Electric Motor for Mirror dinghy

[silver]

Hi all,

My father in law has a Mirror dinghy he no longer uses, and I'm thinking of putting an electric motor on it and using it for estuary bream fishing, while I save up for a larger boat in the next couple of years.

This video (although lame) gives an indication of what its about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1rxC...eature=related

I was originally thinking of putitng a small outboard on the back (say 2-4HP), and an electric on the bow, but I'm not sure there's enough room?

If I did just have an electric motor, without a petrol motor, I'm guessing I'd need to use oars to travel across the estuary to get to the fishing spots? In other words, I'm guessing an electric motor couldn't get me there, fish for 3-4 hours, then get back again?

Sorry for the newbie questions, I dont have any experience with these things!

[Jupri]

hi Silver.

I used to have a mirror dinghy and they are a good little tub. The running time of an electric would be determined by the size battery you have.

They will take a 2-4hp but just check that the transom hasnt rotted as being wooden boats the wind of ages can deterioate things.

The other option is to sail the tub out there. They are after all a sailing dinghy. I used to sail mine around garden island and go fishing out there.

When i had mine i would place the mast in the forward most mast step and scrap using the jib if i went fishing. I could sail out then drop the gaff and tie the boom up which gave plenty of room for casting off the front. Great thing about the mirrors is the built in casting deck. If you do anything with it post a pic up. probably one of the best boats for starting out in.

[silver]

awesome, thanks. it didn't occur to me use sail power.

I'm going to take the Mirror out this weekend and test it. At this stage I'm thinking of putting a 54/55 lb leccy on the bow, and use oars or mainsail to get across the estuary.

Any idea how much continual run time I could get from one battery, and do you think I'd be better with a bow or transom mounted motor?

[lukehollis]

Mate I have a 55 LB Minn Kota maxxum for sale. Pretty cheap pm me if ur interested

[silver]

I can get a Watersnake 54lb for $560, and I'm thinking of that plus a 100AH battery. It should be a bit overkill for a 3.3m boat, but would hopefully mean the oars never see the water.
I'm still keen to investigate the leccy + sailing, but I have to figure out how to fit all the electrics in first, and learn how to stow the sails while fishing, but it could still be an option. I'm thinking that the extra wind resistance of the mast and sail might make the leccy have to work harder to maintain position, which might reduce any battery saving I get from sailing in the first place. Anyways I'll post some pictures soon.