Has anyone here mounted an outboard motor to their floats or spreader bar? Curious what your setup looks like before I go and re-invent the wheel putting something together. I've got a little 2hp 2 stroke Evinrude that tucks into the float compartment nicely and I figure trolling with the plane might be the easiest way to try a few of the lakes around here. I have a Porta-bote but not every lake offers good shoreline to park the plane and set up the boat.
Matt

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Although his application on his Renegade might be different than yours, he might have some resources.

I know a guy who invented some sort of maneuvering system for his amphib.
Better than a trolling motor, I believe it's remotely controlled & can go in any direction (360 degrees).
I told him about this thread, maybe he'll check in.

Thanks guys.

I had a look at the guys stuff with the Lake Renegade but I don't think that's going to give me any ideas for mounting to the EDOs.

HotRod180, you're guy has got a setup with remote steering? I was looking to keep it simple, just a bracket at the stern of the float or the rear spreader and maybe hold the motor pointing straight back and use the water rudders to steer the plane. These are pretty open lakes, I don't want to take my plane in anywhere real tight.

I did see a couple ideas using the Google machine.

Fraser Farmer wrote: maybe hold the motor pointing straight back and use the water rudders to steer the plane.

I guess then the only consideration is the mount and throttle control. Way easier with an electric motor.

Zzz wrote:

Fraser Farmer wrote: maybe hold the motor pointing straight back and use the water rudders to steer the plane.

I guess then the only consideration is the mount and throttle control. Way easier with an electric motor.

Interesting point. I haven't had an electric trolling motor in a long time. The one I had would zap a firewall plane battery dead pretty quick though and I don't really want to carry in a separate car battery. I'll have to look what's being offered these days.

Fraser Farmer wrote:

Zzz wrote:

Fraser Farmer wrote: maybe hold the motor pointing straight back and use the water rudders to steer the plane.

I guess then the only consideration is the mount and throttle control. Way easier with an electric motor.

Interesting point. I haven't had an electric trolling motor in a long time. The one I had would zap a firewall plane battery dead pretty quick though and I don't really want to carry in a separate car battery. I'll have to look what's being offered these days.

Yeah, a little 2-stroke gasser is just as lightweight and will run longer but has its own issues. Where do you put the tank? How do you control the throttle while in the pilot's seat on the water rudders?

Might be just as easy to haul a trolling motoe and a heavy deep cycle marine battery. I have an older Minn-Kota with a remote on a long cord where i can control speed and direction. Even on high it's fairly slow but might be less headache overall. I'm always surprised how long the charge lasts, and I did test it after I had some carb issues with my 25hp Honda outboard some distance from shore.

Depends on how far you’re going to motor it

If it’s a short distance it also recommend a small light trolling motor hooked to a battery inside of the plane

Having hauled a 9HP merc in and out of a boat a good deal, it’s a pain if you don’t need the power and range

Fraser Farmer wrote:...HotRod180, you're guy has got a setup with remote steering? .....

Yes, I believe it's more like 360 degree-capable thrusters than a kicker.
I mentioned this thread to him hoping he'd comment.
He told me he has a patent on whatever it is he's got,
but isn't yet ready to market it (esp for certified airplanes), so wants to keep it mum for now.

I’d think just making a clamp on bracket for a trolling motor w/ foot control would be all you’d really need

If you’re removing it before flight (they don’t weight much) no need for approval

I think my 2hp Evinrude weighs something like 25 lbs, it's an easy one hand lift anyway and it fits in the float compartment. It's got it's own fuel tank on top. I'm going to see if I can come up with something to clamp it on the spreader and then maybe just a lanyard to the kill switch. So it'll be, just fire it up, set the trolling speed and fish, tug the lanyard if you need to kill the engine.

Fraser Farmer wrote:So it'll be, just fire it up, set the trolling speed and fish, tug the lanyard if you need to kill the engine.

If that’s your main use case, it sounds like that will work great. Take a video for us!

NineThreeKilo wrote:I’d think just making a clamp on bracket for a trolling motor w/ foot control ]

I'll give a try.

Remote control electric motor mounted middle of front spreader bar, power cables to Lithium Ion battery in float baggage compartment.



Something like that:

OliBuilt wrote:

NineThreeKilo wrote:I’d think just making a clamp on bracket for a trolling motor w/ foot control ]

I'll give a try.

Remote control electric motor mounted middle of front spreader bar, power cables to Lithium Ion battery in float baggage compartment.



Something like that:

Very cool!! Has it worked well for you? Are you steering with the motor or with your water rudders?

Fraser Farmer wrote:Very cool!! Has it worked well for you? Are you steering with the motor or with your water rudders?

This is not my setup nor my airplane. Note this guy has turn engine handle to be able to steer and adjust power standing on the float, clever an simple.