55 Pound Electric Trolling Motor as Kicker on CD 16 Cruiser

C

C-Nile

New member
For those of you who are interested -- I removed my Yamaha 4 Stroke 4 HP kicker from the stern of my C-Dory 16 Cruiser. The reasons for this were two-fold: 1) it threw the boat out of trim with two people in the boat, 2) my fuel economy had dropped off with 4.5 to 5 MPG experienced during normal conditions (with my Suzuki DF40 Outboard.) Since removing the kicker, my initial mileage results under less than optimum conditions revealed an increase to 5.9 MPG!

I believe strongly in the need for a kicker motor, nevertheless. In my area, SeaTow covers my entire cruising area, so I needed a kicker powerful enough to allow me to get out of a gunkhole, maintain steerage or get me into my slip (which is tight) after being towed by SeaTow.

I decided on a Motorguide* marine 55 pound thrust motor. It weighs only 20 pounds, and in testing performed over the weekend, it was powerful enough to make 1 mph headway against a 1.8 mph current at full power. At approx. 2.8 mph, this is approximately 63% of the hull speed for the CD 16. It was also adequate to maneuver into the wake of oncoming boats. Obviously, if I use it against a current greater than 2.8 mph, I'm not going anywhere, but for me I can live with that fact. Also, it may not be getting the maximum thrust capable with the standard, supplied 3-blade prop -- some say that 2 bladed power props are better served for that purpose, but I like the idea of a more weed-free prop configuration.

*Note: The MotorGuide VariMAX V55SW HT 36" 12V TLXMT Trolling Motor designed for salt water, was purchased at Walmart for $399.
 
if you really want great profermince out of a electric motor find a way to rig it to your bow. I used ele trolling motors for year for all my trout fishing. easyer to pull then push a boat. really helps in the wind. May look funny on your boat :wink: but they work better that way.
 
Although trolling motors are great for short runs (and I have a 50 lb thrust on a 12 foot Al skiff, with two T 125 Trojan Golf Carts--about 135 lbs of batteries!) and a 25 volt 80 lb thrust tolling motor on my 18' Caracal Cat (and two group 31 batteries for its 24 volts)--I would not rely on a trolling motor for a long distance. True they are great at maneuvering (especially on the cat on the bow--set up like a bass boat)--but you have to put in far more battery power than the weight of a gas engine. The range is limited. Incidently my big trolling motor weight is a bit more than a 4 hp outboard.
 
I agree with both suggestions. It's true that a trolling motor will perform well from the bow, but I would need a remote control model. As for the length of time of operation -- I intend to use it for only short periods of time in the event I need to get out of a gunkhole or take me 100' feet into my slip. In maintenance of steerage while waiting for SeaTow to arrive, I could go several hours at low power. The motor is only 20 pounds in weight, and at 1/2 power, it will consume approx. 25 amps per hour, which is fine. For those people not relying on SeaTow or some other emergency service, I would not recommend an electric trolling motor in emergencies except on very small lakes. In this case, there is no substitute for a gas kicker.

Thanks!
 
An electric trolling motor certainly sounds good and at only 20 lbs. it certainly beats a 4-stroke outboard. Your Yamaha weighs 60 lbs. which is incredibly heavy. I'm not certain how much thrust a 4 hp outboard makes but 55 lbs out of the electric motor sounds like a goodly amount.

However, if you're going to use this as an emergency motor, consider a few things. How do you plan to power it? You don't mention what battery power you have on board. You'll need a deep cycle battery to put out 25 amps for 2 hrs. If your starting battery goes dead, you're screwed if you're depending on that battery to run the electric. To be truly safe, you need a separate emergency battery which brings the weight back up to the Yamaha. And of course if that motor only gives you 2.3 knts in calm water, you don't have much margin.

That's the beauty of a gasoline motor, a can of gas lasts a long time and puts out a lot of energy.

