4 Cycle weedwacker, propane conversion outboard??

[Slackdaddy]

As I venture farther out into the bay, getting back in a head wind is difficult some times,,
I was looking at sails, but the wnd is always in my face headed back to the western shore.
I did not want to tote gasoline around,, so was thinking up ways to make an "emergancy" propulsion unit.
Came up with taking a 4 cycle weedwacker, cutting the shaft down, putting a prop on and converting to propane,,,,
I have way to much "thinking" time,,,,,

Slack

[YAKQuest]

that would be cool if you got it to work. Would just a trolling motor work though? Some are not too expensive but they might not be big enough.

[john from md]

A small gasoline powered string trimmer will work and they are very economical on gas. Just fill up the tank and strap it down until you need it then just hang it out there. The concept would probably work better if you have a rudder though.

Regards,

John

[ronaultmtd]

A Mothership is one answer- if you venture too far to get back safely- bad things are bound to happen- I always want to fish with partners so that if you get in trouble you can have some help- hedging your bet can save your life-Last year I was out off Cornfield Harbor croaker fishing all morning... by late afternoon a strong tide was going out and the wind got up- it took me hours to get back in- and I was so tired I barely could load my kayak- that is the moment when I decided that I needed a Mirage drive- two weeks later I had my Outback- more speed, less fatigue, more distance- one thing I have noticed- if you get can get closer to shore the speed of the tides are greatly reduced than in the middle of the channel, so it might be that a sharp dogleg to the shore then head back to the launch point might be less fatiguing in the long run-

[Shady]

one word

torqeedo...

[mmanolis2001]

Like this?

[DOGFISH]

+1, Torqeedo.

[Slackdaddy]

Mothership is out,, sold the boat 10 years ago.
Was looking to stow the emergancy motor in the hatch,, so gasoline is kinda out.
Heavy batt is a deal breaker.
I'll have to see what is the smallest 4 cycle engine I can find.

Slack

[Twistedfish]

You can buy a propane string trimmer and a propane leaf blower from LEHR as well as 2.5 h.p. 5 h.p. propane outboards now. The 2.5 h.p. still weighs 37 pounds, so it's a little heavy. It would be kind of cool if someone would market a smaller version to compete with Torqeedo.

[Shady]

torqeedo battery ways less than 7 pounds. Their technology is worlds ahead of anything else on the market right now.

[RavensDfense]

I like the enginuity, but when we're resorting to putting weed eaters on the back of the kayak it might be time to get a boat.

[Slackdaddy]

I believe you may be right,,,