Trolling motor experiment results

[decurtis]

I have now had the opportunity to test out my electric trolling motor auxiliary propulsion on my Pocketship and the official results are in. I am now in the process of purchasing a 2.5 or 3.5 HP outboard. The 40 or 50 lbs of thrust are sufficient in the calm waters of the harbour but against strong winds or some chop progress is painfully slow. I also found out that I was always having to make sure the battery is charged , especially if I have not ben sailing for a few weeks. I also do not like the extra cables going from the battery and though the cockpit to the motor. At this point rerouting the cables through the bilge and up through the aft waterproof compartments would be quite a job. I could probably survive with the trolling motor if I really needed to but for piece of mind a small outboard seems more appropriate and safer for sure if I ran into some bad weather on a longer sailing outing.

[biel]

Hi,

I presume a 2HP outboard is the equivalent of your electric trolling motor in terms of thrust? How would you say you were able to achieve in calm waters using your electic trolling system?

Cheers,

Biel

[decurtis]

From my research a 2.5 hp Yamaha will be almost 80 lbs of thrust or twice what my electric trolling motor is. I am assuming your other question is about speed. In perfectly calm waters the trolling motor was probably a couple of knots at the most, similar to a very slow speed that you would use in a marina's no wake zone.

[biel]

Thanks Dave,

Yes, my second question was in reference to the speed that could be achieved. Now I have pretty fair idea on the speed I may obtain out of the Yamaha 2HP outboard I have at home, which I am eyeing to be used for manouvering around the dock area.

Cheers,

Biel