boat build, looking for advice on power.

Sandy Allen

Active member
I've had an old canvas covered boat for 20 years or so. Have stored it inside hanging from the ceiling of my shop. It's about 14 feet long,narrow and pointed at the bow, 11 inches of freeboard, and about 36 inches wide in the stern. The canvas was brite orange and in bad shape. The boat had a box-like opening about 8x16 inches about 8 inches deep in the middle about 4 feet from the stern. It was too small for a motor but would deaden any chop in the water. I thought could have been a life guard boat, the opening could have a piece of glass on the bottom but even without that it would be useful to view the bottom. It could have been used to net scallops in water to deep to wade; a lot of people around here use small view boxes with a glass front when wading for scallops in the fall. I've used one to locate a few anchors and even a good shotgun that fell overboard in 20 feet of water on a windy rainy day. I marked it with a buoy and found it the next day when it was calm and sunny; the owner was happily surprised to get it back! Back to my project! I've reinforced and repaired the frame work, and am covering the boat with 1/4 a/c plywood, fairint jonts and plan to cover at least the bottom and sides with fiberglass, maybe the top also. I'm going to put some flotation foam in several sealed compartments at each end of the boat. In the middle I'll have a cockpit about 60 inches long,big enough for me and my 65 lb lab. I'll have a splash guard around the cockpit. The boat will be camoflauged,with grass, burlap, or possibly some canvas or brush. I'll be using this craft in a salt pond, and it won't be going more than 4 miles on a trip; I won't going out with it on rough days, and will be using it as a blind along the shoreline mostly. I think the boat weight will be about 200 lbs plus me 175 the dog 65 and some light foam decoys and anchors 100 waders gun gear 85 guessing 600 lbsI may carry in my 18 ' Lund Alaskan or tow it, depending on who I hunt with on a given day, but also may use it alone some days.

My question is who has used an electric motor on a duckboat, and if someone has what brands and thrust would you recommend on the boat I've described, saying travelling a maximum of 5 miles and not having to deal a lot of wind or current. If it doesn't carry the weight well it will become a shore blind only!

p.s. I plan to post some pictures eventually! I know some may say I'm crazy to hunt alone especially at 74 years of age, but I"ve doing for 50 years now and then then someone cancels or gets the flu, etc and and I don't want to waste a good day, especially when there aren't unlimited seasons in my future! Sandy Allen
 
Check out Torquedo electric motors. I put one on my Momarsh Fatboy DP. The batteries last a very long time. They are very fast also.
 
I know you asked about electric motors, but depends on your reason for going electric. Ive used a Johnson 2hp and now a Mercury 3.3 hp. Both weigh something like 27 pounds. Half the weight of the battery you will need for the electric. Probably less money too. I paid $200 for the Johnson and $300 for the Merc.0That is the way I would go if I was going more than a mile.
 
Electric is definitely more money up front; over purchasing a gas engine. Having said that, the positives with electric motors are never having to worry about gas or oil. In addition, it's usable in bodies of water where gas engines are not. Ultimately, you're the only person who can decide what's best for you. The great thing about this site is that you'll always get different viewpoints. Good luck whichever way you decide to go.
 
Thanks for your opinions Bill,Mike and Phil(P M). They were useful! Finally had a nice day yesterday and I was playing golf near where I hunt-- was thinking about the hunting more than the golf.Saw a few nice deer and an osprey which has a nest on the course! Will be checking costs and and making a decision some time soon. Will post some pics later.
 
seems a good old boat to have! my uncle used to have a canvas boat went all over with it. as previously stated small gas motors ( which I have had many) work well. they do how ever need gas oil maintenance and at some point repair along with the potential not to start. I have never had an electric motor fail. used mostly minkotas. had a 42 lb thrust that would run for days on a 120amp deep cycle battery. you should be fine with the 55lb thrust. it is the biggest 12volt model. several different models available. I push my 14foot john boat all over with a 40lb thrust. you can spend and get all the power you want depending on how fast you want to go. the battery needs will increase with the power and require more space and weight. good luck!
 
Sandy,
Hunting alone is a favorite of many on this forum.

There are differing opinions already stated on electric vs. a small gas motor. I am not quite your age but weight is concern as we grow older. Do you really want to lug that battery and place it in and out of the boat each trip?

I come down on the side of a small gas motor like 2 hp Johnson. Much lighter than the battery and probably lighter than your electric motor. I have just switched myself from electric to a 2 hp Johnson for my canoe. It makes me smile just to see it in the corner of my shop.

Good luck with the boat and your choice of power.

Larry

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