Do I have everything I need to be on the water?

[frozenfire]

14' transom sportspal canoe - modified with removable cushioned swiveling seats, cup holders, padded cross bars
50lb thrust minn kota maxxum transom mount trolling motor with digital maximizer... variable speed!
Going to pick up a deep cycle battery from CT... probably the Nautilus... and a charger for it as well
Will get an anchor (apparently it's mandatory equipment)
Will get a boating safety kit consisting of bailing bucket, whistle, flashlight, rope, etc. Must remember to get batteries for flashlight! I've heard of people getting fined for no batteries.
Already have pfd's.
Have a canoe carrier kit with necessary straps and tie downs. I am really surprised how light this canoe is. Mounted on top of my civic and driving 100-120 kph (regular traffic flow) on the 401, it's like it's not even there!

Do I have everything I need to be on the water?! 8)
Will probably be on Scugog a lot during the summer going after top water bass... will look to beat my fish from last year
I'm sure I will get a CO or police checking my boat to see if I have all necessary equipment and whatnot, since I'm on a big lake.

Things to consider:
Since this is a very light aluminum boat...the motor and the battery should definitely weigh it down in the back, especially when I'm in it.
Should I place the battery further up, towards the middle to even out the weight?
When I'm going wide open throttle with the 50lb thrust, I'm sure it will be pretty fast... with the weight in the back, should i be worried?

 

[flash_kid]

nice setup, sorry i can't help you since i don't have a canoe or a boat.
i've been looking at getting a canoe for a while now, but didn't know which one to get.

i'm very jealous...

 

[YAWN]

"I'm sure it will be pretty fast..." Dude 50lb thrust is not gunna bring the front of the boat up at all.

You'll be putting along a a nice pace but at least you wont be having to paddle.

Invest in the best possible highest reserve deep cycle battery you can.

Didn't c anything about a baling bucket!

Tip: U need to get a rod holder at least one for the person driving the canoe around. You lose quiet a few fish on the first strike by the time the motor is killed slack line and gone. So a rod holder helps a LOT!

 

[Mark101]

You'll definitely want to even out your load with the sportspal. Check out this link. http://www.boaterexam.com/canada/educat ... yGuide.pdf

 

[diggyj]

A twelve pack might be needed....LMAO :lol:

Portable Fish Finder.

As for flashlight, I would get one of those SeaDoo waterproof cranking ones. Thats what I have. No batteries required. A crank or two and they always work. I bought a 2 pack a few years ago at Costco. Have never had a problem showing it the the York Police on Simcoe. The waterproof ones that you get in the Safety Kit don't work all the time. I have one in my boat that doesn't work, even with new batteries. It is one of the ones that came in the kit from CT.

Dirk....

 

[frozenfire]

"I'm sure it will be pretty fast..." Dude 50lb thrust is not gunna bring the front of the boat up at all.

You'll be putting along a a nice pace but at least you wont be having to paddle.

Invest in the best possible highest reserve deep cycle battery you can.

Didn't c anything about a baling bucket!

Tip: U need to get a rod holder at least one for the person driving the canoe around. You lose quiet a few fish on the first strike by the time the motor is killed slack line and gone. So a rod holder helps a LOT!

Good to know.
Thanks for the tip... will consider some rod holders :lol:

The trolling motor is variable speed, so supposedly consumes wayyy less power than traditional 5 speed forward, 3 speed reverse ones. It only draws what it needs. One of the reasons why I went with it rather than the endura. They say it lasts 5x as long i think.
I honestly plan to get the cheapest deep cycle i can find at CT hahaha. I've already spent $650 in total... doesn't sound like a lot, but for a new grad who just started work, it hurts the pocket haha.

 

[frozenfire]

Mark101...you have a sportspal?

Dirk: :lol:
Portable fish finder will come at a later point. I do intend on getting one though... learn how to recognize structure and whatnot 8)
I will look into getting a different waterproof flashlight then.

how'd you do for opener?

