To Trolling Motor or Not To Trolling Motor That is the Question? - The Hull Truth

bzalmano · 11-14-2006, 09:40 PM

OK I am trying to decide if I should put a trolling motor on my 18' DC KW and could you some pros and cons. For those of you with trolling motors how often do use them and under what circumstances? My thoughts are for fishing docs at night in areas like Jupiter and Stuart. For fishing Mangrove banks in Vero and Mosquito lagoon as well as 10k Islands. And I might even try Bass Fishing

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I have been thinking about doing more offshore fishing but with an 18' boat there just is not enough really nice Sunday's (the one day a week I can fish). So I was waffling back and forth between the trolling motor and side riggers/out riggers and I think the trolling motor is winning.

Pros:
More fishing opportunities (maybe).

Cons:
$2000 (everything installed and done right by Master Repair)
Trolling motor on my bow (although quick release should make it easy to take off when not in use)

Themis Sal · 11-14-2006, 09:45 PM

I would be more inlcined to advise to go trolling motor if you had an older gas guzzling carbed two stroke on back. Then I could see that lots of trolling might not be good to your plugs. But an F150? Sunday fishing? I had an F150 and it was quiet, efficient, and I decided it did the job on my 18' Whaler.

ndb8fxe · 11-14-2006, 09:55 PM

If you do more backwater fishing get the motor. If you do more offshore fishing get the riggers.

localangler · 11-14-2006, 10:22 PM

I like my trolling motor. I fished for several years trolling with a 90 yammie or using the push pole in the tidal areas of South Carolina. I did fine before the trolling motor but my catches have increased dramatically with the trolling motor. I still troll with the minn kota some but mostly work a stretch of creek casting. It allows me to cover an area from different angles and work points without having to anchor. When I troll with the yammie or minn kota I am limited on angles of presentation. The trolling motor also gets me away from console and up on the front deck and allows me to move at a much slower pace without bumping in and out of gear. If you get a trolling motor make sure it is big enough. I can always turn down power in still water but when the tide is moving you can never have to much power. I would also opt for at least 24 volt. The higher voltage does not work batteries as hard a equal power. I have a Sea Pro SV1700 and a Minn Kota riptide 80#, 24volt, 3X steering hand control. The motor will fish or troll all day at moderate power with short uses of high power periodically throughout the day. That is with full fuel, two full livewells , cooler and three adult males (avg weight of males 200 plus, we like to eat and drink). MOST IMPORTANT GET THE QUICK RELEASE. Motorguide has a quick release that is covered by a round puck and is nice. Minn Kota originally had the metal release that looked like it would leave you with bloody toes but they came out with a nice poly release that is easy on the toes when the motor is removed. When I put the motor on my boat the new Minn Kota release had just come out and two local dealers told me it did not exist and kept pushing the metal releases even though it was listed by Minn Kota on their website. I finally found it at store that just started carrying Minn Kota and was not afraid or too lazy to call their suppliers for me. What motor are you looking at?

A Few Dollars · 11-14-2006, 10:36 PM

I have installed several troll motors on my and neighbors boats. It's pretty easy to do yourself and will save you about $1000.00.

foulhook · 11-14-2006, 10:43 PM

I ve got a brand new MinnKota Riptide Pro 80 Sitting in my garage if your interested? No way would I pay 2K to have someone put it on. Thats about 1K more than it needs to be.

PM me if interested

bzalmano · 11-15-2006, 10:29 AM

Just a little more info so you guys can give me the best advice possible.

I plan on using the trolling motor for working shore line and docs not for trolling, as was mentioned by another poster my F150 is fine for off shore trolling but not great for shallow water working of shore line and docs.

A few people said the price was high but I have gotten three quotes and all have been right around the same price. I have been told by multiple people that Master Repair is the best for trolling motors. So here is the price break down:
1. Minn-Kota Digital Rip Tide 80lb with 52" shaft (bow is high off the water) $809
2. Quick Disconnect Bracket $ 89
3. Power Connector Plugs $ 44
4. Wire $ 60
5. Breaker $ 47
6. Charger MK 210 $109
7. Charger Outlet $ 15
8. AGM Glass Mat Batteries $169 * 2 = 338
9. Battery Trays $12 * 2 = 24
10. Heat Shrink and Stainless Steal wire jackets etc. $20
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Total Parts $1555
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Labor $400
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Total $1955

Like I said I got very similar quotes from other places and these guys are suppose to be the best!

passman · 11-15-2006, 10:38 AM

Sounds like a fair price + no headaches or 10 extra trips to the marine store for stuff you forgot.

Go for it.

Trey1096 · 11-15-2006, 12:19 PM

$2000 for installing a trolling motor sounds very high.

$2000 for installing a trolling motor
quick disconnect bracket
wiring an outlet
adding a charger
& adding 2 batteries
sounds line a very fair deal.

