|
|
Post by Rock Chuck on Jul 3, 2005 17:42:30 GMT -5
I just bought a 34lb Minn Kota for my 17' canoe. I used to have a 17lb but it hardly moved it fast enough to troll, let alone actually go anywhere. This one should scoot it right along. I guess I'm getting lazy in my old age.
One problem though...now my canoe is officially a motorboat. That means I have to register it. It's only $23 but it's the idea that gripes me.
Dick
|
|
|
|
Post by ncboman on Jul 3, 2005 21:51:51 GMT -5
gripes me too.  My 12ft aluminum jonboat fits into that category. The sticker expired on it in April and I haven't renewed it yet. My boy has still been using it though. He only has about a 200yd run and he's under a bridge the warden's usual boat won't fit under.  btw, I was told all that's needed is a flashlight to signal any approaching vessels at night. |
|
|
|
Post by Rock Chuck on Jul 3, 2005 23:12:41 GMT -5
That only applies to non-powered boats, at least on federally controlled waters. To run any motorboat at night you need a red/green bow light and a white stern light. A rowboat or canoe only needs a flashlight. Many states, including both NC & ID, use the same regs on state controlled waters.
This is from an NC website:
Navigation Rules:
The State of North Carolina adopts and enforces all Federally mandated boating safety laws.
Every vessel operating in the State of North Carolina shall carry and use safety equipment in accordance with U. S. Coast Guard requirements as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations. Additionally, every vessel shall display the lights and shapes required by the navigation rules.
Dick
|
|
|
|
Post by ncboman on Jul 3, 2005 23:40:26 GMT -5
The warden may have told me to turn the motor off if I saw a boat approaching, I don't remember exactly. He was acting like it wasn't anything he wanted to make a case about unless he had to. Probably fairly difficult to prove the trolling motor was running after dark too. Out in a camo jonboat at night, I'd have to be really trying to get anyone to see me. Not much activity on the water after dark, only an occasional barge way out in the river and most folks cringe at the thought of going down a creek at night. Snakes and skeeters. ;D They'll write tickets quick on motorboats running late without lights. I've even paddled in to avoid it when my running lights weren't right. (which is most of the time.  ) Sunset is the deadline here and the warden can hear an outboard for a good distance. |
|
|
|
Post by Rock Chuck on Jul 4, 2005 7:28:31 GMT -5
If I was in a rowboat and another boat was approaching, I'd want more than a flashlight to warn him. I'd want something in the nature of 400,000 candlepower. Getting run down by a speedboat wouldn't be fun at all. If you think about it, the rules are backwards. If you're in a rowboat, you need MORE light because you can't get out of the way as fast.
|
|
|
|
Post by ncboman on Jul 4, 2005 8:10:32 GMT -5
well I can see your point but if you were around here you'd see that one would have to be drunk to collide with another boat at night. You can see and hear a motorboat for miles. There are no 'all of a sudden' approaches.
Now tonight there will be a lot of boats on the water around town for the fireworks display and some of the boaters will be drunk. I wouldn't venture into it with only a trolling motor and no lights. I almost got run into a couple of years ago in my big boat and it was lit up like a Xmas tree. ;D
Usually a nightime water venture here is a very solitary affair.
|
|
|
|
Post by ncboman on Jul 4, 2005 8:22:02 GMT -5
We must have the same model Minn Kota, Endura 34. It seemed like the most reasonably priced motor with any power at all. I keep forgetting to take my GPS so I can check the speed. I know it's considerably slower on my fiberglass boats than the 12ft jonboat. It'll scoot the jonboat right along.  |
|
|
|
Post by DaveHawk on Jul 4, 2005 9:09:19 GMT -5
I have the motor for my conoe and it puts me up the river very nicely. One thing I hate is the portage with that darn battery. LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by Rock Chuck on Jul 4, 2005 9:59:36 GMT -5
Wimp. ;D
I got mine at Wally's. I suspect that MinnKota makes a special one for them because the standard size for the Enduro is 36lb, not the 34 that Wally's carries. However, the 34 sells for $110 while the 36 goes for about $150 anywhere else. I'll sacrifice 2lb for $40.
Dick
|
|
|
|
Post by DaveHawk on Jul 4, 2005 13:39:09 GMT -5
Ya , I got's your wimp! ;D LOL When I went out with the motor it was for an over nighter and I would carry 2 batteries. Other wise I use a double blade paddle for day hunt's up the river and fishing. I can still handle the day hunts with the double blade Old Man LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by Rock Chuck on Jul 7, 2005 18:59:35 GMT -5
My wife picked up the registration yesterday. I'd given her the serial number, etc for it. The DMV also wanted to know what size of motor I'd be using. She knew I'd bought an electric but didn't have a clue as to size. All she knew was that I had a 15hp on my boat so she told them to use that one. 15hp on a 17' canoe? Ooookay. Now THAT ought to git up and git.
Dick
|
|
|
|
Post by ncboman on Jul 7, 2005 21:30:58 GMT -5
;D I bet the people at the registration office didn't blink an eye. I'm in somewhat of an awkward situation with boat trailers. I'm not sure how it happened but a few years back I parked one of my three boat trailers, not using it anymore. Somehow the wife wound up getting registrations mixed and now if someone were to check the serial number on the trailer my most used boat is on, it will come back to another trailer. One of those things I've been meaning to straighten out but never have. |
|
|
|
Post by Rock Chuck on Jul 7, 2005 21:36:18 GMT -5
Sounds like me. I have a boat trailer and a utility trailer, both home made so there are no numbers. For the last couple of years, I've just been switching 1 plate back and forth. Here, trailer plates cost $35 and are good for 10 years. I guess I ought to get another one before I get caught with the plate on the trailer sitting at home.
Dick
|
|
|
|
Post by ncboman on Jul 7, 2005 21:41:33 GMT -5
That's a good price for a ten year tag.  I wouldn't change a thing though. The only way you can get caught is to tell on yourself. ;D I'm sure the state will never miss it. Kind of irks me that I have to license anything with wheels while my farmer friends can pull all sorts of trailers with no plates whatsoever.  |
|
|
|
Post by Rock Chuck on Jul 10, 2005 23:36:02 GMT -5
Just got home from a 3 day trip where I gave the new electric put-put a good workout. It's sweet. It will troll nicely but when I crank it up to 5, it really moves the canoe along. I don't know how long the battery is good for. I kept it going better than 5 hrs, part trolling at low speed but a good amount of high speed, too. It was still going strong when we came home. It's a fairly small battery, too. I didn't want a 100 lb monster to have to pack around.
Dick
|
|
) 
