Has anyone ever run a electric motor on the side of a driftboat and does ti work. I have a 11ft. pram style that I built last year. If I run the motor in the back when I'm by myself it screws up the balance of the boat(the back sits to low in the water). So I thought I might build a side mount bracket but I don't want to go to alot of work if its not going to work. Thanks Dave

I saw one guy try a side mount down here on the Wilson, I don't have any personal experience myself but he was pretty out of control and it looked dangerous to me. He got sideways with the motor down stream and it looked kinda iffy there for a while. I have a 10ft. Koffler pram and think if you placed your battery under the operator to balance the boat I can't see a problem mounting the motor on the transom. I toyed with a 5hp. Honda on mine in tide water and didn't like it but it did work.
Randy

I mounted a 36lb. thrust minn kota on the side of my 16ft. alumaweld, seemed like a good idea for about 8 seconds.

If you need to anchor from the transom while using an electric, use a setup designed for this, check out Dierks or similiar systems.

Bob B, How did that 36# thrust motor push your boat? I going to get a 55# one for the frog water and maybe lake Merill. How long was your shaft? Thanks in advance.....Ross

there was an article in a mag. a few months back,and talked up on theses board. that system in the article was pricey but worked.

I have a bracket I mounted on my 16 foot wood boat. It is attached to the gunnel just behind the left oarlock, even with my seat.



I use a 27# thrust Minnkota motor, and you can see where the motor is at its lowest. Handling is a bit tricky at first, but a trip down a slower mild river will help you get the hang of it. Think of how you got the hang of handling a boat while boondoggin. Just gotta learn where to point the thrust.

You will need to be able to raise the motor in a hurry in shallow sections. I only have it down when needed.


Hope this helps,

Andy


P.S. I also noticed that I can no longer link to other photo sites where I have photos loaded and that I have to load photos here prior to posting. Any idea why, or are certain sites being blocked as links? Thanks in advance.

Ross, I use a 36in. shaft, my old alumaweld has a two piece transom without it I'd get a 42in. Power is ok for my use,upper tidewater,little wind or current. Any use on a lake or in the wind go for the 55#.

Dogfish, I tried almost the exact same setup just didn't like the way the boat acted,could be the difference between wood and metal.

My wood boat has a deeper draft than most aluminum and glass boats. Similar weight, but because it has a smaller footprint (only 48" bottom, not 54" or 60") it sits deeper in the water. This adds stability in some situations, takes away in others.

My first trip to try and figure the thrust issue out was the Barrier to Mission run on the Cowlitz last Summer. I was able to hold even with the current in a number of places, and it made boondoggin' and plugging more enjoyable. I actually could fish along with my partners.

You do need to be VERY observant (duh, anyway) and keep tabs on the water, other boats, and everything else. Fun for folks who like to multitask, but if you can't walk & chew gum, don't even try.

Andy

The footrest on the boat is a piece of triangle shaped aluminum sheeting. On the back side I've made a small bracket and placed a scotty rod holder. All I have to do is reach down and press a button and count sideplate to sideplate to know how much I have out. The anchor release is just to the right of the seat.

Fish on,drop oars, set hook, drop anchor or hand off depending on location, all usually works.

Chewing gum would complicate everything.

Thanks for the replies , Andy that looks like what I'm after. I'll give it a try at the local lake to get a feel for it. Have you ever back bounced with that set up. Thanks Dave

I've got a 24v. 84# motor guide that I put on the back of my alumaweld, the only time I get on the oars is to go through the shallows. I can run back up the edge of most holes and re fish them. I really love it when someone tries to race to the next hole

Fishhead5

fishhead5, How long is the shaft?

I have the 24V 74lb thrust 42" shaft off the back of my Alumaweld driftboat. It works great! Takes practice! Two things that I am glad that I got...Variable speed in reverse and forward...for changing speeds of the river, and an extension handle so that I can stay farther forward in the boat. Plenty of power. I also had the anchor relocated to the side of the transom. I have learned that when going back up stream...leave both oars in the water acting like rudders on each side of the boat. Makes handling much easier... enjoy!

Fishhawg, I don't remember how long the shaft is. Take a look in Cabelas, It's the longest one motor guide make in the hand tillers. My anchor is still in the middle, you need to pay attention when you pull the anchor up so that it doesn't wrap around the shaft when the boat swings. I always leave the oars in the water as it freedrifts a lot better. I have both the batteries behind the back seat, on both sides, but I always have someone up front also. I would stick with motor guide, everyone I know that has a minn kota, has had to replace the boards in them at least once. I've had mine for over a year and had no problems with it. It has been well tested on both my s**d and driftboat

Fishhead5