Looking to put a trolling motor (MK 55#) on my boat in the next month (finally). It is already wired up, but the cables terminate in the rear battery compartment with the starting battery. 2 Questions:
Will another group 24 battery fit in there? I measured and it is going to be extremely snug if it does.
If so, is my boat going to run with a tilt?
The other option is to fish the wire up to the console and put the battery there. If you have a 1720 with a TM, what’s your setup? Thanks.
I have the same boat, two batteries in the back locker.
They will fit, I have a group 24 starting and group 27 deep cycle.
The group 24 is back against the transom and parallel with the transom. The group 27 is perpendicular to it. To remove either you have to tilt slightly and turn as you pull out. Not a huge deal.
Both batteries make the boat sit a little to one side…but nothing terrible. I’d prefer to have one or both elsewhere…but as you noted there is not any “perfect” place. I take the group 27 out when I don’t have the trolling motor on. I have a 90hp two stroke yamaha…so if the one battery does go south I can always pull start…doesn’t work on fuel injected four strokes.
Now, OT…
if you have already bought the 55# that is one thing. If not and you are going to rig the batteries elsewhere I’d go up to a 24V with higher thrust. 55# is okay for the lake and light winds. I am not sure I would be happy with it on the coast.
Get a hole saw and cut an access port in the front of the anchor locker. Though bolt. Those stupid “isolators” are junk.
Get a quick release type mount. I just re-mounted mine this way last summer. That motor is a lot of weight up front and takes up a decent amount of room if you don’t use it all the time.
I have not yet purchased. You said you’re “not sure [you] would be happy with it on the coast”. Do you not use your boat in the salt? Do you find you’re using the highest speed most of the time in the wind/current?
From what I can see and have read, a hole in the anchor locker is not necessary to through-bolt. You can access the underside of the deck through the port nav light to put a 2" washer and nylock-nuts on the bolts.
Definitely going with the quick release mount. I shrimp every fall and a nearly-clear deck is critical.
My advice is 24v or you will be sorry. Biggest mistake I have made with mine. Also I have 2 in the locker and It causes no problems at all. If the livewell on the other side has water in It you are level but even If It doesn’t It’s not enough to matter.
I HAVE SPENT MOST OF MY LIFE FISHING AND WASTED THE REST OF IT!
Nope, bought the boat used and has a non-saltwater motor on it…so I take it off when I go to the coast. I actually use the trolling motor very little at all…mainly troll with the big motor for striper or just “play” in the boat.
Had a trolling motor on a Scout 162…similar size motor that I did use in salt some but on the lake alot for striper, bass, etc. Wind was a problem on the lake…even on “high” sometimes it would only barely hold the boat. Plus a 55lb 12V will kill a single battery rather quickly.
Tried the light…couldn’t get my hand through far enough. I am 5’9"…not real big hands. However, you might want to try the light first.