Anyone have any feedback on the Minn Kota 36v 101 Vantage?

[XXXL]

I'm in the same situation as fisheaded but didn't want to hijack his thread. I'm looking for a kicker for my Crestliner 1750. I've got a 24v 67lb bow mount but I don't think that's gonna cut it for trolling all day.

I'm considering a Minn Kota Vantage 36v 101lb Transom mount as an alternative to a kicker but I'm having a hard time finding any reviews/feedback on the web. You can pick up one these with batteries and a charger for less than half the price of a new kicker and with the price of gas this is looking to be a great option. I'm just not sure if trolling in rougher water or trolling for Musky is going to be realistic with one of these or how long I can expect the batteries to hold up. Anyone out there using one of these? Thanks for any advice you guys have.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/ ... tm_vantage

[Crusty]

Check out this thread. Found it today. Very interesting read
They are talking about em's (engine mounted trolling motors)

http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboar ... show_topic

[Seaweed]

A buddy of mine had one of these on his Lund and used it for walleye trolling.

He never did like it much though because of the crazy 4 to 1 steering ... he never quite got used to it.

They look like they are built tough as nails though and were it not for the cost I might have owned one by now.

[XXXL]

i think the cost compared to a Pro Kicker or even 9.9 Bigfoot is the primary reason I'm looking at one of these. Factor in gas prices and it's almost a no-brainer. If I was only trolling for walleye and trout I'd already have it. Just doesn't seem like the batteries will hold up trolling around at 3-5 mph all day. So my hunt for a cheap used kicker continues....

Thanks for all the info Crusty... the EM's look pretty cool and something I may consider once the warranty on my Merc is up. I just don't know how fond I am of the idea of drilling in to my motor to mount something to it.

[eye-tracker]

XXXL,

I can tell you what I know...I have only ever used the Vantage on the transom to back troll for walleye - as this is what is was designed to do and the reason for the 4-1 steering and the back troll switch. All of the forward trolling is done with the gas 9.9 pro-kicker. Therefore I can't offer any time or how long the 3 bank of 12 volt batteries will last. Also you need to take into consideration it takes way more thrust to push a boat from the transom as it dose to pull it from the bow.

-sheldon