Installing electric trolling motor

[Psaras]

I'm a newbee, and I just bought a Sun Tracker 21' fishing barge, my first pontoon and I love it. I'm trying to add the same accessories offered in their fishing package, i.e. Motorguide wireless 55# trolling motor, and I talked to a Sun Tracker installation guy today for instructions. He said something about adding the base plate so it doesn't hit the rubber rectangular stopper of the trailer. Does this make any sense to anyone, and does anyone have any tips on installing this trolling motor??
This is the first boat I've been excited about in many years. My ranger bass boat can sit for a while in the yard. Have I mentioned I love this boat?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

Is the boat on the trailer? If so, it merely requires you LOOK at what the motor would hit when in the stowed position. If something is in the way, you need to move it or move the motor. My suggestion is to mount the motor to a quick release plate so the motor can be removed for security and for trailering. No worries about anything that it might hig.

 

[Psaras]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

SilverTip, thanks for the response. I think that is close to what he was trying to tell me, but auditorally, words go in and can go right out. Any other tips? I'm really looking forward to improving on what i already like (and yes, it's on a trailer and its a 2009.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

Ya, just deploy the motor and set it on the boat in several different positions untill you find one that works, make sure it clears everything when stowed then screw it down.

I have a Motorguide wireless and love it, run it for a year and half with no problems, I got the hand held remote too which is really sweet, just be sure to put a cut off switch on it.

It is on all the time and will drain your battery if you don't.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

If this boat sits outside and may be prey for thieves, I strongly suggest you use a lockable quick release plate. In less than a minute you can remove the motor and store it out of reach, or at least lock it down so it can't easily walk away. The MinnKota aluminum plate is the least expensive and most durable of the bunch. About $30 bucks at most stores that sell boating/fishing stuff. Use a quick electrical connector for the power wires and be done with it. As for batteries, the largest capacity (not necessarily the most expensive) deep cycle (group 27 size minimum) you have room for and your wallet allows is necessary.

 

[crablegs]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

On a pontoon I would also suggest maybe going larger than 55#, unless you dont plan on going very far at all.

 

[mjc3834merc]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

I have a Motorguide wireless sitting in my shed. Took it off my deep V when I traded for the pontoon. Just haven't gotten around to mounting it. It came with a quick release alum. plate. I think it's also lockable but I never locked it. If yours doesn't have a plate I'm sure they must sell replacement plates so people can switch between two boats.

Now that I think about it, unless yours is different then mine, I don't know how you'd mount it without the plate.
Mike

 

[Psaras]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

great responses! Any other suggestions would be helpful. I think it does come with a quick release break.
While I have access to your vast knowledge, I have my 21' Fishing Barge (without much fishing gear other than two aerators) at Clear Lake,CA, one of the premier bass lakes in the nation. Bass Boats are everywhere. I even have a ranger B.B. that is too small for me and limiting but good for tournaments which i don't participate in. I would like to do whatever possible to turn this 'toon
into a fishing machine, something fishermen look at in there fancy boats and have to nod there heads in approval/surprise.
Any ideas about how to customize a pontoon inot a family/fishing machine??
Sorry for the possibly excessive posting... I've never owned a pontoon before or joined a forum..

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

A "serious" fishing pontoon has very low rails in the front and back and has a fishing chair (like a bass boat) in all four corners, or as a minimum, in the front two corners. A wired or wireless trolling motor is a must as are two or three locators (one in front, one on the console, and one at the stern). Livewells are a must. You probably don't want a bimini as it would be in the way for most casting. Fine for trolling however. Fancy furniture is fine for the center of the boat but you don't want it along the sides or across the back. If you want to fight serious fish, all of that stuff gets in the way as you move around the boat. Beyond what I've mentioned, the sky is the limit. Rod boxes, rod holders, wash down pumps, etc., are all nice but not essential. Finally, I doubt anyone with a high end Ranger of any other tournament boat is going to give you a second glance no matter how you modify your pontoon. They just are not "sexy".

 

[Psaras]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

Maybe it's just early in our relationship, but my pontoon is pretty sexy to me !
Thanks for everyones ideas/info. I guess this is the stage of the relationship when I can't hear and say enough about pontoons!!!!!!!!

