I have a Coleman plastic canoe and my brother has a Grumman (sp?)
aluminum. He has a nice storebought bracket and both electric (MinnKota
28 lb thrust) and an ancient Neptune 1.5 HP gas. I took a piece of
angle iron and bolted to on to the gunwhales and bolted a piece of
treated 1 by and a matching piece of 1/2" treated ply on. I have a
MinnKota (28 lb thrust) and a Cruise N Carry 2.7 HP gas. We have both
gone out alone and with 1 extra adult or 2 40-60 lb children. The
electric motors have about a 2 hr range at top speed with one battery
onboard... the gas motors are a little longer (about 2.5 hrs at full
speed w/ full tank of 1/3 gal and a small spare gas tank weighs a lot
less than an extra battery.)

In light weather, the MinnKota is OK. It isn't fast... faster than
either of us can sustain paddling but not flying. If there is wind,
sometimes it is an effort to steer and beat the wind. With the gas
motors, both move at a pretty good speed even in moderate wind and steer
easier. I would not want much more than the 2.7 gas motor. The Coleman
seems to ride a bit flatter (i.e. no nose up) when riding solo.

I have not tried any squarebacks but I'd think they should go a bit
better under power but I'm not sure how the square back would affect
paddling performance...

Ed


Ronald Donahue wrote:
My wife and I have been paddling canoes for the past 30 years and kayaks
for the last 3 but sometimes the places we want to go are just too far or we
get tired of fighting the wind so I'm thinking or getting a square stern
canoe or maybe one of those brackets that you can put a small outboard motor
on. Anybody have experience with this type of set up or a better idea, any
suggestions?

Thanks

Ron Donahue