motor mount for an inflatable boat

Hi,

I recently used a Coleman Navigator 4-person dinghy, and had a good time. I've since looked online at many inflatables, and seen that there are motor mounts for them. I am interested in using an electric trolling motor. Sevylor has the SBM 12-volt engine, which is supposed to work on other inflatables as well--will it work on mine? Is it a worthwhile product? Are there other mounts that will work? I saw motor mounts at sea eagle and sevylor as well, will these work? Should I make my own? Thanks.


Israel

 

Making your own can be a bit risky. By the time you go to the hardware store 3 or 4 times to find the right part... you could be fishing with a manufactured mount. Once you install it and it breaks, pushing the prop into the side of the raft.... well, you get the idea....

I'm not a big fan of those tiny electric motor mounts on inflatables.... but I guess they work reasonably well (for what they're intended for). I always disliked a big 12 volt battery rolling around in the floor of my raft. However - I understand the difference between what you want and what you can afford.... Buy the best you can get... and have fun...

 

Israel,

My thoughts on making your own motor mount are along the same lines as thezster.
You would not want to be out in the water and have any kind of failure.
I personally would only use the accessory motor mount that is made for the boat model you have and by the same mfr.

I am actually looking into getting a square stern canoe to mingle with the ducks in the marsh behind my house.
What I am considering is a small, 1 to 2 hp gas outboard engine.
I don't particularly care to have the dead weight of the necessary battery in the bottom of my canoe.
A gas engine is noisier that an electric but the amount of stored energy and weight of a few quarts of gas compared to the power you get out of a battery are many times greater.
For me I would move across the pond under power and then switch to paddle when in photo (or shotgun) mode.

Actually, I haven't had a chance to research it so if I can highjack this thread, maybe someone has a recommendation for a quiet little mini-outboard engine.

 

I once put a 5hp motor on a side mount for my 17ft alum. canoe.... We "flew" across the water - till the side weight flipped us....

Any relatively new - less than 5 yrs old - small hp motor will work fabulously on a square end. Smaller is better - due to weight considerations.... unless you plan to ski behind the canoe....

 

That is why I want a square stern and no, too many reeds and bullrushes to water ski.

I honestly would think that 1 1/2 hp would be more than enough.
It would be fairly quiet and would keep your speeds in the range of fast paddling.
I was eyeing up a 1 1/2 hp Tanaka but just found out that they went out of production in 2002 because of emissions regs.
This could be a good thing though because if any motors like this are sold now they would likely be more miserly on fuel.
We'll be icebound soon so I will spend the winter researching this and maybe have a catalogue item circled and strategically placed.
(Xmas is coming after all. )

 

I have a ex father n law who has a coleman and uses 12 volt and electric battery.

He uses it in a small lake, he has heart surgery, cant handle paddling much I guess.

I have had a few boats, I have also had rubber rafts and so forth.

There is a difference from rubber raft to plastic.

Alot of the inflatables out there our made out of plastic.

Myself, unless there is a space or reason why you want to use a inflatable. Tne Id go with electric or look on e-bay there is a few gas powered, 1 to 3 horse out there.

But you might be able to pick up a used boat with a engine for under $800. Now that the season is about over with.

Sporty

 

I do have a space problem, which is why inflatables are attractive to me. Is your ex-father-in-law's boat a Coleman inflatable? Does he use the Sevylor trolling motor? I'm just wondering if it's sufficient. Thanks.

Israel

 

I know its a coleman, and it was a kit he got, but i dont know if its a sevyor. I know that it was good to fart around in,

But is no good for meduim or strong current. And If I recall he got a couple of hours out of it. But I didnt ask if he was using a marine battery or a smaller sla battery.

We dotn talk anymore, otherwise i would call and ask him to provide better info 4 you.

Sporty

 

Thank you much.

Israel