17' Canoe Trolling motor options

[bow slayer]

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.

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.

[Bluebulldog]

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.

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.

[bird blaster]

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.

[Pat32rf]

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.

[bow slayer]

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.

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.

[Bluebulldog]

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.

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.

[1090]

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?

[kdp89]

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

[Pat32rf]

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....

[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