I'm thinking of finally getting a secondary means of propulsion on my fishing boat. It's a 16'8" Lund Explorer SS and I have a 2005 60HP Yamaha on the back. I keep it in good running condition as it's my only means of power on the water. I fish Erie and am often out 10 to 12 miles, most times by myself. I have a VHF radio, cell phone, C-Tow membership, ALWAYS wear my lifejacket with a lanyard attached to the ignition. I ALWAYS check the weather and won't go out above 15 kmh winds. I've turned back many a time because I just didn't like it. I just turned 70 a couple of months ago and now I'm thinking I should have some other motor out there, if not for my peace of mind, others.
Here's where I need some advice / opinions. What to do??
Buy a Kicker, what size? Keeping in mind I want to also use it as a back up motor, how slow do I need to go versus how fast can I go?
1) Buy a bare bones manual outboard with no controls other than connected to the helm steering, shift & throttle from the tiller.
2) Buy a outboard with most controls including steering, Keeping in mind, I'm by myself most times, how difficult is it to control when out fishing? Is it necessary to adjust the speed often? Is it more difficult to find the "sweet speed spot" when using the kicker motor?
OR
3) Buy an electric trolling motor. I've been avoiding this one forever, didn't want the motor hanging off the bow, didn't want the weight of the batteries, didn't want the hassle of charging these batteries (I'm off the grid at my trailer, although I do have solar and can run one 15amp outlet during a sunny day, or run my generator grrr). The upside, other than money, is I could get one with "auto pilot", which was on my wish list for the main motor.
IDEAS??
Happy Easter
Mike
Here's where I need some advice / opinions. What to do??
Buy a Kicker, what size? Keeping in mind I want to also use it as a back up motor, how slow do I need to go versus how fast can I go?
1) Buy a bare bones manual outboard with no controls other than connected to the helm steering, shift & throttle from the tiller.
2) Buy a outboard with most controls including steering, Keeping in mind, I'm by myself most times, how difficult is it to control when out fishing? Is it necessary to adjust the speed often? Is it more difficult to find the "sweet speed spot" when using the kicker motor?
OR
3) Buy an electric trolling motor. I've been avoiding this one forever, didn't want the motor hanging off the bow, didn't want the weight of the batteries, didn't want the hassle of charging these batteries (I'm off the grid at my trailer, although I do have solar and can run one 15amp outlet during a sunny day, or run my generator grrr). The upside, other than money, is I could get one with "auto pilot", which was on my wish list for the main motor.
IDEAS??
Happy Easter
Mike