I know this is probly not everyones favorate way to cruise or to see and I've never been on those bigger lakes that allow it; like Basswood, Jackfish and others. But I have mounted up the 2hp on my Champlain and took a 5 hour tour from Crane Lk. all the way around to Snow Bay on Lac La Croix; thats 27 miles on one gallon of gas.

Was just wondering if anyone else has done other motorized trips else where :question
I was thinking of doing one at the top of Gunflint trial on Saganaga Lk, a quick way to explore this bigger lake.

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//Windsailor

Ditto what Wally said about an unexpected contact with a hidden unmovable object. I can tell you from experience that there are some areas of Saganaga that are best left unexplored with a motor driven craft. If you do decide to give it a try, shoot for an early start, and then watch the outfitter boats to see where they travel and the routes they take. It will not cover the entire lake since they mainly go to drop off / pick up at entry points, but it’s a good start.  Watch in particular if they make some seemingly bizarre movements; they’re doing that for a reason!

A good example is the narrows before you get into the main part of Saganaga. With average water levels, no traffic, and the right course, there is no problem going wide open with a 25 hp through there.  Stray 10 feet either way and the rocks will have a lower unit for lunch.

Its not all that fast as it seems; average paddling speed is about 1.5-2 mph and 3 mph would be a pretty good work out to maintain. Mounting up 2hp on a fully loaded canoe (cooler with 4 cases of beer and ice) with gear it only moves at about 6-7 mph, as far as rocks go I think I grazed a couple nothing serious. We did take the mechanical portage lifts on our way through so this was a very easy trip plus Snow Bay is practicaly a fish factory.

//Windsailor

RedOwl wrote on Jan 12^th, 2010 at 1:43am:



windsailor: yep, I've done a few motorized Louxiouriour relaxing totaly awsome like motorized canoe trips......ya see, it's the mind over matter type of voyage,,,,,,I go there and take it for what it is, and not what I think ,,I should make anyone else think it should be...old photos may follow... see them :question...most likely not