Peltz · 11-15-2006, 02:23 PM

I installed something very similar on my boat by myself. It is not hard, as long as the boat is prewired. I did not have to run wire. One thing that stood out is that AMG batteries cost about $120 from Cabelas, not the $170 you listed.

Afishinado · 11-15-2006, 02:39 PM

I use my MK w/copilot & auto pilot to power drift mangoves, docks etc in Stuart area, and here in the back bays of South Jersey.. IMHO a must have. It works much better than your outboard for slow trolling.

I installed both the one on my boat and the one on the Parker I have for sale. Said'n'done number was around $1300.

I had Master Repair do some warranty work on my rig and believe Mike is the best. If it broke again while in NJ, I would just ship it to him, thats how I feel about his work. He also gets rave reviews BTW over on the Pathfinder forum where virtually everybody on the forum has a MK, and a heck of a lot of them from your area.

Tarponone · 11-15-2006, 09:35 PM

I paid 3k for the whole digital motor guide trollling tab settup(installed)...136lbs of thrrust between the two. Comes with the foot pedal and a cordless remote, and it works like a dream. I was afraid to kill my bow with a bow mount

rayteagarden1 · 11-15-2006, 09:58 PM

Installed my 80lb thrust Minn Kota myself, I used a transom mount with a bracket I built, built of aluminum, pop riveted together with super high strength aluminum pop rivets. Use it mostly in real shallow waters to avoid getting mud and sand in the big motor (Honda) water pump.

Pushes my boat like a champ, great for jug fishing for Catfish, sometimes jugs float (or are towed by Catfish) into some really shallow places.

To see my transom mount go to my website, look in the skiff photos section.

Ray, Tennessee 2180DLX Carolina Skiff 90HP Honda (rayteagarden.com)

slapshot · 11-16-2006, 09:11 PM

I have had boast for flats fishing both with and without a trolling motor. I will ALWAYS have a tm on my flats boat. You can get into combustion motor exclusion zones to fish. Getting around your fishing spots is much easier.

If you flats fish or dock fish alot, they are very handy. You can control your drift speed and direction very easily.

$2000 sounds kinda steep unless that includes the motor, 2 batteries, onboard charger, and full installation. Shop around, you might save some $$.

The quick disconnect is a bonus too. I have it for my MG and I take it off when I'm not flats fishing or when the boat is sitting here covered. It lets you put it on the boat when you want, take it off when you don't need it, and prevents theft.

Obviously, I vote to get it!!!

localangler · 11-17-2006, 03:58 PM

After reading my previous post I just wanted to clarify. When I mentioned trolling it was meant in tidal areas with shallow water and oyster bars. Trolling motor props are a lot cheaper than my SS prop.
Also make sure they are using this release bracket. You will love it!
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/produc...l.asp?pg=rta19

Big John A. · 11-18-2006, 09:24 AM

I have a 176 CC KW with a 70 lb. thrust Minn Kota Auto Pilot. I love it! It allows me to concentrate on fishing from the bow and I don't worry about my SS prop. The poly quick-mount is hrdly noticeable when the motor is removed. My full installation price was < $1300 when I added it to my boat purchase. There's not much labor, since the KW was prewired.

Eyehooker · 11-18-2006, 10:59 AM

Be trolling with gas for years--- now have 2nd 4 stroke on CMC 8 nissian is nice-- also use the MK 72 lb aufor as an auto pilot for gaswhen the waves are not big---sounds crazy but it works--- tow planner boards with lots of lines( 8-10) out in fL and go across the lake fishing for speckes aka croppie up north -- hit bass in Lake E however only allowed 2 poles/person--- nice where no limit

reelapeelin · 11-19-2006, 06:08 PM

Here's the TM you want...stick one of these on your bow and pretty soon, you'll wonder how you ever fished w/ out one...

bzalmano · 11-20-2006, 09:59 AM

Hey reelapeelin - What type of boat is that trolling motor on? It is not the V20 that is in the other pick. By the way that is very similar to the one I am getting. Minn-Kota with 80# thrust.

They are doing it today!

I am so excited, I just can't wait to get out and try it but that will have to wait until Sunday. With Thanksgiving and Company all that stuff.

Thanks to everybody who posted, once it is done I will post some picks of both the motor and hopefully some big fat slobby Red Fish and Snook, and if I am really lucky a Tarpon or two!

reelapeelin · 11-24-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

bzalmano - 11/19/2006 9:59 AM

Hey reelapeelin - What type of boat is that trolling motor on? It is not the V20 that is in the other pick. By the way that is very similar to the one I am getting. Minn-Kota with 80# thrust.

They are doing it today!

I am so excited, I just can't wait to get out and try it but that will have to wait until Sunday. With Thanksgiving and Company all that stuff.

Thanks to everybody who posted, once it is done I will post some picks of both the motor and hopefully some big fat slobby Red Fish and Snook, and if I am really lucky a Tarpon or two!

That's on an Everglades 243 and it's the same 80lb model you just put on yours...hope you got the co-pilot

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