I Am Curious About Outboards!

[slonezp]

I have the option to do that with HB, Lakemaster, and MK. When I go fishing, my "plans" are constantly changing. What you are proposing may be better suited for someone who trolls for fish, rather than bass fishermen.

[slonezp]

http://youtu.be/fpNej1Q35ow

 

http://www.campionboats.com/news/campion-runs-worlds-most-powerful-electric-outboard/

 

 

I was way off on my pricing guess

[tomustang]

Yes, we agree which is why we are trying to understand and develop an outboard that will satisfy a fisherman's needs/wants/etc..

 

You should go find a used 21' bass boat with a blown engine where you can strip it off and run your different electric motors and battery options. Bet you would have a field day in new jersey since they have an overabundance of electric only lakes.

[tomustang]

http://youtu.be/fpNej1Q35ow

 

http://www.campionboats.com/news/campion-runs-worlds-most-powerful-electric-outboard/

 

 

I was way off on my pricing guess

 

That gets a +1 because of the back to the future song

 

 

50 grand for a motor though, ouch

[Stephanie Ellis]

Practical: useful: appropriate, sensible, and likely to be effective.

 

You are not going to move a twenty foot bass boat around with an electric motor, unless...........you devote every square foot of storage for batteries to operate an electric motor capable of moving the boat around, and even then, they are not likely to get the boat up on plane.  The cost would be astronomical.  A battery charger capable of recharging the banks of batteries overnight would cost an arm and a leg, if you could find one.

 

If you look at electric cars (not hybrids) they are limited in the distance they can travel before they need to be recharged.  You can refill your gas tank and be on your way in a few minutes.  It can take hours to recharge the batteries in electric cars.  Yes, there may be some chargers that can do it quicker, but you wouldn't want to have to buy one.  Go to a recharging station and it will cost you more to recharge your batteries than it does to buy gasoline to go thirty or forty miles, which is about seven dollars for two gallons of gasoline.

 

They are definitely not practical for towing a bass boat to the lake, and then home again.  Since it is harder to push a boat through the water, than it is to propel a vehicle along a highway, they are a long way from developing a battery, motor propulsion for a boat that can do it for the cost of propelling a boat with an internal combustion outboard motor.

 

I have a canoe with a trolling motor.  It is a practical combination for fishing small lakes/ponds.  I can fish for a day on a fully charged battery in good condition, and fully  recharge the battery in about eight hours. 

 

There are some ponds I fish which I could fish my canoe, or my Nitro Z8.  My 20 foot Z8 with a 200 horsepower outboard is my vessel of choice, because it is more practical.  I burn less than two gallons of gasoline on a typical fishing day, and catch more than twice as many fish from the Nitro, and I can fish more comfortably.  I spend maybe ten minutes running on the 200 hp gas engine to get from place to place, and three or four hours cruising from place to place at four mph with the trolling motor on my canoe.

 

The pond or lake I am going to fish is the determining factor of which boat is more practical.  For some, budgetary constraints may be the prime factor in determining which is more practical.  If you buy a bass boat, and then cannot afford to run it, that would not be practical.

 

It depends on what you want to do and whether or not you can afford it.  That is the ultimate factor in what is or is not practical.

 

http://youtu.be/fpNej1Q35ow

 

http://www.campionboats.com/news/campion-runs-worlds-most-powerful-electric-outboard/

 

 

I was way off on my pricing guess

That's awesome!!  Thanks so much for sharing that video with me!  I enjoyed it!!

[Stephanie Ellis]

There is a tool for every job, but no tool can do every job.

 

So it is with electric motors.  Currently, they are not practical as the primary propulsion on a typical bass boat.

I agree.  So, based on your sound knowledge and experience, what would you consider to be a practical boat for an electric outboard motor that is roughly the same as the Minnkota Power Drive V2 with consolidated features that you would not have to buy separately?  In other words, who do you think would like this motor option?

