Best boat motors according to redditors

You can buy a battery eliminator for the handheld and then a cigarette splitter. That way you have a single power source and dont have to worry about the battery in the HT dying.

Also, Amazon and Academy sell 'power stations' for trolling motors that those batteries fit into that have terminals, USB ports, cigarette sockets, etc

https://www.amazon.com/Newport-Vessels-Trolling-Battery-Center/dp/B01AE2TG7G/

Looks like part of a trolling motor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004360NKY/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Ae8PDbPXKFPV6

If you can afford it look into getting one of the Minn-Kota Endura MAX motors, they are supposed to have significantly improved battery life from more advanced power circuitry. They are a bit more money than the standard Minn-Kota but its the one I am going to buy for my own canoe. I'd rather be able to bring a smaller battery to save weight.

http://www.amazon.com/Minn-Kota-Transom-Mounted-Trolling/dp/B009YT0S14

Deep cycle boat battery yo.



And a battery box with external hookups.


amazon.com/MinnKota-Trolling-Motor-Power-Center/dp/B001PTHKMG?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B001PTHKMG





Lasted me all Electric Forest 2016 and only lost 50% charge between 6 people.

Non-mobile: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PTHKMG/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?qid=1425953252&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=deep+cycle+battery

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

It's extremely rigid (I can carry it from one end by myself when it's inflated without it touching the ground), and it directly supports this motor. I really have zero complaints about it. I haven't bought the motor yet, but there are plenty of reviews saying the motor works great with it.

Power for the boat? I'm planning on a Lehr propane outboard with a MinnKota electric motor that attaches to the Lehr:
Amazon link
The Lehr for when I really need power, and the MinnKota will let me putz around with solar power when I'm in no hurry.

Also, has anybody ever installed on of these things:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JSHQW0

I have a block heater than I use in the winter and I was thinking that, since I already have AC electronics in the Jeep I might as well add a tender.

NOCO Genius GENM1 4 Amp 1-Bank On-Board Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CBTRN26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_iv2UDbKXVEKFC

I haven't used this model, but I have a NOCO Genius charger and it's great.

yep.

https://www.amazon.com/OUTXE-20000mAh-Waterproof-Flashlight-Portable/dp/B07BJYYW55

or bigger:

https://www.amazon.com/Yak-Power-YP-BBK-Power-Pack-Battery/dp/B06Y15F861

https://www.amazon.com/Newport-Vessels-Trolling-Battery-Center/dp/B01AE2TG7G

Sure.
Lots of people use this one which is nice because it's got all you need built in plus some fancier features out of the box.

What I use and was talking about previous is something like this and this

Throwing together a lazy quote here.

I'd recommend a battery of this size, plus a trolling motor pack to make it easier to charge and it's overall a good idea imo.

A group 22 trolling motor pack will run you about another 80-100 dollars

Then a trickle charger that will charge it over night will be about 50 dollars.

This alone runs you around the cost of a small generator, without thinking about replacing the battery, or getting a backup, for those really hot days.

There are a lot of unknown variables as well, like potential cell damage due to overheating, and longevity of the cells within the battery as well.

This mount: Brocraft Fishing Kayak Trolling Motor Mount Universal + Two Rocket Launching Rod Holder/Kayak Outboard Motor Bracket https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GFLQW9K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Q.pKDb6NM5K24

This battery: Newport Vessels Trolling Motor Smart Battery Box Power Center with USB and DC Ports https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AE2TG7G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JeqKDbD220121

This kayak: https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/perception-hook-10-5-angler-kayak-15ptnuhknglr105xxpsk/15ptnuhknglr105xxpsk

Motor option one: Newport Vessels Kayak Series 36lb Thrust Transom Mounted Saltwater Electric Trolling Motor w/ LED Battery Indicator (24" Shaft) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07454VQ71/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JfqKDb4466D49
(This also has a 36 pound option, any input on that would be nice too)

Motor option two: Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Freshwater Transom Mounted Trolling Motor (30" Shaft) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004360NKY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tgqKDbKN5Y1V0

This is an example of the sort of 4-stroke motor I'm thinking of. Of course I would use wind power and/or pedal power as a backup, although I still haven't decided whether I'd use a lateen sail or build a wind turbine that can help drive the propeller and maybe run a small generator.

I use this and can highly recommend it. I run that to charge my 3 batteries and my air conditioner simultaneously.

NOCO Genius GENM3 12 Amp 3-Bank On-Board Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FRQTXCC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_UXqKKleyMbBUc

here

Can someone recommend me the best battery / power center / whatever else I'll need. I just bought this boat yesterday from Amazon and also picked up the trolling motor, here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005QIB7K8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Amazon suggests I buy the Minn-Kota battery and power center. Is that the best option or is there a better one? I read some shady reviews on the power center.

Cheaper alternative:

Get a 100 AH deep cycle battery for around $150. Walmart, amazon, auto parts store.

