Manually trolling your canoe can be a tiresome affair. Besides, it is no fun when your arms no longer have the strength to paddle. If you are an angler, you must know the importance of trolling motors and how they can make your life considerably easy. You can effortlessly glide over the fish hole or reach your favorite lakeside spot for a picnic as the trolling motor propels your canoe.
A trolling motor saves a lot of your energy that goes into paddling, and you can use that energy for fishing and other fun activities. Reaching your favorite fishing spot will be a breeze with a trolling motor. A trolling motor consists of a motor, controls, and a propeller fixed to the bow or stern of the canoe.
Most anglers nowadays attach a canoe electric motor as it has many advantages over gas-powered and 2-stroke or 4-stroke outboard motors. Looking into the different types of motors will help you understand why canoe electric motors are the best option.
2-Stroke Or 4-Stroke Outboard Motor
2-stroke or 4-stroke outboard motors can be commonly seen at the back of most powerboats. Mostly, they are gas-powered or gas and oil-powered. This helps them move the boat quickly. You can attach the 2-stroke outboard motor to the stern of a square back canoe, but it’s tough to attach on a traditional canoe.
The 4-stroke outboard motor is usually too large for a smaller canoe and can only fit on extra-large ones. Both of them are noisier and bulkier than a canoe electric motor. Due to their weight, they are not suitable for small canoes.
Gas-Powered Motor
Gas-powered motors are also one of the options. They work on gasoline, and just like the outboard motors, they add to the canoe’s weight. They provide less power than the onboard motor and are ideal for smaller boats. Since they work on gasoline, they are not considered environmentally friendly and tend to cause a lot of pollution. They are also noisier than electric motors.
Reasons to Choose Electric Motors
Electric motors are a very popular and excellent option for canoes. As canoes don’t need enormous power due to their small size, electric motors are appropriate. They are battery-powered and are much quieter than the gas-powered and outboard motors.
As they generate significantly less noise, they move smoothly over the water without disturbing the fishes underwater. Most modern designs have different speed settings and also a display to indicate the battery level remaining. The LED indicator helps check the battery level even in the dark. Electric motors come with different battery power options. You can choose from a 12, 24, or 36-volt motor.
If your boat is under 16 feet long, a 12-volt motor will be appropriate, but if it’s more than 16 feet long, you should consider buying a 24-volt motor. You need to consider the size of your boat as going extra voltage will mean installing more batteries and associated cabling.
A canoe electric motor can be very versatile as it is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater trolling. You can choose a model that’s appropriate for your canoe. Talking to someone who already owns a boat will also help you narrow down your choices.