I probably know the answer ot this before I start, but hey - economic downturn and all that. I have to ask.

Currently saving me pennies for an electric outboard. The obvious choice is the MK endura 40lb, but at around £230 it aint cheap and there do seem to be a few alternatives around.
Am I wasting my time even looking at one of the cheaper models? What do you feel are the pros and cons?

Cheers,
Matt

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The sun pushed dark spokes of melt and sparkle
Across the fields of hoar. And the river steamed -
Flint-olive.


http://northcountryangler.blogspot.com

The place i fish uses these and i wpersonally would never have one. For the price, performance is low, repairs/spare parts aren't really any cheaper. I'd go for a shakespeare. (or other name, there are plenty that are the exact same, but have a different name on. Mine, for example ,is a motor guide, but the same as a shakey.) Mine pulls very little power, yet is faster than all the minn kotas and similar (and at only 30lb thrust). Had it 4 years, running like it was brand new. I use it 2 times a week on average.
MK do have some faithful owners though, i just think there is much much better value for money out there.
What battery do you use?

Hi Matt,

I started a bit of a heated debate when I asked a similar question about a year ago but I have had my mk for a year now and can't fault it. Invest well in a good leisure battery though 110 ah minimum.

I got mine mail order from bass pro in America and saved a few quid. Its all summarised on the last entry of this thread.

Electric Outboard?

Hope this helps

Rob

pm, north country angler

It probably depends mostly on your level of use. With some luck, you could get away with a cheaper model for any number of years if you're using it on small waters and only a few times a year.

I guess the other point is how much would it bother you if you spent say 100 pounds on a cheaper outboard and it lasted 3 years and then went belly up?

Personally, this is one of those areas where my instinct is to buy right and buy once, but that's for my needs, not yours. I do a lot of bass fishing where I use the electric for hours every time I'm out and I'm out there for about 30 or more days a year banging the unit into rocks, grinding through weeds and running it at high speeds against wind and current. I think I'm going into my 7th season on my current Minn Kota and my previous one was about 10 years old when I sold it and it was still working.

As others have said, the battery has a lot to do with the performance of any electric.

Grouse

Check these out, went to Arnfield on Monday and had the surprise of our lives, you could ski with these!!
torqeedo: Home

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Hi There,

I would personally go for two 60 AH leisure batteries.

They are much easier to carry, you have more endurance and you can balance the boat up by keeping the "spare" in the bows.

You can also just take one if you are on a very small water or you do a lot of anchoring.

Best Regards

robbie

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Minn kota all the way go for a 55 or 65 if you can stretch to it.

Thanks for the info. Got sorted via the very helpful Steve123 - I relieved him of his 55lb MK maxxum.......just need the season to start so I can give it a run!

M

__________________
The sun pushed dark spokes of melt and sparkle
Across the fields of hoar. And the river steamed -
Flint-olive.


http://northcountryangler.blogspot.com

Good choice Matt......I'll bring the water ski's with me end of May....