Paul
A number of Potter sailors are using electric outboards. I recently bought
a 70 lbf thrust Minn Kota, with the idea that it would give me more reserve
thrust to cope with current and wind. It requires 24 volts and I have two
12-volt group 24 deep cycle batteries, one on each side of the centerboard
trunk (an extra 90 lb of ballast), connected in series. I've only had it
out a couple of times so have more testing to do. Look on the mail list
archives for my post entitled, "Manatee Rams a Destroyer," which describes
my first venture onto the Bay with the electric outboard. If you can't find
it I'll be glad to e-mail it to you. I love the quiet and the positive
control the electric outboard provides. Mine has the Maximizer pulse-width
modulation that is supposed to increase its range and gives infinite speed
control from about 10 or 20% to 100%. It uses 50 A at 100%, so I don't
expect to go far at full speed.
Your Minn Kota in combination with the generator should be well suited for
cruising Lake Mead unless you are in the habit of resorting to outboard
power when the wind and waves get to be too much. You'll have neither the
thrust nor the range to go far in choppy conditions IMHO. (I won't either,
probably.) But the Minn Kota should be great for getting in and out of
marinas, exploring coves, nature watching, etc. If the wind comes up too
much I would expect to just reef or drop the sails and run for shelter
under bare poles or jib.
For charging where power is available, I am pleased with the Sears DieHard
charger I bought. It has both 12 and 24 volt outputs so I can charge my two
batteries in series. It's a "smart" charger with modes for different types
of batteries including deep cycle and gel cel so I don't have to worry
about overcharging. It cost about $90.
Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA