ive been playing around with my setup, and have been trying to break there 5 mph barrier, while staying in the 12v range.
here is what i have come up with
BOAT:
- 1436 Alumacraft | 135 lbs
- http://www.alumacraft.com/jon_pdf/14.pdf
through the top speed without going on a plain forumla, i should be in between the following speeds
ESTIMATED TOP SPEEDS:
- 12 FT BOAT: 4.44 KNOTS = 5.11 MPH
- 14 FT BOAT: 4.83 KNOTS = 5.56 MPH
WEIGHT:
- 150 = boat
- 350 = 2 persons
- 050 = 2 12v 55# minn kota endura motors @ 25 lbs / motor
- 165 = 3 everstart maxx-29 batteries @ 55 lbs / battery
- 050 = estimated gear weight
these were on the boat while testing but where not in use.
- 050 = 2 12v 30# minn kota endura motors @ 25 lbs / motor
- 765 = estimated gross weight
SPEEDS:
- 1 rear 12v 30# = 3.0 mph
- carrying only 1 battery
- without carrying 2 12v 55# motors
- 605 = estimated gross weight
- 2 rear 12v 30# = 3.3 mph
- carrying only 1 battery
- without carrying 2 12v 55# motors
- 605 = estimated gross weight
- 1 rear 12v 30# & 1 rea 12v 50# = 4.0 mph
- carrying only 1 battery
- without carrying 2 12v 55# motors
- 630 = estimated gross weight
- 1 rear 12v 55# = 3.5 mph
- 765 = estimated gross weight
- 2 rear 12v 55# = 4.5 mph
- 765 = estimated gross weight
my final setup will be the 2 rear 55# motors. what i found is that when playing with the motor depth in the water, i can either slow the boat up by dropping them further which causes more drag. i can raise them up just below the surface and get optimum speed.
though i noticed on the way home we were averaging 4.2 mph, which i found a bit odd. these are brand new batteries, so i suspect they were not fully charged from sitting in the store for long periods of time.
i also dropped down the 1 front 30# motor in the front for steering. i noticed a speed drop so i dont use it while making runs. if i dropped the motor in front, it would reduce the speed from 4.5 mph to 4.2/4.3 mph. though i believe if i switched to a 3rd 55# thrust up front, i can break the 5.0 mph barrier.
above is another setup using my boat. i didnt go with a 24v though. i chose to go dual 12v. if i went with a single 24v, and my motor died, i would be out another $500, and be stuck without a motor. now if an motor died on me now, i would be out $250 and would still have another motor. i do like how he kept it simple, and broke the 5.0 mph barrier.
im still debating if i should step up and go to a similar route, but what puzzles me is that i would have to add switches to the 24v setup if i want to use those batteries for my lights, live well or fish finder. i dont want to add switches, because if i forget to turn one off, i might fry my electronics.
... oh decisions decisions
what are your speeds and setups?
thanks