Electric outboard for an inflatable canoe

people confuse thrust with h.p. and assume bigger elecs go faster which is true to some extent on bigger vessels, but on canoes it just runs the battery down faster. 20lb will move you around happily. I have a 55lb min kota salt water that I use on my canadian simply because it is a left over motor from my stink boat. I don't go any faster than anybody else, but I can theoretically tow an 18 ft boat behind me at the same speed if you get my drift.
The more you pay for leccy motors the more efficient they are with optimisers etc so you will extend your run time.
Batteries - depends on just how long you want to run for I suppose. A couple of smaller 45 ah ones is what I use for better portability. Use one for cruising around and fishing and one to get me home again.
Anyway, have fun, good luck.

Good afternoon Kroozanlong,

I have a Pelican bayou canoe and when I first got it I thought " have to get a leccy outboard for this". Then I started thinking that a very lightweight petrol might be better. No battery to get run down in the wrong place so no heavy thing in the canoe at all. Ended up with an air cooled Honda 4 stroke - about 2.2hp from memory. And weighs less than the battery would. Def worth a look I reckon

Cheers

I was thinking of a scooter battery, as they apparently provide a full current and then slow quickly.

ie they go for a long time but when they die, it happens quickly. No damage to the battery just the way the scooter motor is organised.

bill

I had a 12' canadian to which I added a 2 hp outboard, great fun on the river you can go much, much further than when paddling. An electric outboard would do just as well, probably better from the sound point of view.
One thing you need to be aware of, canoe hull shape is not ideal for speed, the front seat usually gets soaked if cruising much above idle. Similarly in rough weather, all get soaked. Ideal on rivers, lakes and rivers, providing the surface is not too churned up and you don't want to go fast. Still much faster than paddling. They also go well with sails!

May be expensive depending upon which state you live in. In SA and I think Vic the blow up/non blow up, boat/canoe/kayak has to have a hull identification number if a motor is fitted, if it does not have a Hull ID already cost is around $80, with rego about $16 a year and you need a boat drivers licence, ie do the test+$.

Do not think this is required in Qld unless the motor is over 4HP.

Peter