[Stephanie Ellis]

My Ipilot can do that, has its own remote.

Are you able to just "tap and go"?  Or do you have to "record" your course first and then you can later navigate to it??

[slonezp]

I agree.  So, based on your sound knowledge and experience, what would you consider to be a practical boat for an electric outboard motor that is roughly the same as the Minnkota Power Drive V2 with consolidated features that you would not have to buy separately?  In other words, who do you think would like this motor option?

When you say outboard, you are referring to a trolling motor?

 

Are you able to just "tap and go"?  Or do you have to "record" your course first and then you can later navigate to it??

Both. You can record and save multiple tracks or set your direction and go. Teamed up with the HB and Lakemaster, there are more options.

[Glenn]

I'm not a big fan of autopilot.  The anchor feature over deeper water is about the only thing I might use it for.

 

As for electric boats?  I've been pining for one of these babies for some of the smaller lakes in my area: http://freedomelectricmarine.com/

 

As for battery issues - lithium batteries are the way to go if you're going all-electric.  Expensive as all get out, but you didn't ask about that. 

[Fishing Rhino]

I agree.  So, based on your sound knowledge and experience, what would you consider to be a practical boat for an electric outboard motor that is roughly the same as the Minnkota Power Drive V2 with consolidated features that you would not have to buy separately?  In other words, who do you think would like this motor option?

 

I'm sorry, but I cannot provide a definitive answer.  I know some fishermen have the Minnkota with the Ipilot  and love it.  I know someone who replaced his Motorguide with the autopilot Minnkota and within a few weeks he replaced it with another Motorguide.  He was comfortable with the operation of the Motorguide and found the difference in the way each operated to be frustrating.

 

I have a Minnkota Traxxis 55 lb thrust on my canoe.  The speed control circuit burned out and was replaced under warranty.  On my Nitro Z-8, the steering cable on my Motorguide pulled apart last year while on the road trip at Pickwick.  Fortunately Alpster helped me get it apart and make a jury rig repair, which kept the boat going until I got home and took it to the dealer for warranty repair.

 

I am uncomfortable making recommendations to anyone about what type of boat or motor is practical for their needs/wants.  If I tell someone to try a bait which will cost them five or ten bucks, it's no big deal.  But when it comes to boats and motors, you're talking some serious dollars, even if it's "just" a few hundred dollars. 

 

A boat is a platform on the water whose purpose is to get you where the fish are.  The type of platform, how you rig it, and how you power it are choices based on personal preferences.  I'll fish on just about any type of boat.  My canoe is perfect for negotiating this narrow creek to get from the launch area to a local pond.

 

 

 

It's also good for open water.  East Antioch Lake at Rocky Mountain State Park in GA.

 

 

And the Bass Hunter in the "puddle" behind our daughter's home in GA.

 

[J Francho]

For $4k one could buy a slightly used aluminum boat and would have a lot more versatility than a kayak

 

A jon boat is not going to do well in Great Lakes or the ocean.  Kayaks can.

[J Francho]

Why would you say this is?

 

Bass boats are expensive, kayaking is an inexpensive option, but paddling is work.  A powered kayak as an affordable and relaxing option to the traditional bass boat is a real option for many.

[Stephanie Ellis]

Practical: useful: appropriate, sensible, and likely to be effective.

 

You are not going to move a twenty foot bass boat around with an electric motor, unless...........you devote every square foot of storage for batteries to operate an electric motor capable of moving the boat around, and even then, they are not likely to get the boat up on plane.  The cost would be astronomical.  A battery charger capable of recharging the banks of batteries overnight would cost an arm and a leg, if you could find one.

 

If you look at electric cars (not hybrids) they are limited in the distance they can travel before they need to be recharged.  You can refill your gas tank and be on your way in a few minutes.  It can take hours to recharge the batteries in electric cars.  Yes, there may be some chargers that can do it quicker, but you wouldn't want to have to buy one.  Go to a recharging station and it will cost you more to recharge your batteries than it does to buy gasoline to go thirty or forty miles, which is about seven dollars for two gallons of gasoline.

