In 2014 I saw a couple leave the beach in Roscoe Bay, BC and head back to their boat in an inflatable powered with one of these. I got me to thinking and I realized that 90-some percent of our trips were only a couple of hundred yards to shore in mostly calm conditions. The 30 lb. thrust Minnkota was found for $40 at a garage sale. The group 24 battery was another $90 or so. If it didn't work out the battery could replace our 13 year-old cranking battery. After about 6 weeks this year on the boat we are really happy with this combination. Our outboard is a 8 hp 2-stroke Yamaha that we still carry and was actually used once over the 4th of July when we had my daughter and boyfriend aboard and were about 1/2 mile from the dock and landing area.

The graphic on the motor says it will run 2.4 hours at full speed (5 of 5) and 6 hours at speed 4. The 4th speed is fine for most trips. I wired a 30 amp receptacle to the battery and a plug on the motor. Another receptacle on the house bank does the charging through a male-to-male adapter. We like the quiet and lack of exhaust. It's no Torqueedo of course but does the job. Time will tell if it will hold up to salt water use. Minnkota makes a salt water version but the 45-lb version is about $250 vs $100 for the fresh water. We will see how long this one lasts.