Trolling Motor for HP Restricted Lake

[Frugal Floater]

I have an 18' SeaPro Center Console with 90 HP Yamaha (2-stroke oil injection). I moved away from the coast and now live in western PA. There is a nice size fishing lake near my house but it has a 20HP limit. I think a gas 4-stroke would be best in terms of cost and the fact that I have bow rails in the front.

1. How would I get motor in reverse from console? Is there a remote system available?

2. Anything I need to know before I purchase a trolling motor. I do know I need a long shaft.

Thanks!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Trolling Motor for HP Restricted Lake

I would first check to make sure you can even launch the boat....some lakes with restrictions mean just that. No big motors, started or not.

 

[flashback]

Re: Trolling Motor for HP Restricted Lake

dsiedt, I'm a little confused, typically trolling motors are electric. you mentioned a 4 stroke gas engine. Is it your plan to remove the 90 yammy and replace it with a 20 honda. or do you want the honda in addition to the yammy? and also what to the bow rails have to do with it..most small gas engines 2 or 4 stroke have remote capability if they are above 5 hp..

 

[JB]

Re: Trolling Motor for HP Restricted Lake

What you are talking about is sometimes called a kicker, if it is a second engine on the transom. That is true even if you use it only for trolling. Trolling motors are electric.

If it will be your primary engine just get a remote controlled Yammy 20 and replace the big Yammy with it. Controls, steering, etc. should work.

Good luck.

 

[dave524]

Re: Trolling Motor for HP Restricted Lake

I live in northeastern PA, and this is how I set up my boat. I fish electric only lakes, and limited horse power lakes with this boat and all is well. Hope this helps. Dave

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[Frugal Floater]

Re: Trolling Motor for HP Restricted Lake

Thanks...I love this forum!

Commander- I emailed the "Lake Supervisor" and he said I would be able to use a kicker motor within the HP criteria...goood news.

After looking around and exploring the option of mounting a <20hp motor like Seaman (Thanks for the pic Seaman!), I think buying a Minn Kota Riptide 50# thrust might be a better option. I saw them at Walmart for $287 including shipping. Lake Arthur in PA is only a few miles long and electric should do fine, right? Now I have to give my wife the final price tag and I am not sure if I will have any mounting issues. I know bow mounting is out of the question due to my bow rails and anchor lid; therefor, I am opting towards a transom mount.

Any advice on steering control (foot pedal, hand controll, wireless?)

Thanks again!

 

[Frugal Floater]

Re: Trolling Motor for HP Restricted Lake

One more try to display a pic of a simalr transom as I have...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling Motor for HP Restricted Lake

Foot pedal and wireless are probably not available on a transom mount trolling motor -- at least I've never seen one. An 18 ft boat with a 50# thrust motor is pushing the limits if that's going to be the only source of power. If you are on the other end of the lake and run the battery down, then what? On a lake a "few miles long" you need a gas kicker. Use the electric for position fishing, not as a sole source of power on a lake that large. Small gas kickers are generally tiller operated but there should be some used 20 HP with remote capability.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Trolling Motor for HP Restricted Lake

There are indeed foot controlled transom mount trolling motors, I have one. They will be of the electric steering type though not cable steering.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling Motor for HP Restricted Lake

I'm curious as to who makes the transom mount pedal-controlled motor and what the model number is.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Trolling Motor for HP Restricted Lake

It's a Minnkota. I don't know the model#, the boat is in storage now. It's 30# thrust I believe.