Use a Rowboat or a Canoe for Fishing in an Electric-Motor-Only Lake?
I would like to fish in some small lakes or reservoirs (New Jersey)
that only allow the use of electric motor. I am wondering whether I
should use a rowboat or a canoe. Regardless whether I will use a
rowboat or a canoe, I will mount an electric trolling motor to its
stern as the primary propelling power.I need some info in order to help me to make a decision: o Is this realistic to use a trolling motor to push a rowboat for a
distance of 1 mile back and fro? I have a feeling that the combined
weight of the rowboat, two adults, an anchor, and the wide
cross-section "may" be a drag for the trolling motor. Will this be OK
afterall? And I don't intend to use the oars as the backup propelling
power because I don't have any luck doing this. o Seem like we cannot put too many stuffs inside a canoe as comparing
to a rowboat. This may mean that I cannot put a big trolling motor and
big batteries into the canoe. Does this restrict the distance that the
canoe can go to less than 1 mile back and fro? o How do we anchor a canoe in the middle of the lake? Putting an
anchor inside a canoe "seems" like putting a lot of weight of the
canoe. This "may" make the canoe hard to control if the anchor is not
placed at the dead center of the canoe. Will the use of an anchor and
cross-blowing wind cause the canoe to capsize?. Am I worrying the wrong
things? Do people have a different mean to anchor a canoe without using
an anchor? Thanks for any info in advance. Jay Chan |
jaykchan
Aug 19
2005
|
| Get the biggest trolling motor you can afford. |
Bob
Aug 19
|
| http://www.directboats.com/16aljonbo.html
These guys show the basic boat for $1699 My local dealer beat their prices overall when I bought mine.
|
Bob
Aug 19
|
| I've fished from canoes and jon boats, and my personal choice would be the
boat. Canoes are great for river trips or when you have two guys fishing
together, taking turns casting. They really shine when you have to portage
your gear around an obstruction, but a jon boat is usually a lot more stable
for fishing and is easier to anchor when required. I have property at a
resort in NW IL where only electrics are allowed and my primary boat is a
1436L Lowe (57" beam, 36" bottom) with a 46lbs thrust trolling motor on the
transom. I can run about 7 or 8 hours (depending on wind) on one group 27
battery. I have a 16ft fiberglass canoe that I use to fish rivers and ponds
where I have to pack in to reach them. Mark |
Mark
Aug 19
|
| Get yourself a small aluminum boat. I have the BARF - a 12' V-hull I found in the employee classifieds at
work. Paid a whole $80 for it. I've got a 28# thrust Minnkota running
off a single 12V deep cycle. I pull the boat (stern first) - takes me
anywhere I want to go. More stable than a canoe, and holds all the
gear two people need. Jim |
Jim
Aug 19
|
| Just for your info, here in NJ you have to register any boat that has power
other than man power. Even an 8 foot canoe, if under electric power, needs
to be registered. Any boat under 12' and man powered can go unregistered. Rich P in NJ |
Rich
Aug 19
|
| Consider getting a Portaboat. http://www.porta-bote.com/ My first 'boat' was a used 12' Portaboat. I used 2 deep cycle batteries
and an old 27# Minn Kota and it did great. Lots more stable than a
canoe and light enough so I could carry it by myself. A 12 footer will
comfortably seat 2 adults and has a capacity of 670 pounds. They come
with 2 - 2 piece oars and oar locks although only the kids ever used
the oars for fun. I still have mine in the backyard. Takes up hardly
any space and I like having a backup. Here's a Yahoo group where you
can find more info. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PortaBote/ Another nice feature of a folding boat is than you can strap it to the
roof of your car and do 70+mph on the freeway if you propery secure it.
d:^) -phish |
phishrace
Aug 19
|
| OK Buddy here is my take. I have been fishing all the north Jersey Lakes for
years. I had a 15'long by 42"wide jon boat the 40lb thrust minkota hand
operated trolling motor moved me the boat and my fishing partner along with
all our gear. The boat was about 275 lbs. it had a casting deck and wood
floors that I made, it had the largest deep cycle battery sears made in it,
along with anchors.and my 9.9 evinrude 4stroke. all this stuff including us
and we trolled, ran the lights, fish finder and spot light for never less
than 5 hours and had power to spare. go buy a cheap lightweight jon boat get
a good battery and trolling motor and go get em. (PS I just bought a new
Lund and my old john boat fully rigged with trailer is for sale if you or
anyone in nj is interested, it's a great monksville rig) |
HankCoen
Aug 20
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| >years. I had a 15'long by 42"wide jon boat the 40lb thrust minkota hand |
Thundercat
Aug 20
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| You going to get a boat Harry? Rich P |
Rich
Aug 21
|
| >
>
>Rich P
> Almost bought one earlier this year, but didn't pull the trigger when
the tranny on the truck s**t the bed. Harry J aka Thundercat
Brooklyn Bill's Tackle Shop Fishing Team
http://www.brooklynbillstackleshop.com
Share the knowledge, compete on execution. |
Thundercat
Aug 21
|
| Thanks for all the great information people here have shared with me! I |
jaykchan
Aug 21
|
| This sounds very encouraging. This means using a trolling motor on a
rowboat is a practical choice for an electric-only lake. I probably will get a semi-V boat instead of a jon boat. The reason is
that I also intend to use it in protected coastal area (of course with
a gas engine). Thanks. Jay Chan |
jaykchan
Aug 21
|
| Thanks for the info. I didn't know that. Jay Chan |
jaykchan
Aug 21
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| Shouldn't you learn how to swim before getting a boat? pat |
pat
Aug 22
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| Yer welcome |
Bob
Aug 22
|
| Semi V or V-front is a good choice. |
Bob
Aug 22
|
