Alright guys I am new to the club and the forum and I have a question I was hoping you guys could help me with. I am looking to purchase a new trolling motor for my pontoon and I have decided to go with the Minn Kota due to the Ipilot feature. My question is on a 22 foot pontoon could I get by with the 55 lb thrust or do I definitely need the 80 lb thrust? Also if anyone knows where I might could save some money purchasing one of these motors that would be great! I will primarily be using the motor for its “anchoring” function if that helps to answer the question.
Call Kevin Morse…803-924-3285. I fish out of a 24ft pontoon and i have a 65# thrust power drive, never have problems with the power. Give kevin a call though and he can answer your questions better than me.
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
JDK3
You definately do not want to under power your trolling motor if you are wanting to use “spotlock” Over power if obviously more efficient on the motor and batteries since it does not have to work as hard. You mentioned you wanted to primarliy use the “spotlock” or “Anchoring” feature. This uses the GPS function of the head and if the motor cannot keep up with the wind it will automatically turn itself off. For example if you see the motor trying to hold in the wind but cannot it will eventually give up and you will have to find your spot again. If you by a 70lb thrust you should not have a problem and besides you would be making a considerable inventstment anyway so why not spend a little more and get one that can upgrade to a larger boat. Our boats are never bit enough…right:smiley:
Richy
“My biggest worry is that my wife (when I’m dead) will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it.”
Check prices with BBG Marine Electronics bbgmarine.com Mark Danque at the Crappie Hole in Chapin is a Minn Kota authorized fixer/installer guy. Mark will give you a professional install at a good price whether you buy the motor form him or not.
I suggest you go with the largest motor you can afford.
Dano
<’)))))<
Tight Lines!
DANO
Thanks for the input guys!
I have to disagree with Richey on this one. You are putting it on a pontoon, which has almost no boat in the water, so I am pretty confident that the 55 lb thrust should be more than adequate. I have a 50 lb thrust trolling motor on a 24’ pontoon and it will “get it” even in high winds.
JMO,
Rick
Also, check with Marc at the Crappie Hole, as he has access to “reconditioned” motors, which could save you some $'s. But Kevin will have the best price on a new one.
Rick
I recently purchased a refurbished Minn Kota with 70# thrust and I pilot on Ebay. It came with a one year warranty from Minn Kota and looks/works like it’s brand new. Saved me a few hundred bucks and allowed me to upgrade to the I-pilot which is great.
Good post from a “starting Member”!
I would go with the stronger motor option if you plan on fishing in rough conditions. If the wind is swirling it is awfully hard to keep a pontoon from moving around. The weaker motor should be fine as long as you pick your days. In the winter my days are Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I don’t want the wind to disrupt my fishing. I mainly fish the spoons, vertically, and you really have to control the boat’s position for them to be effective.
I see good arguments all around. True. A pontoon has a displacement hull with nothing below the surface. However, in 20 mph+ winds, it acts like a big kite. With all due respect to my good buddy, I would go with the 24-volt, 70 lb. Rental toons aren’t generally put through the rigors of harsh winds that serious striper guys will fish.
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
quote:
Originally posted by Rick KGood post from a “starting Member”!
He has been a “reader” for a long time and just joined MSC in Jan. He asks alot of questions but more importantly he listens. As long as he stays out of his spring fishing grounds for 2 more weeks he’ll be a keeper…lol…jk man…good to see ya on here.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Thanks Guys. Chip, I’ll be asking a lot more questions after seeing that fish you just caught. Lol.
quote:
Originally posted by CmatthewsThanks Guys. Chip, I’ll be asking a lot more questions after seeing that fish you just caught. Lol.
Although Bryan and I had the same idea of which crk to fish the night before all credit goes to him. All his boat, rigs, technique, experience, bait, etc led to that fish. No matter how much a person knows about fishing, if you get on another persons boat and dont ask questions or learn something you arent doing yourself any favors.
I-pilot answer. Go with as biggest as you can afford and dont waste your money on the terrova model, its not worth it.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
I just bought a reconditioned, 70#/60" shaft, Ipilot on Ebay delivered for $910, hard to beat. I used a 55# autopilot for the last 3 years on my 20’ wellcraft. It was fine most of the time, but no in stronger winds.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
This crazy cajun guy has factory reconditioned trolling motors at great prices too… http://fosterstrollingmotors.com/products.php Super nice guy, very service oriented, knowledgeable and trustworthy. Give Foster a call and see what he has…
Team Shad Up & Fish
If you’ve had fun catching fish on the transom bait, you are welcome…
I’ve spent about 85% of my life’s wages on fishing, the rest I just wasted…