07-21-2011, 11:37 PM
[quote SkunkedAgain]TD where do you put your battery on that machine? What size do you use and how long does it last? I have a kick boat I started to trick out and got to the battery and found 60 lbs of lead doesn't help my floatation well I actually didn't try it because I was afraid it might sink me. Do you have any advice? From the sounds of this last trip maybe I better stay in the boat. Thanks. J[/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]I am attaching one of the chapters from my book that deals with motorizing a float tube. Should provide pics and info to answer most of your questions.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The quick answers are that I use a series 27 AGM battery...65#. I had to add floatation with a couple of boat bumpers to handle the motor and battery,but it rides just fine. See pics in the writeup. The battery rides perfectly in the pocket behind the seat on my Fat Cat.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]How long the battery lasts depends on what size motor and battery you have, how you use it and at what speed settings. As a rule, you will not get the same life from a battery on a float tube as you would from a pontoon or small boat. The motor on the tube drags you THROUGH the water...rather than on top of it. More drag makes the motor work harder to move you the same distance.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But TubeBabe and I really like having the motor for quicker moves, some bottom bouncing and getting back to the vehicle more quickly after a long day, or when the weather gets hinky. It will not let you troll on Flaming Gorge all day or get you up on plane. And forget trying to tow a water skier.[/#0000ff]
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[cool][#0000ff]I am attaching one of the chapters from my book that deals with motorizing a float tube. Should provide pics and info to answer most of your questions.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The quick answers are that I use a series 27 AGM battery...65#. I had to add floatation with a couple of boat bumpers to handle the motor and battery,but it rides just fine. See pics in the writeup. The battery rides perfectly in the pocket behind the seat on my Fat Cat.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]How long the battery lasts depends on what size motor and battery you have, how you use it and at what speed settings. As a rule, you will not get the same life from a battery on a float tube as you would from a pontoon or small boat. The motor on the tube drags you THROUGH the water...rather than on top of it. More drag makes the motor work harder to move you the same distance.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But TubeBabe and I really like having the motor for quicker moves, some bottom bouncing and getting back to the vehicle more quickly after a long day, or when the weather gets hinky. It will not let you troll on Flaming Gorge all day or get you up on plane. And forget trying to tow a water skier.[/#0000ff]
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