Electric motor for DB

[Reel Deal]

I will be picking up my new DB in a few weeks and I would like to put an electric motor on it, so what are your suggestions?
24 volt or 12 volt
what type of battery
what pound thrust
on board charging system
is there anything else to consider?

Any input, suggestions or tips greatly appreciated

RD

[jimh]

You could do a search to get more info, but generally speaking you'd be better off with the 24 Volt with an on board charging system.

[BloodNtheboat]

Funny, this topic has come up a bunch lately, seems alot of people are getting electrics for thier drifters.
I just finished setting up my drift boat with a Minn Kota Riptide 101, 3 Deka gel cell batteries (similar to optimas and cheaper) and an on board charger. Expect to spend about a Grand for the whole setup start to finish.
A little less for the 74 pound model. In the Words of Grant Scheely, "get the 101 LB. you dont want to have minn kota envy on the river"

[16/0 Circle]

Which size Deka's did you go with? I see you live in Corvallis, did you find a deal locally? I'm currently replacing my junk with real batteries for my 101. Thanks, Scott.

[cully]

just in case you've never seen the article http://steelheaduniversity.com/drifter.html
it really helped me with the same project

motor on,

cully

[Buck50]

I use a 12V 250lb Minn Kota that works just fine. You can do 24V but why spend the money? These arn't running motors, they're trolling motors. A drift boat doesn't weigh squat. Just get the biggest/best battery you can afford and are willing to lug. I used a semi truck battery for 10 years before it finally died.
I think you'll be really pleased how an electric can be used on your new baby. Can you say "quiet". I love it at places like the John Day trolling for summers.

[SeanD]

It all depends on what you want to do. I ran a 12v last winter. Now I run a 36v. They dont even compare. If you want to go back upstream and re-drift a section of river, a 12v is not going to do it. If you want to backbounce some salmon holes and run the motor instead of row, a 12v is not going to do it very well either unless its really slow water. For lake trolling its probably fine, but it wont last nearly as long as a 24v or 36 volt.

[fair hooker]

A 74 lb thrust 24 volt does perfect for my 16 ft Koffler driftboat trolling tidewater for salmon or floating rivers for steelhead. Batteries last the whole day.

[bighugetrout]

I use a 12V 250lb Minn Kota that works just fine.

Where can I buy one of these bad boys.