I can tend to be ambitious but around Lake Superior has never entered my list........I am keen to go around Isle Royale one day though that is for sure.

I hadn't given any thought to a battery at the bottom of the lake either. AGM style which is the only kind I like to buy anymore due to their long lasting ability to keep a charge without continually inspecting them. I might just evaluate a way to strap it to the seat brackets. Even though it was tiny it still set me back to the tune of $140........a lot for a battery that weighs only 24 lbs. But I should have it for a very long time. My other 2 AGM batteries have went close to a decade. I LIKE that!

Looking forward to outfitting the boat with all the helps that make life less of a hassle and more efficient. Should be an interesting project. I have my QJ sticker all ready to plop on 

MT,

Looking forward to trip report on your new "ride".
If it performs as expected, that trip around Lake Superior might seem far less daunting.

On that battery, is there any chance at all that becasue of the type of battery it is, it would raise environmental concerns with the Canadian authorities
Worse case scenario, you go over and battery ends up in the lake?
Probably not a concern, but who knows in today's climate?

MT,

I'm very interested in how you like that finder. It is the right price for me and its either that one, or the non DSI version. As for your battery, I think it will last you quite a while.

Good luck!

Our tow will be whizzing by you on the 14th.

I figured it would last but the battery is fairly small and I'm hardcore when it comes to putting the hours in........I can't help but wonder if I should of gotten the one with the GPS built in then I could mark any nifty spots I find for future use. Now THAT might draw some juice.....I think I will contact Lowrance and find out if I can run GPS+depth finder for 10 days with the little 12 volt. How cool would that be.........Thanks for the response Pajeff, helps get rid of that nagging doubt (like your website BTW).

talked to Scott Smith today and he said the boat is mostly done and I can pick it up next week. I asked him how it looked and he said awesome. First dark bottom boat he has made.........the scratches will show but I don't care about that.......off white top. I wanted beige or sand but it sounds like I got off white. Oh well..........no bigey. Should be a fun boat for Basswood, can't wait! Entry is Aug 6th at PP.........I'll be on the Canadian side for 10 days.........if you see an 18ft hybrid canoe/yak stop and say hi.

MT

That should last the entire summer.

I admit it......I'm not so good with all things electric. The only "D" I received in an institute of higher learning was the course> DC fundamentals. I have progressed however and can figure out why my tailights on my trailer aren't working but I digress.......

I picked up a new finder........one of these, (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

I also picked up a very small 12 volt battery to power it. One of these (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

240 cold cranking amps (whatever that means?).
At 24 lbs and only one portage I thought why not? Plus a little weight in the boat is probably a good thing.

I have never used a powerful depth finder always opting for cheapies  and I have never tried running one for 10 days> 10 or 12 hours per day without being able to recharge the battery. Think it will power the unit for 10 days?