Hi All - fairly new to fishing and boating.  Last year I picked up a used Xpress 17 ft alluminum with a 9.9hp outboard, remote steering, etc.  Thing is - I live in an area of SE PA where all my local lakes are electric only.  The closest power lake is over an hour away and I'm not likely to be heading there any time soon.   I have a Minn Kota 55lb transom and an old 30lb bow motorguide that is on its last legs.  

My question - is it worth keeping the outboard on the boat "just in case" or would I be better off to remove the weight?  

Also - since the trolling motors are my only propulsion, I was leaning towards a 70lb for the bow.  I "crawled" across the lake the last time I was out.

Any advice would be appreciated.

- Mike

 MCHammer40, I just got my first boat last month. I live down the street in Lancaster and share the same fustration. I don't plan on fishing 9.9 restricted lakes.

 I would keep the Outboard Motor. You'll need it to get out on the Susquehanna or other rivers. The Susquehanna is a fantastic smallie fishery.

 In my case, a 15 HP Mercury Tiller weights only 115 lbs. so it would be easy on and off. I guess it would be a little more of a difference in the ease of removing with remote steering.

 While on the electric motor lakes. I plan to keep my outboard safe at home. It's my understanding you don't want to be seen with an Outboard any where near an EMO lake.

Bruce

Mike,

I would keep it on.  You can always lower it and it keeps your boat a little easier to control on those windy days when the boat is being pushed around.

Thanks guys - appreciate the feedback.

I'm in the same boat(made a funny) ;D

I took off my motor, there's only one power motor lake by me and the rest are all electric. I have a MK 55# on the transome that pushes fine if not more than needed( its a 1436) that MK of yours should be fine on pushing you, add a good foot up front and you'll be set.  No more gas fumes