Advice about adding trolling motor to a 17' canoe

[huntingdad]

Hello

I'm finally admitting I'm aging out of canoeing and want to put a trolling motor on my canoe.
I'm adding it for backup power in case the lake blows up or my partner or I are injured. I don't want to use it for normal travel. Just as backup.
My canoe is a quetico 17 with lots of capacity. The canoe will be loaded with gear (about 700-800 lbs). I'll make a clamp on bracket for it.
I'm thinking of 30 lbs of thrust and 80-100 Amp hours. Does that make sense?
Thanks for any advice
HD

[Keithwhite1]

Hey HD, that sounds like a solid plan for backup power. A 30 lb thrust motor should give you enough oomph to move that heavy load when needed without being overkill. And 80-100 Ah of battery capacity sounds about right for a decent runtime in an emergency. Just make sure your clamp bracket is sturdy and well-secured to handle the weight and torque. Also, a deep cycle marine battery would be best for that kind of setup.

[huntingdad]

Thanks for the quick reply Keith.
I appreciate it.
I'm hoping to clamp (with a bolt on system) to the gunnels and I'll also tether it all. I'll screw into the aluminum gunnels if needed.
HD

[Fenelon]

Hello

I'm finally admitting I'm aging out of canoeing and want to put a trolling motor on my canoe.
I'm adding it for backup power in case the lake blows up or my partner or I are injured. I don't want to use it for normal travel. Just as backup.
My canoe is a quetico 17 with lots of capacity. The canoe will be loaded with gear (about 700-800 lbs). I'll make a clamp on bracket for it.
I'm thinking of 30 lbs of thrust and 80-100 Amp hours. Does that make sense?
Thanks for any advice
HD

i wouldn’t bother with an electric. You’ll be stuck carrying a big bulky 70lb battery that will run down. Just get a canoe motor mount (four pounds with hand screw clamps) and a gas motor. I have a 3.2hp Mariner that weighs 27 lbs. the little four strokes by honda and suzuki are great and you run all day on a couple of cups of gas. I run the Mariner on a 17 foot canoe. 1/3 throttle is as fast as I go.