jaeger said:First time I went out I was alone and the wind was coming straight to shore. No dock shallow water etc. In any case I eventually made it out. Second time out I brought my wife same thing happened. Does anyone have a recommendation for a trolling motor? I have the factory motor mount on the boat. Sports Authority has a Minn Kota Endura 30, 30 LBS thrust with a 30 inch shaft for $94.95. The batteries seem very heavy!
1) What lbs thrust is appropriate for the Capri 14.2
2) What is the ideal shaft length?
3) Where do you store/secure the batterey in case you capsize?
4) Does the prop make a difference?
Any other insight or suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks, Art
Look around in newspapers, ebay, garage sales, etc. There are plenty of the little outboards around that are in running condition or won't take much to get them running. 800$ was way too rich for my blood. I got mine for less than 100$ and put about 20$ into it and it runs well. Working name brand ones in good shape can be had for around 300$.Anonymous said:Tried out the Minn Kota Endura 34 (34 LBS thrust with 36 inch shaft. Light wind. Felt like it had plenty of power on a half charged used battery that was donated to my cause. The motor has 5 speeds forward and 3 reverse. The handle extends in and out. When leaving the shore into a light wind itperformed very well. I was able to raise it up to go in a little more than a foot of water. I left it running pointed into the wind at slow speed while I hoisted the main dropped the center board, turn it off, raised it up and turned it sideways to clear the traveller.
The wind died when I was ready to come in. So I used it along with the rudder to steer. This time I dropped the motor down at least 12 inches (recommended depth) below the surface untill close to land then raised the rudder and the motor and used the motor to steer. I even used reverse to slow the approach to land.
All in all I am happy with the performance. As Kim has pointed out the battery is the large style and is very heavy, it needs to be charged, it's another thing to mount before getting to the real reason that your at the lake, what happens to the motor or the battery when capsizing occurs.....
I just could not afford the gas engine right now, but, I do feel that a small gas engine is probably the best idea. I read somewhere that Honda has a 2hp motor like Kim has with internal gas tank, here is the link http://www.honda-marine.com/mod2hp.htm#. I believe that this runs between $800 and $850 and is a 4 cycle.