Trolling motor efficiency

[kfa4303]

Are trolling motors more efficient when mounted on the bow or stern of a typical 14' semi-V hull tinny? In other words, is it better to push or pull the boat through the water? Just curious. Thanks.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

Power wise it will make little difference if any.

Because of the low speeds involved PULLING will tend to hold a steadier heading.
The boat will not be going fast enough for the hull to cut through the water like an arrow.

Think of the difference between pushing or pulling a pencil across a table.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

There probably is a VERY minor difference with bow being slightly less efficient. (the thrust is pushing against the hull) I'm guessing that is very, very minor, and probably more than made up by the improvement in tracking.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

Cool. Kinda glad to hear that. I didn't really want to clutter up the foredeck with a TM, but I do have some space on the transom I could mount one. Can I run my bow/stern lights off of the same battery as the TM? I want to get LED lights sorta like in the pic below so they shouldn't draw much current and I'm only on the water at night once a year, max. I don't have any other electronics on the boat to worry about either. Thanks again.

Here is the nav light set up I'm thinking of stealing. I think I could make a stern light with some white LEDs too. They're made from cut-to-length LED strips mounted on the forward rub rail. I like how the don't sit proud of the deck. Keeps things nice and tidy.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

How much do you want to spend? A digital transom mount TM is about the same price as a speed coil (inefficient) bow mount TM. They both cost about $300, but a digital TM is much more efficient and will run far longer,,, at slower speeds. Of course you can buy a digital bow mount TM, but it will cost more.

As for pushing or pulling the boat through the water, both have their advantages and disadvantages and I'm not sure which is more efficient, but I prefer a transom mount for "trolling" and a bow mount for positioning.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

I wouldn't own a transom mount trolling motor if someone gave me a brand new one. You can't steer a boat accurately with a transom TM and that's not good when trolling structure.

If you want an efficient trolling motor buy one with variable speed control, the 5 speed trolling motors are very inefficient.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

...Here is the nav light set up I'm thinking of stealing. I think I could make a stern light with some white LEDs too. They're made from cut-to-length LED strips mounted on the forward rub rail. I like how the don't sit proud of the deck. Keeps things nice and tidy.

Unfortunately the lights shown are NOT legal.
It is Not a stern Light, It is a 360 deg. "All Round light" and they must be in Coast Guard Approved fixtures and positions.
The Red/Green Bow lights must be visible for 1-2 Nautical Miles and from dead ahead to 112.5 deg aft.
You should not be able to see the Red AND the Green at the same time.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

When I had my 14' semi V I used a transom mount, that's where I sat. My current 16' has a casting platform and console so I use a bow mount w/foot control since that's where I do all my fishing. Much easier to maneuver around submerged structure(rock piles etc) while fishing from the bow.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

Please don't use lights like that for nav lights. If I'm out ther in the dark with you I want to know which way your going. By the way, if you do ever see both red and green at the same time and they are moving fast, your in BIG trouble.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

You should not be able to see the Red AND the Green at the same time.

Huh?

Every single approved fixture I've seen will show red and green from straight ahead to maybe 15 degrees to the off side for each color. Both colors are clearly visible. Also take a look at this diagram, which was originally borrowed from a USCG pdf. (the boat on the left in particular)

It shows a fairly large angle in front of the boat in which both red and green would be visible. I personally would have no issues with the lighting above, its better than many USCG approved lighting! The other thing to keep in mind that the camera doesn't show is that LED's are directional. As you approach the angle limits, the light output is going to drop A LOT. In reality during use, if you have line of site to the far side of the bow, there might be very little to no visible light depending on the angle.

But yes, for the situation and type of boat the post was about, a stern rail white light won't cut it. Need an all-around white light that is the highest thing in the boat. Being at the back of the boat isn't nearly as important as 360 coverage. (look at many newer boats with towers, the USCG approved 'stern' light is on top of the tower, in the center of the boat.) (again, the boat on the left above)

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

You can't steer a boat accurately with a transom TM and that's not good when trolling structure.

Handling a little 14' tinny like the OP has won't be a problem with a transom mount TM, I troll tight to structure with my 14' jon all the time without issue. I totally agree with you on bigger boats as my 18'er can be a handful using the transom mount. I have an old bow mount on the 18'er and it's a total pain trying to troll with it, but it works very nice for positioning. Newer full electronic bow mounts are the best (autopilot, etc), but they are spendy units...

 

[Bill3434]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

Cool. Kinda glad to hear that. I didn't really want to clutter up the foredeck with a TM, but I do have some space on the transom I could mount one. Can I run my bow/stern lights off of the same battery as the TM? I want to get LED lights sorta like in the pic below so they shouldn't draw much current and I'm only on the water at night once a year, max. I don't have any other electronics on the boat to worry about either. Thanks again.

Here is the nav light set up I'm thinking of stealing. I think I could make a stern light with some white LEDs too. They're made from cut-to-length LED strips mounted on the forward rub rail. I like how the don't sit proud of the deck. Keeps things nice and tidy.

