time to replace my Motorguide. I want to increase the thrust, currently 46#. Mostly freshwater but occassional saltwater. Bow mount. I run two batteries for the trolling motor at 12v to give longer run time. How easy would it be to change the wiring so that I could get a 24v? How about hand control vs foot control? 18’ Bayliner fish & ski. Budget is an issue but not the most important thing.
Rigging up for 24v is really easy-cheesy, you don’t need to change any of the wiring most likely— chances are, it’s already sturdy enough if it was done right the first time. All you have to do is run the batteries in series (meaning, they are connected together with a short wire, the - terminal on one to the + terminal on the other).
Essentially like this:
Negative wire to trolling motor…(-battery+)…(-battery+)…+ wire to trolling motor
I’m not sure what the front of a bayliner is like— I wouldn’t use foot control unless you have a pedestal seat up front. I think Bayliners have the roundtable-type seating in the front, which won’t be friendly to foot control. Your boat would be a great excuse to get the I-Pilot Minn Kota, but that’s costly!
On an 18’ Bayliner, I think I’d go with an 80lb thrust hand controlled, or I-pilot. Whatever I get, it would be a Minn Kota. I know lots of folks have had good results with Motorguide, but nearly every old salty crusty trolling motor, it’s a Minn-Kota. Read the reviews for Motorguides and compare them to Minn Kota similar products (especially the variable speed versions, Motorguides seem to cook themselves a lot).
And again, it would ONLY be variable speed. I just bought a 55lb thrust variable-speed earlier this spring and will ALWAYS buy variable speed from now on. Man, what an improvement over the old 5spd stuff.
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
Thanks for the advice. Mine has front and rear pedestal seats and I’m used to the foot control but it does get in the way a lot, especially if I’m throwing a cast net. Kinda leaning toward hand control with an extension handle if needed.
What are you doing with the old TM?
I have a used minn Kota riptide auto pilot 55lb thrust 12 volt with foot control. It needs a new motherboard, but has worked excellent for years. Will trade for fishing gear or someone make me an offer, if not its going to the dump. I hate to toss it, so someone message me.
Rippin Lips and Jerking Jaws!
18’ Alumacraft Tunnel w/60 Merc
16’ Camo Tracker w/25 Merc
Rippin Lips and Jerking Jaws!
18’ Alumacraft Tunnel w/60 Merc
16’ Camo Tracker w/25 Merc