Transition from a petrol two-stroke engine to electric traction or primary assembly slowboat It's a profound change in how we fish and get out on the water, and the lack of vibration, the smell of gasoline, and the loud roar of the motor, allows us to sneak up on the fish without scaring them, and also enjoy the silence of nature. rubber-boat Behaved predictably, and the power reserve was not an unpleasant surprise in the middle of the reservoir, you need to correctly calculate the power, weight and center of gravity of the boat.
Modern technology has made electric motors compact and powerful enough to move confidently even in small currents, and it's important to understand that the key element here is not so much the screw itself as the bundle. battery-controllerIt's the capacity and the type of battery that determines how many hours you can be offline, and here we'll go through all the technical aspects that will make an inflatable boat an effective tool for fishing.
It's worth noting that the installation of an electric vehicle requires discipline in terms of weight, and unlike a gasoline engine, where the fuel is burned and the boat is lighter, the weight of the lead-acid or lithium battery remains unchanged throughout the walk. The total load capacity of the boat should take into account not only the weight of passengers, but also the constant weight of the battery.This can be as high as 20-30 kilograms, and neglecting this factor can lead to a critical decrease in the height of the board above the water.
Choosing an electric motor: traction and lower unit
The first thing the future owner faces is the choice of traction effort, measured in pounds (lbs). For a standard inflatable boat with a length of 3.2-3.6 meters with one or two passengers, the optimal solution will be a motor with a thrust of 30–40 lbs. More powerful models, such as 55 lbs, make sense if you plan to often walk against a strong current or wind, or if the boat is loaded with equipment for a multi-day tour.
Particular attention should be paid to the length of the lower unit (motor mine). flyboat With a soft bottom and a low transom, the standard length of 60 cm can be excessive, which will lead to unnecessary entrapment of the screw and increase resistance. However, too short a lower unit is dangerous for the capture of air by the screw when rolling. For PVC boats, models with adjustable entrapment or shortened shaft are most suitable.
When choosing, you should also pay attention to the control system. The mechanical pump is reliable, but the electrical control through the control system is not difficult. foot-pedal Or a remote hummel frees hands, which is critical for spinners, and GPS-anchored unmanned motors are becoming increasingly available, allowing the boat to automatically hold its position above the catching point, which was previously the prerogative of only large boats.
- 🔋 Traction: 30-40 lbs is enough for boats up to 3.6 m, 50+ lbs for heavy conditions.
- 🌊 Dadwood: For PVC, an adjustable length or short shaft (about 60 cm) is preferred.
- 🎣 Management: hand-held tiller is cheaper, foot pedal is more convenient for active fishing.
In real life. cruise-speed It is usually 5-7 km/h, which is the optimal mode for saving battery life.
transom fixings and feed reinforcement
Installing the motor on a PVC boat's soft transom is a high-risk area. The standard plastic transom that comes with many boat models often can't withstand the weight and vibration of even a light electric motor. So the first step is to assess the strength of the aft. If the regular transom looks flimsy, you should use it. reinforcement Or transitional sites.
There are special brackets that are attached not to the transom itself, but to cylinders or seats, distributing the load. timber-plateThis is a rod that is rigidly fixed to the inflatable part, and it allows you to use standard engine rods without the risk of damaging the cylinders.
⚠️ Warning: Never attach the electric motor rod directly to an inflated cylinder or thin PVC transom without a rigid lining. The rotor vibration will quickly wipe the material, causing injury to the boat on the water.
When installing, make sure that the screw is below the bottom of the boat by at least 10-15 cm to avoid capturing bottom algae and debris that can wind up on the shaft. Also check the angle of inclination of the lower unit: it must be perpendicular to the surface of the water when moving so that the thrust vector is directed strictly horizontally.
☑️ Testing transence readiness
Battery base: lead or lithium?
The heart of your electrical system is the battery. Traditionally, traction was used. lead-acid batteries (GEL or AGM) They're cheap, reliable, and don't fear overcharging as much as lithium. But they have two fatal drawbacks to a boat: the heavy weight and the memory effect of a capacity at incomplete discharge. The 100-Ah battery weighs about 30 kg, which greatly affects the differentiation of the boat.
The modern alternative is LiFePO4 (lithium-iron-phosphate) They weigh 2-3 times less than lead at the same capacity and can discharge almost to zero without losing life. They are higher cost, but when you count the number of charge-discharge cycles and comfort of use, lithium wins. For a inflatable boat, where every kilogram counts, switching to lithium is often the only way to comfortably accommodate two people and equipment.