View attachment 172344View attachment 172345

I'm no expert but the only way I can see that lighting set up being legal is if stationary, NOT under power. If you are stationary with those on I would have no problem, I'd steer clear and let you enjoy your fishing.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

Please don't use lights like that for nav lights. If I'm out ther in the dark with you I want to know which way your going. By the way, if you do ever see both red and green at the same time and they are moving fast, your in BIG trouble.

?????? I hate to tell ya Bill and George, but y'all are WAY wrong. Nav lights aren't blinkers, or direction indicators. Both must be on at all times after sunset unless you're at anchor, especially while underway. I think I'll watch out for you instead

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

?????? I hate to tell ya Bill and George, but y'all are WAY wrong. Nav lights aren't blinkers, or direction indicators. Both must be on at all times after sunset unless you're at anchor, especially while underway. I think I'll watch out for you instead

I suggest you take the time to read navigation rules and rules regarding placement and operation of Navigation Lights. No -- they don't blink, but they do indicate your direction of travel -- which is just a little bit important at night and useful to know whether you need to steer left or right to avoid a vessel crossing your path.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

Wrong again Silvertip (Supreme Mariner?????). I think all of you need to review your nav light rules. BOTH the red and green light must be on at all times, unless at anchor, but especially while underway. The red light indicates the port side of the vessel, while the green light indicates the starboard side of the vessel to oncoming craft. Show me a single bow light with independent red/green operation that is meant to be used as a directional indicator. (I can't help but notice that everyone who is mistaken is also from a landlocked location. Coincidence?)

"Running lights. Underway between sunset and sunrise or in restricted visibility, a powerboat of less than 164 feet (50 m) or a sailboat operating under power must display red and green sidelights, each visible for 2 miles through an arc of 112.5 degrees. The red arc starts at the bow and sweeps to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam to port; the green arc mirrors this to starboard. The boat must also display a white masthead light visible for 5 miles (3 miles if the boat is less than 65 ft. or 20 m long) through an arc of 225 degrees centered ahead, and a white stern light visible for 2 miles through an arc of 135 degrees centered behind. If the boat is less than 39 feet (12 m) long, the masthead and stern lights can be combined."

Again, I think I'll keep an eye out for you

 

[Bill3434]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

Don't know where blinking lights came from. I know the anchor light must be on at all times when reduce visibility or hours of darkness. kfa4303 is correct the red and green identify port and starborad and must be on when moving or under power. This should tell all boaters turn off all other lights when moving or under power so we can see which side of the boat we are looking at when you are moving.

Now for the landlocked boaters I've seen everything on the lake from no lights to a roman candle both of which are very bad if you are moving. No lights are bad no matter what; yes I almost took one out. Knucklehead should be thankful I don't run WOT at night even if there is a full moon out; nothing like throwing a engine in full reverse while going forward to keep my wake from taking someone out.

 

[asm_]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

Are trolling motors more efficient when mounted on the bow or stern of a typical 14' semi-V hull tinny? In other words, is it better to push or pull the boat through the water? Just curious. Thanks.

Efficient won't matter much if you are just going in straight line. Now, assuming you are going to use the trolling motor in tight quarter with a lot course change, bow mount motor will be more efficient.

B

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

I'll mostly just be using it to tootle around the now wake/manatee zones and as a possible back up when/if the main motor konks out. I really don't fish enough to really need it on the bow. I'd rather keep the deck as clear as possible too. Plus, it would be kind of nice to be able to slap it on a canoe, or something as needed too. Is there any minimum thrust rating, or voltage I should look for. I'm thinking 40 lb./12V, or something like that. I don't need any thing fancy. Just something decent off of c-list. By the way, what type of battery do I need exactly? I know I need a deep cycle marine battery, but I'm less sure of the CCA and all that stuff. Thanks.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

Don't know where blinking lights came from. I know the anchor light must be on at all times when reduce visibility or hours of darkness. kfa4303 is correct the red and green identify port and starborad and must be on when moving or under power. This should tell all boaters turn off all other lights when moving or under power so we can see which side of the boat we are looking at when you are moving.

Now for the landlocked boaters I've seen everything on the lake from no lights to a roman candle both of which are very bad if you are moving. No lights are bad no matter what; yes I almost took one out. Knucklehead should be thankful I don't run WOT at night even if there is a full moon out; nothing like throwing a engine in full reverse while going forward to keep my wake from taking someone out.

YIKERS! Glad you dodged that one. Did it hurt you, or the motor? It's scary what folks will/won't do out on the water during the day, never mind a night. Although, Roman Candles is a new one to me :/ I'm not a big fan of being on the water at night either, but I don't want to be caught unprepared if the sun should slip away on me, and as you stated, it's really more of a courtesy to your fellow boaters. They're not headlights, "boat blinkers", directional indicators for oncoming traffic, or anything of the sort. They simply identify the bow/stern of a vessel as well as the starboard/port sides.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Trolling motor efficiency

"By the way, if you do ever see both red and green at the same time and they are moving fast, your in BIG trouble." most people didnt get that joke :facepalm:.

bow mount turns 360? where a transom mount only gets maybe 180? then uses reverse to get the other 180?. bow is better to use but it takes some getting use to with a foot peddle. in the beginning you may run in to more things till you learn how to control the pedal but once you get the hang of it then its easy as your hands are free.