Does anyone know whether on a hot summers day with full sun and low to no wind whether a 100 watt solar panel connected to a small trolling motor will appreciably move a light fibreglass 8ft dinghy/tender with one person in it? And some backup oars.

Yeah I doubt that 100W would run it very well, mind you I saw a youtube video of someone running one out of the water with 200W of panels, but I'm not sure how well it would work with the load of the water though. I would charge up a deep cycle battery with the panels or mains supply and then run the motor off that, then keep the panel connected up to the battery via a regulator to get longer out of your battery.

I prefer to row, because it's cheaper, simpler and better for my health. Depends what your status is I suppose.

Cheers, Jman

Sure, it is possible.
Approximate length of running time when operating a motor at full power can be determined with a motor?s amp draw and the battery amp hour rating.
Example: A single 120 amp hour, 12-volt battery and a 12-volt trolling motor drawing 30 amps at the highest speed setting
will run for about 3 hours.

As the speed setting is reduced the motor amp draw is also reduced.
A motor drawing 30 amps at high speed may only draw 5 amps at the slowest speed.
The same motor that will theoretically run about 3 hours at high speed will run for over 20 hours at the slowest speed

Your 100 W solar in full sun is rated around 5 A. You use it or charge the bat.

ultrleisure said..

Do you think that the 5 amps would be enough to turn the prop and move the boat by itself?

No.

Two should work well.oars that is.

Yes. vitamin B.

buy the boat