Trolling motor batter selection

Being I'm getting older and tend to make long paddle / peddle runs to my fishing spots or trolling the ship channel and delta, I decided time has come to get a trolling motor to add to my range.
My question is what size battery do I need. I wanted a 100 amp hour rated battery but the wright is excessive (55lbs). At full speed it still only gives me 2.25 hr run time. Low speed about 12 hours.
Any adivice on battery size I would realistically need?

Those Torqeedo motors are NOT cheap. For the price of a Torqeedo, battery, and charger, you could probably score a 12-14 foot aluminum boat, motor, and trailer.

Just a thought... If you're moving to motor power instead of human power, a kayak might not be the best/cheapest or most efficient way to do it.

I'm sure you'll hear some wildly different opinions.


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Lithium batteries are expensive but a lot lighter. Plus they claim to be worth the extra cost over the long term. One lithium is supposed to last longer than a whole lot of lead acid batteries.

Those Torqeedo motors are NOT cheap. For the price of a Torqeedo, battery, and charger, you could probably score a 12-14 foot aluminum boat, motor, and trailer.

Just a thought... If you're moving to motor power instead of human power, a kayak might not be the best/cheapest or most efficient way to do it.

I'm sure you'll hear some wildly different opinions.


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I'm not sure where it says  he was considering a Torqeedo motors  but I picked up a trolling motor for 25 at the flea market. I have a boat that is capable to handling the bigger battery but haven't hooked it up yet. I too would love to find out more about the lithium batteries.
 have you checked out a small 4stroke engine? If you are planning on travelling far this might be a better option. I was thinking about going this route but now I am planning on getting a boat just because I have 2 kids to drag along with

Yeah, I guess you could do it a whole lot cheaper if you're interested in piecing something together from the thrift store. Or piecing anything together using a motor that isn't specifically designed for kayak use.


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Yeah, I guess you could do it a whole lot cheaper if you're interested in piecing something together from the thrift store. Or piecing anything together using a motor that isn't specifically designed for kayak use.


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Yea I've seen those Torqeedo motors but just because it says it is made for a kayak you must be buying the kool-aid! I'm not sure why a trolling motor for a boat would not be able to be used with a little fabrication and probably work a whole lot better. My boat can handle a regular trolling motor just fine or if I want to spend an extra grand and get an official kayak one. I personally don't plan on using it a whole lot but on the occasion so it will work just fine for my use.

I would suggest a gas outboard.  I have a Torqeedo, nice and light, but always limited to battery availability. At the end, a gas outboard will be better for range (albeit heavier and need stronger rigging to handle the torque).


You may be better off getting a commonly available electric motor but beef up on the lithium ion battery, may come out cheaper than a Torqeedo with longer range. I got my Torqeedo on a crazy good deal, so I couldn't pass it up.

I would suggest a gas outboard.

This.

I don't have a motor, but there has been a lot of discussion of pros and cons of electric vs gas on the Hobie forum. I have not followed that real closely, but it seems to me that the consensus clearly is in favor of gas. You might Google for some of that info. And, if you have specific questions, sign up on the Hobie forum and PM the guy who goes by "fusioneng"...

Check this link out for trolling motors on kayaks and battery info
http://bassyaks.com/

Hmm
Well I have a modded electric moter I use sometimes on one of my yaks  and I have a gas motor 2.5 I got with my AI
So I also have a sail guess what the sail is the better option most of the time
But there are some common problems example never sail any farther than your willing to peddle/paddle back same with electric I have a 60lb battery but you can run it down very fast the gas motor is lighter
But loud it's second best for range normally but on a lake like new hogan with sctechy fish it's not a good option when chasing boils
I'm not handy caped but I find it's much easier to troll under sail

One other consideration if you drop your motor the lake   It won't like you
If you drop your battery in the lake will not like you but if you drop your sail it only means you want to paddle for a wile
The battery needs conservative use or short days but the sail will get me there and back if there is only the smallest of winds on a lake