trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

[vip215dl]

what size trolling motor for my 21' deckboat? I need to know thrust and best type for my deckboat. thanks....

 

[vip215dl]

Re: trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

Nobody?

 

[waterace]

Re: trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

vip215dl,

Like you, I have a 215 Deckliner (mine is a 1998 with 5.0 Mercruiser, Apha One (1.62 ratio) with 21 pitch High Five prop and SX9510-80 SmartTabs). I have researched a fair bit online and spoken with a few dealers and looked at various rigs, and I have decided to go with a Minn Kota ST 101 with i-Pilot (I am convinced that i-Pilot is well worth the money), which should be able to power me against moderate tidal flows in the salt water for the better part of the day with winds up to 20 mph. By the time I add 3 decent glass mat batteries and a 3-bank charger, I will have to spend between $2,200 and $2,500 for a complete new setup, retail.

I measured the depth of my hull from the bow and figured that I would go with a 54" shaft. I plan to also put on a quick release so that I can easily remove if from the bow. I am going to put one on this fall; so, unfortunately, I can't tell you how it performs at this time. I figured that I might be able to get away with a 80 lb thrust unit, but I just do not want to be under-powered or have problems from over-working the motor, and I like the idea of having the energy capacity of 3 12V batteries with the 101 thrust unit compared to the 2 12V batteries for the 80 lb thrust unit. Also, if I ever have problems with my I/O powerplant, I would have more distance capacity to limp to shore on the 101 thrust unit.

 

[vip215dl]

Re: trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

Thanks for the reply. What helped the most, the trim tabs or the prop? How does the boat do when pulling tubes and skiis? What is top speed with that prop? And on the trolling motor, will you need 3 additional batteries with the start battery, or is that including the start battery?

 

[pheasanthunter]

Re: trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

I have a 21' Tahoe Deck boat and just put on a terrova 101 with I-pilot 60 inch shaft it is the best thing since who knows what. You will love it. Worth every penny. Spot lock is coolest thing ever. Plenty of power for my boat. I have three batteries just for the motor. Did alot of research, bought 75's from Walmart they are cheap at 36 volts mine lasts longer than my buddies 24 volt terrova on 95's. 36 volt motor draws less current than a 24 volt so I bought the cheaper batteries. I like the longer shaft. If i'm trolling and a boat comes by and it's not fully down the wake will have a tenency to make the motor come out of the water. My boat weighs 2400 lbs dry. I also put on the quick release bracket so I don't have to have it on when we are playing, and I have a full snap on cover that doesn't go over the trolling motor. Taskes about 15 seconds to install or remove motor.

 

[waterace]

Re: trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

pheasanthunter,

The iPilot sounds awesome, and the 101 also sounds like the right choice. I can't wait to get the Minn Kota Riptide ST 101 with the iPilot, similar to your TerraNova 101, except that the Riptide can be used in saltwater.


vip215dl,

In regards to pulling skis and tubes, I haven't done that yet. I have only fished and cruised with the boat. In regards to batteries for the trolling motor, I plan on using a separate one for starting. I am looking into putting the 3 trolling motor batteries in the anchor locker, located near the front of the boat where the swivel chairs are. I will have to cut and install a flat floor in it, but it will fit 3 batteries and a charger. I will also tie them into the accessory harness so that I can run the livewell, stereo, and a portable 12V electric cooler.

The SmartTabs would get me on plane in 5 to 6 seconds with a 17" pitch 3-blade Solas SS prop. Before I put on the tabs, it took me anywhere from 12 to 15 seconds to get onto plane, so I am a huge fan of the SmartTabs for my setup, especially for the performance difference in relation to price and ease of install. Also, the boat would like to porpoise in some conditions before, but that has disappeared with the SmartTabs.

