I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

[JoeW]

I need opinions as to what kind of trolling motor to buy for my boat. I know there have been several threads on this subject, but the ones I've seen seem to have a slightly different circumstances. Here are my specifics:<br />

• <br />
• I have a 1998 17' aluminum v-hull Starcraft Fishmaster 170 open bow with 100 hp Merc o/b. It has a fishing platform in front and very wide & flat gunwales, perfect for a bow mount trolling motor. <br /> <br />
• I currently have two batteries on the boat, one starting and the other is a starting/deep cycle combo. The batteries are on a switch to allow one or the other battery to be used, or both used in paralell. <br /> <br /> <br />
• I will be fishing freshwater lakes and rivers only. I may on rare occasion venture into the San Francisco bay, but very rarely. <br /><br /> <br />
• I don't fish every weekend and I'm not a tournament kinda guy. <br /><br /> <br />
• I like the idea of having a backup mode of propulsion should my 100 ob quit <br /><br /> <br />
• I'd like to stay within the $500 range or lower unless that's not advisable. <br /><br /> <br />

<br />Here are my questions:<br /><br />

• <br />
• Electric or small gas ob? <br /> <br />
• Foot control or hand control? <br /><br /> <br />
• If electric 12, 24 or 36 volt? <br /><br /> <br />
• If electric, do I need an onboard charger? <br /><br /> <br />
• Minimum lbs. thrust or hp? <br /><br /> <br />
• How long of a shaft? (my bow sets about 32" - 36" above water.)<br /><br /> <br />
• Do I need autopilot? <br /><br /> <br />
• I love e-Bay, but should I stay away from the used units at auction? <br /><br /> <br />
• If I buy new, what's the best/cheapest source to be trusted? <br /><br /> <br />
• Without starting a holy war, what brands are recommended? More specifically, are there brands I should stay away from? <br /> <br />

<br />Thanks again in advance.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

Lots of questions, but I'll answer a couple. First off if you plan on ever going into salt water, you MUST have a trolling motor designed to do so. Remember, it's an electric motor in salt water, electrolysis will eat the windings in no time without a sacrificial anode. Ebay is an excellent source to try. Look at the sellers feedback, and see what other people have said about the motors they bought. Honestly, a nice gas outboard kicker can be had for the same price as a salt water bow mount. If you are wanting this primarily as "Backup", I would go with the outboard.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

that's a hard decision! what you probably need are both you need to think about what kind of fish/how you will be fishing. a gas kicker would be good for trolling, really -only for trolling, unless you're gonna put it in neutral, make some casts, then put it in gear and drive to the next place. and that kind of fishing (stopNgo) is what TM's are best for. many here advise against using electric TM's for trolling, as the wearNtear kills them prematurely.<br /><br />around my area, most people usually do both types of fishing without a kicker. they use either the big motor idling -to troll for stripers, or use the TM to troll & to move down the banks fishing structure or to circle an offshore hump/structure. <br /><br />but i think most people fishing the great lakes all use kicker(gas) motors. good luck and maybe you'll get alot more posts from others

 

[JasonJ]

Re: I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

I recommend a bowmount with at least foot controls, and a small gas kicker out back. That is the setup I have gone with. I will be doing both river fishing with the bow mount, and trolling with the gas kicker. I was sort of lucky though, as the kicker was given to me, but a decent used one can be found for a tolerable price. Of course, $500 doesn't leave a bunch of room. If I could choose only one, it would be the one for the type of fishing I would be doing the majority of the time....

 

[kalan2000]

Re: I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

Joew94th,<br /><br />I live in the Sacramento area and recently had a bow mount TM installed locally on a similar sized boat. If you want to talk details, email me at kalan@cwnet.com and I'll give you my ph. no. I also installed an onboard charger. I'd be happy to discuss the pros and cons as I see them.<br /><br />I agree that $500 doesn't leave much to work with when you consider the cost of the TM/mount/batteries/cables/charger vs. gas motor/mount/steering linkage/fuel connections. <br /><br />What type of fishing do you usually do? Working the shoreline for bass? Trolling for trout, kokes, stripers? That may define the type of motor you'll need. <br /><br />Kalan

 

[JoeW]

Re: I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

Thanks folks. <br />It sounds like I need to consider both. $500 was kind of an arbitrary number that I came up with. I thought that should be enough to cover what I wanted to do. The pocket could probably go a little deeper, but not a lot. <br /><br />As for what kind of fishing I'll be doing, that's kind of up in the air because, quite frankly, I've not been doing enough to determine what I like best. The last boat I owned was a runnabout and was not designed for fishing. Now I'm going to have to learn how to use a fish finder, a trolling motor etc. Basically, I'm looking to make my boat a versatile as possible. My kids still want to go ski bobbin once in a while. <br /><br />I have a feeling that what I'll like the most is trolling for strippers, salmon and even stergeon in the S.F. Delta. But, I'll have more opportunity to go for bass at the local reservoir (Folsom lake). <br /><br />If I decide to get a little gas kicker, what hp do you think I'll need for the size boat mentioned? It gets very windy in the S.F. Delta. Also, I assume that I'll need a long shaft, or does it matter? I've seen other folks connect their kicker to the main outboard so that the steering wheel can be used to steer the kicker. Is there anything special I need to look for in order to do this?<br /><br />I know this is a lot of questions, but I want to get it right the first time. <br />Thanks<br /><br />Kalan,<br /><br />Thanks for the offer. I will e-mail you.<br /><br />-Joe

 

[Mikevn1500]

Re: I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

No you dont need Autopilot. I am looking at T/M myself. I have decided to buy a transom mount motor in the 50-55 lb thrust range. I have an I/O 18' bowrider and i want my kid to ride on the front of the boat when out fishing as it seems much safer. That way I can control the boat from the rear,however I sure would like one of the fancy bow mounted ones they have out. I am sticking with a 12v model just to save a little on weight. For your $500.00 you should be able to hook up nicely with this kind of a setup. Even if you did go the 24v setup, you should still come in a little + or - of your $500.00. I would go with a 48" shaft min on front 42" on back.

