Small/cheap trolling motor opinion

[JasonGotaProblem]

How crazy is it to look at something like this for a small sit-in kayak? To me the primary selling point is how short it is (2' shaft) and how light it is (2.5kg). They claim 18# thrust, which is probably enough for my lil 9' yak, right?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/145616354562?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=9vwtag_nric&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=7p7UP112RRC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I'm gonna venture to guess that at this price point it's not made of high quality salt-resistant metals. So the plan would probably involve disassembly and greasing, and definitely always rinsing after use.

[oc1]

The thruster style are becoming popular.

Sort of like this.

Do. you mean "sit-in" or "sit-on"?  Sit-on would give you more range of motion to handle a trolling motor.

https://betterboat.com/blogs/boating/sit-on-top-vs-sit-in?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq_G1BhCSARIsACc7NxrOjc1Z1t3vMC9q316sFWmwONcHewPk3jZP4sml8PSyonNa-0N3vhwaAkLFEALw_wcB

[boon]

Mmm I think even with quality preventative maintenance the life-span of such an item in a saltwater environment would not be lengthy.

Because the motor itself is submerged, the first time there is a hint of a leak in the driveshaft seal it will be all over rover.

[MarkT]

I'd spend the extra $80 and get the saltwater rated motor.

[Gfish]

Hey Jason. Given what Boon said, it's good that it's a new motor, not used. 18lbs. thrust ain't much. But it should work if you're not in a hurry or trolling.
Might be made in China. Saw one word error and gave the boat max. size as 2-meters(~6ft.?), hmmmm.
What kinda battery would you use it with?

Close to you is Island Hopper, Inc., info@islandhopperoutboards, in St. Petersburg, FL, if I remember right. They have a pretty big site with lots of products and great explanations of relevant info. Will spend time on the phone with you answering questions, too. They actually made a custom cassette for my older mirage-drive 2014 Hobie to fit one of their motors(Hobie changed-up their mirage peddles/cassette in 2016...?).

[JasonGotaProblem]

I did mean sit-in kayak. I recognize that the entire world, myself included, agree that sit-in kayaks are better for fishing. But I've had this one for almost 20 years, and I'm a cheapskate who already owns a kayak so I use it for fishing. And I'd put a motor on the one I already have, specifically because I already have it.

For comparison, my vacuum is 11 years old and I've repaired it 4 times. But it still works so I have no reason to replace it.

I will eventually get a better yak and a proper motor for it. But I'm looking for a short term solution to extend my range.

I have a 12v 40AH LiFePO4 battery I got for this purpose. When I got it I had planned to get a pair. So this also seems like a proper size for the battery?

[Gobi King]

$99 gets you a new minnkota, I would go with that.

[Gfish]

That's what they say; Lithium-iron-phosphate is the best for boats and rv's nowadays. 40 amp-hours should work. I'm tryin to get a reset fuse for mine, but there's alota inexpensive ones out there, all made in China(actually I think the LiFePo4 batteries are made there too). I don't trust the cheap parts like that. Car repair folks have that same opinion.
Ha! I called you "James", I thought it was he... correction made.

[Keta]

A LiFePo4 battery is what took out my barn.  I would recommend charging them well clear of anything you value.

[JasonGotaProblem]

A LiFePo4 battery is what took out my barn.  I would recommend charging them well clear of anything you value.

Good to know, and good advice.

[Gobi King]

Yeah
Read the safety features on the bms of the battery
Over current
Low/ high temp cut off

When charging ANY batt
Get a major brand charger

Schumutha-marker boiled out 2 new house batts and killed an expensive agm
For moi

Meanwell is all I use
I will post a link for it.

Anyway for any new system test the safety features ....