New Guy Looking For Suggestions Regarding Trolling Motors

[KJINTF]

Hi

New guy here needing some help from the experts

I picked up a 2011 G3 V172FS "V" Hull metal boat with a F90 Yamaha and am looking to install a nice trolling motor
Sure could use some help making a decision as to what within $1K or so range would be my best solution
Do the GPS interfaces really work as marketed? Are they worth the extra $$
Would like to stay with 24V motors not the 36V stuff
What ft/lb thrust is recommended / required
Current fishing finder does not have an Ethernet interface nor GPS capability

I assume bow mount is the best way to go - correct me if wrong

Most of my fishing is done in large slow moving rivers and lakes shallow waters 4 to 10 ft depth

Thanks in advance

Ken

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: New Guy Looking For Suggestions Regarding Trolling Motors

4 to 10 feet thats the deep end of the lake...

 

[KJINTF]

Re: New Guy Looking For Suggestions Regarding Trolling Motors

NO - the lakes are as deep asd 1,200ft and the rivers as deep as 250ft
I tend to fish in the <10ft areas depending on the time of year

Any suggestions????

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New Guy Looking For Suggestions Regarding Trolling Motors

You don't need gps, you don't need to spend 1000 bucks and you definitely need to do more research on your own as to what MotorGuide and Minnkota have to offer. Bow mount - yes. 24 volt motors start with thrus ratings over 55 pounds. On your boat 70 pounds would be adequate.

Edit: The 250 - 1200 feet came up as I was typing my post above. While GPS is certainly a nice to have feature, having a separate GPS makes life simpler since if it dies, you don't have to make the choice of fixing a very expensive troller or worse, buying a new one. With the hand-held unit you can use it for anything and toss it away if it takes a dump. As for the motors themselves, iPilot (Minnkota) is nice feature and wired and wireless models are available. Whatever lights your fire and the thickness of your wallet will determine what you end up with.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: New Guy Looking For Suggestions Regarding Trolling Motors

most trolling motors are designed to be abused in 2' of water while being used as a weed wacker. in 10' of clean water any good brand trolling motor will be a happy camper on your boat. i know 1k sounds alot but once you get to remote control with gps hold and heading then 1k is a drop in the bucket compaired to what you can spend.

 

[KJINTF]

Re: New Guy Looking For Suggestions Regarding Trolling Motors

Thanks again
I consider your responses part of my research as well as the many different manufacturers points of view
Still looking for personal experience with different motors their strengths and weakness
Thrush Vs boat size / weight and wind data
70lbs for my boat was mentioned to be OK - how was that determined to be OK
Anyone have a chart or spread sheet as to what amount of thrush is needed for the boat size / weight / wind conditions
Regarding fixing expensive units no problem there fairly skilled at fixing electronic devices for the past 40 years
Depth finders, ICOM Two way radios, Inverters, Converters, Computers, Yamaha/Honda outboard engines, Automotive ECM systems, Design and install Solar PV systems, LCD/LED/Plasma TV's etc.

Thanks for the help

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New Guy Looking For Suggestions Regarding Trolling Motors

Experience: A 55# Minnkota V2 on an 18 foot pontoon works well. A 55# Minnkota PD on a Alumacraft 165CS works well. 55# is as much thrust as you can get on 12 volts. Any more than that requires 24 volts. 60 - 70# are at the bottom end of the 24 volt range and would be fine for a boat the size of yours. In fact a 55# would be adequate unless you fish in very windy conditions. But then we have no idea what you fish for, how fast you troll when you troll, and how you use the motor for position fishing. More power is not always better but you can always throttle down. You cannot throttle up if you are already wide open and need more power.

 

[KJINTF]

Re: New Guy Looking For Suggestions Regarding Trolling Motors

Thanks for the replies
I Ordered the Minn Kota Terrova 80lb w/ iPilot
Looking forward to getting it wet real soon