I understand you have the electric motor and are using it, but please plan ahead to see what you need in an emergency: fully charged battery and a plan to keep the boat in control for a couple of hrs in various conditions. And SeaTow to be prompt.

I still find the 60 lb weight of a 4 hp outboard outrageous, but so be it. A 3.5 hp Tohatsu is 41 lbs though their 4 hp is right up with the Yamaha. And my 6 hp 2-stroke Johnson is 40 lbs.

Boris
 
Hello Boris,

I have a spare, dual purpose AGM battery on board in case of an issue encountered with the main battery, and it is always ready for the trolling motor if needed. The Yamaha weighs 48 pounds without fluids. However, when you add the oil and grease, and considering it was mounted several inches off the transom, I believe that the force exerted on the stern is comparable to 60 pounds, which is quite a lot of weight. I found that when using the 4 HP, my throttle was close to idle most of the time, and it burned a little more than a quart per hour while taking the boat to hull speed. Another issue is that although my Suzuki BF40 HP outboard is an excellent motor, I believe it weighs approx. 20 pounds more than a comparable Honda or Yamaha. That added weight with a kicker makes the boat stern heavy. I was willing to live with it in the past, but when I see the improvement in gas mileage coupled with the considerable expense of maintaining a second gas motor no longer needed--which is another thing to mention. My boat is docked in a slip and constantly exposed to the elements in a saltwater environment. Last year, my Yamaha 4HP required $580 in repairs (change impeller and fluids in lower unit, clean carberator gas deposits (due to Ethanol in fuel), and replace a cracked lower housing). The motor cost just as much to maintain as my my main engine last year.

A 55 pound thrust trolling motor does not even come close to the thrust of my Yamaha 4HP at idle. And you are correct, Boris, that there is not a lot of margin with a trolling motor, which is why I would not advocate such a motor for most people. It's not great, but it's adequate only for my particular situation. In my neck of the woods, at least half of the people birthed in Marinas have no secondary means of propulsion. So having even an inferior choice of an electric trolling motor for maintaining control of the boat while waiting for SeaTow, getting out of a gunkhole, or going the 100' I need to the dock fits my specific purposes. For example, 2 year's ago my engine died on the Thames River in New london, CT, and it was right in the channel close to the path of very large ferry boats. SeaTow arrived within 15 or 20 minutes of my call. However, the river bottom there is deep with not a lot of sand, and the anchor could not prevent the boat from drifting into the path of the large ferry boats. The electric motor could have easily taken me to a suitable anchorage site out of harm's way. In the case of being in the middle of LI Sound, the motor would allow the bow to be turned into oncoming waves with plenty of capacity to spare before SeaTow arrives. In dangerous locations or places where rescue in a short period of time is not possible, there is no subsutute, in my opinion, for a gas powered kicker.

At any rate, that's my logic.

Thanks!

Rich
 
My Merc 3.3 weighs 27 lbs
My Merc 5 weighs 45 lbs
Both have an internal fuel tank
The 5 has a fuel fitting for an aux tank and Reverse.
Both are 2 strokes, not available for a few years, but I see them on the used market.

I plan on trying the 5 as an emergency kicker on my 22. I will post up performance results after I do the tests.
I also have an 8 hp 2 stroke Yammer at 62 lbs that I am also going to try.

Tex
 
I have one of The merc 3.3's and it would push my 18 foot Century up to about 4 knots--good little motor for its light weight! Mine is a keeper. But the Suzuki 2.5 is a very powerful 2.5 and also weight about 30 lbs--lots of thrust there in a light 4 stoke.

What 50 lb thrust trolling motor do you have which weighs 20 lbs?
 
My 55-pound thrust trolling motor is a Motorguide Varimax Saltwater Series. And I agree with everyone that for the majority of cases, a gas kicker is the only way to go.

