So I am in charge of Panning an overnight canoe trip for my family reunion camp out out this coming summer. One night (weather/wind permitting), we will be Canoeing ~8.5 miles one-way on Maligne Lake to Fishermans campground, spending the night, and heading back in the morning. I have the camping gear/food portion down. About half the group are now in their early 60's (still active outdoorsman/women and in good shape for their age, but not marathon runners either) and plan on using electric trolling motors with paddles for backup. I have experience on paddling trips but no experience with trolling motors. Can anyone provide some insight on their experience using trolling motors with Canoes? My plan is to have the group using Minn Kota Endura Max 55lb thrust motors (55lb to help with any wind). From my research I am expecting a real max speed of 3mph instead of the advertised 5mph (which is just fine, no big hurry and want to enjoy the scenery) but with the rated power consumption at 50amps at full throttle, each canoe would need whopping 300AH to make the full trip, which is a lot of weight/cost. How much better is battery life if we run the boats at partial throttle, say a 2mph pace? How much 'battery fat' can i realistically cut out with the slower pace?
-
Happy First Use of Insulin to Treat Diabetes (1922)! ⚕️💉
Overnight Canoe Trip, Trolling Motor and Battery.
- Thread starter mrmagoo
- Start date
You could start out paddling and use the motors as needed, 8.5 isn't that far (w/o a headwind) and you should still be in your 2 mph window.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2018
- Messages
- 1,737
- Reaction score
- 1,948
Does your family have a preference for paddling or using a trolling motor? As a member of this site, I obviously have a preference for paddling, and would not want to use or hear a motor. I am 71 and my wife Kathleen is 66. We would not be considered particularly strong or athletic, yet we can still average three miles per hour, even without perfectly calm conditions. I'm with Sweeper on this one.
What Sweeper said. I am not kicking your plans, only encouraging you to open up your options.
I'd try to save the e-motors for the return trip. They make for a nice "fatigue insurance" gear item, otherwise get the most from the whole experience and paddle.
Set a nice relaxed pace and take your time. You'll have site reservations? I bet the nicest view is from the water so make the most of it.
With the day-use picnic sites available en route you could stop for breaks to stretch your legs, sip some tea, soak up the scenery.
(https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jas...-ideas/Maligne)
Even then you might still have a short paddling day on the water. Fisherman's Bay by noon? I also suggest pairing paddlers to even up the tandem pairs with regards to age, strengths and energy levels so as not to have struggling stragglers. ( Experienced + Inexperienced, Stronger + Weaker etc.) The paddle time is every bit as important as the camp. Good luck and best wishes for the trip.
This sounds like a great family reunion idea. I've never been to Jasper. I'm wishing I were in the family. Am I not your long lost nephew Brad?!
I'd try to save the e-motors for the return trip. They make for a nice "fatigue insurance" gear item, otherwise get the most from the whole experience and paddle.
Set a nice relaxed pace and take your time. You'll have site reservations? I bet the nicest view is from the water so make the most of it.
With the day-use picnic sites available en route you could stop for breaks to stretch your legs, sip some tea, soak up the scenery.
(https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/jas...-ideas/Maligne)
Even then you might still have a short paddling day on the water. Fisherman's Bay by noon? I also suggest pairing paddlers to even up the tandem pairs with regards to age, strengths and energy levels so as not to have struggling stragglers. ( Experienced + Inexperienced, Stronger + Weaker etc.) The paddle time is every bit as important as the camp. Good luck and best wishes for the trip.
This sounds like a great family reunion idea. I've never been to Jasper. I'm wishing I were in the family. Am I not your long lost nephew Brad?!
