Scott, Dave has a good point--penetrating the hull is bad for value. A few years ago I placed 100 amp-hours of 24V AGM batteries in M-17 Robbin to power a transom mounted MinnKota RT80. It has been great. In bad conditions, I'd want the Honda 2HP back on there, but then I try to avoid bad conditions. Happy sailing Bill Dixon Windsor, CA -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of W David Scobie Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 11:04 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: Adding an electric Motor to Montgomery 15 Scott: DON'T DO IT! Sal&Gail's M15, JUSTUS, had this done and it was a mess. the trolling motor 'inboard' was removed. if you want to go electric look at the offerings by Torqeedo. i know a couple of M17 owners using the Torqeedo, and two Sage 17 owners have Torqeedos. the Honda 2HP (now sold as the 2.3) is a great motor. light, reliable, and more than enough power to move the M15, a Sage 17, and even (in most weather conditions) the M17. the Honda 2HP is what i used on my M15. I have three of the Honda 2s in the shop ... one is used on a Moore 24. during boat shows you can usually find a new Honda 2.3 for about $1000. this is less than a Torqeedo. :: Dave Scobie -------------------------------------------- On Wed, 1/15/14, Scott <salarson2@comcast.net> wrote: I have a 2 stroke motor that came with my Monty when I bought it. In good conscience, I cannot get myself to use it. I have a 12 v trolling motor that worked OK for getting it in and out of the smallish bay on Minnesota's Lake Minnetonka, but it was a little slow. Getting in and out of Carson's bay generally took me about a half hour plus each way. I am tempted to take the lower unit off the motor and bolt it to the bottom of my Monty behind the keel and mount an electric motor inside the hull. I have figured out what I need for power and duration in terms of the motor and batteries, but I am reluctant to put a hole in the bottom of the boat to mount the motor and prop. Any thoughts on how that could affect the value of the boat? Scott Larson