Basic Fishing Boat setup

[Arkman]

Hey guys,
I have a 16' Lund fishing boat with no electrical at all. Right now I'm in the planning stages and I've been reading as much as I can but its a little overwhelming. I don't even know where to start.

This is what I have so far. I need to hook up 1 trolling motor (I believe that its 12v), Hook up for a Depth Finder, and a powerpoint hook up so I can plug my gps in. Really basic I think.

I dont need to know how to hook this up I can search and figure it out, but really just a basic overview of what I need. Like should I have fuses, should I make a spot to switch all these items, so on and so forth. Once I have a list of what I need, I can start to do more detailed research on how to do each thing.

Thanks!

 

[HONKER1]

Re: Basic Fishing Boat setup

Need more information. A picture of the boat would be nice or a least the model of the Lund. Glad to help as soon as I know what I am working with.

 

[Arkman]

Re: Basic Fishing Boat setup

Its a 1971 S-16(i think). Here are a few photos of what I'm working with. Also, I have attached a basic layout of the boat. As of now, the only think I know is that I have a bow mounted trolling motor. Other than that I'm open to suggestions. I'm trying to get a plan view of the boat but its not working right now, its basically a 16' boat with 3 bench seats. Really simple.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Basic Fishing Boat setup

My suggestion would be for you to go to a boat dealer and look at any "tiller steer" fishing boat that has an instrumentation package. They usually have a small console on the port side of the boat at the stern seating area. Since that's where you are driving from, that's where your fish finder and GPS will be anyway. The engine start battery will be back there. The battery for the troller is up front to keep the wires short. All you need up there is a standard two-prong troller plug for the motor and the mating receptacle for the boat.

 

[Arkman]

Re: Basic Fishing Boat setup

Man Silvertip, I didn't think of that. I will have to do that. No better way to learn stuff like that then copying it from someone who knows. I'll have to get out there and look as soon as all this flooding crap goes away!

Thanks

 

[sschefer]

Re: Basic Fishing Boat setup

Another way to see boats is to go to the manufacturers websites. Often they have photo galleries that will give you ideas. I do this often.

The basics of what you'll need are:

1. A trolling motor - 12v is O.K. 24v is better and only slightly more complicated.
2. Batteries, group 27 or 31. Stick with group 27, they are easier to fit.
3. Switching center of some sort. This can simply be a disconnect switch for the battery or you can get fancy and put a switch and fuse on every accessory.
4. 60 amp breaker for the trolling motor.
5. 25' rolls of 16 ga tinned wire in various colors.
6. Wire markers. Can be simple masking tap if that works for you.
7. Wire connectors, assorted.
8. Wire stripper and connector crimper.
9. Liquid tape in black and red.

On a 24v system, the 24v comes from connecting the positive lead of the first battery to the negative lead of the second and connecting your 24v devices to the negative lead of the first battery and positive lead of the second. Just think about how you put batteries in a flash light.

Measuring between the individual poles of each battery will only yeild 12v and thats how you get your 12v and also how you charge them. This is commonly known as a series/parrallel circuit.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Basic Fishing Boat setup

I guess as long as you have a tiller steered boat, you would likely end up with a transom mounted troller as well. In that case, you would istall a troller plug at the back of the boat and power it with a deep cycle battery mounted back there as well although that will make the boat stern heavy. You definitely do not need a 24 volt troller on that boat.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Basic Fishing Boat setup

I guess as long as you have a tiller steered boat, you would likely end up with a transom mounted troller as well. In that case, you would istall a troller plug at the back of the boat and power it with a deep cycle battery mounted back there as well although that will make the boat stern heavy. You definitely do not need a 24 volt troller on that boat.

Correct, you don't need 24v unless you troll for long periods of time. The weight distribution is important. I usually try to get the battery up front if I can.

 

[Arkman]

Re: Basic Fishing Boat setup

Thanks for all the help. That list was exactly what I was looking for. I will start to do some research on how to install all of that stuff. I already have a 12v foot controlled trolling motor I got for free. Its a Mercury Thruster. I will have to get that up and running and give it a try.

I've put the boat building on hold since I've been out flood fighting. We live in moorhead and have spent a good part of a week out sandbagging. Sounds like things are slowing down and now we are just sitting and waiting. I can get back to the boat building.

Thanks all!