A few thoughts Posted by: mr_canoehead on Nov-20-12 3:21 PM (EST)
I understand your reasons for wanting a motor, and they make perfect sense to me. For most people I think motors aren't the best option - the way I see it is that the more enjoyable part of crossing the water is cut short, and the less enjoyable part of portaging and doing maintenance is extended. There are new electric motors from torquedo that are very expensive but supposedly good: http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=63340&familyName=Torqeedo+Travel+503+Electric+Outboard+Motor Gas seems more cost-effective, and those little honda 4 strokes are pretty reliable. Guideboatguy makes a good point in his name - have you considered rowing? I'm amazed at how much more comfortable rowing a boat into the wind is compared with paddling - the long sweep of the oars really locks into the water and generates momentum in ways a 10" paddle stroke cannot.