Thread: Dilemma on trolling Motor

Marine/Solar Lithium Batteries | Amped Outdoors
Ionic Lithium Marine Batteries - Drewcraft LLC

I keep my boat at a storage yard with no power access. I set up a 100w Solar Panel system to charge my 4 batteries - 2/Trolling Motor, 1/Crank, 1/Electronics.
I use the boat once a week on average and batteries are always fully charged from the Solar Panel. I've had this set-up 4 years and no problems.
It was an initial few hundred dollar investment, but no more hauling heavy batteries back and forth - saves on the ol' Back and Chiropractor bills,
so more money in the long run for fishing

Personally, if I were using a 20’ pontoon..I would want a 80# trolling motor due to wind as I sometimes cannot maintain 2.2 mph trolling crankbaits in a 1648 jon boat weighing as much as 1200 lbs with just me and gear and fully rigged In a 1-2’ chop with the wind blowing at least 10-15 mph. My next upgrade will be to go to 80 lb trolling motor.

Originally Posted by BigDawgg

I have a 22 foot crest super fish. ( Heavy) I had a Terrova I Pilot / 55 pound thrust on it for a long time. It worked very well. It will do you fine for trolling and side drifting. I had to up grade due to health issues and I now have the ulterra 36 volt. How far do you have to carry your battery? Could a drop cord reach your dock? Just thinking you could get a small charger or a onboard charger to eliminate carrying batteries. BTW make sure you get a long enough shaft for the TM. You want to be able to see it easily from any distance. Hope you find a solution for everything.

Thanks for the info. My boat is about 50 ft out on the dock. But my house is a couple hundred yards away so no chance of power.
I was originally thinking shorter the better on the shaft length until you said about watching the head of the unit. How long is the shaft on your ulterra?


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Posted twice ( deleted)

Originally Posted by cevans

MK V2 Power Drive 12v has spot lock also.

With all due respect, I don’t believe it does. I believe spot lock must be added. My Power Drive was an 06 model and I had to add it and it didn’t work very well.

Originally Posted by Hocky;[URL="tel:4098238"

4098238[/URL]]With all due respect, I don’t believe it does. I believe spot lock must be added. My Power Drive was an 06 model and I had to add it and it didn’t work very well.

. So you had to add it...I added it also..to get the best and updated spot lock,,get any other make of MK after 2018 and you have the best spot lock.

Originally Posted by chippewa

Thanks for the info. My boat is about 50 ft out on the dock. But my house is a couple hundred yards away so no chance of power.
I was originally thinking shorter the better on the shaft length until you said about watching the head of the unit. How long is the shaft on your ulterra?


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Minn Kota Ulterra 112 Trolling Motor w/iPilot & Bluetooth - 36V-112lb-72" is what I have. I've had it a couple of years now and I need to up grade. I have the Helix 12 mega image and I'd like to upgrade to use it up front when tight lining with down image. Still a long way off so I'm sure something else will come out between now and then. LOL Hope you get something going with your battery situation.