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2018
- Messages
- 1,432
- Reaction score
- 2,004
Amp hours are determined by the battery vs draw of the motor and at full thrust, the trolling motors will certainly use (exponentially) more than at lower speeds. In my experience, the estimates of battery life are pretty accurate if the batteries are in good shape. The 24 volt motor on the front of my bass boat, for example, will run 12+ hours (continuous operation) on setting 1 but will stone the batteries in under 2 1/2 hrs on 5. We typically fish 12-14 hrs a day and there's only been a few times when on electric only lakes that we've drained down to 10 volt range and that's often on the 2nd day (but we're not on the gas continuously)
Like paddling, energy consumption/speed is related to hull shape as much (and often more) than weather conditions. I'm unfamiliar with different hulls but I've clamped a 30# thrust on my Jensen 18 a few times & it seemed to fly (then again, it paddles that way too). 55 is about as big as you can go with a 12 volt motor (I think) and you can probably achieve reasonable ground speed at the lower settings and certainly if they are used only as needed and/or occupants paddle to assist. Just be careful in "no wake" zones with tandem paddlers and 55# thrust
Trolling batteries are heavy (use ONLY deep cycle batteries) but it doesn't sound like you're portaging so spares are an option as are solar/wind powered chargers. Several companies are now making good chargers for backpackers/fishermen and I've seen some that work pretty well.
One last word of caution: Batteries don't float so keep the canoes in an upright position at all times (...oh... and don't lash the battery in. Although a bit hard on the environment, they would make GREAT anchors!)
Godspeed.
Like paddling, energy consumption/speed is related to hull shape as much (and often more) than weather conditions. I'm unfamiliar with different hulls but I've clamped a 30# thrust on my Jensen 18 a few times & it seemed to fly (then again, it paddles that way too). 55 is about as big as you can go with a 12 volt motor (I think) and you can probably achieve reasonable ground speed at the lower settings and certainly if they are used only as needed and/or occupants paddle to assist. Just be careful in "no wake" zones with tandem paddlers and 55# thrust
Trolling batteries are heavy (use ONLY deep cycle batteries) but it doesn't sound like you're portaging so spares are an option as are solar/wind powered chargers. Several companies are now making good chargers for backpackers/fishermen and I've seen some that work pretty well.
One last word of caution: Batteries don't float so keep the canoes in an upright position at all times (...oh... and don't lash the battery in. Although a bit hard on the environment, they would make GREAT anchors!)
Godspeed.
A BIT? A Triple-A battery is a bit too much in my book. A 12 volt deep cycle battery is way way way too much.
Lash your battery in. Lash it in tight so it will stay in place if you capsize, and right the canoe immediately after capsizing so no chemical spills out. I cannot believe one would even consider not doing so. Especially with something like a 12 volt battery. Especially in such a pristine, unique lake. Especially in a high mountain lake. Especially in a National Park.
Wherever you paddle, if you choose to carry anything that is as potentially damaging to the environment as a battery, you should make dang sure it comes out with you. Go ahead and let your packs full of clothes and food sink long before that battery. If you are not capable of traveling without risking dumping a 12v battery, you shouldn't be on the water.
Barring a head wind your group should be able to paddle 8.5 miles in a day. Have them get out on the water earlier in the summer and practice. Or go somewhere else.
If you must bring the batteries, have everyone practice deep water self rescue in cold water with cinder blocks instead of batteries. Since your group is obviously not going to be capable of that feat, just go somewhere else. Not only are you risking damaging such a unique lake, you would be risking lives.
I really hate to be such a hater but your comment on not lashing the battery in really set me off Gamma1214. Shame on you.
Maligne Lake is wonderful. We went to Fishermans Camp by tour boat. We had a canoe with us.. And were mighty glad to take the tour boat. The wind funneled right up the lake and the lake went from dead calm to two foot seas in a hurry. Paddling would have been a futile exercise especially with the windage of canoes. Kayaks do have it easier.
Maligne Lake in AB is nothing like Maligne lake in MN. Its a high alpine lake with extreme wind funneling even with little wind. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/ja...-backcountry/sugg-sentiers_trip-ideas/Maligne oops Brad already posted that link
There is a new campsite at km 4 which would certainly give you the time to get there. Its imperative you plan on doing most of your paddling early..
Were it me I would not have an issue with a 8.5 mile paddle as long as I could do it early or late.. In the Everglades sometimes you have to paddle at night to avoid wind and this may be the case here.
