Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

[keninaz]

OK, I picked up a used aluminum for the local lakes around the house. It's an old Mirrorcraft.
I can only use an electric trolling motor on the lakes here. I am thinking from what I read that Minn Kota is a good brand.
So what Do I need to know to determine the shaft length? Transom height?
Also, it's a deep V 12' boat. The troller is all I will have so how many # of thrust. I am thinking 35-45# would work well from what I am reading.
I have the boat on a trailer and it will be kept in a garage so I will not have to load and unload so I am thinking a group 27 deep cell battery would be about right for this application. I thought about a group 31 but that may be overkill.
Oh, and I have had boats before so normally with a gas motor anyway I would have a fire extinguisher. It there any requirement for one with just a battery and trolling motor?
I have never had a trolling motor before so tips are appreciated.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

I wouldn't worry too much about shaft length. A trolling motor in that thrust range should have plenty of shaft for your application. I'd say 42 lb thrust would be plenty, but I don't think you want any less. I really like Minn Kotas, and I don't know of anyone who doesn't. You're right on target regarding battery size, but keep in mind you'll get many more hours out of a charge if you keep the speed down. I can't imagine a fire extinguisher would be required for your setup, but get the definitive word from your state's game and fish department. Anything else will be a guess. Other than that, just try and keep the weight down in your rig and you'll be all over it. Some of the best times I've had have been in a 14' jon boat with a good ol' Minn Kota slapped on the back. Tight lines my friend.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

You have two options for trolling motors: Bow mount or stern mount. Since the troller is the only means of propulsion you would be best served by 40 - 45# motor. That would be sufficient to get you off the lake should a sudden storm come up. Bow mounts are more expensive but since they mount at the front of the boat, they pull the boat rather than pushing it. This is especially helpful in windy conditions. Electric steer units like the MinnKota Power Drive or the Motor Guide allow control from anywhere in the boat. Stern mounts obviously mount on the back of the boat and are steered with a tiller handle. Its your call as to which you prefer. Stern mounts are fairly standard and since they are adjustable up and down, shaft length is not critical. Bow mounts require that you measure from the bow of the boat to the water line and then add one foot to 18 inches to determine shaft length. For the size motor you will use the group 27 battery is fine. Just look for one that has the highest capacity (Amp/Hr or Reserve minute) rating as they are not all the same. Check your local farm store if you have one in your area. A group 27 at my local store is $75 and about $69 on sale. You can spend double that on a hi-tech battery and not be guaranteed any better performance. Longevity maybe but again, no guarantee. Properly cared for a garden variety battery will last 4 - 5 years.

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

You'll need the right battery charger too.
One designed for deep cell charging.

 

[likalar]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

Lots of great info given here. Another thing to consider: Set up a spot to secure the battery with a wood or plastic base, straps, etc. to keep it from sliding around. One more suggestion: Carry a small 12v golf cart/motorcycle battery for back up for when the primary dies and you're downwind from the truck.

Larry

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

Lots of great info given here. Another thing to consider: Set up a spot to secure the battery with a wood or plastic base, straps, etc. to keep it from sliding around. One more suggestion: Carry a small 12v golf cart/motorcycle battery for back up for when the primary dies and you're downwind from the truck.

Larry

More good info^^^^

I kept a jump box for a back up.

 

[keninaz]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

Thanks for the replies so far.
I did check with Fish and Game when I asked them about registering my boat, $22 a year, not bad at all.
I don't need a fire extinguisher in my rig, so that works.
I am looking at the Minn Kota Endura C2, the 45# model. I could go with the 40# model but the extra 5# is only 20.
I don't want to water ski but I don't want to be on the surface of the lake when a monsoon sweeps through these mountains fast either. It could be more than thrilling to be on the lake with a close strike on the lake in a conductive boat!
With any luck maybe they will put my motor on sale after all of us quit buying for Xmas and Winter really sets in. One can hope anyway.
Winter is just starting here with snow due in tonight. If the lake does not freeze this year that's near my house I should have the boat in the water by Feb by the time I get it all rigged the way I want it.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

I am looking at the Minn Kota Endura C2, the 45# model. I could go with the 40# model but the extra 5# is only 20.
I don't want to water ski but I don't want to be on the surface of the lake when a monsoon sweeps through these mountains fast either.

One thing to keep in mind is that the higher the number, the more power it's going to draw. And, the higher the number, doesn't mean the faster it will go. Trolling motor propellers are set up to max out at about 3mph. With more thrust, you'll be able to pull damn near anything...you just won't do it fast.

I have a 30# Minnkota on my 16' Lund and it does absolutely fine. It moves my light weight boat at 3mph easily and doesn't draw as much amperage as a higher thrust motor.

Just something to keep in mind.

 

[keninaz]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

OK, interesting. So how does more thrust get me off the lake quicker?

I just found this on FAQs on Minn Kota's site~

Many people think that the more pounds of thrust they are getting, the faster the boat will go. This is not exactly true. With trolling motor 's and outboard motors, boat speed (and acceleration) depends on horsepower and prop pitch. By changing prop pitch, you can trade acceleration for top speed. Our trolling motor 's have props designed for maximum acceleration. When you hit the power, the boat responds immediately. This also allows you to hold the boat in high wind conditions. Top speed with our motor 's and props is about 5mph. Small boats will reach this speed with most of our motors. Larger boats require our largest motors to approach this speed. Comparing our trolling motor 's to gasoline outboards is difficult because most outboard props are designed for much higher speed.

So now I am really confused. What size motor do I need. Is the only advantage that in the wind I will be able to maintain 5 MPH with my 12' boat?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

Definately buy a bow mounted motor and go with a digital model variable speed as opposed to one with 5 speeds. They use considerably less juice and will last all day long without having to recharge.

 

[keninaz]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

I am not going to do that. First of all this is only a 12' aluminum boat.
Secondly the digital motors are entirely too much money.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

Here is a great article to help aid you in choosing a trolling motor. People forget that these high thrust motors are usually needed for a 18' bass boat that weighs quite a bit once loaded and fueled. The engine on some of those boats weighs in near what your entire package will weigh sans passengers.

Anyways, you could get away with a smaller motor on that boat with a larger battery and be out there all day long.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?mode=article&objectID=29748&storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1

 

[keninaz]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

Thanks, I had already run into the link before. But I did not know that increasing thrust beyond a certain point meant nothing.
I find it interesting too that using Minn Kota's selection guide that the smallest motor that they recommend for my 12' boat is a 40#.
I wonder why?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

Don't forget to check the iboats store, they are usally pretty close on price and shipping is super fast.

I had a 12' jon boat with a 30 MinnKota and it did okay so a 40-45 should do really well for you, also if you have a basic deep hull a bow mount will require alot of work to gewt on the boat where a transom mount you just drop on and tighten.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Setting up my boat~motor, battery~etc

I am not going to do that. First of all this is only a 12' aluminum boat.
Secondly the digital motors are entirely too much money.

Last Christmas I bought a Traxxis 45 transom mount for my 14' tinny. The power is adequate for that size boat. I suggested you get a bow mount because under a lot of conditions (windy days) mine does not keep the boat going satisfactorily. If I had it to do over I would not have bought a transom mount.

Mine cost about $100 more than the cheaper non-digital model. With the long use I gave it and the long battery life I considered that extra expense to be worth it.

Just my opinions.