mike brennan wrote:
I think I'll go with an electric motor.
How much time is is on the electric motor.
What is the easiest way to transport the pro angler
Thanks
Mike
I agree with Yak Fish's reply. From my perspective he is correct in everything he said.
I have a Minkota 30# engine, Another 45# motor, IslandHopper side Mount and a Torqeedo Rear mount.
I use the Torqeedo the most ...... well exclusively now. The Torqeedo engine, mount, controller and battery weigh 15 lbs and take up very little space and give me 4.5 - 5.5 mph speed. The battery lasts basically all day if you don't leave it on high speed all day ........... I used it about 6 hrs of normal fishing ...... running, trolling and stopping and casting and left the water with 20% battery left. The Torqeedo batteries will just about go to 0 where as the regular batteries will usually quit around 30% because the voltage drops below what the engine requires. I keep a second battery on board. The battery has a computer and a GPS built in that tells you the distance speed and time/distance left in the battery at that speed. It also has a kill switch built in so it won't keep going if you fall over. It will also turn off if you turtle. The battery is small enough to put it beside the seat and it is so light, it floats .......... Disadvantage is that the Torqeedo Ultra light costs $1700. When you add up all of the costs of the others including the batterys, charger etc ...... it's a few hundred more than the Bass Yaks and other systems.
Things about the other systems were the weight and the side mount made me reach to turn to do something. when I reached too far, the big battery shifted and almost turtled me .......... I didn't tie it down right. It also took up alot of room .......... couldn't fit the Hobie Livewell and the big battery together ........ but I only tried once ......... I also didn't get over 4.4 mph and the battery didn't seem to last as long as the torqeedo ........ again guys ..... not an argument .... just what I found.
The Torqeedo has some disadvntages .... in my opinion, it needed a backing plate and a special way to attach the backing plate since your arms can't reach. I had 1 made with the nuts in it and used the Yak Attack bullets to attach the backing plate. A backing plate comes with the Torqeedo but since you can't reach the area of the mount from the inside, it was of no use. Also, I tried to use the Hobie rudder with the engine to steer but the side mounted DF transducer that I have created too much drag that made steering difficult at higher Torqeedo speeds. I think I have a solution for that but haven't rigged it yet. Also, the engine pivots backward so you can pull it up when not in use. Because of this you can't use the reverse. I need to work out something for that.
But all in all ....... I like the engine.
Another thing I like is that the whole thing (engine, battery and controller) can be installed or removed in about 2 minutes or less and it comes with a storage bag. I also have a Yak Attack Gear trac mounted on the PA side rail and the controller is mounted on that using a Ram mount ...... the controls are literally at my fingertips and can be adjusted for my comfort.
Other 1's out there like the Bass Yaks and the Island Hopper have these things worked out already but they still have the weight and space concerns.
As far as transporting, Yak fish is right on the 3 methods. I prefer the PU Truck w/ bed extender. It' makes it very easy to just slide it in and tie it down with out breaking your back.