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Thread: Dilemma on trolling Motor

  1. #1
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    Default Dilemma on trolling Motor


    I want to add a trolling motor on my 20 foot pontoon boat. The trouble is that I dock it on my lake with no power source so I have to pull the battery / batteries to charge it. I am guessing the boat weight to be around 2,200#.
    I know I should get a 24v 80# + motor. But do you think a 12v 55# thrust would be enough to troll/ push with and for spot lock? I don’t want to put $2k in a system that will not work. I have a 25HP Yamaha 4 stroke that I troll cranks with during the summer but want to go slower during the spring and fall. We do a lot of side drifting so it would be also used when there is no wind.

    I am leaning towards a terova I need a remote, would like to use the motor for a front transducer as I will be upgrading to a new fish finder with side and or down imagining late this year or next. (The only fish finder I have now is a old mini low range used primarily for depth. ) Also to be able to use gps to stay on certain depths while trolling. I am not up to date at all with the new electronics out now and my mind is blown trying to do research. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!!


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    I have a buddy with a pontoon about the same size as you have. He runs a 12 volt minnkota but he has two batteries hooked together. This motor is a 5 speed so we added a variable speed box and he fishes all day with no issues.
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    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.
    Likes chippewa LIKED above post

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    I think a lot will depend on how windy it gets on your lake


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    My quick answer would be no. 55# is marginal at best on breezy days. which wind blows more often than not. But that brings me to the battery situation. Money fixes that as lipo batt would be lighter to haul back and forth. You just got to figure out which demon you fight. Small troller or weight lifting batteries. My 22 foot Lowe pontoon has 84# Motorguide which does well but a pontoon can blow around like a sailboat so you have to give it power to control. Good luck and let us know how you do.

  6. #6
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    I was coming back to this to reference the above battery use. Also you could use a solar panel for charging your batteries. Just thinking out loud.

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    Is spot lock available in 12 volt?

  8. #8
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    The Terrova 55 12V has spotlock

    I would talk to Brian @ BBG Marine before you buy any motor with a transducer. I just bought one from another vendor, not knowing about Brian. I found out the US2 transducer will not do SI or DI. It will only do 2D image... so I blew a few hundred bucks on a transducer that won't do what I want. Now I either have to buy another motor with the correct transducer, or I will have to run a cable down the trolling motor shaft and attach a transducer on the TM.. exactly what I was trying to avoid.

    A quick conversation with Brian will save you my heartache and embarrassment.
    Likes "G", chippewa, GrumpyLoomis LIKED above post

  9. #9
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    MK V2 Power Drive 12v has spot lock also.

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  10. #10
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    There is a formula to figure how much trolling motor thrust you need.
    Loaded boat weight / 100 * 2 = thrust
    Example: 2,200 / 100 * 2 = 44 pounds of thrust.

    I like to add a little for excess wind.
    Loaded boat weight / 100 * 2.5 = thrust. Gives a good fudge factor for wind.
    2,200 / 100 * 2.5 = 55 pounds of thrust. So a 55 pound thrust trolling motor would be sufficient.

    Definition of Loaded boat weight = Boat, plus passengers, plus boat motor + gas, batteries, trolling motor, fishing gear, anchors, etc. Everything on the boat.

    As for batteries. With a 12volt Trolling motor you can start with one battery and see if it meets your needs. If not, you can add another in parallel. I would also start out with group 31 batteries. They are heavier, but will hold a charge longer.
    As for hauling the batteries, get a cart, dolly, wagon. Bigger the wheels the easier it will roll on rough terrain.
    Solar panels would be a great option if your not using the boat everyday all day.
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