Get yourself a small aluminum boat.

I have the BARF - a 12' V-hull I found in the employee classifieds at
work. Paid a whole $80 for it. I've got a 28# thrust Minnkota running
off a single 12V deep cycle. I pull the boat (stern first) - takes me
anywhere I want to go. More stable than a canoe, and holds all the
gear two people need.

Jim

On 19 Aug 2005 08:14:48 -0700, wrote:

I would like to fish in some small lakes or reservoirs (New Jersey)
that only allow the use of electric motor. I am wondering whether I
should use a rowboat or a canoe. Regardless whether I will use a
rowboat or a canoe, I will mount an electric trolling motor to its
stern as the primary propelling power.

I need some info in order to help me to make a decision:

o Is this realistic to use a trolling motor to push a rowboat for a
distance of 1 mile back and fro? I have a feeling that the combined
weight of the rowboat, two adults, an anchor, and the wide
cross-section "may" be a drag for the trolling motor. Will this be OK
afterall? And I don't intend to use the oars as the backup propelling
power because I don't have any luck doing this.

o Seem like we cannot put too many stuffs inside a canoe as comparing
to a rowboat. This may mean that I cannot put a big trolling motor and
big batteries into the canoe. Does this restrict the distance that the
canoe can go to less than 1 mile back and fro?

o How do we anchor a canoe in the middle of the lake? Putting an
anchor inside a canoe "seems" like putting a lot of weight of the
canoe. This "may" make the canoe hard to control if the anchor is not
placed at the dead center of the canoe. Will the use of an anchor and
cross-blowing wind cause the canoe to capsize?. Am I worrying the wrong
things? Do people have a different mean to anchor a canoe without using
an anchor?

Thanks for any info in advance.

Jay Chan