Trolling motors, I need HELP!

drift c · 11-21-2004, 03:01 PM

I have both a pontoon boat(8' fishcat cougar) and a 16' DB, I would like to get a trolling motor that would fit both, I don't know much about trolling motors so I was hoping someone could help me out on how many lbs of thrust is too much for a pontoon boat and how much is not enough for my DB. I took a friends 36lbs minn kota out on a little pond this morning and it seemed to really push it around. I will be mostly fishing tidewater on smaller streams with my pontoon boat and the wilson, nestucca, trask, siletz with my DB. I know in an ideal world it would be best to have a kicker for my DB but I don't have the 1000's to spend there.
So, what would you do?

drift c · 11-21-2004, 09:36 PM

ttt, comments would be great too!!!

KingFisher85 · 11-21-2004, 09:39 PM

12vt Minn Kota rip tide 55lb thrust electric

drift c · 11-21-2004, 10:45 PM

does minn kota make a variable speed trolling motor?

Arima17Ryan · 11-22-2004, 12:28 PM

I have a 12V 55lb thrust Minn Kota on my 16' Clackacraft drift boat. I haven't tried it drift fishing yet, but it trolls great on lakes. I troll at about 40-45% throttle for rainbows. The 12V 55lb has the Maximizer speed control so it's infinitely variable and is supposed to give longer run times. I wouldn't want anything smaller for the driftboat or you would have to troll at too high an amp draw for deep cycle batteries to perform well. The 24V 65lb motor might be better for that reason, but it costs more money. I got around four hours of trolling and running from spot to spot on one 115ahr deep cycle battery. For increased battery life you're not supposed to draw a deep cycle battery down to less than 50% so now I carry two batteries.

drift c · 11-22-2004, 10:42 PM

But will the 55lbs of thrust be too heavy for my 8' toon?---btw, tomorrow i'll be getting a "used"(1 or 2 times) toon for a friend since im having problems hooking up with a fishing buddy that has one! Im more than excited, its half off the origional price too

galgumshoe · 11-22-2004, 11:09 PM

I would say a 36 may be too deep for the areas fished and also the pontoon.

First Bite · 11-22-2004, 11:32 PM

Conrad

I have the 12volt 55# Maxxum Minn Kota and it works great. If you do purchase an electric, get the maximum thrust possible as it comes in handy when you need it.

Mark

galgumshoe · 11-22-2004, 11:49 PM

So, Mark, it doesn't matter if it's a raft or pontoon? I heard that the deeper motors won't work with them. I'm sure to be confusing things.

First Bite · 11-23-2004, 12:06 AM

The "depth" of the motor can be adjusted by loosening the screw on the main shaft and moving it up or down. My Minn Kota is a 42" model but has quite a range of depth it can be fished. This versatility comes in handy in case you want to use it for either a pontoon or raft.

Mark

galgumshoe · 11-23-2004, 12:20 AM

At least with the rafts, some stores and store sites were advising against the deeper motors beyond the MinnKota 30. I'm thinking it also depends on the weight and a lot of other factors. Thanks again.

BuKuBass · 11-23-2004, 08:15 AM

As First Cast noted, the depth of the motor can be adjusted. It's best to have it set just deep enough so that the the prop doesn't cavitate. As the depth of the motor increases, it gains a mechanical advantage to the point where it is possible to upset the pontoon if the thrust of the motor is perpendicular to the logitudinal axis of the craft. In other words, it rocks the boat and can spill you and your gear.
As the Toolman says, "More Power!" You can always throttle back.

Arima17Ryan · 11-23-2004, 09:01 AM

I don't think the 12V 55lb thrust Minn Kota would be too heavy for your pontoon, but I've never owned a pontoon so I'm not the best person to ask. The motor is not that heavy though. I carry it around easily. I tried to find the weight on Minn Kota's website but had no luck. I can check the box at home tonight if you want. Mine is a Maxxum as well. There's even a built in battery tester on it. I thought it was corny at first, but it does come in handy. I will also say, never owning an electric motor before, that is is so nice to troll silently. Makes me enjoy fishing all the more. And I swear I catch more trout without the gas engine. You can't even hear if the motor is on until about 1/3 throttle. Then it's just a faint hummmm...fish on! :grin: I even saw a 17-18' aluminum boat trolling for springers this year with a Minn Kota. I think that guy had the right idea. He was using a bow mounted motor with an autopilot. Just sit back and relax.

FrogPond · 11-23-2004, 10:31 AM

I think you will definitely not want bigger than a 12V system for your pontoon and I have found that my 24V 65lb system is underpowered for some of water I would like to use it on in my DB. So, I think you will be really happy on your toon, and kinda limited in your DB.

In a perfect world my DB would magically change from a 24' Sea Sport, to a 20' open sled, to a 28' party barge. Ahh, now wouldn't that be livin!

Whatever you decide...enjoy not having to row all day long!

icU812 · 11-23-2004, 05:57 PM

I put a 50 pound variable MotorGuide on my 9 foot pontoon and my 12 foot Lowe. My thoughts, you want as much thrust as you can afford, BUT you need to be able to throttle it down. I looked at and own a Minn Kota 55. Great power, too fast on power 1 to troll small craft. I also have the Motor Guide in a 50, it is variable. Hands down the variable is the way to go. It will cost you $100 to get variable speed, but worth it...