 

[Mark101]

I don't have a Sportspal but I've used one on many occaisions, they're pretty awesome, nice and sturdy but light enough to take anywhere.

 

[YAWN]

honestly plan to get the cheapest deep cycle I can find at CT hahaha.

I highly recommend u don't do that as this is where u really want to invest your coin.
Please trust me on that one invest in the best possible battery, Even wait till u can get the best, I just can emphasize how important a good battery is.

Congrands on graduating!

 

[diggyj]

Mark101...you have a sportspal?

Dirk: :lol:
Portable fish finder will come at a later point. I do intend on getting one though... learn how to recognize structure and whatnot 8)
I will look into getting a different waterproof flashlight then.

how'd you do for opener?

I posted a report, hasn't showed up yet though. didn't get in as much fishing as I wanted to. Opened the cottage. Caught 1 nice channel catfish. 1 small sunfish. Heading out this wek though, probably tomorrow and the weekend.

Dirk

 

[frozenfire]

I picked up the Nautilus deep cycle from CT. According to what I've heard/read, it isn't so bad.
Was on sale also.

I think I may return the charger though and pick up a more expensive automatic one instead.
I like the fact that the auto ones you can leave plugged in if you forget. Should I always trickle charge at 2 amps?

Tested both battery and trolling motor and they seem to work fine.

The trolling motor is refurbished from MinnKota. 1 year manufacturer warranty on it. I would've liked new, but couldn't pass on the price. Originally retails for almost 400 I believe. I picked it up for 149...roughly same price as a brand new 30lb endura on sale. Did I make a good decision?

I really like how it has the maximizer and the battery meter seems pretty good as well.
Heard a lot of people say that the non infinite variable speed motors, the 1 setting can be too fast to keep control over a drift or whatnot...with this, i can control it to just a slowwww rotation. draws little power and i can keep on top of the fish.
I have one year to put it through it's uses and see if any problems show up.

 

[frozenfire]

YAWN, can you give me some brands/models of batteries you recommend?
I can still return the Nautilus if anything.

 

[MikeyMikey]

Wow,,,
congrats on your boat? i mean canoe.

 

[chosen 1]

YAWN, can you give me some brands/models of batteries you recommend?
I can still return the Nautilus if anything.

I know I'm not Yawn but the Nautilus battery will work ok but in my boat I run nothing but interstate batteries I think that they are the best. Saying this Yawn is right buy the best battery that you can afford since you don't have a gas motor it is your only source of power. Did you get the larger deep cycle or the regular sized one? As for charging you only use the trickle (2amp) when the batteries are being stored for a period of time. I only trickle charge mine once a month in the winter. And always store your batteries inside durinng the winter. Good luck and have fun on the water.

 

[chosen 1]

It sound's like you have everything you need for being on the water except a boater's Lic witch is mandatory.

 

[frozenfire]

i picked up the regular one, but am considering the larger one now.
i brought both the battery and charger with me to work this morning...might take a break and head out to the local CT to upgrade.
how much more does the larger one weigh?

I have had my pleasure craft operators card for almost 3 years now :lol:

 

[chosen 1]

I am not a 100% how much more it weights but I would definatly pick up the bigger one espically if you like to fish all day like me. I actually run two of the larger ones plus my cranking battery and still sometime's when fighting waves I drain them both. I have a 40lb thrust bow mount on a 16.5 ft alum boat much heavier then a canoe so you won't need a second one but the bigger one would be a good idea. Good job on the lic it is always good to have.

 

[frozenfire]

Thanks a lot chosen 1, your advice is greatly appreciated :lol:

and advice on the charger?
i want to get the automatic intelligent one by nautilus.
it has a digital meter saying percentage charged and whatnot.

 

[Mark101]

The boating licence becomes mandatory in September.

 

[chosen 1]

As for a charger it is the same buy the best one you can afford the auto shut off is a great feature, as for me I have an onboard charger and it stay's pluged in 24/7, unless I am using the boat :lol: