A Couple of Canoe Questions

[Stone]

First question is, any suggestions for a good trolling motor setup? I know nothing about motors, batteries, or controls.

I do know that I have to buy something that attaches to the canoe and that hangs off to one side that you then mount the motor to.

Second question. I've noticed that my canoe, a 14 and a half-foot Great Canadian Sportsmen model, is getting pretty banged up on the bottom. Someone made the suggestion of having the bottom coated with that Rhino Liner stuff they use on truck beds. A totally stupid idea? Would it screw up how the boat handles?

Thoughts?

[BigEbass]

I started fising out of my canoe for a short stent - I used a 30 lb thrust minkota - I simply bolted it right on the side of the canoe and hooked it up to an optima blue top.....

Having said that, I dont recommend this setup exactly.  You need to buy or make an appopriate bracket to hook the trolling motor on and lock the trolling motor in the loose position in case you hit something it will simply lift up and backwards - with my previous rig up, if I hit something god know what would happen - damage my canoe, the trolling motor, or sink my dumb butt

I am not an expert on batteries, I just bought the blue top cause my neighbor suggested it - I use it now in my bass boat for my trolling motor - it never gives in for me - just on a very windy day if I use it alot it pushes its limits - but in the canoe it would absolutely never run out - having said that, you may suffice perhaps with some more basic smaller batter perhaps?  Others will make a better recommendation perhaps....

Good luck, have fun....

[stratos 375]

I've got a bass boat, 2 kayaks and a canoe. I fish out of them all regularly. The thought of putting a tr. mtr on the side of the canoe is something I'd never do.  You're gonna be placing the mtr. & battery toward the rear, and to steer it, you'll be in the rear of the boat also. That's a lot of weight in the rear. Bow is likely to be pointin up & catchin wind unless you put the battery in the front to counterbalance it. I see guys running electrics on canoes, but just never made any sense to me.

It's a canoe, just put some pads in the center of the boat, get on your knees and paddle. Silent, efficient, no added weight, nothing to break down. If you really take the time to master paddling, you can do anything an electric motor can do plus more. Back in the olden days when I was into expedition & sea kayaking, we'd do 40 miles a week just to practice for a real trip. Best tip I can give you if you paddle a lot, carry a small spare paddle just in case you drop your main paddle & it floats away. Nothing looks sillier than someone paddling a canoe with their cupped hands.

As far as your other question, you really don't describe what your boat's made out of or what "pretty banged up " means, so I can't really help you there.

have fun

[Stone]

It's made out of plain old fiberglass. By pretty banged up I mean there are some pretty deep scratches on the bottom.

Would a thin coat of Rino Liner material help with the durability at all?

I hear what your saying about the trolling motor, but Ive seen quite a few over the years that have them. It's a canoe, so I dont need a huge motor, nothing fancy either.

If I was to add a motor, what size would be good, in your opinion?

[Dogface]

You're gonna be placing the mtr. & battery toward the rear, and to steer it, you'll be in the rear of the boat also. That's a lot of weight in the rear.

You do need to keep the bow down especially in the wind.

I use an electric motor on my canoe. I put the battery in the front of the canoe and I replaced the motor cord with a longer cord. Just use ten or twelve gage wire.

As for the motor mount I have one made by SportsPal. There is always some on E-Bay. You could also check out the one LL Bean sells. BTW it would be easy to copy if you have the tools.

[Dogface]

By pretty banged up I mean there are some pretty deep scratches on the bottom.

Would a thin coat of Rino Liner material help with the durability at all?

The Rhino Lining would add weight and I doubt it is as tough as the fiberglass.

[stratos 375]

if it's true fiberglass, that's an easy fix. Just re-glass over the scratches. Even if you don't have any experience with fiberglass, it's not brain surgery. The harder ones to fix are ABS or some type of plastic "sandwiched" materials. I've wore out a few of them from slidin over rocks & dragging them thru the woods. I've seen the bottom so thin you could almost see thru it. Then it's replacement time otherwise, one time when you go to stand up, your foot will go right thru it.

Although a paint on liner might work, it would increase the friction factor enough that you might notice it, maybe not. Some of those paint on liners can have a rough texture. Still it's an interesting idea.

motor thrust, maybe 30lbs, give or take. lots of good used ones around.

[fishizzle]

if its fiberglass, just get a can of the resin and spread it with a puddyknife and sand it after dry.  This may also work with the plastic canoes