Electric Motors for Flatform and other tubes that have engine mounts

Hey all.

I have a question to the regard of electric motors. I have a 7 Bass Flatform which boasts an engine mount, which is all well and good. I can get a motor fairly inexpensively. What I wonder is what those of you who have electric motors on your tubes use as a battery? Obviously, one can't simply take a car battery and connect the wires to it, and you're off... Are there special batteries to get for this? I have seen plastic cover cases for batteries, and I believe just a simple car battery fits in there, and that may be what people use?? I just don't know what to do with this.

The truth is, a friend of mine is a dealer of "Float Plus" systems, and I have tried it a couple times, and there is something awesome in being able to get from A to B quickly without killing your legs (or breaking out the oars on my Flatform).

Thanks in advance!

I like the Float Plus Motor very much as for Batteries I am sorry I don't have much info on this but I know they do have a marine battery for just this kind of thing.

I'm really against the whole concept of putting a motor on my Cumberland float tube. IT’S A FLOAT TUBE!

Get a pontoon, a boat, a Flatform, a MAXUUM or a yak, I say.

For me .. . This will never happen!

SP Dan

I used to think that way as well... But now that I have a PVC "boat" (tube), and have tried the Float Plus, I am intrigued. Not for normal fishing... I will get in and out of spots, and hold my position with my feet... I am just thinking, "okay. I have travelled the entire shoreline here and have miles to go to get back. It sure would be nice to sit back, sip on a cold one, and let the motor get me home".

Or... "there's a great looking spot over there on the other side of the lake. Rather than spend a half-hour of my fishing time kicking over there, I would sure love to quickly go with the help of a motor". Especially in the fall, when here in Sweden, my days get shorter and shorter very quickly (you lose around 10 minutes of sunlight every day) to the point that I finish work, and I only have an hour or two to fish before it's dark, and the fish bite no more. So I would rather get to my special spots quickly, and make the most of my short time on the lake.

But I get what you're saying. There is something magical and serene about belly boat fishing and using your flippers to get around. It just seems like the added effort makes things that much more sporting, and personal.

I don’t know if you know this or not, but today’s FT is no longer the belly-boat of yesterday, my seat and knees are all the way out of the water and only my lower legs and fins get wet.
I wear board shorts all year around here in SoCal.
Our inner-harbor SW water temperature’s have gotten down to 57° with air temps getting down to 47°.

I will aways try to drive as close-to; as I can, to an area that I want to launch and fish in.

If I only had one or two hours to fish, I would not waste it racing back-and-forth across the water but drive straight to the fishing spot for more time spent fishing.

Tight-lines

SP Dan

WadeKonowalchuk wrote:I used to think that way as well...  But now that I have a PVC "boat" (tube), and have tried the Float Plus, I am intrigued.  Not for normal fishing...  I will get in and out of spots, and hold my position with my feet...  I am just thinking, "okay.  I have travelled the entire shoreline here and have miles to go to get back.  It sure would be nice to sit back, sip on a cold one, and let the motor get me home".

Or...  "there's a great looking spot over there on the other side of the lake. Rather than spend a half-hour of my fishing time kicking over there, I would sure love to quickly go with the help of a motor". Especially in the fall, when here in Sweden, my days get shorter and shorter very quickly (you lose around 10 minutes of sunlight every day) to the point that I finish work, and I only have an hour or two to fish before it's dark, and the fish bite no more. So I would rather get to my special spots quickly, and make the most of my short time on the lake.

But I get what you're saying.  There is something magical and serene about belly boat fishing and using your flippers to get around.  It just seems like the added effort makes things that much more sporting, and personal.

I am with you I can see the benefits of a motor as well, especially a motor on the small side of a Float Plus type motor. For me the idea of a motor would be more for getting me out of sticky situations rather then fighting rough conditions that are going to wear me out.

I know that I would prefer to use my fins more than a motor as I have oars and rarely use them but its nice to know they are available if I need them. So the idea is to each there own and everyone have different conditions to deal with so a motor for some might be a good investment.

You may want to consider carrying a 2nd backup battery,
batteries have this uncanny ability to instantly die.

I’ve read where people have taken a second battery on board with them while fishing.
Best of luck on your DIY electric motor project!

I look forward to your written review of your motor and how it operated for you.

SP Dan

SP Dan wrote:You may want to consider carrying a 2nd backup battery,
batteries have this uncanny ability to instantly die.

I’ve read where people have taken a second battery on board with them while fishing.
Best of luck on your DIY electric motor project!

I look forward to your written review of your motor and how it operated for you.

SP Dan

To be fair, I won't be doing much DIY work here . This Flatform already has an engine mount specifically for an electric motor. The battery, I would just strap to the PVC (so that it doesn't fall in the drink" )

Batteries just suddenly die??? Yikes! Luckily, I would have the oars and flippers to cover my ass in that event.

Someone else mentioned, "I just drive close to where I want to fish". Normally I would too, but I have access to the lake right in front of my place (200 yards away or so), so I just wheel the Flatform down there, and then traverse the lake if need be (luckily my most productive spots are fairly close).

Always wondered where the term "Belly Boat" came from. Yeah, my Gunki - My bum was JUST above the water line. Made kicking much more efficient. The Flatform - Well, it's like the High Rider or Mad Cat - just the shins and below are in the water.

WadeKonowalchuk wrote:

SP Dan wrote:You may want to consider carrying a 2nd backup battery,
batteries have this uncanny ability to instantly die.

I’ve read where people have taken a second battery on board with them while fishing.
Best of luck on your DIY electric motor project!

I look forward to your written review of your motor and how it operated for you.

SP Dan

To be fair, I won't be doing much DIY work here .  This Flatform already has an engine mount specifically for an electric motor.  The battery, I would just strap to the PVC (so that it doesn't fall in the drink" )

Batteries just suddenly die???  Yikes!  Luckily, I would have the oars and flippers to cover my ass in that event.

Someone else mentioned, "I just drive close to where I want to fish".  Normally I would too, but I have access to the lake right in front of my place (200 yards away or so), so I just wheel the Flatform down there, and then traverse the lake if need be (luckily my most productive spots are fairly close).

Man I wish I had a like to tube that close to me. Ya the flatform and boats like that are designed for the motor to be attached. I am sure once you are all set up you will have a blast. Be sure to share pictures as you set it up thanks.

WadeKonowalchuk wrote:Always wondered where the term "Belly Boat" came from.  Yeah, my Gunki - My bum was JUST above the water line.  Made kicking much more efficient.  The Flatform - Well, it's like the High Rider or Mad Cat - just the shins and below are in the water.

Yep these hybrid boats have changed tubing in many different ways. I believe they all have there place in float tube fishing as we all have different waters situations and needs. The Mad Cat looks like a very good tube as well.

I am interested in seeing how the motor works out for you, so please keep us posted. If you look at my avatar that is my first "Belly Boat" and my waist was in the water. It was slow moving compared to a Cumberland or other "Float Tube."

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My first belly boat here in Stockholm.

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And the upgrade... My son is getting pissed because he has not caught anything yet, and he's been "out" all day.

WadeKonowalchuk wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

And the upgrade...  My son is getting pissed because he has not caught anything yet, and he's been "out" all day.

Looks great