Will The Minn Kota E-Drive Ruffle Feathers?

[nepabassmaster]

Good evening everyone!  I am looking to purchase a 16' bass boat.  The lake, which I live on (been a resident here for 30 years), does not allow gas powered outboards and no fuel tanks on board a boat. My plan is to purchase my boat without a gas powered engine and have a Minn Kota E-Drive installed instead.  Even though I am following the rules, will this set-up agitate people?  It will be the largest boat on the lake and the first of its kind to have E-Drive and a steering console.  I don't plan on using full power if anyone is fishing, kayaking, or doing any other leisure activities in my general area.  I was looking for input.  Thank you and best of luck on the water!

[Dirty South Fishing]

Ask the people who use the lake. That's probably your best advise on the matter. Good luck fishing!

[nepabassmaster]

Thank you.  I am asking because I've never seen an E-Drive perform.  All of the videos on line show the motor out of water.  I would assume it produces a decent amount of wake.

[Tim Kelly]

I don't think 2hp will be producing too much wake really. If you put it on a flat fronted john boat you would get more wake than a more streamlined shaped hull, but the boat is only going to be moving at around 5mph max, so any hull that is relatively wake free at displacement speeds will be fine. Will definitely make more wake than a kayak, but I don't imagine you making that lake into a wave machine.

[carlm01]

Make sure that the lake isn't classified as car top only as most expect smaller boats ..........

[nepabassmaster]

Thank you for the scoop gentlemen!  Tim great points regarding the wake!

[Nice_Bass]

I use my boat on multiple lakes that have HP restriction on them.  I put a clamp on my TM so that it will not turn with the force of the TM on and I set it on high constant.  I can then sit in my seat and use my big motor as a rudder and steer around the lake.  Works pretty good and better than standing at the foot pedal the whole time some days.

[junyer357]

Most of the electric only lakes in my area are not concerned with the wake so much as the fact that they are watersheds and a source of drinking water. That is why they require a gas motor be tilted fully up and out if water at all times. May be a similar set up there too, especially with no gas tanks allowed on board at all.

[martintheduck]

I'd just put a 101lb thrust trolling motor on there and 3 nice batteries.

[tomustang]

48v system, that's a lot of batteries/weight for transport. You're better off getting a new minn kota with an ipilot remote. With a 101/112lb ipilot system you can troll fish and travel when needed, 3 batteries but you can cruise and troll easily.