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Author Topic:   what size trolling motor

MikeT posted 08-19-2003 10:40 AM ET (US)
I have 1979 sport 15 with a 1979 Merc 70. What is the minimum amount of thrust I would need for a transom mount trolling motor? Thanks
prj posted 08-19-2003 11:00 AM ET (US)
I have an '88 15' Striper w/ '90 70 HP Johnson.
I use a 42# thrust Minn Kota remote foot controlled BOW MOUNT. With a reasonably fresh battery, this is more than sufficient for even heavy days on windy shores, i.e. Musky fishing the northwoods.
As I expect you realize, boat control dynamics change radically when trying to push from the transom as opposed to pulling from the bow. On a calm day, the only conditions when a transom mount would be effective, I would guess a simple hand steered 36# motor would suffice.
JohnJ80 posted 08-19-2003 04:59 PM ET (US)
minnkota will tell you that the minimum thrust should be 2lbs of thrust per 100lb of boat weight. You should also have the motor go at least 12" below the waterline.
In my experience, both of these are low. I think more thrust is better (can't hurt) nor can a longer motor.
That all being said, I have a Dauntless 15 and a 48" 55AP 12V 55lb thrust motor on my bow. Waterline on my boat is about 2' below the bow. Works great. highest I ever run it unless in big wind or current is aobut 40% (4 on the scale). At WOT you could waterski behind it (just kidding).
j
jokor3 posted 08-19-2003 06:28 PM ET (US)
PRJ which side of the bow did you munt your mtrolling motor? also at what angle?/
jstachowiak posted 08-19-2003 07:43 PM ET (US)
I had a 1992 15 GLS and had a 36lb. Minn Kota bow mount and it was adequate. In windy conditions it was too light, though.
prj posted 08-20-2003 09:21 AM ET (US)
Starboard side, angled to run directly down the gunwhale/gunnel. Minn Kota Powerdrive model with the smallest mounting foot available and a WIRELESS remote foot control. Very nice, highly recommended.
MikeT posted 08-20-2003 11:35 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the advice guys. It sounds like I need to look at bow mount options. My only hesitation is the permanency of the mount and the fact that I have the high bow rail option on my boat which would limit me from laying it back on the deck. I would have to secure it in the up position to the bow rail for running.
prj posted 08-20-2003 12:32 PM ET (US)
Mike, while I cannot confirm this, I would think that you would be able to disengage the mount lock while motor is in the DOWN position, rotate the motor to horizontal (creating long cantilever from mount to prop end), then slide the motor inboard underneath the railing.
Think this might work?
folivier posted 08-21-2003 08:55 AM ET (US)
I had a MinnKota Autopilot once, excellent motor. Anyway you can buy a removable bracket from MinnKota which leaves just a small plate when you remove motor. Also the shaft is adjustable (slides up or down) with a locking collar. You can tilt the bracket and then when the control head clears the railing you can then pull the shaft up into the stow position.
MikeT posted 08-21-2003 01:19 PM ET (US)
Thanks all. I will begin looking for a bow mount for Santa to bring me.
whalerajm posted 08-21-2003 10:01 PM ET (US)
I have a 1996 vintage MinnKota 3 HP (about 45lbs thrust), transom mount that I use on my 1975 Montauk (w/ 90 HP Evinrude)...
Without wind factor, I "clock" speeds up to about 3 MPH...Motor is mounted on starboard transom...Most steering (except for extreme turns is handled by Evinrude used as a big rudder...
Works great for trolling and working shoreline...
JohnJ80 posted 08-21-2003 10:31 PM ET (US)
I looked at motors big time last winter. I think the best bang for the buck is in the Minnkota Auto Pilot series. It is so-o-o-o nice to be able to aim it on a course and keep fishing without all the attention to steering.
They were just coming out with the wireless do-hickey that you can attach to your belt and then get rid of the wired pedal. I will probably add that option next season. That would be the coolest thing going. My only complaint with the setup is that with the center console and now leaning posts (like on a bass boat), it is difficult to use the pedal unless you are sitting.
I have the removable bracket on mine - I let the minnkota dealer mount it and that didn't come out right. The bow position was difficult for him and he positioned it so that it was optimal for the motor but gets in the way of my bow locker. I will probably remount this myself this winter.
What I am also going to do is to take a lesson out of my sailing experience and use one of those spring detent pins to hold the bracket in place instead of the goofy screw head thingie that Minnkota came up with.
