4
OPERATING YOUR SEA EAGLE
Rating
The SE-9 is rated for 4 persons or 645 lbs maximum, and a combined 1200 lbs or persons, gear and motor.
The maximum motor size is 3 horsepower (3 hp).
Motor Selection
The SE9 can take an electric trolling motor or small gas motor up to 3 hp. It works best with a small electric
trolling motor such as the Watersnake Venom 34 or Minn Kota Endura 30.
Gas Powered
Some of the advantages of gas motors over electric trolling motors include; their greatly increased range,
power against a headwind, and they do not require a heavy marine deep cell battery. Disadvantages include;
high initial cost, maintenance costs and gasoline or LP storage. Long shaft works best (20”). Short shaft (15”)
is sucient but the motor mount must be set as low as possible.
The SE-9 is a “displacement hull” that does not plane, it pushes up a wave at the bow and cannot overcome
the wave. A gas motor can provide more power than the SE-9 can take advantage of. In calm conditions, the
speed of the boat is limited to its hull speed of approximately 4 mph. Beyond a certain setting,
approximately ¼ throttle, the motor may shake, ventilate (pull air down to the propeller), or the sound may
change to a deep rumbling with no increase in speed (lugging). The weight and thrust of a gas motor will
cause the back of the boat to bend downward in the water. For these reasons, using more than a small
motor like a Honda 2.3 hp is not needed for the SE-9.
Torqeedo electric motors are powerful like gas motors and perform similarly.
Electric Trolling Motor
Some advantages of trolling motors are; their low cost, light weight, ease of storage, low maintenance
requirements, quiet operation, and usability in bodies of water that prohibit gas motors.
There are some basic parameters to know in order to understand electric motors. The thrust rating of a
motor is also its maximum electrical draw in amps. A 30 lb thrust motor draws about 30 amps on the
highest setting. To extend range, operate the motor on a lower setting. For example, the Watersnake Venom
has ve settings, and draws approximately 12 amps on the #3 power setting. Watersnake and Minn Kota
trolling motors can easily push the SE-9 to its hull speed. According to Minn Kota, their trolling motor
propellers are pitched to push a boat at approximately 4 mph. A larger thrust motor will not appreciably
raise the speed of the boat, but could help in a strong headwind.
In a river or tidal current, the SE-9 cannot make progress against a current that is more than its hull speed or
the speed of the trolling motor. Forward speed will vary depending on conditions, but if the current is
moving faster than the boat can go, it cannot make headway and may go backwards relative to land and
adding a larger motor will not be eective.
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