Trolling motor Question!!

[DaveH]

Hellllllloooooo!!!

I know, I know I haven't been around in ages..and it's terrible because I have a ton of great fishing reports to...well report! *laughs*

BUT first I have a question...well a couple actually.

I'm finally picking up my 12 or 14 foot (not sure which it is yet *laughs* Tinny this weekend ... and I was thinking of buying an electric troller for it (tiller style) to go alongside the 9.9 just cause, well the 9.9 is older than I am, and I like the convenience of quick starts on the electrics!

Anyway...Since it's a small boat, I was just thinking of getting a 30 or 36 pound thrust model, and probably just the very basic one by Minn Kota...Crappy Tire sells em for about $150.00 ... But, they also sell a Maxxum unit for almost twice that...

So what's the REAL diff?? I mean, am I going to notice a difference between the two, other than the infinitely variable speed rather than 5-speed??

Also, a battery question. I don't wanna go nuts on a deep-cycle marine etc etc, since I'm gonna have to lug it around along with the motor, trolling motor, fishing gear, etc etc all the time, and was thinking of maybe just buying one of those really cool Motomaster Eliminator battery power-supplies to use instead.

It has 12V power, and lots of it, and on top of that, I can use it for emergencies at home or in the car...I can even charge it while driving *L* Plus the one I'm looking at has a few other nice toys added and all for about $130.00

Now, I'm not going to be doing any major trolling with the motor. It's mainly for me to use when I wanna move over a small way while fishing weedlines or structure etc. Anything longer than that and I'd crank up the 9.9 and put-put with that.

So... What do you think?? Can I get away with the cheapo Minn Kota and the Eliminator instead of going the more expensive route???

[Gord]

I've got the "cheapo" Minn Kota 30lb thrust for my 14' tinnie and it works great! I'd go with the deep cycle marine batt. though. Tons of power. I have one of those Eliminator power packs too, but use it to light my ice hut. Tried it on the trolling motor once and it croaked quickly. I've got the CT deep cycle(Nautilus). Pretty happy with it.

[DaveH]

Thanks bowzog!!

How quickly was quickly?? I only ask because I really like the idea of being able to use it for other emergency times, as well as the broad range of uses (like ice fishing! and camping etc etc) and the budget at the moment definitely won't let me buy both *L*

I figure on an average outing for me, the Minn kota would only be used about 30 minutes in total...maybe 45... is that enough to kill the Eliminator?? (the one I was looking at is the 600amp 20 amp-hour AGM version - the cheaper ones are only 300amps).

What do you think??

If it's not going to be able to perform even that little amount of use, then I'll go the cheaper deep-cycle route...

[Jebby]

hey guys... im in the same boat.... i have a new to me 14 foot aluminum witha 1954 johnson 10 hp so i want to pick up a troling motor as well. i looked at just about everything on the planet and i have concluded the cheepo will do just fine.... as for the battory is it hard to wire it up ive never playe dthat game b4? also can the battory run a bow and stern light on my boat?

thx

[Haybay Larry]

The size of electric motor you fellas are considering will probably do the job for you. However I wouldn't try and skimp on the battery. A deep cycle battery is the only way to go. You may not use it much as you mentioned but once you do you may get hooked on the electric. You can fish in stealth mode and maneuvre much more easily around weeds and shoals. You will quickly see it's usefullness.
One more thing,after you purchase and use a deep cycle trolling battery you MUST charge it to maintain it's life. I have a big trojan deep cycle that is 9 years old and still working because I look after it. Only use distilled water in a refillable type of battery.
These batterys can power lights on a boat...Larry

[Gord]

Larry's right. Don't skimp on the battery. Get one thats meant for marine use(deep cycle) and recharge after every use.

[Tonyb]

I had to get a new deep cycle battery this spring. I was in Costco and they have them with 3 yr. warranties at about 1/2 the price of Crappy tire! Just thought I'd let you all know. I bought the Costco battery and filed away the receipt.

Tony

[Tribal Legend 1]

Dave;

Once you start using your trolling motor, just to move from weedline to weedline, you will not want to stop. I attribute many of my fish to the stealthiness of the trolling motor. Ringing up that 9.9 to get around can spook any fish in the area. My advice is to get the deep cycle battery and turn off your gas powered motor about 100 metres from where you want to fish. I have a little minn kota on my tinny at the cottage and I use the electric exclusively to move around the lake. It will get you around and best of all, not spook the fish.

Just my 2 cents.....good luck!!

TL1

[DaveH]

Thanks for all the advice gang!!

I'm going to take it too, and go and buy a deep cycle battery. I already have a battery charger (got a really nice one for $10 at a garage sale *LOL*) so I'll be heading to Costco tonight!!

Came up with a neat idea for transporting the battery and some other stuff around. Walmart has these neat double-decker toolboxes that come with wheels etc. I checked it out on the weekend with a 27 size battery, and the battery fits nicely into the bottom section of the toolkit, so I can put the batter down there, and then use the top part to store cables, fish finder, safety kit, rope etc etc in the top so I can just wheel everything from the car to the tinny and then just separate them so I can attach the battery!

Kind of a neat idea I think *L*

Now, just got to get the big motor up and running and I"m all set!!

[Badger Shark]

Hi DaveH I have a minkota 46 pound thrust tiller model and it is excellent the only problem is I bought a bigger boat and need a bow mount so it is just sitting in the garage If you are interested send me a message

[DaveH]

Hey

THanks for the offer Badger, but I just picked up the motor last night. Got the battery from Costco the night before (27 size cranking/deep cycle marine for $79! with three year warranty!)

So I'm all geared up now for the electric motor. Can't wait to try it out tomorrow!

Plan now is to go in the morning, drop off the gas motor at the marina for them to give it the once over and then I'll put the boat in the water with the electric motor to putter around a bit, make sure there aren't any leaks or anything at the same time.

heheh Might even drop a line for a bit *laughs*

I'll let everyone know how it turns out!

[Dances With Fishes]

PM Sent to Badger Shark
Cheers
DWF