Trolling motor questions

[bayareafisher408]

Hello everyone I had a question in regards to trolling motors . I am thinking about purchasing a used one for a 14' aluminum boat but I hear that the transome mount styles are more problems than good. Please help me to clarify if this info is correct and which one is better bow or transome mount, and what /lbs of thrust should be sufficient. And if the bow mount models are better who makes them ect. Thanks.

 

[rndn]

Re: Trolling motor questions

The bow mounts help to pull the boat while the main motor helps to keep the rear end fairly straight if it is left in the down position and straight. If you really use the motor just for trolling and don't have a main motor then you can go ahead and go with the transom mount. If you like to cast along the shore line and keep the boat following a weed line then go with the bow mounted as it controls the boat very well by pulling the bow where it's pointed.

When I had a 14 foot aluminum boat with a 15HP Evinrude, I mounted a 36# bow mounted trolling motor. I would get the boat speed where I wanted it with the trolling motor and just use the tiller to steer where I wanted to troll. A 36# would be more than sufficient to move the 14 foot aluminum.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling motor questions

There is nothing inherently wrong with a transom mount motor on a small boat. Bow mounts are obviously more versatile but they are considerably more expensive as well.

 

[AZMinyard]

Re: Trolling motor questions

I have a 12? with a 27lb thrust and it moves us around just fine when adjusted to the proper height. It is a bit of a pain when you encounter wind and have to keep adjusting the motor while casting. A big upside is that I can remove my outboard and just use the trolling motor on small mountain lakes ? which I suppose you could do with a bow mount as well.

One option is to get a transom mount trolling motor and purchasing/make an adaptor for bow mounting:

Just a thought - they range from $40-80 depending on where and what you buy. You might see if anyone here has done something similar.

I?m not sold on my set-up yet and would consider a bow-mount if the cost wasn?t so high and if there was a better way to mount it to my bow. The idea of being able to control it by foot is really appealing, though. In the end I will end up using what I have (it came with the boat) until it quits working and go from there.

 

[bayareafisher408]

Re: Trolling motor questions

Thanks alot you guys that's some great info . It makes the whole trolling motor deal alot less frusterating and confusing.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Trolling motor questions

I have a 40lb transom mount in my 14' Alumacraft FD. its a tad overkill for such a small boat, but I got it used for cheap. it works just fine. In fact with the 40lb I find myself using it to move around the lake since I can almost plane the boat with it.

 

[eavega]

Re: Trolling motor questions

I have a 40lb transom mount in my 14' Alumacraft FD. its a tad overkill for such a small boat, but I got it used for cheap. it works just fine. In fact with the 40lb I find myself using it to move around the lake since I can almost plane the boat with it.

I Call BS!

Seriously, though, I have a 52# thrust trolling motor on a 14' aluminum boat, and the nice thing is that I can run it at half speed for about 4-5 hours before it stops pushing the boat well. That little trolling motor pushed my boat with two people inside against a 5 KT current for at least 3 miles. I'd rather have an overpowered trolling motor than an underpowered one

-E

 

[John_S]

Re: Trolling motor questions

FYI - Reversing a transom mount as shown above has some drawbacks. I have the exact same Motorguide bracket transom mount shown, and used that approach on a 14' lite alum boat. It controlled the boat very well. The drawback is if you contact a solid bottom, rock, tree, etc, it takes very little momentum to bend the shaft. When its on the transom, the locking bracket can pop out and shaft swings behind boat. I have a bent shaft 37lb thrust that is a big pain to slide up and down as proof!

40lb thrust is sufficient for stillwater and slight wind/current conditions. If you regularly fish med-heavy wind/current, get a higher thrust model. As mentioned above, a bow does give you more control. I use a 45lb thrust bow mounted wireless, which is much easier than the transom.

If you fish from a casting platform, having a very slow setting is very benefitial. ie you want to slowly craw through an area and cover it with many casts. A variable speed trolling motor is highly recommended. The "1" setting on most, is too fast for my taste, for that type of fishing.