Bow Gate Modification

[Silvertip]

Pontoons that are used extensively for fishing have a bow gate that has a fair gap between the bottom of the gate and the deck. This is to provide room to mount a trolling motor and to provide clearance when the motor is stowed while underway. My MinnKota 55 PD V2 was a bit too high so the bow gate didn't clear it. To solve the problem, I modified the gate as shown in the picture. Works great. Open the gate, deploy the motor, close the gate and fish. Reverse the process when you need to get under way. Before this mod, I could only close the gate when the motor was deployed. This mod is best performed if you drill out the hinge rivets and work with the gate removed from the 'toon. I obviously have my troller mounted on a quick release bracket so it can be removed when trailered.

 

[rlk]

Re: Bow Gate Modification

Silvertip, can you provide some additional info about your trolling motor and pontoon boat? I have a 22 ft Crest and would like to install a trolling motor, but would have to modify my gate as well.

How large of a trolling motor does a pontoon need; are the trolling motors 12 or 24 volts; I assume a trolling motor with a remote control would let you control the trolling motor from anywhere in the boat; Are these type of remote controls reliable; etc.

As you can see, I know nothing about trolling motors.

Thanks, Bob.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bow Gate Modification

The absolute minimum size troller I would install on a pontoon is a 55 pound thrust unit. That is the maximum amount of thrust you will get with a 12 volt motor. Anything with more thrust than that requires two large 12 volt deep cycle batteries wired in series as these motors require 24 volts. MinnKota and MotorGuide are the two prime movers in the trolling motor world and both manufacture remote controlled units. I happen to prefer the "corded" MinnKota Power Drive but that same motor is available as a wireless unit. The corded unit uses a foot pedal that can be placed anywhere in the boat within reach of the approximately 15 foot cord. I prefer that model only because of it's simplicity. MotorGuide has a wireless unit as well. I prefer either of these units because they have a small footprint and are easy to install. Use of a trolling motor with fixed cables and sissor mounts are difficult to handle if you remove them for trailering like I do. They are a tad cheaper however. Regardless what you buy, you will need a very large (group 27, 29, or 31) deep cycle battery and a way to charge it. Trolling motors draw a large amount of current so the battery needs to be charged immediately after each use. Most serious fisher people install an on-board smart charger which is a high quality charger that stays in the boat and is plugged in at the dock. The engine alternator cannot begin to keep that battery charged.

 

[rlk]

Re: Bow Gate Modification

Thanks Silvertip. Great information to consider.

One of my problems is I don't have power at my dock, and I'm not sure I want to purchase a generator just to charge the batteries, or to have to take the batteries back to the cabin to charge.

Bob

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bow Gate Modification

Then the only way to charge the battery is with the engine alternator. That is not very effective since you would have to run for hours at wide open throttle to fully charge the battery. How long depends on the engine and the alternator output. When I'm at a cabin with no power at the dock I run a heavy gauge extension cord to the dock and plug in that way. Obviously if the cabin is more than 150 feet away from the cabin you would have some voltage drop at the dock but if a good quality cord is used 100 - 150 feet is not a problem.

 

[sumcat1]

Re: Bow Gate Modification

A lot depends on how much you use your trolling motor. I have a Motorguide 55 wireless and an on board engine charger and have not charged the battery (Exide grp27)since the season began.I have a Merc 60 Bigfoot which puts out 17 amps. I don't use it like I did on my bass boat and I doubt that many pontoon users do.

 

[flycaster]

solar battery charger for your TOON trolling motor

solar battery charger for your TOON trolling motor

Thanks Silvertip. Great information to consider.

One of my problems is I don't have power at my dock, and I'm not sure I want to purchase a generator just to charge the batteries, or to have to take the batteries back to the cabin to charge.

Bob

Check this link to BASS PRO SHOP for a solar battery charger:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_5196____SearchResults
I think this will work as long as you are not blocked in by trees.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bow Gate Modification

Solar battery chargers have applications but charging a trolling motor battery is not one of them. A solar panel this size would take several days to charge a deeply discharged battery. One large enough to do the job would be the size of your boat and cost a couple grand.

As for using the engine, a 17 amp alternator puts out 17 amps at 3/4 to wide open throttle. If you used a 55# motor for two hours at its fastest speed you have sucked about 92 amps out of it. At a 17 amp charge rate you would need to run the boat at 3/4 - full throttle for about 5-1/2 hours to achieve full charge. Mine gets used hard and recharged immediately any time I'm at the dock. 10 or 15 minute runs back to the dock is a good way to kill the deep cycle battery since it will never be fully charged and will let you down when you need it most.

 

[rlk]

Re: Bow Gate Modification

Fly, thanks for the tip on using solar. I had not thought of that.

My pontoon boat remains in the water from Easter through Thanksgiving so maybe a solar charger could keep it topped off. Like someone else said, I don't think the trolling motor would see as much use as one on a bass boat, so the solar charger may be what I need.

Time for a little more investigation.

Bob