Richard Casady) said:
You underestimate the size and cost of a useful size solar panel by a
large factor.

Jere Lull wrote
IF electric could serve his purposes, a little 12w panel would normally
recharge 100 or so amps between weekends. That happens to be our setup
and it's worked like a charm for a few years. (Our 12w panel cost a bit
more than $10, though.)

I thought he just wants something to free up his hands. Not an
increase in power or range. Normally, you don't think of oars for
range or to be used against headwinds or current or tides. None of
which will he likely encounter on a small lake anyway (I'm thinkin'
SMALL lake). And on a 14' 195 lb open boat? Even 2.5hp would be a
big increase in power over oars..I'm just sayin', it takes very little
mechanical effort to do the same job as oars on a small lake with a
boat that small/light. -shrug- but maybe I'm misunderstanding what
he's trying to accomplish.

Rick