Trolling motor suggestions

pennfish · Post by **pennfish** » February 1st, 2005, 8:43 pm

for a 22 ft bay boat. thrust. brand, shaft length

,best prices

. THANKS

Post by **Eerman** » February 1st, 2005, 9:24 pm

Don't have one myself; but, been researching the same subject. I can tell you at least a 24 volt. On a 22 footer, probably a 101lb thrust, and most of the threads and such I've been able to find suggest Minn Kota. I know Motorguide just kind of redesigned their stuff so the jury is probably still out on that. I believe the Minn Kota website gives some tips for determining shaft length.

Post by RC » February 1st, 2005, 9:39 pm

Minnkota RT70/sc 3X Riptide 70# 24V bow mount 5 speed 3X steer 62" shaft Bass Pro price 599.99
Minnkota RT80/B 3X Riptide 80# 24V Breakaway bow mount variable speed 3X steer 62" shaft Bass Pro price 809.99
Minnkota RT 80/ AP Riptide 80# 24V Bow Mount variable speed autopilot Bass Pro price 929.99

As you can tell I have been looking at them myself. Used to like motorguide but switched to minnkota. At that time minkota had better corrosion protection for the electronics and also the maximizer feature. Motorguide may have caught up but for now I will stick with minnkota.

I believe in more power in the wind and waves you will need it. I don't think the extra power of a 36V system is worth the extra cost and weight.

Get the longest shaft they have. You can always let it stick up above the deck more. Makes it easier to reach to steer. The real reason for that long shaft is when its rough you need the extra length to keep the motor in the water instead of cavitating every time the boat comes up on a wave.

I believe in the K.I.S.S. system on boats. I will go with the 3X steer. I had a motorguide with the wireless controls RF they called it and loved it but if the battery in the control unit died you were out of luck. Also it takes practice to be able to operate an rf unit. If you have a guest he probably will have trouble working it but anyone can operate a hand steer. If you like toys get the autopilot its great when it is working.

Just my opinions. Take it for what its worth. Hope it helps

Post by **Fish Masterson** » February 1st, 2005, 11:18 pm

All great information, but I would highly recomend a variable speed. I purchased a 5/2 speed and have since been on boats with the variable speed and it is much nicer.

Post by **tin can** » February 2nd, 2005, 6:13 am

I have the Minn Kota 74# thrust, 3X, variable speed,with a 62" shaft. I love the motor. However, I thought the same thing about shaft length as RC stated. The longer, the better. Not so, in my case. All of Minn Kota's hand controlled 24 volt motors have the 3X steering. They're made like a foot controlled motor. They have an inner shaft, and an outer shaft, with a gear reduction system in the head of the motor. On the longer motors, most of, if not all of the shaft length is added to the inner shaft, or the lower part of the shaft that goes in the water. The motor is clamped in the mount on the upper shaft. You can raise the motor only until you run out of upper shaft. Also, there is a plastic orientation ring around the upper shaft. If you loosen the bracket to adjust the height, it's a real pain to get the tab in the orientation ring back in the slot in the upper shaft.

Having said all that, and thoroughly muddying the water, I would buy the same motor again, with a 52" shaft.

Post by **Chalk** » February 2nd, 2005, 8:14 am

To be devils advocate...All we have ever ran is Motorguides on every Chalkmobile since I was old enough to pee in the toilet.....Now that I have said that in public I feel better

....Either one will probably suit you, both have bad apples every now and then...as others have said the shaft length is the most important....Myself I would rather have a foot controlled trolling motor....

Note net in boat and look at the head on that trolling motor...

Post by **Second Chance** » February 2nd, 2005, 9:42 am

I've got the 24volt, 74#, variable speed, foot controlled, Minnkota on my G3. Only had it for about eight months but, so far I like it a lot

Especially the variable speed feature.

pennfish · Post by **pennfish** » February 2nd, 2005, 10:24 am

Thanks guys. Tin can, how does it handle the pounding that it will get sometimes. Is it easily removable or pretty much fixed. There will be times I just wont need it.

Post by **Fish Masterson** » February 2nd, 2005, 1:32 pm

The motors attach via thru-bolts through the hull cap, or deck and are not easily removable. Not sure about the Minn Kota, but my Motor Guide bracket has a trap door allowing me to pull the motor off the bracket, but the bracket remains on the boat. There are several manufacturers that offer a quick release mounting system that you mount the trolloing motor bracket to, and it allows fast and easy removal, or so I hear, 'cause I have not used one.

DWilliams · Post by **DWilliams** » February 2nd, 2005, 3:46 pm

I had trouble with a 1999 model motorguide saltwater. If I can remember right, water was getting in around the speed twister and caused some corrosion on the terminals from the potentiometer.

I bought a riptide last year and haven't had any trouble with it except runningout of adjustment like tin can.

Another selling advantage with the minnkota was the way power was delivered to the motor giving longer battery life. They can explain it much better. I don't know if the newly designed motor guides have that feature tho.

Post by **Nathan** » February 2nd, 2005, 5:21 pm

Minn Kota is definately the best way to go. If you don't feel like paying the extra $$ for one of the Riptide models you can buy the zinc anode at any large marine store. I have always heard that the anode is one of the few differences between the regular and saltwater models but am not sure. We have a Minn Kota All-Terrain 55 with the prop nut zinc on our 16' Basstracker and have used it for several years in saltwater without any problems.

Nathan

Post by **wevans** » February 2nd, 2005, 5:36 pm

The protective coating that they put on the electronics is the main dif between the fresh and salt models

Post by **Jumptrout51** » February 2nd, 2005, 7:56 pm

I use wind and tides to move my boat. I catch fish from time to time.

Post by **tin can** » February 2nd, 2005, 10:43 pm

pennfish wrote:Thanks guys. Tin can, how does it handle the pounding that it will get sometimes. Is it easily removable or pretty much fixed. There will be times I just wont need it.

It handles the pounding just fine. Mine has been in 3 to 4's.

The trolling motor is not removable, short of unbolting it. With the Bowguard 360 bracket, it's factory assembled. The trolling motor doesn't come out of the btacket. You can get a motor with the latch and door bracket, but I wanted the bowguard bracket. Minn Kota does make a bracket that allows you to remove the motor and bracket. I might look into one. A friend of mine told me the only down side to the removable bracket is that it is removable. He stopped at a resturant after a days fishing, and someone did indeed remove it, in the resturant parking lot.

pennfish · Post by **pennfish** » February 3rd, 2005, 8:57 am

Thanks for all the advice, Think I will go with minn kota. Guess I will go sell an organ next week to afford one

TC your boat is perfect for bayou fishing, hope you can make it.