Wooden Trolling Motor Made With Drill

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By John Baichtal
Posted 2011/08/12 @ 5:00 pm
Category Electronics, Tools

Berto Aussems of Maastricht, the Netherlands, built a trolling motor powered by a drill.

Anyone with a cordless drill can make this trolling motor, just from wood. This is a fun project; making it, in a couple of hours, and to navigate on still waters. OK, you have to buy a propellor, a square drillhead, a strip aluminium, a trottle handle, a threated rod, screws and a plank of impregnated wood. This video speaks for itself; all is visible. The project is Open-Source Hardware. Now, make one for yourself and one for your best friend. Enjoy!

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17 Responses to Wooden Trolling Motor Made With Drill

Dave Brunker on August 13th, 2011 at 12:42 am said:

Hmm… well I can’t stay it would be much more economical or equally durable than just buying a trolling motor for $100 but if you want to DIY it seems to work.

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Anonymous on August 13th, 2011 at 5:41 am said:

I doubt the drill’s battery would last very long.

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Anonymous on August 13th, 2011 at 5:41 am said:

I doubt the drill’s battery would last very long.

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- Ronnie Hinton on August 13th, 2011 at 9:35 am said:
  
  Especially since that looks to be a harbor freight style drill (or whatever it’s sold as in the netherlands), and those usually are rated optimistically at 1300mah. The right-angle chuck looks to be from the same supplier too since HF sells one that looks identical, so it’d be a good idea to open it up and pack it full of grease to help it survive submerged better. Not sure how a drill’s motor will do with continuous use like that since it’s not really a huge load, but they’re not normally designed for continuous use either…. Still a cool project and if you were just sneaking around a little in the pond it’s probably practical.
  
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  Berto Aussems on August 13th, 2011 at 11:53 am said:
  
  I have to admit, this is a cheap style 12 V drill, but still usable for this purpose. The battery is an other story. Expensive cordless drills have much better battery’s, no doubt. They have also a switch for the gearbox with low/high speed. Great for getting the right thrust on the prop. To expand the range I made an adaptor plug on the battery. Now I can use an external battery of 12V and 12Ah. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuDDXnU4uA0 from 2.30 min. on. The right-angle chuck I was filling up with grease for a smoother drive and it keeps the water out. Good to mention that after a 20 minute continuous use the drill was warm, not hot. Look to the holes I made in the plank for ventilation! Thank’s for your remarks and appreciation.
  
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  Ronnie Hinton on August 14th, 2011 at 2:07 am said:
  
  Very cool. I rebuild drill packs at work all the time and I’ve seen that particular pack built anywhere from 12v to 18v. I agree that 12v is most practical since it’s easy to hook up to a larger battery and it’s nice to hear that the motor even on a modest drill doesn’t get too hot.
  
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  Christian Restifo on August 14th, 2011 at 3:08 am said:
  
  You hack it to run off a deep cycle battery like a regular trolling motor.
  
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  Christian Restifo on August 14th, 2011 at 3:08 am said:
  
  You hack it to run off a deep cycle battery like a regular trolling motor.
  
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- Ronnie Hinton on August 13th, 2011 at 9:35 am said:
  
  Especially since that looks to be a harbor freight style drill (or whatever it’s sold as in the netherlands), and those usually are rated optimistically at 1300mah. The right-angle chuck looks to be from the same supplier too since HF sells one that looks identical, so it’d be a good idea to open it up and pack it full of grease to help it survive submerged better. Not sure how a drill’s motor will do with continuous use like that since it’s not really a huge load, but they’re not normally designed for continuous use either…. Still a cool project and if you were just sneaking around a little in the pond it’s probably practical.
  
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Paul Procure on August 13th, 2011 at 12:22 pm said:

This is close to being the most ridiculous “green” thing I’ve ever seen! Powering a canoe with batteries just so you can travel at about a quarter of the speed a single stroke of a good paddle would get you.

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- Old man and the sea on August 17th, 2012 at 1:01 pm said:
  
  I’m a 83 y old w/heart problems,after rowing a little got exausted this troller doesnt waigth to much,(no heavy 12 v battery to carry) can xchange spear battery if needed in secs.I can enjoy now being in the water in my rafter. Now, tell me if is ridiculous
  ?
  
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Anonymous on August 13th, 2011 at 7:15 pm said:

Neat little project. Is there a way to make it quieter? I don’t think I would be able to sneak up on any fish.

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- Ronnie Hinton on August 14th, 2011 at 2:09 am said:
  
  Pack the drill’s gearbox with some better grease and remove any unnecessary drive gears. A drill motor’s not probably going to get too much quieter even with that though.
  
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Anonymous on August 13th, 2011 at 7:15 pm said:

Neat little project. Is there a way to make it quieter? I don’t think I would be able to sneak up on any fish.

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Canan Ulucan on August 14th, 2011 at 4:49 am said:

Woow nicee amateur Dremel

http://www.sinedrom.com

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Canan Ulucan on August 14th, 2011 at 4:49 am said:

Woow nicee amateur Dremel

http://www.sinedrom.com

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Matthew Smith on August 14th, 2011 at 5:50 pm said:

Is it just me or do you feel like Bruce Banner should be walking down a lonely road somewhere?

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