: I've been wondering about trolling motors. Seems cheap, and I can't
: imagine being more than 2 hours away for motoring purposes. But
: I wonder what power I would use? 35lb, 40lb, or 50/55lb? I found
: a guy on the interwebs who measured a GP14 at 3 knots at 100%
: thrust from a 35lb motor. He uses a 45lb on his Stevenson Pocket
: Cruiser (which is bigger, heavier, and slower than a GP14,) and
: suggests for 50+lbs thrust motors a second battery might be a
: good idea (there go the weight savings.)

: I've never use a trolling motor before, always been a 2 stroke
: gasoline outboard type, but a 45lb troller can be had for
: probably just over $200 US with a battery from Wally World.
: Anyone know if that motor will hold up to salt water with
: reasonable fresh water rinses at the end of the weekend?

: Then there's the problem of mounting on my pretty, brightwork
: transom... I'll figure something out, but until then, oars
: should work just fine. The GP14 was designed as a General
: Purpose (get it?) sailing dinghy to row as easily as sail.

: Brian

Couple of years ago I used the littlest MinKota (think it's a 30 lb. thrust) motor on a 12' Chrysler sailboat (got the boat nearly for free), could go around 6 or 7 miles at full throttle on a standard car battery, battery is the key for distance a deep cycle will give much more range. Would run roughly 1/2 the speed the boat was capable of in a no wind condition. Don't need the motor if there's wind :)

These boats don't take much to make them move, not much drag. Btw, they steer MUCH better with the board down a little, don't need the rudder in the water with the motor running.

Bill H.