I can't comment on the High Five prop because I just got it last week, and I haven't made it to the water since. I currently have the boat waiting in line at a shop for a full mechanical and electrical check and lube job. I will first get to try out the High Five on Memorial weekend. I am expecting around 45 or 46 mph. My 17" 3-blade SS Solas would do 40mph, but that pitch had my WOT top out around 5,000 rpm, where the governor would kick in to keep the rpms from going higher. I estimated prop pitch to go with on my 5.0 Mercruiser (it has also been modified with a 4bbl Holley spreadbore and different intake manifold), keeping in mind that a 5-bladed High Five is recommended to replace a 3-bladed prop of the same pitch, based on my current WOT and the following article about a Deckliner 215 with a 4.3 Mercruiser. It describes the boat hitting 43 mph with a 19" pitch prop and trim tabs:
http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2000/08/on-deck/

 

[vip215dl]

Re: trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

Right now i have a 17p prop, but i usualy have around 8 people and a icechest and it pops up on plane pretty good, but i think the trim tabs would be great then i can go back to a 19p prop to get some top end back.... Do you have the part numbers for the trim tabs? Are they easy to install? They don't push the nose of the boat down do they? Have you ever had your nose under water? Pretty scary the first time i done it...But if the water gets real rough, i would like to keep the nose of the boat up in the air, will the trim tabs allow me to do that?

 

[waterace]

Re: trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

I have SX951080 SmartTabs. There perform a bit differently than other trim tabs because they always have constant force on them in the form of weight applying downward on them through actuators (80lbs on each, hence the 80 in the part number), so their attitude/position raises automatically as water pressure against them increases as the boat increases with speed. They do not have a control system, which makes them far less expensive and easier to install. Most other makes of trim tabs, such as Bennet and Lenco, control the actual attitude on the trim tabs, through hydraulic or electric actuators with a control module mounted at the helm for adjustment, and some even have an optional automatic boat attitude adjustment by adjusting the trim tabs in response to the attitude of the boat.

I wanted to get on plane quicker (definitely did that on my rig), maintain plane at a lower speed (lowered by 2 to 3 mph), and minimize porpoising without having to run the leg at an angle that was less efficient for straight-ahead propulsion (did that real well too). I have not have positional attitude issues with the boat (probably due to the hull design compared to some v-hulls), even on trailing seas, so they have worked real well for my application (2 to 4 people).

I rarely carry more than 4 people on the boat, and 80% of the time there are only 2, so I do not usually have issues with the nose in the water. I have had large waves wash into the boat over the nose, but it makes its way quickly to the bilge area and then I just hit the bilge pump switch. We definitely wear life jackets when the wind is up.

There are many posts relating to trim tabs, and the difference between SmartTabs and the others on the iboats forum. If you do a search with keywords such as "trim tabs", "SmartTabs", "Bennet", and "Lenco", you will find many experiences shared. If I thought it was worth it for my setup, I would get Bennet Trim Tabs with the optional automatic control. I haven't looked for some time, but I think, with the auto-control, a setup would retail around 600 to 800 dollars, plus the time and/or money to install them. SmartTabs were under 130 dollars delivered to my door via courier.

 

[vip215dl]

Re: trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

Well i just ordered the SX10512-90 trim tabs, i hope they are not to strong with the 90lb. actuators... These are the ones that nauticus said i needed... But i don't think my boat is any different than yours other that mine has the 350 mag.

 

[waterace]

Re: trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

The 10.5" width will get you pretty close to the edges of the outer sections of the Deckliner hull, and that is why Nauticus recommended the 9.5" on mine; otherwise, I would have went with the 10.5" width. Because your transon runs at an angle, you will only get the actuator in the most rearward hole without modifying the SmartTab bracket. I believe my 80 lb actuators are even too strong for my 9510 SmartTabs on the rear hole of the SmartTabs, so I am planning on trying 70 or even 60 lb actuators without modifying the tabs.

 

[vip215dl]

Re: trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

It says to mount them 3 to 5" from the outside of the hull. I have exactly 3" from where the bracket starts to the side of the hull.. I didn't have to modify the the bracket, and it will work in any hole.. We were in the process of taking out last weekend, but we decided to help with tornado victims that live around us... Did you like your prop?

 

[waterace]

Re: trolling motor for 215 deckliner vip

The HighFive prop has too much pitch, as I can only get up to 3600 rpm now. I will have to sell the 21" and find a 19" or 17" pitch.