Transdom trolling motor handeling question

[bobdec]

I have a 20 ft, deep V , Pro Line Walk Around Cutty cabin 3500 pounds rigged and fueled. I would like to set it up for some lake fishing over the winter here on lake Allatoona so I started looking into 70 lb thrust trolling motors. Unfortunately I would have to butcher (cut a section out) the bow rail and have a sort of rinky-dink mounting setup to install a long shaft bow mounted trolling motor (bow is 36" above water line) on the narrow gunwale. Alternative is a transdom bracket mount or a mount on the swim platform. Question is... has anyone done this before and how does a 20 foot deep V behave in crosswinds,etc. with a rear trolling setup. I know if I get close to shore and a good breeze is blowing inland it won't work out, but how about just fishing open waters at 1-2 MPH, will it steer straight in normal in the 5-10 MPH seasonal winds we get around here.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Transdom trolling motor handeling question

If you leave your primary drive down it would be the same as sitting in that breeze. Hard to say for sure. but since you would be steering reactive to the direction of the boat it's all good.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Transdom trolling motor handeling question

My guess is that a transom mount electric motor on a 20 footer would be unmanageable in a stiff crosswind. I would personally build a bracket to mount it on the bow. Where there is a will there is a way.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Transdom trolling motor handeling question

I had a transom mount briefly on my 16' and it was a pain in the rear. Constant steering and speed adjustment. Didn't leave much time for fishing. I would think a bow mount would serve you better or maybe one of those ones that mounts on your outboard.

 

[bobdec]

Re: Transdom trolling motor handeling question

Thanks for the input, new to this forum, but so far it has provided helpful info on four posts I have opened...Below is a pic, not my boat but same model off of an Iboat add. A bow mounted troller motor would require relocation/removal of port bow rail, port chock, and modification of anchor locker hatch, may have to modify lighting as the motor will block the port red light. Plus the narrow (5 inch) gunwale mounting challenge. Looked into a rear engine mounted setup and it would require 36 volts, that's 3-50 lb deep cycle 24 or 27 batteries, ends up at 160 lbs and $1300 with motors, controls, batteries and 3-bank charger. Other choice is a 9.9 HP 91 lb 4s kicker for about $1800.00 that steers off the main engine and uses the main tank and batteries. Wound only be used for trolling, could be used for back-up , but that's not a priority.

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[themaniam1]

Re: Transdom trolling motor handeling question

If you are looking for a trolling setup, that is to actually troll with, then go with the 4s 9.9 gas motor with a remote troll mount. I have a buddy with a 23' Trophy walk around and cuddy and it is a giant sail in the wind. We troll with it all the time including in windy with the 9.9 transom mounted and it does great but just sitting the wind pushes it all around.

If you are looking to hold over fish and jig in the wind in your boat, I do not think an electric would work even if you found some way to jerry rig it on the bow, by the way I have never seen one on a boat of your type.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Transdom trolling motor handeling question

Gas kicker all the way, your boat is very heavy and as mentioned, acts as a sail in the wind. My dad has a 24' Seaswirl and I can't imagine trying to maneuver it with an electric motor in anything but dead calm conditions.

They do make a Minn Kota "electric anchor" option that will hold your boats position within 10ft radius using GPS...if all you need is a way to hold a spot to jig as mentioned above.

The one Ezmobeee referenced is a good option as well, other than the fact that it's expensive and requires 24V batteries in serial connection.

The gas kicker option is the simplest and best if you ask me.