Marksreturn

Thanks for the insights, guys! I put a MinnKota electric motor on, with 36 foot/pounds of pressure. It moved us around as quickly as we could have paddled, and made it LOTS easier. Paddling is fine and all, but paddling several miles can be a real drag! We caught a decent number of fish and really enjoyed not having to muscle our way through the whole time. Also, thanks to the company that published the book that we used to clamp the motor to the side of the canoe! the mounting apparatus wasn't QUITE big enough to fit over the edge of the canoe without something to clamp onto.

It's a Mad River St Croix (since renamed Explorer TT). There's a shallow V in the hull. No square back, sadly. Here's the Mad River webpage with the detailed info on the canoe. Sorry I can't link directly, but I've not yet made 10 posts. madrivercanoe.com/explorer-14-tt Now, will I be able to clamp a transom motor directly to the side of the canoe? I've looked up videos of canoes with motors that are attached to elaborate mounts and I wonder if all that is necessary... Any thoughts? Thanks for the friendly welcome and input!

Hey folks, I was reading your forum and decided to register because the atmosphere seems nice. I have a 15' canoe and want to put a transom mount trolling motor on it. Before I buy the motor though, I'd like some advice on what to buy, from people with experience with little watercraft and trolling motors. Here's the scenario - I usually fish with a buddy, so the motor would be pulling over 500 pounds with the canoe, battery, 2 adult males, and gear. We often fish lakes and go several miles to reach all points. Paddling's a pain in the back, so we want to use the motor to get around at a decent clip, something comparable to the speed we get when paddling steadily. With that in mind, am I okay getting a more economical 30 foot/pounds unit with a 30" shaft (like the lowest-end minn-kota Endura), or should I shell out more for 36 f/p with 36"? Or should I really go crazy and get something with 40 f/p or more to avoid crawling across the lake at half a mile per hour? Thanks in advance for any suggestions! ~Mark Also, I'm in NY - will I need to register the canoe after putting a small motor on it?