R, a few random thoughts on your post from neither an engineer or rocket scientist. I'd call myself a Well Equipped Hobbyist with gas & electric welding, a chop saw, a lathe, hyd press, a Harbor Freight sheet metal brake and 6 hammers.
I'd think anytime you mess with a gear box there will be 'loss' via friction, but I have to admit one gear in a car would not be the way to go.
And I can say without being embarrassed I know nothing about amps/ohm/volts but I'd sure think the makers of these 12 volt trolling motors would have done quite a bit of research before putting something into production, as far as endurance of the motor, 'efficient use of battery power, bearings, etc. But if you want to go faster then anyone else will know what to do.
I've read On Line there is an after market prop available for the popular makes/sizes of trolling motors that they advertise as giving more power & longer battery life. Again I'd think the original manufactures already have things well dialed in - a side note: there are postings on some of the fishing sites saying these Power Props or whatever they are called make the motor work harder and draw More electricity.
One thing I did learn from the first canoe is 4 of these panels will burn out one 12 volt motor. With the help of a $6 Harbor Freight volt meter I found each panel will put out about 4 volts when hooked up to the motor (bright sunshine) So 4 was giving the motor like 16 volts.
In this new canoe I'll have switching to give each of 2 motors either 1, 2 or 3 panels of juice. Then I'll have a switch to give one motor 2, 4 or 6 panels of electricity for the periods of Early Morning/overcast/Late in the day boating.
It is So Cool to run a boat that will let you enjoy the water and not distract you with all the engine noise while shaking the &%@^ out of you and make your ears ring all night.
I'm working on my second Solar Canoe (no batteries) Your idea of using panels as a Bimi Top is Excellent. I had the idea also, after a few hours in my original canoe. Sitting in the sun is almost as bad as paddling.
On the New & Improved 'Canoe Canoe II' I'll have some kind of shade for the outrigger, easiest would be some fabric stretched over a tubing frame. And it will have seating a bit more refined than the sandchair shown in the pic. Heck I was thinking of a little Hibachi Table mounted on the Outrigger frame. 'might get thrown off the lake for being a Damm Redneck, uh?
I've posted pics of both of them under the titles
solar powered canoe & solar canoe II
good luck, Gary north of Los Angeles
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