Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

[Mr Crabbs]

I'm going to buy a trolling motor for my 2010 PB20 and have a question for the pontoon fishermen here.

Do you use a 12V or 24V trolling motor and why? The sales are starting and I don't want to have any buyers remorse!

TIA

Mr Crabbs

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

I've had both Motorguide and Minnkota 55 pound motors on 19 and 20 foot pontoons, and found them to be sufficient for just about any situation. I had the Motorguide electric steer pontoon model on my '98 Fisher and I have a Minnkota 55 AP on my Forester.

The 55# are the biggest to still use 12 volts.

I've had 24 volt sysyems and if you can pull them up and plug them in somewhere they are great. If you have to handle batteries to get them charged it is a PITA.

 

[Russell48]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

i will keep my eyes on this thread Crabbs, I would like to know the same thing, I have a 24 volt Evenrude trolling motor but didn't have it on my toon,, Hope ya get some good answers,,

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

Funny sidebar to go along with this. We go to BassPro today(big sale going on y'know) and I spoke to the Motor Guide rep that was there. I tell him about my boat and he immediatly is steering me towards an $850 motor. 24V, wireless, longest shaft there I believe. Hmmmm, it's not in my budget, so I say thanks and walk over the the boat sales people. Talk to a guy that's been there for years, has had many boats and has a PB 20 just like mine. HE says the 55# 12v motor is fine (I'm hearing more of this from othyers too). When I ask tiller, foot control or wireless he smiles and says it's all a matter of preference.

So the trolling motor is back in my budget. I'm not going to get the wireless (don't want to get that far from it while we're underway) and need to decide if I want the foot control or tiller.

Imus, I know what you mean about 24V systems. Whether it's two 12's or one big 24, those things get pretty heavy!

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

My reply went on your post, sorry, I'm still getting used to the new system.

 

[blackberg]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

I belive minnkota sells a "pontoon" model that is a 12v 55lb.
I bought one of craigslist, an 80 or 85lb one, saltwater model, 24v, should be more than enough
-bb

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

There is something to be said for the electric models. My Auto-Pilot broke down so I used a 36# manual the last part of last year.

Sitting at the helm using the electric controller beats the heck out of sitting on a bucket next to the trolling motor for 3 hours trolling for Stripers.

 

[imported_John o]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

I have a 74# wireless motorguide. (With the keyfob wireless too).

I bought it because at 24' I have a lot of wind surface and the trolling motor is not only my trolling motor but my back up motor. You can't paddle a pontoon but the TM will move me against teh wind at about 4 mph. Fast enough and will run long enough to get me back to the dock.

Very nice to sit at the helm and control my TM up front with the foot pedal.

 

[Pontuned]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

I have the Minn Kota 55# 12v and it does fine. I cheaped out a little and got the tiller but since I have bth fish seats up front it doesn't bother me and the handle extension definitely comes in handy.

 

[vergil]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

i use a 12 volt 40 lbs thrust (bass pro shop brand) because it is what came with the little river boat we got, but it does alright on our 24 ft pontoon, it moves us . just not that fast though and it is a tiller modal

 

[mike243]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

i have a 36-40lbs tiller & a quick connect bracket that mounts on the front of my toon.i steer using the main motor steering wheel while im trolling.my toon is only 18' so 1 battery will go most of the day if the winds not too bad.most of my trolling is less than 2 mph.i dont think it would handle a 55lbs thrust unit.i wouldnt want the xtra battery weight unless it was needed.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

55# MinnKota on a 20 footer does just fine. Windy or not. You definitely do not need a 24 volt motor unless you "routinely" have to deal with extremely heavy wind. And if that's the case, a pontoon is not the best fishing platform in those conditions because they do act like a sail.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

I bought the Motor Guide 55#. 50" shaft, tiller controlled unit yesterday. The MinnKota was $5 less but didn't have the digital control which is supposed to extend the life of the battery.

I fish small Ohio lakes, strong wind is nearly never an issue.

Now to get the rest of the accessories. Battery box, cabeling, cutoff switch, and the list goes on. A warmer sunny day can't get here soon enough!

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

To Mike's point about locking the motor down going straight and steering with the big motor. I have used that method many times for long trolls like pulling live bait for stripers. I know guides who troll with downriggers and lock the trolling motor down and steer with the big motor. It's a good idea and a proven method of steering the boat while trolling.

55 pound is good, 36 or 40 in a pinch, more than that is fine if you need it or can afford to just go get it. Remember more power calls for more batteries, chargers, etc.

 

[lamac]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

I have a 55# wireless and love it on my 21' Suntracker. I went with 12 volt for ease and to only have to deal with 2 batteries. One for the main motor and one for the trolling motor. One can fully back up the other. Good Luck.

 

[MSGTRETIREDCSP]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

I have a 55# wireless and love it on my 21' Suntracker. I went with 12 volt for ease and to only have to deal with 2 batteries. One for the main motor and one for the trolling motor. One can fully back up the other. Good Luck.

X2. I also have a 21' toon and am getting all set to buy a Minn Kota 55. I haven't tried it yet, but felt confident it'll do the job. I didn't want to go with 2 batteries, so it's 12v for me.

 

[purplesage]

Re: Question for the Pontoon Fisherman

Hopefully this isn't viewed as hijacking this thread but I also would like to put an electric trolling motor on my "new to me" pontoon but am not figuring out a good way to mount the thing without getting in the way of the front door. Ideas of how you have done yours and even pictures if possible would help. If this needs to be in a different post just let me know and I will do so. Seems like it all fits together but maybe that's just me.

An aside, I am also mounting a boarding ladder in the front so it all has to work together some how. Thanks