TM upgrade questions

[skunked again]

I have a 75# 24 volt 5 speed on a 17' tin. It pulls that boat upwards of 3.6 mph with a three blade prop, 3.2 mph with a two blade. Will do this all day long.
I actually contacted the manufacturer to find out how to slow it down, the reason for the two blade prop. If you go digital, you won't have this issue, you'll be able to slow it down to a crawl.
The downside is it's a 5 speed. If it's on 3 or higher, turned to the side, I'm going overboard if not paying attention. Even on speed "1", when it's calm, I have to plan where I want end up. One bump of the switch, I'm really moving. On the upside, wind isn't an issue!
As for spending half the cost of the boat on a tm, look at it this way, that less expensive boat allows you to do this. If you had a more expensive boat, would you be able to do it?
I downgraded my engine, both in years and hp, so I could get money to upgrade the electronics. Best thing I've done, no regrets. The electronics and trolling motor double the cost of my boat. If I had a more expensive boat, those "extras" wouldn't be on it.

[FurFlyin]

I have a 75# 24 volt 5 speed on a 17' tin. It pulls that boat upwards of 3.6 mph with a three blade prop, 3.2 mph with a two blade. Will do this all day long.
I actually contacted the manufacturer to find out how to slow it down, the reason for the two blade prop. If you go digital, you won't have this issue, you'll be able to slow it down to a crawl.
The downside is it's a 5 speed. If it's on 3 or higher, turned to the side, I'm going overboard if not paying attention. Even on speed "1", when it's calm, I have to plan where I want end up. One bump of the switch, I'm really moving. On the upside, wind isn't an issue!
As for spending half the cost of the boat on a tm, look at it this way, that less expensive boat allows you to do this. If you had a more expensive boat, would you be able to do it?
I downgraded my engine, both in years and hp, so I could get money to upgrade the electronics. Best thing I've done, no regrets. The electronics and trolling motor double the cost of my boat. If I had a more expensive boat, those "extras" wouldn't be on it.

I couldn't have said it any better and you also perfectly describe my situation. I had an original budget of $5000 when I started looking for a boat last summer. When I bought the boat it was a "get by" until I could upgrade. I spent exactly half of my budget on the boat that I bought. I took the money that I saved and bought good electronics. I did some upgrades to the boat and trailer over the summer. This winter I finally found the exact boat that I wanted. It was in rough shape, but I knew I could refurb it and make it just like I wanted it. I completely refurbished my old boat and spent the money saved to buy an Ulterra. Now I have the boat I want, with the electronics that I want, with the TM that I want. I don't finance toys so I either have to save til I get enough fun money to buy toys or I have to work my way up by buying cheap and flipping them.

My 80lb Ulterra will pull my 18'6" Xpress 3.2 mph and I'm fairly certain that I could use it 2 full days on one charge. I have 2 group 31 deep cycle batteries. I've been pulling jigs all spring and I run the TM for hours at a time pulling the boat .8-1.2 mph. Earlier this spring I fished for white bass in fast water for 4 1/2 hours. My TM stayed on and ranged from 80% - 100% of power the whole time. My batteries were still at 70% when I finished

[skunked again]

Furflyin - I think there are a lot of people in this situation. I've driven my wife crazy as many times as i've "modified this boat" !
Added / removed - compartments, lights, battery layout, fuel tank swapping, gauges etc. Like yourself, I think i finally have it where i want it.

[Potatoe]

What if I went 12V and then if I did not have the run time I could add the battery later. We normally go out for 3 - 5 hours and then home. I am running a 12V today but it only runs when I touch the pedal.

I think a 55ft lb would handle my little rig, I have put my 50lb on the highest setting 5 and ran 1.8 mph

thanks for all the replies, I am still deciding.

[2boatjoe]

Unless you are getting a helix 9 or bigger I would not worry about link. Link is great for many things but you have to have a good fishfinder to make use of it. As far as 12 or 24 I would say if you can run 3 mph with a 12 I would probably go that way and just carry a spare if you think u may need it

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[2boatjoe]

Unless you are getting a helix 9 or bigger I would not worry about link. Link is great for many things but you have to have a good fishfinder to make use of it. As far as 12 or 24 I would say if you can run 3 mph with a 12 I would probably go that way and just carry a spare if you think u may need it

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[Potatoe]

Called Minn Kota today, found someone who had good knowledge. He said a 12V would handle my little rig no problem. My next question was link, I fish from the bow when spider rigging and would fish from center of boat when Walleye or Catfish. If I put the link unit up front I would be bouncing back and forth again to the bow for the link using contour or waypoints.

looking for more opinions on link, I plan to buy a new depth finder also. looking at Helix 7 or 9

[skunked again]

Any rumors of Garmin coming out with something similar? Since there recent purchase?

[ad1974]

I put my new battery box in the front where there was a space for a cooler,doesn't take up much room or get in the way.

[Potatoe]

I bought the 12V spent a day installing, first trip was windy. After I got everything calibrated it worked well. I need to do some reading on the Ipilot and functions. But this was a major upgrade for my little rig. Thanks for all the replies