Chuck huff guys

S

Steve Steffy

Well-known member
Okay all you chuck huff owners out there, this will not be a huff bashing thread. Just curious, have any of you guys taken off your outboard and either...

A) Used a trolling motor for shallow water applications? How did it handle as far as how much thrust was required to push the boat? I realize it won't be fast by any means, did the small motor struggle to push the boat though? What were some other draw backs to using a trolling motor?

B) Have any of you used a push pole in the same shallow water scenario? I've paddled the boat and that's not very fun. I've also use my paddle as a push pole, but only when I absolutely had to and that was with a 15 horse motor attached to the transom. I'm thinking of picking up a push pole and taking the outboard off for some areas I'd like to get into this season. My boat does not have oar locks on it. That is another option I may look at, but for right now I'm thinking a push pole may get the nod first.

Thanks for your input,
Steve
 
Steve,

I use a trolling motor all the time while fishing out of my Huff. The 15hp stays in place and the trolling motor sits over as far as possible off to the starboard side of the transom. I use a 55lb thrust 12 volt Minnkota. It has no trouble moving me around in backwater and current. My best guess is top speed of 2.5 mph???
 
Steve,
I use my electric trolling in areas where gas is not permitted it pushes the boat just fine with me the dog and decoys.

I have a Tom Morrisey push pole that works very well in marsh or any shallows it is of course about the same length as the boat.

I also use a 5 hp briggs air cooled in shallow marsh areas it works well, i call it the poor mans mud motor.

Finally i lucked into a 9.5 hp Johnson that weighs about 60 lbs. the "Huff" handles it very well planing at about half throttle.

Oh i almost forgot i have installed oars and oarlocks it does not row very well but it is a planing not displacement hull.

Hopes this helps.
Bill.
 
Thanks Dave and Bill. That's just the info I was looking for. I figured the trolling motor would be pretty darn slow. I wonder if pulling the outboard off would make any significant difference? I'll likely pick up a push pole and give it a go this season. Maybe I'll keep my eyes on the look out for a decent 55lb trolling motor and try that in the spring. Unless I can find a screaming deal before then that is. I think I will skip even trying the oar locks for now. I didn't figure it would row very well.

There is one area in particular that I want to try this season. I could just use my canoe, but I'd rather try it in the huff. No gas motors allowed and its relatively shallow with some stumps here and there to make things interesting. Now if the birds just show up when the season opens everything will be all right.

Thanks again,
Steve
 
I used a 5 hp Johnson on mine last year. It pushed it along steady. I'm going to try a 2 hp Yamaha this week and see how it does. The 2 hp has the fuel tank built into the motor which will eliminate that PIA gas tank in the boat.

As far as a trolling motor, it should work fine. A lot of guys cut the trolling motor shaft down to about 16" to 18". The shaft is simply a conduit for the wires to the actual motor.

Personally, I think the whole battery issue is going to be a royal PIA. Even more so than the fuel tank in the boat. Lots of extra weight and it will be bouncing around as you trailer, or you'll have to lug the thing from the truck to the boat. PIA.

I'd watch the craigslist ads and pick up an outboard with a built in fuel tank. You'll be much happier in the end.

Or buy a small Swamp Runner mud motor kit. Using the Harbor Freight engine, you can put together a 6.5 hp mud motor for well under $600.....

Fred
 
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Thanks for the Reply Fred. One of my needs is to get away from a gas motor. I'm happy with my 15 on the back right now and the gas tank doesn't cause me any issues at all. Actually it's kind of helpful where I have it right now. I want to be able to take the Huff onto some waters that don't allow gas motors, that's the issue I'm attempting to resolve now.
I agree a battery may be a bit of a nuisance if not done properly. I'll get that figured out when the time comes I guess. Until then I think I'm going to build a motor stand so I can take the outboard off when I want to, and go ahead and give the push pole a go. Hopefully sooner than later.
Steve
 
Steve,

I run my battery from just under the deck just forward of cockpit edge. This is when I have the gas tank and 15hp Yamaha hanging on the rear. I suspect you will be fine with the trolling motor and battery at the rear much the same as when the fuel tank is there for your gas motor. (given you plan to remove them for electric only usage times) I do have my battery in a fully enclosed plastic case designed for this but the case is not fastened down. It does not move about and rides well upon the foam rubber floor mats I have all across the floor.

To get maximum performance out of the trolling motor, do not skimp on wire size. Battery size only limits total run time. Wire size will affect the power and speed the motor can produce. I would guess that 8 gauge would be fine. Six gauge is bigger but it may not be needed for the relatively short length you will need. Do wire in, at the battery, a proper 50 amp breaker. ( or sized to fit your motor's draw)
 
Thanks for the advise on wire size Dave, that's good to know. I do plan to place the battery under the back deck when I mount the trolling motor, of course I have to go buy one first. And the the fuel tank will absolutely be removed when I do that. No need for it to be in there with a trolling motor. I'm looking forward to putting in at some new locations this season. Time to start tinkering with the rig I think.

Steve
 
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