Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Freshwater Transom Mounted Trolling Motor (30" Shaft)

I guess I waited 10 years to write this review. Mine is still like brand new, and runs perfectly. Used on fresh water lakes on a 16' old town poly canoe (about 70 lbs) on a twisted aluminum motor mount bolted to the transom (and also just bolted to the side of the transom, which works great too, and doesn't require a motor mount). I usually use it when I go out on a "beer float" with my wife (she thinks it is a wine float) with a 100 amp/hr lipo battery, or older lead acid battery. The lipo battery is awesome, nice and light, and lasts a long time - maybe 3-4 hours. And the motor is light too. That is a great setup for canoe. I usually run on setting 4 (goes 1 to 5 forward), and only switch to 5 when the battery gets low, and doesn't go as fast. Also, I put it on an old 12' aluminum v hull. It is too small really for that boat, with 2 people (ok for 1 if you don't want to go too fast). I'm getting a 55 lb thrust for the jon-boat (I have a bunch of outboards that are a lot nicer, but the battery is so nice for talking and having a nice outing with my wife). Anyway, for a canoe, I think 30 lbs thrust is enough. For jon-boat, go 55 lbs or more. Also, the old min-kotas that are smaller than 30 lbs are too small for a canoe. Anyway, this is the best way to motorize a canoe, in my opinion, as it is so quiet, and comfortable and light. I've tried outboards too, and they usually go too fast, and make too much noise, for going on a beer float with someone you want to visit with. We have other boats and set-ups ... but the canoe with the electric motor (and a reclining beach chair backwards in the front, reclining with a cup of wine) is my wife's favorite.

I bought an Old Town Guide 147 canoe last year, and have been having a blast with it. Recently, I decided that an electric motor would be a great addition, and after some research, decided to buy the Minn Kota C2 30 from Amazon.The trolling motor arrived fast (as all things do from Amazon's Prime service). I also bought the battery center that Minn Kota makes, which makes loading the ridiculously heavy battery a much safer and easier process. In addition, the Old Town Outrigger motor mount was purchased (a great add-on for you Old Town boat owners -- highly recommended).As I live in NH, I had to go register my boat so I could use the new motor. Somewhere in the process, I was asked what the horsepower rating is for this motor. I had no idea, so I decided that 3 horse reasonable (even though I think it's much less). I paid about 40 bucks to register the boats, and about 15 bucks on the registration stickers to put on the side of the boat. The battery was bought at a local auto store for about 80 bucks.I guess what I'm trying to say is that you need to plan ahead for the costs that you're going to spend. It's not a simple hundred bucks spent. Registration, battery costs, motor mount and unexpected costs on registration and numbers (my state has no sales tax -- but ridiculous amounts of milfoil, aquatic plant and conservation fees totaling more than the cost to register the boat).I was disappointed to say the least that this was such an expensive endeavor. That was, of course, until I strapped the motor on this afternoon and went out on the Connecticut River and a local pond. This little motor makes the boat cut through the water with ease and a remarkably fast pace. I watched a couple of YouTube videos about this trolling motor and was easily competing with the speed encountered in those videos. I loaded the boat up with three large adults and was still able to compete, going upstream. I am entirely impressed with this motor. The only flaw I can see is the rather short amount of wire used to hook this motor to the battery center. The battery doesn't fit under or behind my seat, so I need to put it in front of the rear canoe seat. It makes sitting in the awkward and sometimes rather uncomfortable. I logged on tonight to find some form of extension for the cable, so I can place the battery in the center of the boat (which will even out the boat a little as well).Overall, this is a great purchase and I'm very happy. Just be aware that you'll need to register your boat ($$$) and buy a battery, and in some cases, other accessories to make this motor work for you.

What I meant by the catchy headline is that this is about the minimum horsepower for the small boat application. In my case I have it hooked to a Sun Dolphin 8.5 play boat. My calculation was that more power was not only not needed, but not wanted. I need those lower speeds for trolling and such. Also I need to make sure that when I go out I can get back in, less paddle.Here is the deal. The thing is NOT a power hog. As of this writing (super rainy wet year) I have battled winds and currents in our overflowing rivers and having to stay on it all the time has been the test. I haven't got back to the pull out with less than a half battery yet.My notion is that if you have a 14ft boat or less this engine is adequate. No need to break the bank if you're on a budget. For my purposes it is perfect!The gadget that tilts the thing. Over the years I have fought with those releases. Not so on the MinnKota Endura Transom Mount Trolling Motor. Smoothest one I have ever seen.The one thing that is not perfect is the reverse. Don't plan on running it from the front of the boat in reverse. Ain't happening. I don't know if the blades aren't pitched right or what, but the reverse really froths the water without giving much ooomph. I mean, it will back you out of the shallows, but it's not for full time use. Forward, on the other hand works just like you like.About the handle.... Well, I wound up putting my trolling motor in the back and I was kinda worried about steering. You know, twisting around and all. But with the extension handle which you can pull out a lot or a little....it ended up being zero problem. I think I might actually like it more better on the aft now.And one heads up. If you plan on putting a transducer onto the foot...be advised, it probably won't fit as the foot is too short. However...my workaround was to put my transducer all the way to the rear against the fin and shim it with some rubber pads on an edge so that I got it near to vertical. And my depth finder works just fine. So no harm done. You could use most anything that won't rot. Your wife's Tupperware, for instance.I like my MinnKota Endura Transom Mount Trolling Motor a LOT and you will too. If your boat be smaller grab one. You'll be thankin' me!