Here is something interesting about the Yamaha 4-Stroke 4 Horsepower. If you tilt it up for shallow water operation when the oil is at the full mark,
the oil can run into the cylinder head and foul the plug. When this happens, put on your ipod, and sweat to the oldies' as you pull the starter rope about 50 times (and this is no exaggeration). So I fill the oil to the half-way mark on the dipstick. However, at the end of the season, the oil eventually gets back to the full mark. From what I've been told, these 4-stroke motors don't get hot enough to get rid of water moisture. So over time, the oil becomes saturated with water in some sort of emulsion. When transporting the motor by car, I did not like carrying on its side, so I made a motor stand to fit my car to keep the motor at a 45-degree angle.

The bottom line, I think, is that 2-stroke kickers are lighter than 4 strokes ( the Yamaha 4 Stroke 4 HP weighing in a 48 pounds dry is I believe the lightest of its kind manufactured today.) Also, you don't have the problems of transport and storage as you do with the 4-strokes. On the other hand, on my CD 16, the Yamaha will propel the boat near hull speed--the throttle barely off of idle, and sip approx. 1 quart of gas per hour!


Rich
 
texasair":2md98u2p said:
Bob, Is there a problem with the oil draining out with the small 4 strokes stored on their sides or at odd angles?
Click to expand...

They are designed to be stored only on one side. Look at the owners manual. Sometimes there is a little diagram on the cowl for those that don't have a manual or can't read directions... :roll:

Charlie
 
Charlie is correct--that the engine needs to be in one specific position; usually on one side. My son put our 2.5 hp on the opposite side, and it had oil in the cyl--only a little drained out. Not real harm. I pulled the plug and cleaned it, and then replaced the oil.

"oil delution" has been a problem with Yahamas--mostly in the150's & 115's--it is fuel, not water. Water would give an emulsion--and be very bad for bearings etc. In any case, fuel delution--especially 50% is going to do an engine harm.

A quote from Andy Munao (SIM):
Fuel dilution can happen on any 4-stroke engine regardless of manufacturer. Common causes are:
[*]Engine not broken in yet(rings seated) can be easily troubleshooted with a simple cylinder leak down test.
[*]carbon build-up (fuel typeused or Ring Free not used) high cylinder leakage
[*]over-propped engine(engine will not reach its wide open throttle rpm-6000ish for a F150)[*]cooling system issue(running to cold-stuck-open t-stat)
[*]incorrect spark plug range
[*]faulty fuel injector( injecting to much fuel-most likely willshow a black or fouled spark plug with this and engine will not run correctly)
Click to expand...

Although 2 strokes are lighter--and perhaps a bit simpler. 4 strokes (except Etec and a couple of other oil injection units--which are higher HP) are more effecient. They last longer, and in my experience, they are easier to start, and more reliable.

I am wondering if you are tilting the motor too much--usually the shoal water position, brings the motor up less than 30 degrees:maybe not quite even with the bottom of the boat. The 45 degrees is closer to a trailering position. I have never had a problem with oil leaks at trailering positions in outboards.
 
Thataway,

Thanks for your analysis and educating me on this issue; it does look like an oil dilution issue. My engine was running at low speed for short periods of time, and it's probably cylinder blow-by. As for the tilt angle -- I've had my engine for several years -- if you set up the Yamaha 4 HP for shallow water operation when the oil is at full mark, the motor can cut out, and it's done it to me many times and in very inconvenient situations. This is the only thing I really hate about the motor.

Thanks!

Rich
 
We can only hope that they make small ETEC motors, those are direct injection 2-strokes.

I just found out that I lied. They do make a 15 HP Evenrude ETEC and the sucker weighs 177 lbs. How they did that I'll never understand. Electric star and power tilt?

Boris
 
I put my old Minn-Kota on the transom for shallow water manuvering. It works well. Not sure how long it lasts on battery power though. There are pictures of it scattered about my photo album.
 
Boris, are you sure that is a 15 Etec? I see a 25 at 177 lbs, along with Electric start tilt and trim--the basic motor is only 146 lbs--still heavier than some of the older Evinrudes of 25 hp that I have owned along the way. I think my last one was abut 125 lbs.
 
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