Fishing with a shaft mount Trolling Motor

[Grits]

Hello Everyone

This thread was posted in Electronics etc. and I received nit replys. I thought I would give it a try here.

I have a 19' Bay Boat with a center console. I can not figure an easy or good way to mount a bow mount trolling motor. I would like to use a RipTide but, in my opinion, there is no easy way.

I am installing a Minn Kota 24v shaft (ENGINE) http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/motors/detail.asp?pg=sem mount with 80 foot pounds of thrust. Does anyone have experience with a shaft mount trolling motor. If you do, I would greatly appreciate your comments on how well they work and whether you like it or not. My boat is a Key West 1900 CC. It weighs in around twenty five hundred pounds loaded. What do yall think about the size I am looking at, too big, small, or whatever. Are there any tricks on installation or operation?

The most important factor, do any of you fish with a shaft mount? Are there any tricks in operation. Most of the fishing is inland on the Arkansas and Mississippi. I bass fish, crappie fish, and I love to catch BIG catfish.

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

Grits

 

[JB]

Re: Fishing with a shaft mount Trolling Motor

Your first post was in the correct forum, grits.

I think the reason you got no input was that people didn't understand the question. I, for one, have no idea what a "shaft mounted" troller is. Do you mean a hand controlled transom mount, a mount on the AV plate, or what?

As for bow mounting a troller on a 19' CC bay boat, many have done that and can give you advice if they know more about your boat.

I am going to move this back where it belongs.

 

[buckeye_sean]

Re: Fishing with a shaft mount Trolling Motor

If I understand correctly the correct term is a "motor mount" trolling motor. These motors bolt to the leg or skag of your outboard/outdrive. Seems to be popular on bigger boats or boats where mounting a standard trolling motor is difficult.

I've seen only 1 or 2 boats with that setup around here - both were bigger boats. Pretty neat considering you control them with your regular steering wheel and they really doesn't take up any add'l room or require special place to mount them. Not real sure on how well they handle, though I'm pretty certain nowhere near as maneuverable as a standard bow mount or even transom mount trolling motor.

Perhaps some others will now chime in with their thoughts.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fishing with a shaft mount Trolling Motor

If you are using the troller to simply reposition the boat after fishing in a given location, then I would say it might work for you. However, since the motor is mounted on the leg of the large motor, you steer it from the helm. Not many fisherpeople I know want to be tied to the helm of the boat when actually trolling. There are lots of ways to mount a bow mount motor and instead of a sissor style mount, consider a Minnkota Power Drive or a Motor Guide of the same style as both of them have quite small mounting footprint. Bow mount motors are far superior for the serious fisherperson especially in windy conditions.

 

[Grits]

Re: Fishing with a shaft mount Trolling Motor

My boat is a Key West 1900 CC equipped with a bow rail. My first choice on a trolling motor would be the salt water counterpart of the Minn Kota Terrova.

If anyone has any ideas on how to mount that unit on the bow with be bow rail in place, I would sure like to hear it.

A transom mount, on my boat, is very awkward. I know this because I tried one. I also think the motor mount trolling motor will be limited but better than nothing. A last resort would be to remove the bow rail but I like the bow rail.

Thanks for you input.

Grits

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fishing with a shaft mount Trolling Motor

look how bayliner solved the problem with their 205 fish n ski

 

[Grits]

Re: Fishing with a shaft mount Trolling Motor

The problem is the clearing the bow rail. I have room on the deck to mount a trolling motor.

Thanks

Grits

 

[JB]

Re: Fishing with a shaft mount Trolling Motor

Here is how I mounted a MinnKota PD on my 17' Boston Whaler Montauk, Grits.