trolling motor

Posted By: John
Date: 4/29/07 2:33p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Electric Trolling motor - Newport 16 (David)

I use a Minnkota RT-55 on my Newport 16 and have two 12 volt deep cycle batteries wired in parallel. It delivers 55 lbs of thrust and has been capable of pushing the boat along at a couple of knots. This model is for salt and brackish waters, but you may to able to use a less expensive, fresh water motor unless you want full flexibility for saltwater sailing sometime. I got this motor because it is lighter than a gasoline-powered outboard. The batteries are heavy, but I have strapped one on each side at the foot of the bunks--so we are balanced. After connecting the two batteries in parallel, I ran positive and negative cables under the cockpit seat to a connector by the stern (I found a three prong locking plug at West Marine--but only used two of the three prongs). I connected the plug to the positive and negative cables from the Minnkota, so it is easy to connect and disconnect. Once, after getting undersail, I stowed the trolling motor below. That was more trouble than it was worth, so now I just tilt it out of the water--it isn't perfect, but I can keep the top of it under the tiller. I have not yet drained the battery bank, so I do not know how many minutes/hours at various power levels I would have. (We also carry two canoe paddles and a towline.) I put a tether on the motor because I have scraped bottom on the mudflats at low tide and the transom clamps gave lose. We sail in the Potomac River because the National Park Service operates a marina (the Washington Sailing Marina) with three hoists for lifting sailboats off of trailers. My trailer is so old and the trailer bunks are so high that I am unable to float the boat when backing down a boat ramp and taking the rear wheels of my van just into the water. I will have to modify the trailer for an extension, but until I do, I can only go where there is a hoist. [Anyone know of a marina with a hoist, perhaps on the Severn, where I could get access to the Chesapeake?]