New Trolling Motor Advice

[weatherguy777]

Good people.

 

I am buying a trolling motor for a new to me 17-foot Penn Yan Pelican Bay. Think Carolina skiff. Going to use trolling motor for plugging Long Island back bays and bridges for stripers. I have done this kind of fishing for a long time but never had the advantage of being able to stay on a piece of structure without someone always at the helm.  Boat weighs about 1000 lbs. per the manufacturer but fully loaded and passengers maybe more like 2000 lbs.  Tech support at Minn kota said 55 lbs. of thrust should be fine and that the next jump up to 80 lbs. of thrust may be too much and overpower the boat as it has a relatively flat bottom and does not push too much water. Could make it feel jerky.

 

Questions:

How much thrust do I really need to stay on a spot when the current is ripping?  55 or 80 lb.

Will having more thrust wear the battery down slower due to not having to use full power to maneuver?

How long will the battery last in this type of fishing and should I just figure on having 2 dedicated batteries for the trolling motor? 55 lb. thrust is 12 v and 80 is 24 volt.

How well does the I Pilot work with the remote to keep you moving down a marsh line with both wind and current?

 

I am grateful for any tips you all may have before I pluck down a whole bunch of money. These things are pricey.

 

Thanks

Lee

Edited February 8 by weatherguy777

[mro]

I've a 24V Minn Kota Terrova.

 

you'll like spot lock.

 

[slicedcornbread]

I would say that Minn Kota is not factoring wind and current into the equation. I would go with the 80 lb 24V. You'll be able to fish longer without wearing down one battery trying to fight that wind and current. iPilot works amazing. The wireless technology has come a long way and that spot lock is very accurate. Even for brackish water, I would go with a Riptide version.

[squidder 329]

Consider you may find yourself fishing the last couple of hours of the tide and the beginning of the other tide. Even if you're holding your spot in a ripping current the bottom debris will be most concentrated. If you're vertical jigging your jig weight will need to be increased and may be collecting debris on the bottom. The fish don't want to fight the current either and hunker down out of the current.

Also consider once above the smaller trolling motor the length of the trolling motor will increase. Which also increases the batteries, between motor and batteries it will be over 150lbs. With another person in the bow will your boat plow, will you struggle to get on plane. Another thing to consider who is deploying the motor unless you get the automatic which seem to be troublesome. Finally a suggestion install a battery switch so you cut off power to the motor while charging, a big no no. Best of luck and tight lines.

[norcalkat]

umm I broke it all down for you already...lol 

[weatherguy777]

Great info guys. I really appreciate it. Follow-up question. Minn Kota said to measure from the bow to the water line and then add 20 inches for shaft length. I know there is some adjustability with each shat but not sure how much. Does that measurement technique sound right?  Getting really stoked for the spring.

 

Thanks again.

Lee

[Joe Paranee]

I have a 24 volt Terrova on a big block airboat for river fishing 

 

Go 24 volt 60 inch 

 

you would probable be able to get away with 54 inch but what take a chance 

 

my river setup with a 72 because its mounted on rake 

Edited February 9 by Joe Paranee

[mro]

I use 2, 100 amp lithium batters, 24 pounds each

pretty sure my AGM starting battery is over 60 pounds.

The TM has been on for a year but can't tell you how long it lasts on a charge as I've not put more than a couple hours on it at a time.

[weatherguy777]

Heck of a setup that airboat. Thanks for the advice on the batteries and everything. This really helped me a lot. Thanks for taking the time.

 

Lee

[summms]

Why get a riptide? Is there still a difference? There used to be a sacrificial anode to stop rust, but the gov said no and you can't even order one from Minn kota for older models? 

Is the white paint really going to stop corrosion? Extra cost and no foot pedal.  Im slowly debating whether or not to upgrade my trolling motor. Old one still works, but the new features seem nice, but not $2000 nice. 

 

From minn kota "Beginning in October of 2019, Minn Kota eliminated the sacrificial anode from all of its products. We are confident in our saltwater coating and painting process which eliminates the need for the anode. Furthermore, due to recent environmental regulations, we can no longer offer the sacrificial anode as an accessory or part. We have replaced the anodes with standard prop nuts."

[mro]

10 hours ago, summms said:

but not $2000 nice

 

Took me a few months to come to terms paying for the TM, extra for plug in foot pedal option (so if I didn't like the remote or it quit working), two aluminum mounting brackets plus the lithium batteries and charger/circuit breaker/6 gauge wiring/80 amp plug etc..  More like 3K

 

At the same time I ordered a Hummingbird Helix 9 with the all the goodies.

I wanted the Helix because the TM would work with the Helix GPS. 

My thought at the time was that it could be programed for the TM to fallow a saved GPS route .

How cool is that

 

After waiting more than 8 months for the Helix I canceled. 

Kinds pissed me off that for a couple months some of Hummingbirds venders got deliveries but mine from the factory store was still on back order. Been doing just fine with my old Hummingbird LCD.  Wouldn't mind having a forward looking fish finder though, so I might breakdown and order it again.

[summms]

@mro I think I just need to bite the bullet too. But it’s hard to justify to myself when my accessories out cost my what I paid for my boat. 

[Joe Paranee]

Spot lock will change the way you fish 

[Foureel]

I have the 55 on my 17' Boston Whaler and in most cases it works fine.  With heavy wind and an outgoing tide all going in the same direction you will notice you cant stay in one spot with the spot lock.  In most other situations its fine.  Went 55 because of the complications/ weight of having two 12V batteries 

[rocketsurgeon]

24V 60" Riptide Ulterra on a 21' CC hybrid. Checks all the boxes, with spotlock and autopilot the way we wake, fish and chill is amazing.