Get a trolling motor case that has a 12v connection:

https://www.amazon.com/Minn-Kota-TrollIng-Center-1820175/dp/B07D5WH7YL/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1538177810&sr=8-8&keywords=trolling+motor+case

Then get a power inverter that will turn your 12v connection into a house outlet.

I use this setup to camp with my CPAP and it works great. It's also cheaper than what the article states and you will have more battery capacity. Only downside is it's a little heavier but that has been no problem for me.

You can do a combo like this for pretty close to your budget. The boat itself is surprisingly resilient, collapses down to a (heavy) bag for your apartment. Motor mounts on securely. Plan for some occasional vinyl repairs, and you have to deal with a battery and charging, but it'll putt you around until you want to get into something more permanent. I use this as a dinghy for a powerboat and it works great. I added a small solar panel ($75) and converter unit ($15) so it charges the battery when it's parked for a while.

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Intex Excursion 5

https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Excursion-5-Person-Inflatable-Aluminum/dp/B00CMBJ1VE/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1536084088&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=intex+boat&psc=1

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Intex electric trolling motor

https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Trolling-Motor-Inflatable-Boats/dp/B005QIB7K8/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1536084206&sr=1-5&keywords=intex+trolling+motor

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Motor mount

https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Motor-Mount-inflatable-Boats/dp/B000NNM4BW/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1536084263&sr=1-5&keywords=Intex+Motor+Mount+Kit+inflatable+Boats

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If I can't find the right mount I'll do this.

For the evinrude I'm going to buy a condensor, points breaker kit, and a new plug wire. If that works I'll do the carb and water pump.

If that doesn't I was thinking of grabbing one of these 3.5hp 2 strokes

I have a Marine deep cycle battery, battery case and an inverter to work from my laptop if I have to while camping or remote with no electricity. If that ends up being it’s only use I could see it lasting a few weeks or more.

Not so handy to lug around as they are heavy but still an option I guess.

Edit: This is the exact case I have. It’s got cigarette lighter inlet, a few USB inputs and the +/- posts.

https://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Connector-Trolling-Motor-Male/dp/B001O0D6NI/ref=pd_sbs_200_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001O0D6NI&pd_rd_r=ZN7KNTH5CTNEBWQN66EH&pd_rd_w=tXXnS&pd_rd_wg=KeL9T&psc=1&refRID=ZN7KNTH5CTNEBWQN66EH

I was about to buy this one but it has 3 wires and I only have a positive and a negative coming off of my foot pedal. Any clue about this?

The yeti is nice, i have never used one. Some say it is overpriced, but you have to admit that it is a nice simple all in one thing - battery, usb,300 watt pure sine wave inverter, and can charge from 120 vac,12vdc,or solar.

It is what it is, 33Ah battery so if that is not enough then what? If you are going to charge from 12 (like your car) you will need hours and hours. Now if you are willing to put an isolator on you van/car? you could charge faster than a cigarette lighter socket but then you are adding complexity for just using occasionally. So if you can live with the capacity then it's a neat package.

The prices for the big yeti are over $1.4K ? I think that is 100Ah of battery. I think that would get you through a weekend with enough spare energy as to not have to ration. idk And this would just be charged at home or if you find 120vac while you are away.

I will think it over more as it is late for me. But what I have done before is to use a battery box and a separate inverter. The box and battery(battery is bad now) I owned from the trolling motor set up for my canoe. It is not a clean set up but can be used in pieces as you like. So if you have separate pieces and your battery runs low you just hook up the inverter to the van, and don't run out of fun times.

here are some amazon links - non referrals so take a look and seeif you get what I mean.

https://www.amazon.com/MinnKota-Trolling-Motor-Power-Center/dp/B001PTHKMG Nice thing here is it will hold any battery up to group 24 or 27

https://www.amazon.com/VMAXMB127-Battery-Replacement-Caddy-Golf/dp/B00BDV7OO0 I just picked a 100Ah battery at random

https://www.amazon.com/Wagan-EL2601-Elite-400W-Inverter/dp/B007Y4BL1C

https://www.amazon.com/VMAXTANKS-Maintainer-Automobile-Batteries-maintain/dp/B00IZV91Q0/ref=pd_sim_263_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00IZV91Q0&pd_rd_r=2VBEJM4WJG5N3CAX8905&pd_rd_w=uLdL1&pd_rd_wg=0Vigf&psc=1&refRID=2VBEJM4WJG5N3CAX8905 Any GOOD battery charger will do.

So like $500, but you now own a nice box, battery, charger, and inverter. So play with the idea and see if it would fit your style. Just an option.

Here is what some guy did with $1000 and you could scale this to your needs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=offgcMwuTGw

Sorry for the mess of a post.

Good luck and have fun. Be sure to let the sub know what you come up with.

