Trolling Motors?

yankee · Post by **yankee** » April 9th, 2006, 12:19 pm

Greeting all you lucky buggers down south . I need some help I am buying a trolling motor in the near future and was wondering if you really need a salt water model. I plan on taking the trolling motor with me down to FLA. in the winter and also using it up here in Canada during the summer. What's a good model for flats fishing?

Post by **Eerman** » April 9th, 2006, 12:33 pm

Minn Kota Riptide. Model depends on the size of your boat. I would say that a saltwater version is a good idea. I got my boat used. When a I bought it the guy had rigged a freshwater transom mount to the front of the boat. He gave it to me when I bought the boat. It is a rusted mess. I've since replaced it with a Riptide 24 volt system and have been very pleased. If you run your trolling motor alot, I would seriously consider a 24 volt system.

Post by **tin can** » April 9th, 2006, 1:51 pm

What Eerman said. Riptide. If you're going to use it in salt water, spend the money and get the riptide. What size and type boat do you have?

Post by **Fishman** » April 10th, 2006, 1:42 pm

When I bought my boat it had a motorguide freshwater trolling motor,the guy I bought it from used it out on the flats.Not long after I got the boat it went completly out the salt water and air had eaten up all the wires.I would suggest a salt water type they are sealed better.

fishnnut · Post by **fishnnut** » April 13th, 2006, 3:19 pm

I use a Riptide RT-80AP with autopilot and remote on my boat and love it. I could never go back to a foot pedal or hand control model again, the difference is like night & day. They cost more but well worth the added expense IMO, because I can operate the boat from anywhere on the boat via the wireless remote. I even have two remotes so if I'm busy fighting a fish someone else can make any needed adjustments with the other one.

Post by **RHTFISH** » April 13th, 2006, 3:53 pm

RIPTIDE

Post by **MudDucker** » April 15th, 2006, 9:16 pm

Ya'll done scared me a while back. I already had a riptide 3X to put on my boat, but hadn't mounted it. Well, I got it mounted and tried it today. Took a little getting used to, but I think I'll like the 3x steering...or at least I hope so

Post by **swatdog** » October 12th, 2006, 9:10 pm

RipTide 24V

Post by **sundown** » October 12th, 2006, 9:28 pm

How you think that RT-80 AP would perform on the flats and tidal creeks ? Also what the approx cost ?

I don't have a trolling motor on my V-19 carolina skiff but thinking seriously bout getting one over the winter.

Wondering about mounting two extra batteries. Would like to put them under the front deck to keep some of the weight out of the back.

Post by **rocket** » October 12th, 2006, 9:34 pm

tin can wrote:What Eerman said. Riptide. If you're going to use it in salt water, spend the money and get the riptide. What size and type boat do you have?

Post by **Eerman** » October 12th, 2006, 10:04 pm

I think that motor would pull your boat around no problem. Autopilot vs hand control I think is just more of personal preference. Mount your batteries up front if you can. I've got three batteries in the back...I'm going to rectify that situation soon.

Post by **Eerman** » October 12th, 2006, 10:07 pm

Oh yeah...price is somewhere from mid $700s (hand control) to mid $900s (autopilot)

fishnnut · Post by **fishnnut** » November 1st, 2006, 10:27 pm

sundown wrote:How you think that RT-80 AP would perform on the flats and tidal creeks ? Also what the approx cost ?

I don't have a trolling motor on my V-19 carolina skiff but thinking seriously bout getting one over the winter.

Wondering about mounting two extra batteries. Would like to put them under the front deck to keep some of the weight out of the back.

I agree, the RT-80 should pull your boat with no problem. I have mine on a 21-1/2' bay boat and it pulls it just fine. I also use mine for freshwater striper fishing and I troll a lot at slow speeds with live bait, so the remote is just about a must have item for me as most of my fishing is done from the back of the boat. I have my two trolling motor batteries mounted under the center console. All the guy's in my striper club use the riptides with remotes. They run about $1000 with the remote.