Greetings! I have some questions that I'm hoping
some of you might be able to answer.<br>My intent is
to use one or two submersible electric motors, e.g.,
Minn Kota RT 70, 24V, to propel a smaller boat that
will have ample room for two people and two large
dogs. There are ready-built displacement hull launches
available, but they are "pricey" and the layout is not ideal
for our situation. I'm considering an aluminum
fishing boat with a planing hull (e.g., a Lund) as these
have the entirely open layout that I desire with high
freeboard and lots of room for the sea dogs.<br>I
understand the loss of efficiency compared to a displacement
hull compounded by the fact that electric motors are a
bit under powered. Does this make the idea
unworkable? Does weight play a factor? The aluminum runabout
would not weigh nearly as much as the fiberglass
launch.<br>I need to consider initial cost vs. usability. I
can carry extra batteries for cruises of six to eight
hours if necessary. Another possibility is the
"expedition" type canoe of long ago. The hull would work
better, but I also need stability as there is coastal
cruising (New England, primarily CT and RI)
involved.<br>Speed is not critical -- the boat will obviously not
plane with electric propulsion. Am I loony or this idea
worth looking into? I would appreciate any comments,
from anyone who has done anything even remotely
similar or anyone who has any suggestions.
Thanks!<br><br>Doug<br>taliesin@...
