Otter Stealth 2000 boat

H

Harold Ellis

New member
I have one and use a 44 pound thrust electric motor with it. Can anyone tell me how this would work on larger lake? I want to hunt a marsh but is a 1-1/2 mile ride. I can hug the shore most of the way. How safe are these boats really (in larger lakes and swifter rivers)? I have used mine for a few years now but am probably over cautious. I don't know anyone I can compare notes with. Here in Alaska it's pretty much all big game hunting. Most duck hunters quit after the first 2 weeks of the season. Has anyone modified theirs in any way,like a rubber mat on the floor for the dog while floating? The dog seat is on the front of the boat and I do not want either of my dogs losing their hearing. Also how large of a battery do you use and how long should the charge be good for? I have a big battery but it weighs a ton and charge gave out after a 2 hour ride. Is this right? I have never had an electric motor before and an lost on what battery would weigh the least but still be the best to use. Any help would be appreciated. Oh yea and it's snowing right now so probably hunt the creeks now as I have my boat on a boat trailer and I don't like to take the trailer on icey roads as not enough weight with that little boat. And at 60 I don't want to lift it on top of the SUV either. Thanks for any help you can give me.
 
Hey Harold, welcome to the page. I'm in Whitehorse so leave me a few birds eh? I used to use a little electric troller exclusively and never got more than 1 1/2 hours or so running full. That's why they make 4 hp's I guess. I don't know anything specifically about the boat you mentioned but I have used several little boats including a flat backed canoe, a couple of homemade plywood boats, and now a fat kayak to get across big water to ducky places. I bet a kayak paddle would propell your otter pretty good in addition to or even instead of your electric? Batteries are freakin' heavy, maybe even heavier than say a little 5 hp Sea Horse or something? Lilttle gas motors are cheap on craigslist sometimes.

As far sea worthiness of your craft, there's one way to find out what will sink it... go sink it. Not on a hunting trip, I mean as a test. The first plywood boat I made for my son and I went straight to the hot springs (it was winter when I made it) and I piled people into it until we swamped it. Then I knew.

Hope your season is going well. Your mallards have been showing up in force this last week or so, even a couple of greenheads.

Mike Prawdzik
 
I've got a 42 pound thrust Minn Kota on my 14 Ft Princecraft. My boat is pretty solid with a floor and pedistal seats, so it's a little on the heavy side. I've used my electric motor for a few hours actually trolling with it for landlocked Salmon. You might get 3 or 4 hours running at max speed on a full charge with new battery. As your battery ages I don't seem to get as good a charge on it and thus it doesn't last as long. These people that say Oh ya I get a full day out of my trolling motor are probably bass fishing and are stop and go all day. More than likely stopped more than running. Also a deep cycle battery is required a starting battery will not last long. If the battery doesn't say deep cycle on it then it isn't. My Parents once went trout fishing in a coleman crawdad with a small electric on it only to be stranded way up a brook with a dead battery only to later find out that it was a starting abttery not a deep cycle. They were both older then and had to paddle back, he got a deep cycle then.

Bill G.
 
I HAD a 1200 with a 2hp Honda motor. I used it on large lakes small ponds and the back bays along the coast. The boat is very stable and safe. I never felt I was in danger. I highly recommend you get a gas motor. The Honda was great and all the power you need for that boat.
 
Yukon Mike,
Thanks for the info,I will have a 2 or 4 horse next spring. It's winter here so rather than trailor the boat (I'm to old at 60 to throw it up on the roof!) I will hunt as I always do in our "late" season which is over decoys on some creeks. It's peaceful and I hardly ever see anyone (normally never more than 1 or 2 other hunters per year). I usually can get a greenhead or two,kind of slow at times but a very pleasant time. Glad our greenheads are giving you some action. Shoot straight!

Harold
 
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Bill G.,

Thanks for the info,I'm going to a gas motor next year! I know how your folks felt as I am 60 and my 45 year old partner and I had to paddle for over 2 hours to get back to the dock. Never again!

Harold
 
Ken R.,

Thanks for the good info,I will have a gas motor next year! I like the picture of your dog. Have a good season.

Harold
 
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