 

[Jwill]

Re: I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

If you troll alot you will need a gas kicker.<br />Any other type of fishing an electric trolling motor is better.<br />I would get a 48" shaft minumum for your boat. I would also buy a used one. <br />Check out the classified section on www.westernbass.com (make sure its the n.cal section). Guys sell their trolling motors fairly cheap on there. Cheaper than Ebay. Its a local site so you can pick up the motor and not have to pay for shipping.<br />If you can't find anything I have a foot controlled (cable) Minn Kota 36# thrust trolling motor with a 48" shaft that I would sell for $60. It comes with a quick disconnect bracket for easy removal.<br />The shaft is to long for the type of fishing I do.<br />I live in Modesto. You won't find one any cheaper.<br />If your interested e-mail me:Jwilliams92470@cs.com.<br />(save it mods I don't care if it sells or not and If I was really interested in selling it I would sell it on the FREE local classified section mentioned above).

 

[jtexas]

Re: I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

I couldn't imagine fishing without my electric T/M, but I'm always on freshwater lakes & rarely do any trolling (stripers or sandies) in which case I just use the big motor. Get the foot control UNLESS your normal methodology is standing on the front deck in which case you'll want one of those long handled tillers with a foot-controlled on/off/speed control button. 12v should do fine w/your aluminum boat.

 

[FINANDPRAYER]

Re: I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

Originally posted by Drowned Rat:<br /> Lots of questions, but I'll answer a couple. First off if you plan on ever going into salt water, you MUST have a trolling motor designed to do so. Remember, it's an electric motor in salt water, electrolysis will eat the windings in no time without a sacrificial anode. Ebay is an excellent source to try. Look at the sellers feedback, and see what other people have said about the motors they bought. Honestly, a nice gas outboard kicker can be had for the same price as a salt water bow mount. If you are wanting this primarily as "Backup", I would go with the outboard.

How about this: Freshwater motor (cheaper) and add a zinc anode when you go salt water. When you go fresh take off the zinc and bolt on a magnesium anode?<br /><br />Would that work?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

Minnkota Power Drive models with or without the AutoPilot feature are probably the most popular with serious fisher people. The can be had with both a sissor mount or GripGlide. I've used both the cable operated and electronic controls and both have their advantages. I would avoid the remote control models as the reliability and response is not to my liking. The PowerDrive allows more freedom of placement of the control. You'll need a 50 - 54 inch length on that boat and you are getting into the 60# thrust which also puts you into the 24V category which also means two big 12V deep cycle batteries and a big on-board charger. (So much for $500). You should also have two locators one on the console, one up front with the transducer mounted on the motor. Then go fishing.

 

[Boatist]

Re: I need opinions on a new trolling motor.

Joew<br />I was born and live in Sacramento so know the area pretty well. I fish a lot in the San Pablo and Suisun. Also fish Folsom lake, Sacramento river, Sutter Bypass, Delta, San Francisco Bay, and the Pacific Ocean. <br /><br />I am a little suprised that you have a 100HP motor on a 17 Open bow Starcraft. Seems like too much motor to me. I see a lot of 100 to 120 HP motors on 19 foot Starcraft Islanders cudy cabins. <br /><br />As other have said type of fishing you are doing will determine what type motor your need. Black Bass fishing following a shore line or working structure in Folsom or the delta then your need a bow mounted trolling motor. Also jigging for Salmon in the Sacramento river a bow mounted trolling motor is best by far. Most Salmon in the Sacramento are SNAGGED this way today. <br /><br />Bow mounted Trolling motor should be 20 to 22 inches below the water so you need a 54 to 60 inch shaft. In general the bigger the trolling motor the better even if you run it on it lowest speed. Reason why is today most motor have a battery saver feature that makes your battery last longer but it only really works when your motor is on lower settings. When on full power they really save nothing. For your boat I would get a 55 pound or 60 pound thrust. I would get biggest 12 volt motor you can. 24 Volt motor are a little more efficent but it means another big battery a more expensive battery charger and you can not use your main motor to charge the battery. Except when it is really windy you will be able to use it on low setting and save your battery. You will need a large Deep cycle battery and a good automatic battery charger. On board charger cost a little more but for many are more conveient. See the link below for a lot of Trolling motor info.<br /><br /> http://mastercatalog04.westmarine.com/0221.asp <br /><br />Trolling of Trout, Salmon, Stripers, Halibut a gas powered kicker motor is the only way to go. It is illegal to troll for Sturegon or to use multi point hooks besides they are bait feeder. They feed by smell not by sight. Hook up a EZ steer to your main motor for steering. Also to get back to the launch if your main motor will not start use a gas Kicker motor. For your boat any kicker from 8 to 15 Hp will work. If you plan to do any Ocean fishing I would suggest a 15. Shaft length should match your boat transom height if your are going to mount it on the transom. If you are going to use a kicker lift bracket then 15 inch is ok for inland water but for the ocean go with the 20 inch shaft. Lots of Aluminum open bow boats fish the ocean out of Bodega Bay. I see some 10 footer but most are 14 to 18 feet. I would not recommend the ocean out of San Francisco Bay until you understand the affects of a onshore wind and a EBB tide. Of course some days it is not safe. I have a 21 foot Closed Bow Crestliner Aluminum that I use at Bodega Bay all the time. We will not launch if seas are over 8 feet or closer together that 8 seconds. We have been out in 9 feet every 6 seconds but no fun so came in as condition got worse.