I imagine the Torqueedo would be more "efficient" than the Minn Kota, but that efficiency comes at a dollar price. Everything is a tradeoff; your call.
Normally when "cruising" I'm running at WOT anyway so the difference between the PWM and resistor controllers is moot. I've even considered installing a high-amp switch that will bypass the controller completely, just for "cruise" mode. Thus any controller losses would be eliminated. For what little maneuvering I do, the losses simply don't matter that much. What matters more is the heat loss in the wiring, as it's about 10' from the batteries to the motor, and after a few minutes at full speed the wires and control get pretty warm. I really do need to increase the wire size to lower resistance.
My 50w solar panel is the only charging I use.... If I were to use the boat HARD for say two days in a row I would put a charger on it in between, but normally I just park it in the sun. Works for me.
Willie
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "justaflsailor" <sbl12@...> wrote:
>
>
> So what would be the most efficient? I plan to mount a small solar panel as its primary means to keep it charged.
> --- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "stmbtwle" <stmbtwle@> wrote:
> >
> > I think a trolling motor while possibly not the most efficient may be your best choice. At least they're affordable. Torqueedos are probably better motors but they're priced accordingly.
> >
> > I've used a 40# Minn Kota on my 18' canoe for several years now, and I've been very happy with it. It's probably a "resistor", motor as some others have mentioned and when I replace it (soon) I'm going to go with the 55# PWM motor which should be more efficient and even faster (the 40 would get me 5 mph, and 20 miles on two golf batteries).
> >
> > If using a trolling motor you want to build a fairing for the round motor shaft. Without the fairing the shaft causes considerable turbulence (not to mention drag) and also vibration. The fairing also helps steering. For fishing the round shaft may not matter but at the speeds you'll be making you need the fairing.
> >
> > I tried a Kipawa prop on my Minn Kota but found the performance was not as good as the original prop.
> >
> > Some pix:
> > http://s71.photobucket.com/user/stmbtwle/media/100_0700.jpg.html
> > --- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "justaflsailor" <sbl12@>
> > http://s71.photobucket.com/user/stmbtwle/media/Controldetail.jpg.html
> > http://s71.photobucket.com/user/stmbtwle/media/MotorInstallation.jpg.html
> >
> > Willie
> >
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I was curious if anybody has done this as to not reinvent the wheel.
> > > The oat is 16ft almost canoe/ kayak shaped. It weighs about 140 lbs.
> > > I had thought about using a cut down trolling motor, but heard they were innefficient. If somebody has in their opinion the best set up, I would love to hear.
> > >
> >
>
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