Transom or Bow mount for Minn Kota

[Pelicano]

Hello there. <br />I 'd like to get some opinion/advice to where to mount an electric motor. MInn Kota Riptide 50# is my choice. (getting one soon....). Ive seen more boats have them bow mounted. is there a bow/transom preference for better performance on these units?. . Some advice wil be appreciated. <br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Transom or Bow mount for Minn Kota

Better to mount on the bow. You will have better control of the boat.

 

[cbcrawford]

Re: Transom or Bow mount for Minn Kota

Ditto Boatist . . . It's easier to swing the front of the boat, which is designed to turn and cut the water, that to force the back around.<br /><br />Front=More power, more control, longer battery life.<br /><br />CC

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Transom or Bow mount for Minn Kota

Don't forget -- "and more money". Bow-mount is the best for boat control. In a stiff wind, the bow-mount pulls you around. With a transom mount you'll have a tough time keeping the bow into the wind.

 

[Pelicano]

Re: Transom or Bow mount for Minn Kota

Thank you all for the replies. BOW mount is the way to go And as upinsmoke says:....it will cost more money too. Im doing my research again,,and I think ill jump into the riptide #55 . How about a deep cycle battery and a battery charger. Any recomendations for the complete set up? <br /><br /><br />Thank you all. I really apreciate your responses.<br /><br />Abe.

 

[cbcrawford]

Re: Transom or Bow mount for Minn Kota

As far as a deep cycle goes, get the biggest (amp hours) one you can afford (afford in both weight and cost). if you use two batteries in 24V it's more efficient, but again, lots more cost, etc.. <br /><br />I'd go with a good on-board charger so you're not busting your back pullng the deep cycle after every trip, I have a 5-5-5- XPS from Bass Pro that I like, it'll give 5A to up to three different batteries at a time, and adjusts up to 15A to one battery if the others are charged . . . Less than $100 last Christmas . . . <br /><br />Best of luck!<br />CC

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Transom or Bow mount for Minn Kota

>I'd go with a good on-board charger so you're not busting your back pullng the deep cycle after every trip<br /><br />I don't get it. If you have access to a power source to run the on-board charger, why do you have to pull the batteries to charge them? I just connect the charger to the terminals and plug it in. No need to remove it to charge it. Can you clarify?

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: Transom or Bow mount for Minn Kota

why do have to pull the batt.to charge it? i just bought a batt charger at walmart smart charge has 3 diff. amp setting settings shuts off when batt.is charged works good. i charge mine in the boat.

 

[cbcrawford]

Re: Transom or Bow mount for Minn Kota

Clarification -<br /><br />The point of an on-board charger is you plug it and forget it . . . it does ALL your batteries at once and correctly, and you can leave all your batteries hooked to it for conditioning in any weather.<br /><br />MOST (I'm not saying this is true of ya'lls or not, since I've never seen them) portable chargers are not weatherproof or designed to survive long term conditions on a boat, or even outdoor weather, unlike an on-board charger designed specificaly to stand extremes like rain, water spray, getting bounced in waves, temerature extremes, etc . . . .<br /><br />I guess you could pull your portable out of the house every time you brought your boat home to avoid removing the battery from the elements to charge it, just remember to unhook it and bring it in in case of inclement weather . . . Also, most of the portables that I've seen only do one battery at a time? The on-board versions are designed to charge and condition both starting and multiple deep-cycle batteries at the same time?<br /><br />I guess none of these features are necessary, I just personaly find them desireable!<br /><br />OK, I rambled about that enough - a portable is certainly cheaper, but I'd still urge you to go with the on-board variety.<br /><br />CC

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Transom or Bow mount for Minn Kota

I agree with Sho-boat. I have a six amp on-board for my troller battery and a 1.5 amp Schumaker on-board maintainer for the starting battery. They are plugged in continuously at the dock and in may garage. No fuss, and always have fully charged and properly maintained batteries.

 

[NBE]

Re: Transom or Bow mount for Minn Kota

Besides getting the bow mount trolling motor for the reasons stated above, since you usually will be sitting in the front of the boat to operate the trolling motor, you will be the first to get to all of the good fish hiding places if you are fishing with other people in the boat.