engine mount trolling motor for secondary propulsion

[retroinmpls]

I'm soliciting advice/opinions on a good type of secondary propulsion for my boat, a 19' closed bow aluminum Crestliner with a 4.3l merc I/O. I rarely fish so that part is not a consideration (apologies to the fishermen out there, more for you to catch). The 2 scenarios I could see using an EM trolling motor for me would be if my engine were to cut out in a low speed situation such as at the launch or docks or somewhere I was in danger of hitting something or someone because I'm not powered up. The other would be if I ran out of gas on bigger water and needed to get back to shore or nearby marina. I currently run 2 batteries, a starter and a deep cycle on a 12v setup. I have used a traditional trolling motor in the past for this exact purpose but the limitations are speed in digging it out and setting it up and then the steering/visibility is tough from the stern on this boat. Also would need to a mounting plate or use the swim platform. I could make a bow mounted unit work but as it is basically a cruiser setup and this is for backup only, I would rather not have all that contraption mounted on the bow. My concern regarding the EM trolling motor is drag and anything else you all come up with. My boat weighs about 2500 lbs. and I'm thinking about a 55# thrust unit and wanting it to last 2 hrs tops. Thanks for any input as I am just in the noodling stage here.

 

[Bondo]

Re: engine mount trolling motor for secondary propulsion

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... My thought is, yer better off keepin' yer motor, 'n drive serviced, 'n carrin' a paddle,...

2 little batteries, 'n a great big trollin' motor ain't gonna get ya very far,...

Ya Do have yer Safety Kit, with flares, 'n flag, Right,..??

 

[NYBo]

Re: engine mount trolling motor for secondary propulsion

Impossible to say without knowing the distances and water conditions involved, but Bondo is right. Unless you are talking a very small lake your chances of success are slim to none.