 

[mjc3834merc]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

I know EXACTLY how you feel right now. When we decided to stop towing and settle in one place we bought what I thought we could afford. A used 16' deep V with carpet, ped. seats, live well, and a trolling motor. Nice boat. Used it for two years and caught a lot of fish. Wife's a fishing machine. Loves it. Problem is when Kids and their familys come boats to small. Wife has wanted a (fishing) pontoon for a long time. A couple months ago we were driving home from the lake and my wife saw a pontoon on a dealers lot and made me go back and look. Not the first time. She likes to poke around RV and boat dealers that have pontoons. This time I knew I was in trouble. What we wanted is exactly what you want and there it sat. Pictures below. Silvertips "serious" fishing pontoon. Low rails front and back. Fishing chairs at all four corners. Live well. Plenty of room for the Grandkids to set up their kid sized folding chairs and fish and a table for their games when they they got tired. Three days later we dropped off the boat and towed the pontoon to the lake. Overkill for the wife and I but great when the kids come. It is different then fishing in a boat. Especially when it gets windy.
Mike

 

[Psaras]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

Mike and others, I've tried to send two replies so far. obviously doing somethin wrong. If you suddenly get more redundant messages from me just ignore them. My wife and I have the motorguide wireless motor in pieces in the spare bedroom, the 3 bank charger (though I only have two baterries, ) the new batteries, Lowrance, and other additions for our new 21' fishing barge. Any other ideas of how to addfishing gear is highly welcome!
Gus

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

"How to add" or "what to add"?? Adding accessories involves following the directions that come with that equipment. "What to add" is up to you. For a serious fishing boat, the live wells should be equipped with livewell timers. There are an abundance of varieties of these but the basic units are about $25. They simply replace the livewell pump switch on the console. They consist of a three position switch with OFF, ON and CYCLE. Use the ON setting to fill the livewell. Switch to CYCLE which turns the pump off for about 3 minutes and then it runs for about 30 seconds to add air to the water and replace some of the water. Keeps fish lively until it's time for them to meet their demise. Some of the more expensive timers have adjustable cycle times.

 

[Psaras]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

Thanks, Silvertip. We use live minnows for bass and catfish often. It does help if they're moving around a bit.
I have some stainless steel railing rod holders that I had for my skipjack. They are unfortunately designed for round railings rather than square/rectangular like the 'toon. There must be a way to jerry-rig the fastening part of the holders to tighten up on the squarish angles of the toons railing.

So far I've got the wireless trolling motor to put on, change the height of the railings, trick-out the live wells, add two (and better) batteries, set up the 3-bank battery charger for my two batteries and new boxes, install the Lowrance... anything else anybody to turn this into a family and fishing love machine? (well, maybe 'love machine' is going a little too far, just got caught up in the new pontoon moment!!!)..

 

[Psaras]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

Mike, I showed my fishin' wife a picture of your family/fishing pontoon. Of course she liked it. We've owned so many boats living by the San Francisco Bay, it's nice to just slow things down a bit and take the time to appreciate what we have. On the water is the perfect place to do just that.
Tight lines!
Gus and Kathy

 

[lamac]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

I have the same boat the moter is mounted to the port side of the gate. It will clear the rubber trailer stop if mounted correctly. At the ramp when you are pulling your boat back on the trailer due to the angle of the trailer the rubber stop could hit your trolling motor if mounted incorrectly. I suggest some rear trailer quides also it makes it a dream to load. I'll take pictures for you and take some measurements if you want. Our trolling motor was mounted at the dealer and it works fine. We love our pontoon its a great time.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

Just to clarify: "Livewells" are for the fish you catch. "Baitwells" are for the live bait you use to catch the fish you will put into the "Livewell". Some boats have one or the other while still others have both. Some livewells are configured so one side can be used for fish while the other side is for bait.

 

[Psaras]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

lamac,
I went to a dealer in Manteca CA in hopes of seeing the finished product of the wireless motorguide trolling motor. No luck of seeing touchingfeeling the end product , but I did get that it is usually mounted on the port side as you said. I'd be very interested in installing guides for loading and backing up the boat; it may be another thread, though. It's just my wife, me, boagt and trailer, and a very old but godly 88; suburban. unfortunately Kathy doesn't trust her skills that must be right on the brink of making themselves known for our entourage.

 

[lamac]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

Psaras,
I did look at the base mount and it is flush with the front and on the left side about 3 inches from the left side of the gate. I'll send you pictures with measurements in a couple of days. My boat is at the dealer getting serviced. You did not respond right away so I did not know if you still needed it. Yeah the quides really make it easy, especially with just me and my wife. I bought them from bass pro and they work great. I'll measure them for you too if you like.

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Installing electric trolling motor

I put my 55lb Minn Kota off to the side in my front gate on a quick detach mount. I also mounted a depth finder with temp too.

click for bigger pic