The paddle retainer and bow cleat are installed as is the motor. The MK motor has had some modifications. The tiller handle and speed control are removed. The screw clamps on the motor mount bracket have been cut off, and the bracket permanently attached to the transom. The motor shaft has 3 light wires (speed control) and 2 heavy (motor wires) inside. The light wires are cut and stuffed back down the tube. The heavy wires are brought out and connect to the terminals located on the transom. These terminals are connected to the motor controller output. The battery is located under the rear deck. It is wired thru a 50 amp circuit breaker, and then to the motor controller power input terminals. None of the boat wiring is visible to the casual observer.
The white port behind the paddle retainer is the exhaust port for the bilge pump. I have never had to use the pump, but it is nice to know it is there. In the photo on the home page the bilge exhaust port doubles as a mount for a movie camera. Next the fish finder will be installed on the forward deck and its transducer installed on the transom.
The white port behind the paddle retainer is the exhaust port for the bilge pump. I have never had to use the pump, but it is nice to know it is there. In the photo on the home page the bilge exhaust port doubles as a mount for a movie camera. Next the fish finder will be installed on the forward deck and its transducer installed on the transom.
The battery is a deep cycle type from Walmart. It is the group 24 size and will power the boat for about 20 miles on flat water, less if there is a head wind or current. There is room for a cooler, fishing gear and lunch if you don't have a passenger.
New battery technologies are becoming available. The lithium type batteries finally coming to the market can power the boat for a whole weekend, last far longer than lead acid types and are half the weight. In time, their prices will become much more affordable.
Lead carbon batterys are also being developed for motor start-stop vehicles. These will tolerate many more charge-discharge cycles than the standard flooded lead-acid lead battery and will be less expensive than lithium. As battery technology continues to develop the boats range and speed will benefit.
New battery technologies are becoming available. The lithium type batteries finally coming to the market can power the boat for a whole weekend, last far longer than lead acid types and are half the weight. In time, their prices will become much more affordable.
Lead carbon batterys are also being developed for motor start-stop vehicles. These will tolerate many more charge-discharge cycles than the standard flooded lead-acid lead battery and will be less expensive than lithium. As battery technology continues to develop the boats range and speed will benefit.
The plans include drawings for a transport cart. It slides under the rear of the boat and interlocks with the boats keel. The cart has a strap that secures the cart to the boat. In addition there is a bracket on the cart handle that attaches to the transom . The handle then serves to maintain wheel alignment when the boat is transported over uneven ground. Once installed the toggle handle on the bow cleat is used to tow the boat to its destination. The cart is removed at the launch site and left in the transport vehicle while you are boating.