 

They are definitely not practical for towing a bass boat to the lake, and then home again.  Since it is harder to push a boat through the water, than it is to propel a vehicle along a highway, they are a long way from developing a battery, motor propulsion for a boat that can do it for the cost of propelling a boat with an internal combustion outboard motor.

 

I have a canoe with a trolling motor.  It is a practical combination for fishing small lakes/ponds.  I can fish for a day on a fully charged battery in good condition, and fully  recharge the battery in about eight hours. 

 

There are some ponds I fish which I could fish my canoe, or my Nitro Z8.  My 20 foot Z8 with a 200 horsepower outboard is my vessel of choice, because it is more practical.  I burn less than two gallons of gasoline on a typical fishing day, and catch more than twice as many fish from the Nitro, and I can fish more comfortably.  I spend maybe ten minutes running on the 200 hp gas engine to get from place to place, and three or four hours cruising from place to place at four mph with the trolling motor on my canoe.

 

The pond or lake I am going to fish is the determining factor of which boat is more practical.  For some, budgetary constraints may be the prime factor in determining which is more practical.  If you buy a bass boat, and then cannot afford to run it, that would not be practical.

 

It depends on what you want to do and whether or not you can afford it.  That is the ultimate factor in what is or is not practical.

Thanks Tom for going the extra mile and explaining this to me!  I feel the same way you do.  It's been tough because we don't want to keep spinning our wheels not really knowing which direction we should go?  We have spent multiple years on the electric kayak (Volt Boats) and have most recently decided to make a switch to the electric outboard sector and just want to make sure that we are making a wise decision?  Would you be open to spending 10 mins with me on the phone?  I would not be trying to sell you, I really just want to explain to you exactly what we are trying to deliver so that I can get as accurate of a response from a knowledgeable fisherman as I can.  If you are able and willing, I would be most appreciative!  Thanks Tom

[Stephanie Ellis]

Bass boats are expensive, kayaking is an inexpensive option, but paddling is work.  A powered kayak as an affordable and relaxing option to the traditional bass boat is a real option for many.

I agree!  This is why our team spent so many years trying to develop our electric kayak but we have recently made a risky switch to focus on the electric outboard realm for now.  We are just wanting to make sure that we don't spin our wheels, which is why we are looking for experienced fisherman who can help us understand the market.  Would you be at all willing to maybe talk with me for a couple minutes over the phone at some point?  I just feel like I could do a better job communicating with you about exactly what we are trying to do.  I am simply looking for feedback...nothing else.  Please let me know if this is something you wouldn't mind doing?  Thanks so much!

[Stephanie Ellis]

A jon boat is not going to do well in Great Lakes or the ocean.  Kayaks can.

I agree with both arguments.  This is what makes our decision so difficult.

[Stephanie Ellis]

I'm sorry, but I cannot provide a definitive answer.  I know some fishermen have the Minnkota with the Ipilot  and love it.  I know someone who replaced his Motorguide with the autopilot Minnkota and within a few weeks he replaced it with another Motorguide.  He was comfortable with the operation of the Motorguide and found the difference in the way each operated to be frustrating.

 

I have a Minnkota Traxxis 55 lb thrust on my canoe.  The speed control circuit burned out and was replaced under warranty.  On my Nitro Z-8, the steering cable on my Motorguide pulled apart last year while on the road trip at Pickwick.  Fortunately Alpster helped me get it apart and make a jury rig repair, which kept the boat going until I got home and took it to the dealer for warranty repair.

 

I am uncomfortable making recommendations to anyone about what type of boat or motor is practical for their needs/wants.  If I tell someone to try a bait which will cost them five or ten bucks, it's no big deal.  But when it comes to boats and motors, you're talking some serious dollars, even if it's "just" a few hundred dollars. 