My setup gets me all week at Boy Scout summer camp and at the end of the week I have 50% charge left.

I got this Minnkota marine box as it has a battery meter and 2 12v outlets so I can also charge my cell phone overnight.

MinnKota Trolling Motor Power Center https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PTHKMG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1dFGAbAVBTZ2S

I then put this battery in the box - I got mine cheaper but sure you can find something similar.

Optima Batteries 8027-127 D27M BlueTop Starting and Deep Cycle Marine Battery https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001UFXHQI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dgFGAbQTVN7N5

I use this charger to keep it charged.

Stanley BC1509 15 Amp Automatic Battery Charger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001U04MSU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_WhFGAbSQBHCC5

My list would look something like this...

Kenwood TS-480SAT - $849.95

Satisfies the portable requirement without the QRP-ness. Easily connects to your computer for digital modes, negating the need to purchase a Signalink.

Antennas are a tricky subject. I'd steer clear of the 40m hamstick, it's going to be quite inefficient and 40m isn't a particularly great daytime band, I'd be looking at 20m if you plan on doing most of your hamming during the daylit hours. Maybe get something like an end fed matchbox wire or OCF dipole, easy to deploy, transport, and tune across multiple bands with a built in rig tuner. A full size MFJ 20m vertical telescoping whip is also a good choice and is going to be a great deal more efficient than a 40m hamstick. Don't skimp here, buy the most antenna you can afford within your setup limitations.

Cost - Variable ~$40 - $100+.

What size of battery are you looking for? A small SLA type to transport in a backpack for hiking for maybe an hour or two of operation, or a big automotive type battery to transport to an operation site in a vehicle and last all day? Every single car type battery sold in this country is made by 1 of 3 companies -Delphi, Exide and Johnson Controls, just with a different retailers label slapped on it, so buy the cheapest deep cycle battery you can find that meets your size and amp hour requirements. Costco is a great choice if you have a membership or Wal-Mart because they cycle through their inventory quickly and you won't be buying a battery that's been sitting on a shelf for a year.

A nice big group 31 battery will run you ~ $100. Cheaper if you go smaller.

I'd recommend a nice battery box like this to put it in. - $50

A decent battery charger will set you back about $40. Maybe a bit cheaper if you shop around a bit. If you have a Harbor Freight nearby, they actually have a pretty good battery charger that they put on sale frequently for 25 bucks or so.

We're up to $1040 without antenna. That leaves you $250 to play with for an antenna and any other incidentals like coax cable, connectors, antenna mounts and the like.

Also, unless you plan on running off the battery all the time, you haven't budgeted for a power supply for fixed station operation. A 100W rig will need a 20A power supply and that will set you back about $100 for something that isn't trash.

Do you already have a power supply for fixed operation? If no, you'll be running off the battery all the time. A 20A power supply that isn't garbage will set you back about $100.

Are you really set on solar? Depends on how much you drive but you maybe better off with an alternator connection. What type of fan are you using? You maybe able to go a little smaller than 100 amp hrs. That is a lot for just a laptop/phone/electronics lights.

A good example of how simple 12V can be is this box
https://www.amazon.com/MinnKota-Trolling-Motor-Power-Center/dp/B001PTHKMG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1496277131&sr=8-8&keywords=battery+box+27
It has a few inline breakers (10 amp and 60 amp) in the box for the 12V outlets.

It didn't post the link. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001PTHKMG/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?qid=1425953252&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=deep+cycle+battery

I did a project about 3 years ago for an emergency lighting system. None of those dinky plug-in units that will barely light your feet as you walk past. No this thing lights up the whole house using those long 5-meter 12V LED strips you find on eBay. And it will output high brightness for well over 24hrs, though never tested that long. Longest outage so far was 1/2 day.

I got a 125AH deep-cycle marine battery:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ACNO2AO

A smart charger:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JSHQW0

A 12V automotive relay (to switch to battery on power outage), some 12V LED strips, wires, panel-mount volt/ammeters. The system's been running fine for 3 years.

I run this unit -- http://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GEN2-On-Board-Waterproof-Battery/dp/B003JSJS5I

It's important that I'm able to go from fully drained to fully charged overnight and the system is used 90% of the time without the engine running.

I always recommend the Blue Sea Add-A-Battery setup. It has the ACR and a manual kill switch/combiner in one package. http://www.bluesea.com/products/7650

This is a lead-acid battery charger. Use it to charge your field batteries! Not a LiPo charger.

I've heard this charger is excellent. It is normally $140+ on Amazon. CamelCamelCamel confirms this is the lowest price at least since last year.

I have no idea why it is so low priced. eBay prices are also around $140. I ordered one last night (didn't think to post to Reddit til now). Going to run to my local battery store today to get a couple deep cycle batteries, and then I'll be all set for field charging.

You can get a brand new Minn Kota for less than the cost of a good cordless drill these days lol.