What motor/HP for my inflatable boat?

[Stacylynn1]

I'm trying to find out what horsepower for a trolling motor would be good for 5 man rubber boat thats going to hold about 850 pounds & go up & down the river?

I'm not trying to have the boat flying out the water but my fianc? seems to think a 1.5 hp woudnt get us all around... I'm not good with this stuff, & don't know if a Intex motor mount would be good, or what portable battery would be good for either HP... Please help ! Thanks!

 

[Stacylynn1]

Re: What motor/HP for my inflatable boat?

comeee on!!

 

[theteacher]

Re: What motor/HP for my inflatable boat?

We could use more info on the boat, but 1.5 probably won't work.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: What motor/HP for my inflatable boat?

What brand, model, size is your current sib ? To choose HP will depend on how strong currents you find on your way up river and N? of passengers on board. How about a gasoline small portable and forget all about carrying a jumping bat inside sib.

Happy Boating

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: What motor/HP for my inflatable boat?

No way I would put 850 pounds of weight in a rubber Intex boat. 1.5 hp is not much motor at all especially for a boat that has a lot of drag. 1.5hp would probably push you around 2-3 mph. If the wind got up you might be pushed along with it.
We need more info on your boat, cargo, and strength of the current.

 

[Loop_Dad]

Re: What motor/HP for my inflatable boat?

We definitely need more info, but I think Intex's max is 3 hp gas, except someone on this board put 6 hp with modified motor mount and he felt that's the absolute max of the water craft's capability.

Mine goes 4mph with 55 lbs trust trolling motor. My understanding is 55 lbs trust is roughly equivalent of 2 hp gas power(?).

 

[Stacylynn1]

Re: What motor/HP for my inflatable boat?

Sorry. It's the Intex excursion 5. I ended up getting the minnkota c2 45 thrust. Praying it'll work... The lady where I'm renting the cabin from said the waters are pretty calm. We're gonna have four people, the battery&motor & two fishing poles. Max is 1000

Now I need to figure out the best battery that would last atleast 4 hours each day out there.....

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: What motor/HP for my inflatable boat?

I ended up getting the minnkota c2 45 thrust. Praying it'll work... The lady where I'm renting the cabin from said the waters are pretty calm. We're gonna have four people, the battery&motor & two fishing poles. Max is 1000

Now I need to figure out the best battery that would last atleast 4 hours each day out there.....

I don't use trolling motors, but I do use underwater scooters with variable thrust. The largest uses SLA batteries 24 volts at 17-18 AH and at full thrust underwater (continuous run) I get 50 minutes. Slower I get 75-90 minutes. If you are running your trolling motor for 4 hours continuously you'd probably need a pretty BIG battery with a load of folks??? I would imagine you're going from one place to another, stopping and moving on? That wouldn't require as BIG a battery.

That said I'm sure a local boat outfitter/Costco can suggest a deep cycle 12 volt marine battery for your needs.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: What motor/HP for my inflatable boat?

Could connect a efficient solar panel to bat when at a stop for a long time to replenish, probably not fully, but better than continue to keep draining power untill engine drops dead.

Happy Boating

 

[Loop_Dad]

Re: What motor/HP for my inflatable boat?

Your Minn Kota Endura 45 lbs will draw somewhere between 35A - 40A at max speed I think. (55lb is low 40's) So if you get 100ampH battery, you probably get 100/35 *0.7 = 2 hours, that would be my guesstimate. Endura series does not have digital control which conserves significant amount of juice. You probably need two battery for your 4 hours need based on each one having 100ampH.

BTW having 4 people and fishing gear on that boat is very tight. Have fun