What size motor can i put on a canoe

One of the common questions many canoe or boat owners ask is; what are the advantages of an outboard motor?. Here are some of the pros of using an outboard motor on your canoe or boat. Choosing an outboard motor is an important decision by any canoe owner. With all the benefits that come with owning an outboard engine for canoes, you ought to make the right choice to enjoy your sailing experience.

Here are some features to guide you in your selection of the best outboard motor for canoe. The power of outboard motors is specified or measured in HP horsepower.

The higher the HP rating of the motor, the faster the engine but the more fuel it is likely to consume. There are outboard motors available in the market with different power specifications. It is up to you to choose the one that suits your needs. But because canoes are small watercraft, a small outboard motor will provide enough power.

Features such as CDI ignition system which is a mechanism that promotes easy-starting and start-in-gear features which prevent clutch damage by rotating the prop when the motor is idle. Air Cooling feature also prevents overheating in hot weather to increase the motor lifespan. These features when present in outboard motors, make them easier to use and more efficient.

Most outboards have a degree steering feature to help with reversing the canoe and make it easy to avoid unwanted situations when you are canoeing. An outboard motor should ideally not be heavy. So you will find a variety of lighter materials are used to construct these motors. Engineered plastic and aluminum are mostly used to make them for durability and strength.

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. OutdoorComrade is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

This will help you decide on a minimum shaft length. And from that minimum length, you can adjust and increase it so that you can still move quickly and nimbly as you go in the deeper fishing spots. Knowing where to install the trolling motor in your canoe is a very important piece of information that you should also consider before you go shopping for a trolling motor. Trolling motors can be mounted at either the bow or the transom.

Each location offers its own advantages and learning about them will help you decide on which mounting position is best for you. Bow mount trolling motors tend to offer better handling and maneuverability than transom mounted motors. Furthermore, a bow mount motor has some useful features and functionalities. However, bow mount motors are on the more expensive side when compared to the other motors. Because a bow mount motor is also bigger it will take up more space on your canoe than its counterpart.

The cheapest and the smallest trolling motors are transom mount motors. Using a clamp, a transom motor can be easily installed or mounted at the stern of the boat.

They are a popular choice for canoers and other small boat users like Jon boats , kayaks and drift boats because of the size limitation of their boats. In conclusion, if you have reached this point in the article, then you are now ready to shop and choose the trolling motor for your canoe.

As long as you remember all the information I mentioned above, then finding the perfect motor for you will be a breeze. Drift boats are iconic rowboats that are were first seen in the rivers of Oregon. They are beautiful boats that look stunning on the water and have multiple uses so it's no wonder they are becoming The drift boat is an iconic shallow water vessel that began its life in the turbulent waters of Oregon.

Giving it additional throttle beyond the half way point, with only one person on board, provides little additional speed and causes the stern to squat down more. I have a sling seat designed for a 3rd passenger that I use to position my weight just forward of the rear thwart. The full throttle is desirable for pushing this load up stream in heavy river currents.

A useful option for canoe motoring is a set of outriggers. I dumped the canoe once using the motor when I accidentally hit the throttle with the motor turned perpendicular to the boat. I can still paddle with the outriggers when I have the motor turned off for fishing. My motor is noisy and I can smell the exhaust fumes. I infrequently use it but it is nice option for activities like soloing up river. I purchased the outrigger in They were manufactured in Fresno, CA and the phone number, when I bought them, was Anyway, the 3.

The resulting imbalance made for weird handling, especially at slow speeds or when turning. I still have that motor but never use it. Guess I ought to sell it some day…. If you have a square back canoe, measure the length from the rear gunwale to the water. If you are using a traditional canoe with a canoe trolling motor mount, measure the length from the motor mount to the water.

Also, take the measurements with your boat weighted as it would typically be. Then add 12 inches to that measurement. Since you want the top of the motor to be AT LEAST 12 inches below the surface of the water, buy a motor that is a little longer than the number you come up with.

Most trolling motors can be controlled in one of two ways: hand controlled or foot controlled. Some can even be controlled with a remote, but those tend to cost a little more. Foot-controlled motors allow you to keep your hands focused on fishing and use your feet for steering. If you plan on having multiple people on the boat with you, foot-controlled trolling motors can get in the way. There are always new places to go fishing. View models and prices on Amazon.

Compare Prices on Amazon. Heather West is a professional outdoorswoman from New Orleans who loves sharing her passion for the outdoors with others. After Hurricane Katrina, Heather transferred to a college in Tennessee and went on her first camping trip.