What I meant by the catchy headline is that this is about the minimum horsepower for the small boat application. In my case I have it hooked to a Sun Dolphin 8.5 play boat. My calculation was that more power was not only not needed, but not wanted. I need those lower speeds for trolling and such. Also I need to make sure that when I go out I can get back in, less paddle.
Here is the deal. The thing is NOT a power hog. As of this writing (super rainy wet year) I have battled winds and currents in our overflowing rivers and having to stay on it all the time has been the test. I haven't got back to the pull out with less than a half battery yet.
My notion is that if you have a 14ft boat or less this engine is adequate. No need to break the bank if you're on a budget. For my purposes it is perfect!
The gadget that tilts the thing. Over the years I have fought with those releases. Not so on the MinnKota Endura Transom Mount Trolling Motor. Smoothest one I have ever seen.
The one thing that is not perfect is the reverse. Don't plan on running it from the front of the boat in reverse. Ain't happening. I don't know if the blades aren't pitched right or what, but the reverse really froths the water without giving much ooomph. I mean, it will back you out of the shallows, but it's not for full time use. Forward, on the other hand works just like you like.
About the handle.... Well, I wound up putting my trolling motor in the back and I was kinda worried about steering. You know, twisting around and all. But with the extension handle which you can pull out a lot or a little....it ended up being zero problem. I think I might actually like it more better on the aft now.
And one heads up. If you plan on putting a transducer onto the foot...be advised, it probably won't fit as the foot is too short. However...my workaround was to put my transducer all the way to the rear against the fin and shim it with some rubber pads on an edge so that I got it near to vertical. And my depth finder works just fine. So no harm done. You could use most anything that won't rot. Your wife's Tupperware, for instance.
I like my MinnKota Endura Transom Mount Trolling Motor a LOT and you will too. If your boat be smaller grab one. You'll be thankin' me!
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