Multiple Trolling Motors

[ronaldj]

Is anybody using a saltwater and a freshwater trolling motor?
Depending on where you use the boat I can see a need for both.

I was wondering if there is a way to use one trolling motor for both types of water

 

[Don S]

Re: Multiple Trolling Motors

If you do both salt and fresh, why not just use the salt water motor in fresh water. I wouldn't go fresh motor in salt though.

 

[gm280]

Re: Multiple Trolling Motors

If you do both salt and fresh, why not just use the salt water motor in fresh water. I wouldn't go fresh motor in salt though.

I guess I'll play devil?s advocate here (I seriously don?t know) and ask the question. What's the real difference between the two trolling motors since I've seen it mentioned a few times now. Is a salt water trolling motor better sealed? And it that is the answer, why wouldn?t everybody choose a salt water trolling motor then? Had to ask, I know it shows my ignorance...okay my dumbness... :embarassed: :stupid:

 

[Don S]

Re: Multiple Trolling Motors

I doubt it has anything to do with keeping water out of the motor. Probably more to do with materials things are made of. Stainless instead of chrome plated steel, things like that.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Multiple Trolling Motors

According to the Minnkota site, Riptide saltwater TMs have "Advanced Corrosion Protection", so it should be more durable in the salty water. And they have a sacrificial anode.

The other difference - a few hundred clams. On iboats - cheapest Riptide 55# is $519, fresh water 55# is $240.

 

[Don S]

Re: Multiple Trolling Motors

According to the Minnkota site, Riptide saltwater TMs have "Advanced Corrosion Protection", so it should be more durable in the salty water. And they have a sacrificial anode.

The other difference - a few hundred clams. On iboats - cheapest Riptide 55# is $519, fresh water 55# is $240.

My point in my original reply was that if he used a trolling motor in both fresh and salt water that it was not necessary to buy 2 separate motors for each kind of water.

The salt water motor is necessary in salt water to keep from corroding away like a fresh water motor would. But there is no harm to a saltwater motor to use it in fresh water.

No need to have 2 both types, that is expensive.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Multiple Trolling Motors

Agreed, Don. I should have quoted gm280, as I was a replying to his Q. Sorry for the confusion. Just trying to point out the difference and why not use a SW TM if you don't do SW boating. Personally, If I did both, saltwater version only because it works for fresh water too. Two types of TM aren't needed.

Is a salt water trolling motor better sealed? And it that is the answer, why wouldn’t everybody choose a salt water trolling motor then?

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Multiple Trolling Motors

If you do both salt and fresh, why not just use the salt water motor in fresh water. I wouldn't go fresh motor in salt though.

Don
That is the very thing that I am wondering

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Multiple Trolling Motors

After reading all the post I am relieved
I will just go with the salt water version.

Now if I could only get the powers that be to understand my primary outboard runs on propane
I wouldnt need a trolling motor at all