Considering trolling motor in place of 10 hp Mercury

[dlandersson]

True, but it goes a long way in a liberal dominated environment.

I wouldn't count on this. The first time a genset owner splills petrol gem sets will be banned too.

Btw, without getting political, there is nothing "green" about replacing a few gallons of recreational petrol with an electric motor...you have to consider cost of energy in manufacturing too...lots of websites elsewhere where you can calculate the footprint...

[RobertB]

I wouldn't count on this. The first time a genset owner splills petrol gem sets will be banned too.

Btw, without getting political, there is nothing "green" about replacing a few gallons of recreational petrol with an electric motor...you have to consider cost of energy in manufacturing too...lots of websites elsewhere where you can calculate the footprint...

We have a few reservoirs near my house with a no gas motor restriction. Interesting how the water cops patrol with gasoline engines

[Jeremy K]

Just my 2-cts worth, been sailing dinghy-sized boats all my life, recently bought a 1985 M25; it was sitting in a marina lot in Ohio, and I first put it in the water in nearby Lake Erie; I only had a trolling motor (I don't know what thrust) to push it away from the dock; frankly it was a good thing it wasn't against the wind. I sailed it into the marina where we tied it up for a few weeks while my boys were in Ohio. I went to get a gas motor for it, and suffered severe sticker shock. I bought a 9.9 Merc 4-stroke 'bigfoot' longshaft (it cost ~ 3-4 x what I paid for the boat, trailer and all!), but I wouldn't change it for the world. Altho' I plan to do some bay sailing eventually, so far it's just been lake sailing in KY, but I like a good wind, and the Merc is definitely up to the task of moving the M25 despite a stiff wind pushing against it. The other day the wind was blowing directly onto the dock, and there's not much leeway in the inlet where the ramp and dock are; if I'd tried to sail away or use a trolling motor I would've been on the rocks for sure. I know outboards are grossly expensive, but with a boat the size of the Mac I'm leery of the electric route. If the wind is blowing it'd be hard to go in the right direction.

[willsnow]

Has anyone tried setting up a trolling motor off the bow to use like a bow thruster?

[Catigale]

Not o my knowledge...sounds like a lot of work for such a small benefit...

[voltzwgn]

Never having an outboard on my M25 I'n not sure what the range of direction is for them, but with the electric I could rotate it virtually 360 degrees at some point the wire may get in the way but I'm certain I could do easily do 180 in either direction if need be. While the motor will run forward and reverse and easily moves the boat in either direction I would assume it's more efficent in forward than reverse just due to the motor housing.

[finding41]

Having a outboard that is the correct size for your boat is essential. The time you need the power of your 10 hp will be in an emergency situation and if its a trolling motor.... I wouldn't trust it. What if you are coming in to dock with a strong wind behind you? How fast will a trolling motor get your 2500 lb boat stopped? Not as fast as a 10 hp! I doubt your insurance company would pay out for any damage to someone else's boat if you hit it. I think they would say you were negligent in providing the necessary power for your craft.
Out boards can be a PITA but they are there to not just get us in and out of a slip. Sometimes they are needed in emergency's or when if there is no wind.
I just pulled the throttle twist grip off my 83 Johnson on my last trip to the trailer for the season. The inside parts fell in the lake... Well I was a bit surprised when I found the price for the 4 plastic parts to be over $200 after tax. I shopped around online and found them for $5 each.
I have no idea how to replace these parts, but I am going to replace them myself.
Take a look on YouTube and you will find instructional videos done by ordinary people showing you how to do about anything.
Here is a link to a guy fixing a 8 hp Merc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_xFQwtvtj8
Here is a link to a parts site. http://www.marineengine.com/parts/parts.php
Have your model # handy and you can find every thing about you motor.
Or take it to someone to have it tuned up. (Carb kit and plugs, Lower end oil change)
Good luck