Super User Goose52 Posted May 4, 2015 Super User Posted May 4, 2015 Looking good...............................................BUT......................................your extension wires between the TM and the battery look awfully puny (meaning too small a gauge wire for the job). You might not want to go too far from the dock on your first time out... and I'd be feeling those wires to see how hot they get. When I ran extension wires for my canoe I used 6 gauge. 8 or 10 gauge might work for you - especially for only a 30lb TM. Your wires look like they're only about 14 gauge..... 1 Quote
Joedodge Posted May 4, 2015 Author Posted May 4, 2015 That's 10 gauge wire no worries and I consulted a wire gauge chart ( I'm a certified auto diesel tech). For my current draw 10 gauge at the length I ran should be fine. It's what I had laying around so I used that. I plan to check the wires with it under load after a while. If current draw seems excessive or I find to much voltage drop at the load I can always up the wire gauge. I greatly appreciate the concern and looking out for me and my project! Thanks everyone 1 Quote
Joedodge Posted May 4, 2015 Author Posted May 4, 2015 Also the conduit tube is a great idea! Hope ya don't mind if I steal that one lol Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted May 4, 2015 Super User Posted May 4, 2015 Also the conduit tube is a great idea! Hope ya don't mind if I steal that one lol Good deal on the 10 ga. On the conduit - steal away! Another view.... Quote
Joedodge Posted May 5, 2015 Author Posted May 5, 2015 Good deal on the 10 ga. On the conduit - steal away! Another view.... Thanks for that! It looks great! Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted May 5, 2015 Super User Posted May 5, 2015 Man aluminum canoes are awesome. One of these days!!! Quote
Joedodge Posted May 5, 2015 Author Posted May 5, 2015 Man aluminum canoes are awesome. One of these days!!! Doesn't hold a candle to that beast your building tho! Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted May 5, 2015 Super User Posted May 5, 2015 Doesn't hold a candle to that beast your building tho! That's cheating tho haha... Canoes are prefect for one person. Nice seating position, tons and tons of storage and you can walk em anywhere. I'd love an aluminum canoe project build! Keep up the great work! Quote
Joedodge Posted May 5, 2015 Author Posted May 5, 2015 Thanks a lot. It'll work for me and my boy. Not near as ideal as a job boat. But for free I couldn't pass it up Quote
Surfcaster Posted May 7, 2015 Posted May 7, 2015 I have an 18' Old Town Tripper that me and my son take out on the lake and I have always wanted to trick it out with a trolling motor and sonar. After seeing your project, I may be motivated to upgrade our canoe. We have a Yakima rack on the top of our vehicle we tie it down to when we transport the canoe. With the extras that are on your canoe you will need a trailer. Quote
Joedodge Posted May 7, 2015 Author Posted May 7, 2015 No actually I strap mine down on the roof of my truck. The battery, trolling motor and trolling motor mount and Rod holders are all removable. It can be put on in less than 5 mins when I get to the lake. Very easy to transport and light and still a totally normal canoe if I'd like it to be. 1 Quote
Joedodge Posted May 7, 2015 Author Posted May 7, 2015 Found a piece of electrical conduit at the house today just long enought to make the wiring channel. I sanded it up and zip tied it to the top rail of the canoe. Lil hard to see in the pic but it works awesome keeps the wires up nice and neat! Thanks a ton goose!!! Great idea. 1 Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted May 7, 2015 Super User Posted May 7, 2015 Found a piece of electrical conduit at the house today just long enought to make the wiring channel. I sanded it up and zip tied it to the top rail of the canoe. Lil hard to see in the pic but it works awesome keeps the wires up nice and neat! Thanks a ton goose!!! Great idea. Looks great ! Quote
Joedodge Posted May 7, 2015 Author Posted May 7, 2015 Thanks a lot!! Thanks so much for the idea!! Quote
Surfcaster Posted May 8, 2015 Posted May 8, 2015 Looking good...............................................BUT......................................your extension wires between the TM and the battery look awfully puny (meaning too small a gauge wire for the job). You might not want to go too far from the dock on your first time out... and I'd be feeling those wires to see how hot they get. When I ran extension wires for my canoe I used 6 gauge. 8 or 10 gauge might work for you - especially for only a 30lb TM. Your wires look like they're only about 14 gauge..... What type of trolling motor are you using on your canoe and how well does it perform on the lake in windy conditions. Also, I noticed on a different picture you have what looks like an anti-tip float. Does that allow you to stand up and fish. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted May 8, 2015 Super User Posted May 8, 2015 What type of trolling motor are you using on your canoe and how well does it perform on the lake in windy conditions. Also, I noticed on a different picture you have what looks like an anti-tip float. Does that allow you to stand up and fish. Apologies to the OP for going off-topic... I use a 45lb Minn-Kota Traxxis TM. It pushes my small and light 12ft canoe nicely and in any reasonable wind condition. I've made headway into wind strong enough to generate white-caps (I wasn't fishing in that "sea state"...I was trying to get back to my launch point after that wind popped up). If I had a longer/heavier boat, I would probably move up to a 55lb (or more) TM. Yes - I have outriggers (stabilizers) on the boat. I usually stand and fish all day - the only time I sit down is to land fish, change baits, and eat lunch. Quote
Joedodge Posted May 8, 2015 Author Posted May 8, 2015 No apologies necessary! Canoe discussion is welcome! I should have stated I went with the standard motor guide 30# thrust with a composite shaft from Walmart. It should push my canoe along fine as I'm just looking to be able to spend more time fishing than paddling. And by going with that one there's several Walmart near me that sell spare props and parts so it's easy to fix locally. My canoe is 39" at the center. So it's a big boat with a wide beam. I can stand and fish and even stand and paddle no problem if the waters calm. But I plan to make some diy flotation pontoons eventually for added stability when my boy is with me Quote
Joedodge Posted May 9, 2015 Author Posted May 9, 2015 Took her out today. Went great didn't catch anything but the motor is plenty of power. The lake I fish by the house has a lot of weeds so I did have to unclog it ocasionaly Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted May 9, 2015 Super User Posted May 9, 2015 Congrats on your Maiden Voyage ~ Bet it felt good. A-Jay Quote
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