When choosing a capacity, use a simple rule: the discharge current should not exceed 0.2C-0.5C from the battery capacity for maximum efficiency. For example, for a motor consuming 30 Amps, the optimal battery capacity is 60-100 AH. Using a small capacity will overheat and quickly fail.
| Type of AKB | Weight (100 Ah) | Duration of service (cycles) | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEL / AGM | ~28-32 kg | 400-600 | Low. |
| LiFePO4 | ~10-12 kg | 2000+ | High. |
| Starter Pb | ~25 kg | 50-100 | Very low. |
Why can’t we use the car’s battery starter?
Car batteries are designed to give off a huge current (start the engine), not for long-term operation under load. At a deep discharge (below 80%), the lead plates are irreversibly destroyed, and the battery will fail after 10-20 cycles of use on the boat.
Calculation of range and energy consumption
One of the most common questions is, "How many kilometers will I drive?" The answer depends on many variables: the weight of the boat, the presence of wind, current and, most importantly, the mode of operation of the engine. The electric motor consumes current unevenly: at maximum thrust, consumption can reach 40-50 Amps, while at quiet speed it can only be 5-10 Amps.
For a rough calculation of battery life, divide the battery capacity (in Ah) by the average consumption current (in A. For example, a 100 Ah battery with an average current of 10 A (calm) will provide about 10 hours of operation. If you are constantly working at full gas (current 40 A), the charge will last only 2.5 hours. Real range always less theoretical due to losses in wires and engine efficiency.
To increase the range of navigation without replacing the battery, use the tactics of "silent running." Movement of 30-40% of power often allows you to maintain an acceptable speed of 4-5 km / h, but consumes energy at times more economical than full gas. It is also important to monitor the purity of the screw: fouling with algae or damage to the blades reduce the efficiency of the system by 15-20%.
- 📉 Economy regime: 30% of power gives up to 80% of the power reserve.
- 🌬️ Environmental factors: Wind and current can cut the operating time in half.
- ⚓ Weight: Every 50 kg of excess cargo reduces the range by 10-15%.
Remember that in the cold, the capacity of lead batteries drops significantly, while lithium-iron-phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) behave more stable, although they are not recommended to be charged at negative temperatures without heating.
The optimal fishing strategy is to move to the point at 50-60% of the power, and fishing and maneuvering at 10-20%, which will maximize the battery charge for all daylight.
Water services and safety
An electric motor requires less maintenance than a gasoline engine, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely absent. After each foray into the water, be sure to wash the lower unit with fresh water, especially if the fishing took place in salt water or a body of water with abundant vegetation. Salmon And the seals need periodic lubrication, and the screw - in visual inspection for chips and cracks.
Pay special attention to electrical contacts. Battery terminals and motor connectors must be protected from moisture and oxidation. Use contact sprays, tighten mount bolts, and vibration on water can weaken even tightly twisted connections.
⚠️ Warning: Never lift a running motor out of water. The cooling of the motor windings is done by the off-water. Dry work, even for 30-60 seconds, can cause overheating and melting of the insulation.
When transporting, always disconnect the battery. Even when the motor electronics are off, they can consume a small amount of current, which will cause the battery to run deep in a few days of downtime. Store the battery in a warm room with a charge of 60-80% if you plan to conserve for the winter.
Comparison with gasoline analogues
Should we switch to electricity? If you want to go long distances through large reservoirs, where you have to travel tens of kilometers against the wave, gasoline is not yet competitive in energy intensity. local fishingHunting in shallow water, trolling or just relaxing electric motor wins in all comfort parameters.
The lack of need to mix oil with gasoline, clean the carburetor, change candles and fear that the engine will not start at the wrong time makes electrics the ideal choice for amateurs. electric motor It is the only legal way of transportation.
Ultimately, the choice depends on the use cases, and for many anglers, the ideal scheme is to have a main boat with a gasoline engine for long-distance forays and a lightweight inflatable boat with electric traction for quick trips to the nearest pond or lake.
Buy or make your own battery case from waterproof fabric with a handle, which will protect the battery from splashing in the rain and allow you to safely carry heavy load from car to water without staining your clothes.
Which battery is better to start with: GEL or LiFePO4?
If your budget is tight and your weight is not critical (boat is big or you are physically strong), start with GEL/AGM. It's a proven technology. If you value every kilogram and plan to fish often, the investment in LiFePO4 will pay off with comfort and long life.
Can a traction battery be charged with a conventional car charger?
Traction batteries (GEL, AGM, LiFePO4) require special chargers with appropriate charging algorithms, and the use of car charging will lead to recharging, boiling of the electrolyte and failure of the battery.
How fast is the boat with an electric motor?
The average cruising speed is 5-7 km/h. At full power, you can develop 10-12 km/h, but this will quickly land the battery. For trolling, the speed is usually set in the range of 2-4 km/h.
Do I need to register a boat with an electric motor in GIMS?
According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, registration is subject to small vessels with an engine capacity of more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp). Most electric motors have a power well below this threshold (usually up to 1-2 kW), so their registration is not required if the weight of the curb vessel does not exceed 200 kg.