electric motor on typhoon

[Kilgore]

Practical Sailor put an electric motor on a Ty, but I believe it was the pricier Torqueedo, not a trolling motor.

[Dick Villamil]

I use the Minnkota when there is no wind and it propels the boat about 3 knots in calm water. Since I keep the battery on a small solar panel it lasted all summer - however I didn't use the motor too much - just when the wind dies as well as the mile or so to and from the haulout ramp at the beginning and end of the season. It is light, remains on he berth with handle lodged in a locker and never rolls around. This spring I am going to run a separate fused circuit from the battery to the motor through the aft quarter berth (?) and then out of the aft end of the cockpit to a terminal. I plan on attaching the motor only when needed so I am considering a quick connect at that point. Since I don't cruise a lot with it I feel confident about having the motor as my auxiiary - especially with no wind or when the wind is unfavorable for sailing into the dock. I do have a 4hp Mariner outboard if I want to go away on the boat for a weekend but I need a choke knob for it - using neeedlenose pliars is a bit unreliable! I also can use the motor on my rowboat. Not sure I would depend on the elecric motor for outrunning a storm - however she sails better with a breeze!

[12Sail]

I started with an electric motor on my first sailboat, an O'Day Daysailer (17'). All the benefits: quiet, efficient, inexpensive, light, etc. But I ran into a concern that most of you probably don't have...where I sailed in Jacksonville, there were several drawbridges with narrow channels to navigate to get into the big river. Invariably I'd be coming through the channel and along comes a powerboat ignoring no-wake signs or perhaps just not seeing me. I had a hard time powering through the wake and chop with the electric that the little fourstroke solved. I never had an issue with the battery capacity, and the trickle charger definitely does the "trick". I left the battery on the boat in the cuddy, and brought the electric home with me each time. The 3.5 did stay on the boat, which I agree ruined the lines.
All in all an electric is an elegant solution and one I recommend.