T-Pain Is On A Boat: [Electric Boats] Re: Thrust from Trolling Motors

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

[Electric Boats] Re: Thrust from Trolling Motors

I don't know if this will be helpful but 30kts of wind is equal to 1kt of current.

--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "john.zimmerlee" <jpz@...> wrote:
>
> >
> > What about trying to make headway into a 30-knot headwind?
> > Wouldn't this "bollard pull test" static thrust information be useful for
> > those of us who took the time to measure the loads while anchored in various
> > wind strengths?
> >
> > JoeS.
> >
>
> Answer: In my humble opinion, the static test churns up the water and does not let the prop perform the way it would passing through normal water.
>
> Again, if you want to move heavy objects less than 1 mph with a trolling motor . . . the static test is valid. Otherwise, useless.
>
> Who knows what the water is like in a 30 knot headwind?
>
> If speed and endurance is your objective, use your boat or find a canoe (minimal resistance), an effective GPS, and an accurate amp gauge.
>
> I have two GPSs. The one that has car, bike, and hiking modes jumps all over the place and worthless for monitoring speed. My aviation GPS reads accurately at low (2 mph)readings. Go figure!
>
> An accurate amp gauge is also hard to come by.
>
> My results with MinnKota's 30 amp motors show that the PWM control board does use less energy at lower speeds, but I also noticed that top speed was less with the PWM control.
>
> John
>