I have no experience with batteries but I would think lashing it in and adding flotation to keep your craft from sinking is needed.. Certainly having it on a tether is no good.. Its going to be just about impossible to right a loaded canoe with paddlers that are not quite so nimble. And you have to plan on if conditions being bad enough for one in, everyone could be in
Maligne Lake in AB is nothing like Maligne lake in MN. Its a high alpine lake with extreme wind funneling even with little wind. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/ja...-backcountry/sugg-sentiers_trip-ideas/Maligne oops Brad already posted that link
There is a new campsite at km 4 which would certainly give you the time to get there. Its imperative you plan on doing most of your paddling early..
Were it me I would not have an issue with a 8.5 mile paddle as long as I could do it early or late.. In the Everglades sometimes you have to paddle at night to avoid wind and this may be the case here.
I have no experience with batteries but I would think lashing it in and adding flotation to keep your craft from sinking is needed.. Certainly having it on a tether is no good.. Its going to be just about impossible to right a loaded canoe with paddlers that are not quite so nimble. And you have to plan on if conditions being bad enough for one in, everyone could be in
I have no experience with trolling motors but if it's too windy to paddle easily I'd bet it's too windy to use a trolling motor.
8.5 miles is not far, anyone who has done even a little bit of paddling and is in reasonable condition regardless of age should be able to handle it. If part of your group lacks the ability then team them up with a partner that does.
8.5 miles is not far, anyone who has done even a little bit of paddling and is in reasonable condition regardless of age should be able to handle it. If part of your group lacks the ability then team them up with a partner that does.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2018
- Messages
- 1,432
- Reaction score
- 2,004
Zac, please forgive me for being facetious. I've hiked places where you pack out used toilet paper and would never seriously suggest causing environmental damage. Admittedly, my sense of humor is a bit twisted at times but I offer no apology for that.
YC: yes, in hindsight, I should have been serious and suggested tethers and addition flotation. I doubt the canoe could be righted with the extra weight but getting to shore with all hazardous cargo would be best.
YC: yes, in hindsight, I should have been serious and suggested tethers and addition flotation. I doubt the canoe could be righted with the extra weight but getting to shore with all hazardous cargo would be best.
Like YC said, if you tie the battery in you will probably need to add floatation so the battery and the canoe don't end up on the bottom of the lake.
Although wind can be a problem on Maligne Lake, I believe you will be OK to paddle to Fisherman's Bay campsite with your group. Get an early start. Pair up your people to even out abilities, strength and endurance and use the motors as back-up. You could go to the campsite that is 4 km from the start - it has an enclosed shelter with a wood stove. The south end of the lake is by far the most spectacular part of the lake so the further you go down the lake, the better the view. The north end is quite busy with tour boats and day paddlers so is less of a wilderness experience. FWIW, the tour boats are not allowed to go beyond Spirit Island so it's definitely quieter at the south end.
Have fun. It's very beautiful.
Have fun. It's very beautiful.
G
Guest
Guest
From the specs, info and reviews I have read for that Minkota it should have enough juice with a deep cycle marine battery, at least for parts of the trip where it might be helpful.
“Might be” helpful.
I would not want to tackle an 8 mile paddle in an open canoe in the conditions YC mentions, and I’m not sure how much help an electric trolling motor would provide.
You cannot control the weather, but you can make informed decisions about being out in it. For an overnight trip a weather forecast, the day before or morning of, including wind speed and direction, should be fairly accurate and it would be advisable to have a “Plan B”.
An early start may help avoid the worst of the wind, or switching your destination to a closer site if vacancies are available, or even putting ashore half way up and waiting out the worst of it.
When I paddle windswept coastal areas, usually in a decked canoe, I depend on a weather radio to help make route and timing decisions, or even choices to go-or-stay-put.
“Might be” helpful.
I would not want to tackle an 8 mile paddle in an open canoe in the conditions YC mentions, and I’m not sure how much help an electric trolling motor would provide.
You cannot control the weather, but you can make informed decisions about being out in it. For an overnight trip a weather forecast, the day before or morning of, including wind speed and direction, should be fairly accurate and it would be advisable to have a “Plan B”.
An early start may help avoid the worst of the wind, or switching your destination to a closer site if vacancies are available, or even putting ashore half way up and waiting out the worst of it.
When I paddle windswept coastal areas, usually in a decked canoe, I depend on a weather radio to help make route and timing decisions, or even choices to go-or-stay-put.
