x4 and tied it down to the seat supports then mounted my electric trolling motor onto the 2x4. Worked really well for day trips.

If you're planning on mostly 2-3 day trips you'll either need multiple batteries for an electric or go for a small gas motor.

we have a canoe at the cottage and the range with a gas motor was far better but we have gone elec for fishing as it is so easy to move spots and troll with it, variable instead of set speeds, 1 battery to go fishing with and 1 to get u home, put them where u need them in the boat to weight the canoe so the front doesn't get pushed around by the wind. we just use jumper cables to extend the wiring.

I run an old evinrude 2hp on the back of my square stern. Moves around quite quickly, about twice as fast as 2 people can paddle in another canoe. It also trolls down slow enough to just turn the blades on a spinner. Oh, and I can troll all day long on about 1 litre of gas. Typically I fill the internal tank on the beginning of a long weekend canoe trip and it lasts me all weekend.

That would definitely be my route. I love that little motor. They can be found on kijiji for around $300.

My 2hp Evinrude is in the shop waiting for parts. On a 17' Grumman it would really move. On a 12' Sportspal it will almost get up and plane. Just wish it had neutral for when you git a hit or are fighting a fish. Your only two choices are to shut it down or point the canoe to the middle of the lake. Either way, things can get busy while playing a lunker in the wind.

I am definetely leaning more towards the gas option - mostly because the range increases significantly. I guess the hardpart might be finding a little 2+hp 2-stroke locally. Certainly the 4-strokes don't sound like it is worth the extra weight.

I also have an old 2 hp Evinrude that pushes my 14' Sportspal pretty good with 2 people and gear in it. While fighting a fish, I have had the canoe going around in circles. It worked too ! The bad side of those small older motors is they can cost a ton in the shop!

Yes, once the compression goes they may start and run at high speed ok but they don't idle down to trolling speed with any reliability.

Keep your eye open on Kijiji for smaller 2hp 2 strokes, with detached tank, not the integral tank that some came with.

The separate tank is better to shift weight around in the canoe, and makes for less weight on the motor itself.

There are even a few air cooled 2hp motors out there...