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I have posted this on here before, but it has been many moons ago, and many new members have joined since then, who may have valuable input. I have an 18'3" Starcraft boat. Starcrafts have an aluminum (means it is lighter than fiberglass) hull and are a deep V design. It looks like I will finally be adding that electric trolling motor that I have hoped for for a long time. I plan on installing it on the bow of the boat. Because it has a closed bow, I will likely go with a Copilot (wireless) MinnKota. My primary usage will be for locating and holding over fish for vertical jigging. I will also use it for fishing along shorelines and slow trolling and bottom bouncing for walleye. I currently have two batteries, and, if necessary, there is room to add two more batteries. Some of the questions I have are:
How useful is AutoPilot?
Should I go with 12 or 24 volts?
Should I go with 65 or 74 pounds of thrust?
Should I add additional batteries, or is there a safe way (always want to be able to start the outboard) to share my current batteries? And if I shared the batteries, how long could I reasonably expect to be able to operate the electric trolling motor and still have plenty of power for starting my outboard?
Once I measure the distance from the top of the bow to the water line, how many inches should I add?
Which mount should I purchase?
Any other suggestions or input would be appreciated.
Thanks,
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It sounds like you're on the right track already. I have a heavy 19' fiberglass boat and use a Minn Kota Power Drive 55, 12 volt. Ninety percent of the time it works out great, but when the wind gets stiff, I'm definitely underpowered. If I were to do it over again, I would go for more power and probably the 24 volt model. Also, it would be worth looking into special ordering the Riptide version. It's made for saltwater use, which means it's sealed much better but doesn't cost a whole lot more than the standard version. Besides, the white color looks kind of classy. The only negative thing I've heard about the auto pilot is that you can still be blown offtrack in a wind, that is the boat still heads straight toward the direction you set, but the boat can still be blown sideways in a wind and you might end up to close to shore, etc. I think it would still be worth it to not be constantly correcting your direction. I should have had you pick out a motor for me...
As for batteries, I hate the thoughts of using the starting battery for anything but starting my motor. I always carry spares for trolling.
I use a Minn Kota Quick Release Bracket, and I personally wouldn't do it any other way because I have to remove my trolling motor to prevent theft. The quick release bracket works great, it's strong and easy to use, and can be padlocked.
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Thanks, on average, how long can you troll on one battery?
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I usually get about 3 or four hours of continous use out of my 12 volt bow mounted system when slow trolling bottom bouncers. After that, power diminishes rapidly. A whole day of fishing dictates a batery change, as I don't have the room for another. If you have the room for the extra battery, opt fot the 24 volt system. It's more effecient.
The auto pilot feature has been useful to me when used in the trolling mode.
Try trollingmotordoctor.com if you plan on a mail order purchase. They should be able to answer any of your questions. They're located in California.
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Yeah, you definitely run down the batteries quicker at higher speeds. If I know I'm going to be mainly trolling all day, I'll bring along 3 batteries just for trolling - - 2 in the boat with one hidden under a seat, and a spare left in the truck just in case. An overnighter, as in camping, means always having the generator along for recharging. Another thing on batteries, it's bad on the batteries themselves to let them sit around fully or partially discharged. They'll last a lot longer if you fully recharge them as soon as possible. I know, I sound like I think I'm an expert or something - - just my thoughts. Oh, and in the winter when I'm not using them, I like to keep them handy in the garage and put the charger on them about once a month. Between boats and a camping trailer I have 8 batteries so I have to take care of them ha ha.
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I too have been investigating the bow mount trolling motors and the options that would best fit my craft. I found the best information about choosing the correct motor here - please follow
goto [url "http://www.cabelas.com/"]www.cabelas.com[/url] (probably your '$' key will get you there)
then search on: "motor guide"
in results: click on the high priced one toward the bottom($1599)
- Motor Guide Tour PTS 109 bow-mount with built in transducers"
once you have drilled down to the motor on the page there is a "more product information - [black]READ BUYER'S GUIDE[/black]" link on the right mid-page that is the most inclusive bunch of information you will need about selecting the right motor for your application.
Hope this helps and I'm saving my money to buy the Motor Guide PTS 82 lb thrust with 60" shaft and 24 volts.
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I currently have a 17ft Smokercraft (open bow)with a Minnkota Autopilot with Copilot (24V, 65lb thrust). Previously I had a Motorguide Autoguide (24V 62lb thrust, no longer made).
General: I love the Minnkota with Copilot. I never use the footpedal, always use the Copilot remotes mounted on my rod. If the batteries are good, I can easily run all day, even in a wind. The Motorguide had significantly more power than the Minnkota, even though the Minnkota is rated slightly higher on thrust. I certainly wouldn't want any less power. I would rate my 24V 65lb thrust Minnkota power as adequate, nothing more. The Autopilot function on the Minnkota fits my style of fishing very well (trolling for walleyes or trout, casting the shorelines, etc). Motorguide mount was vastly superior to the Minnkota. Motorguide was much easier to put in and take out of the water. My Motorguide had a Bigwater Gator mount.
Other comments: All are on 100%. For your boat you definitely need the 24V. More thrust is better. Get as much as you can. Since you have a closed bow, the Copilot would work well for steering.
Your closed bow presents some significant problems. Raising and lowering the motor with a closed bow setup will be a MAJOR pain. You may wish to look at this closely as this may make the Minnkota a very poor choice. With the closed bow setup, I would definitely consider the Navigator series which mounts on the main motor plate. This should work quite well with your techniques of bottom bouncing and trolling shorelines. The Navigator will be a very poor choice for vertical jigging.
Everything is a compromise. Hope this helps!
Hopper
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