The family is thinking about getting my father-in-law a trolling motor for his new to him boat. It’s a 20’ Pathfinder. I’ve been tasked with doing the research and I don’t know jack about what I should get. Can someone tell me what pound thrust he would need at a minimum and possibly what something like this will cost? It will be used strictly for inshore fishing. Mostly in the upper Wando area.
Inshore Fishing Season 2: Electric Chicken Boogaloo
80-pound minimum (2 batteries), but 101-pound if he has room for 3 batteries. About $750 for TM, fuse, tax. $100 per battery. Assumes you or he installs himself.
KeyWest 1720cc 90 Ymha
yes, 80lb MINIMUM!.. I have 80lbs on my 177 Scout and would not want any less, and at least 24 volt, I would recommend an on board battery charger too, be sure to get plenty of shaft lenghth too
KNOTHEAD
Cool, thanks for the input. It’s a bit more expensive then I thought it would be, but that’s the meaning of b.o.a.t. right. I wonder if I can convince the family to get one of those gps trolling motors.
Inshore Fishing Season 2: Electric Chicken Boogaloo
quote:
Originally posted by hi_c80-pound minimum (2 batteries), but 101-pound if he has room for 3 batteries. About $750 for TM, fuse, tax. $100 per battery. Assumes you or he installs himself.
KeyWest 1720cc 90 Ymha
X2
Sea Pro 210cc
Yamaha 200 4 Stroke
Dodge 1500 4x4 HEMI
don’t cheap out on your trolling motor either…
24volt 80lb minimum, long shaft (probably for pathfinder)…onboard charger is a help, but you can always add this later.
I bought a minncota autopilot a few years ago and I will never buy another motor without the autopilot capability. Yes it is expensive, but incredibly worth it. If I had to buy one today, i would get the i-pilot.
any other motor, including the hand steering models and even the minncota co-pilot (w/o autopilot feature) will just work you to death. Great if you just want to run the boat and let others fish, but if you want to fish yourself and run the boat, autopilot or i-pilot is the ONLY way to go.
Anybody that recommends a hand control has never used an autopilot minncota. I promise you will not regret it!
minn kota 80# 54" shaft
manual steer
co-pilot
auto pilot
I-Pilot
any of those are fine, each is more expensive than the last.
I have used them all, and my personal choice would be manual steer, or I-pilot.
I-Pilot being fist choice, but its about $800 more than a manual steer unit.
I just used my new Minn Kota i-pilot for the first time last weekend. I have no prior experience with a trolling motor, but can definitively say that anything but the i-pilot would be a definite downgrade now that I have been spoiled. The electronic anchor and advanced autopilot are da bomb!
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160
Native Manta Ray 14
Seel’s called today and said My Boat is ready for pick up…just dropped it off yesterday for engine 100 hour service and to have them install my new i-pilot…CAN’T WAIT to use it…my friend had one on his boat and I went out with him a few weeks ago…like hairball mentioned…Talk about spoiled…WHAT!!!..it is sweet…the anchor feature is cool and can’t wait to set a few tracks to fish…don’t have to worry about steering…just fishing!!..should be able to catch more fish!!..at least I hope so!!..
livin life one day at a time!!!
2006 Seafox172
05 Mercury90hp(saltwater)
Okay, talked to family. Full gps setup is out of the price range. Can I get a TM now that can have the gps part added to it later on down the road?
Inshore Fishing Season 2: Electric Chicken Boogaloo
Minn Kota SM and SP models can have the GPS (i-pilot) added later. It is $400 to add! It costs whole lot less if it can be purchased initially with the functiality pre-installed.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160
Native Manta Ray 14
What size trolling motor would I need for a Tidewater 180CC ? I’m guessing 80lb thrust, 24 volt and 60" shaft but I’m just guessing.
Thanks ,
Greg
THAT WOULDN’T BE A BAD SET UP , I USE A 55 MINN-KOTA ON MY KEY LARGO 180CC WITH REMOTE CONTROL WITH NO PROBLEMS ; I CAN FISH 2 DAYS BETWEEN CHARGES WITH NO LOSS OF POWER !!!
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
author unknown
Wow, it’s been 8 years since I’ve posted to this forum. Sadly, I’m not any better at fishing lol.
Thanks for the reply !
If you brought the boat to us for an install we would sell you an 80# thrust with a 60" shaft I-pilot.
Thanks Chris !