I also think you could finesse it under the bow rails. Get out the ruler and make some measurements. I think there are others here that have done just that.
j

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Author	Topic: what size trolling motor
MikeT	posted 08-19-2003 10:40 AM ET (US) I have 1979 sport 15 with a 1979 Merc 70. What is the minimum amount of thrust I would need for a transom mount trolling motor? Thanks
prj	posted 08-19-2003 11:00 AM ET (US) I have an '88 15' Striper w/ '90 70 HP Johnson. I use a 42# thrust Minn Kota remote foot controlled BOW MOUNT. With a reasonably fresh battery, this is more than sufficient for even heavy days on windy shores, i.e. Musky fishing the northwoods. As I expect you realize, boat control dynamics change radically when trying to push from the transom as opposed to pulling from the bow. On a calm day, the only conditions when a transom mount would be effective, I would guess a simple hand steered 36# motor would suffice.
JohnJ80	posted 08-19-2003 04:59 PM ET (US) minnkota will tell you that the minimum thrust should be 2lbs of thrust per 100lb of boat weight. You should also have the motor go at least 12" below the waterline. In my experience, both of these are low. I think more thrust is better (can't hurt) nor can a longer motor. That all being said, I have a Dauntless 15 and a 48" 55AP 12V 55lb thrust motor on my bow. Waterline on my boat is about 2' below the bow. Works great. highest I ever run it unless in big wind or current is aobut 40% (4 on the scale). At WOT you could waterski behind it (just kidding). j
jokor3	posted 08-19-2003 06:28 PM ET (US) PRJ which side of the bow did you munt your mtrolling motor? also at what angle?/
jstachowiak	posted 08-19-2003 07:43 PM ET (US) I had a 1992 15 GLS and had a 36lb. Minn Kota bow mount and it was adequate. In windy conditions it was too light, though.
prj	posted 08-20-2003 09:21 AM ET (US) Starboard side, angled to run directly down the gunwhale/gunnel. Minn Kota Powerdrive model with the smallest mounting foot available and a WIRELESS remote foot control. Very nice, highly recommended.
MikeT	posted 08-20-2003 11:35 AM ET (US) Thanks for the advice guys. It sounds like I need to look at bow mount options. My only hesitation is the permanency of the mount and the fact that I have the high bow rail option on my boat which would limit me from laying it back on the deck. I would have to secure it in the up position to the bow rail for running.
prj	posted 08-20-2003 12:32 PM ET (US) Mike, while I cannot confirm this, I would think that you would be able to disengage the mount lock while motor is in the DOWN position, rotate the motor to horizontal (creating long cantilever from mount to prop end), then slide the motor inboard underneath the railing. Think this might work?
folivier	posted 08-21-2003 08:55 AM ET (US) I had a MinnKota Autopilot once, excellent motor. Anyway you can buy a removable bracket from MinnKota which leaves just a small plate when you remove motor. Also the shaft is adjustable (slides up or down) with a locking collar. You can tilt the bracket and then when the control head clears the railing you can then pull the shaft up into the stow position.
MikeT	posted 08-21-2003 01:19 PM ET (US) Thanks all. I will begin looking for a bow mount for Santa to bring me.
whalerajm	posted 08-21-2003 10:01 PM ET (US) I have a 1996 vintage MinnKota 3 HP (about 45lbs thrust), transom mount that I use on my 1975 Montauk (w/ 90 HP Evinrude)... Without wind factor, I "clock" speeds up to about 3 MPH...Motor is mounted on starboard transom...Most steering (except for extreme turns is handled by Evinrude used as a big rudder... Works great for trolling and working shoreline...
JohnJ80	posted 08-21-2003 10:31 PM ET (US) I looked at motors big time last winter. I think the best bang for the buck is in the Minnkota Auto Pilot series. It is so-o-o-o nice to be able to aim it on a course and keep fishing without all the attention to steering. They were just coming out with the wireless do-hickey that you can attach to your belt and then get rid of the wired pedal. I will probably add that option next season. That would be the coolest thing going. My only complaint with the setup is that with the center console and now leaning posts (like on a bass boat), it is difficult to use the pedal unless you are sitting. I have the removable bracket on mine - I let the minnkota dealer mount it and that didn't come out right. The bow position was difficult for him and he positioned it so that it was optimal for the motor but gets in the way of my bow locker. I will probably remount this myself this winter. What I am also going to do is to take a lesson out of my sailing experience and use one of those spring detent pins to hold the bracket in place instead of the goofy screw head thingie that Minnkota came up with. I also think you could finesse it under the bow rails. Get out the ruler and make some measurements. I think there are others here that have done just that. j