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...

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Originally Posted by Bluebulldog

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.

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I disagree with this I have a nissan 5hp with a built in tank I run on an older coleman scanoe,I replaced a evinrude 6 hp with seperate tank. No more tank in the scanoe taking up room,just a small jerry can with a couple litres of extra fuel if needed for longer days. I would never go back to a seperate tank motor.

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Originally Posted by bow slayer

I disagree with this I have a nissan 5hp with a built in tank I run on an older coleman scanoe,I replaced a evinrude 6 hp with seperate tank. No more tank in the scanoe taking up room,just a small jerry can with a couple litres of extra fuel if needed for longer days. I would never go back to a seperate tank motor.

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You realize that the OP has a standard canoe, with a "side stern mount" right? Not a square stern canoe?

You can disagree all you want, but most side stern mounts need to sit 6" or better off the side of the canoe. Even if your motor had a 2L capacity, that's still 3.24 lbs of fuel in addition to the weight of the motor sitting on an outrigger. Anything that can be done to mitigate the imbalance is preferred, including the use of a small external tank.

I am interested in these separate tanks! I can't honestly say that I have come across one before. I will keep my eyes open for them on kijiji/craigslist.

I find that a double end canoe with a cross bar for the motor is a lot more comfortable to use than a square stern that has the motor sitting dead center of your back. The weight of the motor is only 10-12" from the centreline and well inboard of the widest section of the boat. I would prefer a separate tank as I always seem to spill a bit when filling the tank on the motor out in the lake, even with a one gallon jerry can. The separate tank can be placed where-ever you need the ballast...even though it is only a few pounds.

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Originally Posted by Bluebulldog

You realize that the OP has a standard canoe, with a "side stern mount" right? Not a square stern canoe?

You can disagree all you want, but most side stern mounts need to sit 6" or better off the side of the canoe. Even if your motor had a 2L capacity, that's still 3.24 lbs of fuel in addition to the weight of the motor sitting on an outrigger. Anything that can be done to mitigate the imbalance is preferred, including the use of a small external tank.

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did not realize he was talking about a side mount, me bad,just talking in general about a built in tank vs. external tank on smaller outboards on squarebacks.

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Originally Posted by bow slayer

did not realize he was talking about a side mount, me bad,just talking in general about a built in tank vs. external tank on smaller outboards on squarebacks.

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Square stern canoe like yours? Totally, integral tank is fine, you can always just throw a little weight up in the bow if it seems tail heavy.

Electric motor. I like the quietness and the less weight of an electric motor. Go for a 55-lb minn kota, buy a couple nice batteries. You can always switch after a day's trolling for a new one for the next day. And that can be a good weekend. Charge the used batteries for 24 hours and you will for sure get full juice back. I have an inflatable and the electric motor is super quite. It's feels nicer on the lake with the sound of little water splash, wildlife and maybe your ipod. But with a 2 stroke gas motor, you will be feeling like working in a warehouse for a full day. And mounting a lighter motor is definitely easier than having your gas motor. It's just my opinion.

Also, Youtube for some nice setups people have done. I've seen many nicely modded canoes. Maybe get some ideas there?

I don't know about you, but my 2 hp only weighs about 40 lbs... Or half the weight of a battery.

I've had both, used a 2hp up until it lost compression a few years ago, then I got a big electric and an Optima battery. The electric works fine on my 12 ft car topper, but I'd sooner carry the gas (even on the bike) to use on the canoe. Over the years I've used the 2 hp on a 17' Grumman, 14' canvas and now a 12' Coleman. Dumped the canoe once on each, but got the motor running again within the hour.Dont know what would have happened to a 60lb battery....

I used to have a Sportpal and I mounted a 55 lb. thrust elect. mtr on the bow using a sheet of aluminum,ran the controls back to where I was seated and it worked great....pulling your canoe is the way to go,NOT pushing it....wind doesn't affect where you're going,you just go there

Paddles don't weigh much ;)

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Originally Posted by Thumperrr

I used to have a Sportpal and I mounted a 55 lb. thrust elect. mtr on the bow using a sheet of aluminum,ran the controls back to where I was seated and it worked great....pulling your canoe is the way to go,NOT pushing it....wind doesn't affect where you're going,you just go there

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Best idea I heard yet!

I use to love my 40 lb thrust minn-kota on the canoe, but if I put it to far forward on the canoe ( to a comfy position) it didn't turn well, so I would always mount it back behind me, to an uncomfortable position and it turned great but you had a soar side and back by the end of the day especially on a windy day.

MC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thumperrr

I used to have a Sportpal and I mounted a 55 lb. thrust elect. mtr on the bow using a sheet of aluminum,ran the controls back to where I was seated and it worked great....pulling your canoe is the way to go,NOT pushing it....wind doesn't affect where you're going,you just go there

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I thought the same thing and it worked great in open water. Ran into a problem when I got tangled up in some brush though and had to walk to the front of the canoe to free the prop.....

Coming from a tournament fishing background. I always look for ways to keep my bait in the water then in the boat. My go to knot is the palomar knot, it’s easy, fast and so many different uses. From the drop shot to fishing lures, you can have total confident in this knot. Here is a link to tie a true palomar knot Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4lGUK_12Uo

henry Nguyen

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Originally Posted by Legend Boats

Coming from a tournament fishing background. I always look for ways to keep my bait in the water then in the boat. My go to knot is the palomar knot, it’s easy, fast and so many different uses. From the drop shot to fishing lures, you can have total confident in this knot. Here is a link to tie a true palomar knot Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4lGUK_12Uo

henry Nguyen

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Just curious how is this thread related, I agree great knot.