Qestion for you two b/c I know ya’ll fish the Wellcraft V20 with a trolling motor. I have a V21 and I’m looking at getting a bow mount TM. What model/thrust/shaft length are you using? I want to get it right the first time! I see you removed your bow rail. I’m looking to cut mine but use couplings in order to be able to put the middle piece back on when I’m not using the TM.
Any advice would be appreciated. By the way, I am fishing High Rock Lake in NC.
I have a 24v 80lbs thrust Minn Kota powerdrive. Mine will not accept iPilot so I am upgrading very soon as I want the convenience of the iPilot. I got a killer deal on mine used with a color lowrance and couldnt pass it up. It has a 54" shaft and I haven’t ever had it come out of the water on the days I choose to fish. When I get the new one it will be a MinnKota ST either 80 or 101 lbs of thrust and a 60" shaft.
Wellcraft V20, 175 Yamaha
Formula 25 SC Express, Mercruiser 260
If you cut out your bow rail, and use couplers, it will most likely not be rigid when you put it in place. I would cut it off and put end caps on it. I have used my trolling motor with the bow rail on you just have to slide the trolling motor up under it and lay it down. I just took it off cause it was easier and we were throwing nets and all that jazz.
Wellcraft V20, 175 Yamaha
Formula 25 SC Express, Mercruiser 260
I have a 55# with a 54" shaft. I have only had it come out of the water in extreme conditions, but it works fine. Even though the 55# works, I would go with an 80# I pilot when I upgrade. Like the AQ, I got a deal on the trolling motor and my humminbird used. I cut out a section in the front of my rail to get the motor deployed. I got installed the trolling motor at 11pm the night before I was going fishing and it wouldn’t fit under the rail. I crudely hacked out a section and it’s been the same for 2 years.
I do stuff like that too steely. I tell people the V20 is my work boat. It catches fish, thats what its for. We always seem to be working on something the night before a big trip thats just temporary that ends up staying forever.
Wellcraft V20, 175 Yamaha
Formula 25 SC Express, Mercruiser 260
Great info, much appreciated. I hate to cut the bow rail on the V as it is welded stainless, but it would be a shame not to be able to mount a trolling motor on the front. I will do what I have to do I guess.
Another question. I’m completely dumb about trolling motors except for the 1995 model motorguide 30lb transom mount I used to have hooked to a regular starting battery on my 1968 Thunderbird dual console. So, with the 24v setup would I only need to buy 2 12v deep cycle batteries or is it good to have 2 sets? I will definitely go with the onboard charging system. Oh, and i-pilot would certainly be ni$e too!
Yeah you will need two 12v deep cycles for a 24v trolling motor. 3 if you go 36v motor. I have two deep cycle marine interstate batteries that work great for me. I can fish a few days slow trolling herring without worrying about charging them. I have mine in the bow on a mat that keeps them from slipping. This helps me keep my bow low in the water for my 54" trolling motor. I would also recommend getting a surge protector as I have blown a logic board up when a crew member fired up the charger with the motor hardwired in. I don’t use a plug I hardwire everything for better connections and less to corrode and fail. I have a 50amp(I think) 12-24v breaker on my that will “trip”. It also come in handy to prevent battery drain when not fishing I can manually “trip” the breaker. Its inline on the positive wire to the motor. I got this from West Marine, its cheaper than the Minn Kota brand.
Wellcraft V20, 175 Yamaha
Formula 25 SC Express, Mercruiser 260
also these motors like heavy gauge wire if you are going to put your batteries farther than than the pigtail reaches. I use stranded for everything since its less likely to break with movement.
Wellcraft V20, 175 Yamaha
Formula 25 SC Express, Mercruiser 260
Ebay is also loaded up with refurbed motors as well right now. If i had the $ i would go ahead and upgrade to an 80#. I love my 55# ipilot but would like to have a little more juice for spot lock on windy days.
The refurbs come with a 1yr warranty, so dont be scared of the refurbes.
Murry, since you mention spot lock, let me throw this at ya - does the boat twist and turn (in circles) on a windy day or swift tide? Seems like it would but I know a lot of people say it is the stuff dreams are made of.
Nope. It actually turns more on a calm day. Around 5 mph wind or so it works the best. Just make sure u are about stopped before u hit spot lock and make sure your nose is in the wind.
If u hit it while still moving forward it is gonna immediately turn backwards and try to put u back where u pushed the button… seahunt0012 uses his in the Charleston harbor on spotlock and it kept him in place on a raging outgoing. But i think he has an 80# and 22’ seahunt. But it was also on 10 (max speed) the whole time…
Plain and simple though u cant beat it on a summer night kicked back locked over top of a good hump covered in fish.
It does sound like the stuff dreams are made of. Now I must say bye-bye to my right arm and left leg thanks to Murrymaker.
Seriously though, I bought an enclosed trailer about 2 years ago just to store some things temporarily. I’m looking to send it down the road and use the money to put toward tricking the V out to be an inland striper machine. I wonder if my wife will notice the trailer missing? Or more importantly - will she notice the new hardware on the front of the boat? If she does, surely she won’t realize how much it cost?
Just finished installing my TM about 1 hr ago. Thanks to the encouraging guys in the forum i went DIY and no regrets so far. I have a deep v boat, ~ 42 in from bow to waterline. I asked the crappie hole nice guy about it and he suggested 1 foot over that should be enough (~54 inches) shaft length. I got a 60in 101lb thrust and it seems to be more than enough. I would recommend the stealth I charger. Soe of you any be familiar with it. Easy to install, charges up to 4 batteries on the run, protects them and no need for AC use. I read quite a few reviews and it sounded like an investment to me. You may want to check it. Here is the website: http://www.stealth1charging.com.
Sportsman Heritage 229 CC
Yamaha 200 HP
Jeremiah 29:11 !!
By the way, sportsmansguide.com will give you a 10% discount (members price) if you join the buyers club (which is free). When you talk about them TM prices, it could be a good saving. Just wanted to pass this info for your comparisons. I’m sending you a PM for more details if you find it to be a good saving option.
Sportsman Heritage 229 CC
Yamaha 200 HP
Jeremiah 29:11 !!
So, with the 24v setup would I only need to buy 2 12v deep cycle batteries or is it good to have 2 sets? I will definitely go with the onboard charging system. Oh, and i-pilot would certainly be ni$e too!
