wrote:

Thanks everybody for the replies

I guess the best decision would be to go with a gasoline outboard.
Since there is going to be no easy access to AC, recharging will be
available through the alternator only. Meaning the following flow of
energy: fuel - alternator - battery - motion with multiple
transition of energy back and forth from/to chemical (2 types),
electric (2 times), and motion (2 times) type forms. This cycle just
does not seem as efficient as a simple fuel - motion. Plus, the time
required to recharge---I don't think I'll have it. I'll start looking
for some 4-stroke outboard like Honda now.



Why not get a canoe & paddle?


This is a good idea. But, for a person who spends all most of the time
at his job just sitting on a chair this might too much of an exercise.
Plus, I want to have some energy left to build a camp/cook a descent
(hot) meal.


The outboards on small day sailers seldom have alternators, which means
no way to charge batteries.
Best of the best seems to be the air cooled 5hp Hondas - but no electrics.

I've wondered about powering an electric motor directly from a small generator?
I saw a Honda that makes both 12vdc and 120vac - but (at the store) couldn't
find any info on actually usable output currents.

Retail is often so frustrating...
Outboards are rated in horsepower. No thrust rating?
Trolling motors are rated in pounds thrust. No power rating?

I'm thinking a 60-100 pound thrust motor on a 1500 pound displacement hull
isn't going to win any drag races, but should (eventually?) move out.

The limiting factor is battery charge (as noted this thread).

But with a gasoline powered "battery"?

Somebody want to knock some sense into this idea?


Richard

To complex for my poor brain..........

Borrow a canoe and two paddles from your neighbor.
Fast, quiet, cheep, light, easy.

Why are you set on a rubber raft?
Bob

Why are you set on a rubber raft?

Easy to transport, easy to store (does not take much space, and I don't
have a house), light weight, fits into a backpack (a heavy backpack,
but could easily carry it a couple of kilometers). Does this sound
convincing?

wrote:
Why are you set on a rubber raft?

Easy to transport, easy to store (does not take much space, and I don't
have a house), light weight, fits into a backpack (a heavy backpack,
but could easily carry it a couple of kilometers). Does this sound
convincing?

Hi:

Not if you are lugging around two Trojan 105s
16 square feet of solor pannles
or a gas motor
or generator
or 35 pounds of gasoline.

As soon as you say raft I think the problems and weight have just
increased exponentially.
Why not a canoe?
Cheep, light, fast?

Here are some more details. There expected to be 2 people aboard, still
water, the total travel distance of 200-250 km (covered over a period
of few days), and we have to carry all our equipment (including tent,
sleeping bags, etc.) and food supply with us. Would have to carry too
much stuff for a canoe, so it is unlikely that a canoe will offer as
much speed and comfort as you suggest. Plus, I'd hate to find my palms
grind to meat some 50 km from the starting point of the trip.

wrote:
Here are some more details. There expected to be 2 people aboard, still
water, the total travel distance of 200-250 km (covered over a period
of few days), and we have to carry all our equipment (including tent,
sleeping bags, etc.) and food supply with us. Would have to carry too
much stuff for a canoe, so it is unlikely that a canoe will offer as
much speed and comfort as you suggest. Plus, I'd hate to find my palms
grind to meat some 50 km from the starting point of the trip.



What??
You must be on crack to think a Minn Kota could handle that range over a
'few days'.

Did not mean to do this with the electric motor anyway. With the
electric, one would have to stick to the vehicle and make short trips
only, and it was initially proposed to be done this way. However, based
on the discussions, I got convinced that even that is not going to
work. Since electric does not seem to be an option anyway, why not try
to extend plans?

wrote:
.... Meaning the following flow of
energy: fuel - alternator - battery - motion with multiple
transition of energy back and forth from/to chemical (2 types),
electric (2 times), and motion (2 times) type forms. This cycle just
does not seem as efficient as a simple fuel - motion.

No, it isn't as efficient but it can have other benefits.
Simplicity, reliability, instant on, quiet... but you pay
for those.


.... Plus, the time
required to recharge---I don't think I'll have it. I'll start looking
for some 4-stroke outboard like Honda now.




cavelamb wrote:
The outboards on small day sailers seldom have alternators, which means
no way to charge batteries.

I know that with a 5hp Honda, a 4 amp alternator is an
option. We had one. But 4 amps is not very much power! It is
enough to power running lights and maybe recharge a small
battery over the course of a long day motoring.





Retail is often so frustrating...
Outboards are rated in horsepower. No thrust rating?
Trolling motors are rated in pounds thrust. No power rating?

You can convert both to watts if you like. it's not going to
be a head-to-head match up because the engines are measured
at very different RPMs.



I'm thinking a 60-100 pound thrust motor on a 1500 pound displacement hull
isn't going to win any drag races, but should (eventually?) move out.


Sure. I know of many people using trolling motors to move
small sailboats when the wind dies. Works like a champ. Of
course, you ain't gonna pull no water skier with a set-up
like that anyway.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King