 

A boat is a platform on the water whose purpose is to get you where the fish are.  The type of platform, how you rig it, and how you power it are choices based on personal preferences.  I'll fish on just about any type of boat.  My canoe is perfect for negotiating this narrow creek to get from the launch area to a local pond.

 

 

 

It's also good for open water.  East Antioch Lake at Rocky Mountain State Park in GA.

 

 

And the Bass Hunter in the "puddle" behind our daughter's home in GA.

 

Wow!  I love the pics!!  That really helps me to capture what you are trying to explain!  Thank you!!  

[Stephanie Ellis]

I'm not a big fan of autopilot.  The anchor feature over deeper water is about the only thing I might use it for.

 

As for electric boats?  I've been pining for one of these babies for some of the smaller lakes in my area: http://freedomelectricmarine.com/

 

As for battery issues - lithium batteries are the way to go if you're going all-electric.  Expensive as all get out, but you didn't ask about that. 

Cool!!  Thanks so much Glenn!  Can I ask, why don't you like autopilot?  What is it about this feature that you don't particularly enjoy?  

 

Thank you for sharing the link above.  I will certainly investigate it!

 

And yes, I definitely agree with your battery choice.  They are more reliable, lighter weight and have an overall better performance than say, lead acid batteries.  And yes, they are expensive!  It's an upfront investment that I believe is worth making...personally.    

 

Would you be open to speaking with me for a few minutes over the phone at some point?  You seem very knowledgeable and I could really use as much input as I can get!  I would not be trying to sell you anything, I am just needing to understand the market so that my team knows which direction to go!  Please let me know if you would be open to this?  Thank you Glenn.

[J Francho]

I agree!  This is why our team spent so many years trying to develop our electric kayak but we have recently made a risky switch to focus on the electric outboard realm for now.  We are just wanting to make sure that we don't spin our wheels, which is why we are looking for experienced fisherman who can help us understand the market.  Would you be at all willing to maybe talk with me for a couple minutes over the phone at some point?  I just feel like I could do a better job communicating with you about exactly what we are trying to do.  I am simply looking for feedback...nothing else.  Please let me know if this is something you wouldn't mind doing?  Thanks so much!

 

 

I'll PM you after the weekend. 

[Stephanie Ellis]

When you say outboard, you are referring to a trolling motor?

 

Both. You can record and save multiple tracks or set your direction and go. Teamed up with the HB and Lakemaster, there are more options.

I see.  Were these features all sold separately?

[Stephanie Ellis]

I'll PM you after the weekend. 

THANK YOU!!!  I will be looking forward to it!!  Have a great weekend!  

[retiredbosn]

When u say auto-pilot what exactly are u envisioning? A program that takes you from the launch to your fishing area? Or more along the line of what is already available?

[slonezp]

I see.  Were these features all sold separately?

No, they are all part of ipilot. Do a little research on the Johnson Outdoors companies. Minn Kota, Humminbird, Lakemaster, Cannon. They have some really neat stuff going on.

[Stephanie Ellis]

When u say auto-pilot what exactly are u envisioning? A program that takes you from the launch to your fishing area? Or more along the line of what is already available?

Yes, we are designing a smartphone application that will allow you to plot your course along your desired path.  From my understanding, there are different navigational systems in place that will record your path once traveled on.  Ours would allow you to set your course prior to starting your route.    Have you heard of something like this on the market?

[Stephanie Ellis]

No, they are all part of ipilot. Do a little research on the Johnson Outdoors companies. Minn Kota, Humminbird, Lakemaster, Cannon. They have some really neat stuff going on.

Thanks!!  I sure will!  I appreciate you letting me know!!  

[Wayne P.]

It looks like Motor Guide is developing that also.

 

http://www.motorguide.com/introducing-pinpoint