i need power for a homemade boat, made for fishing small ponds and duck hunting.  it is 12', shaped alot like a wide canoe with a square stern, and weights 80 lbs.  can a trolling motor push this?  i know nothing about motors, so it my be obvious to most.  what kind of battery life can i expect?  can i go 2 miles on it?  speed is not an issue, anything is better than paddling.  how powerful should i get?  can it push it into a 15 mph head wind?  also, it will be used in saltwater.  does it HAVE to be made for saltwater?  thanks for any help!

I push my 12' jon boat all day on one battery with a 46lb thrust Minn Kota and Maxx Marine Battery from Wal-Mart. It will be slow into the head wind but you will make. the Saltwater series motors are better for the salt water but if you make sure you rinse it with freshwater real good when you get home you shouldn't have many problems.