Special Trolling Motors and SONAR Units For Saltwater

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Author Topic:   Special Trolling Motors and SONAR Units For Saltwater

pcrussell50 posted 10-17-2009 05:24 PM ET (US)
My [Boston] Whaler Sport 13 came from the previous owner with both a trolling motor and a fish finder. It was a fresh water boat when those things were in use. Now it's a salt water boat, and I removed and carefully stored those items, partially because I did not know if they would tolerate the saltwater, and secondly, because up until now I have enjoyed the less cluttered look with them removed. Now I've gotten into ocean fishing, and I'm thinking of pressing these items back into service, but I don't want to ruin them. So I was wondering if trolling motors and fish finders are made specifically for saltwater and fresh water, or if they are all about the same in that regard, and that for saltwater use you just act more dilligently in the cleaning routine, like all things in saltwater.
-Peter
contender posted 10-17-2009 07:18 PM ET (US)
Any electric motor in salt water is going to last on how well you take care of it. The fish finder, only the sending unit is in the salt water should be fine.
lizard posted 10-18-2009 11:12 AM ET (US)
Both Motorguide and MinnKota, two of the leading trolling motor manufacturer's, have both fresh water and salt water models, for just about every model size that they make. I have never looked at them close enough to determine the differences, but I have always assumed it is the presence of more stainless steel in the hardware on the salt water version.
Maybe it is just marketing.
Jefecinco posted 10-18-2009 11:34 AM ET (US)
Don't know if it's a fact, but I've been told the white trolling motors are designed for salt water use.
If yours is not white but in good condition you may want to try to sell it and replace with the salt water version. If that is impractical I would use it until it becomes unreliable or unsightly before buying a salt water version.
Any trolling motor can benefit from a thorough cleaning after every use but particularly if it is used in salt water.
Butch
lizard posted 10-18-2009 08:57 PM ET (US)
Butch- You are correct about black and white being designated fresh and salt, respectively, at least for MotorGuide.
lizard posted 10-19-2009 10:34 AM ET (US)
After poking around the West Marine website, it appears that the black and white color choices apply to most trolling motors, as well as downriggers. I guess it is an industry standard.
Nauti Tauk posted 10-19-2009 06:40 PM ET (US)
I am not familar with Motor Guide but My Minn Kota Riptide is designed from the ground up around stainless parts for saltwater use. I've had great luck with my Minn Kota.
Nauti Tauk posted 10-19-2009 06:42 PM ET (US)
I am not familar with Motor Guide but my Minn Kota Riptide bow mount trolling motor is designed from the ground up around stainless parts for saltwater use. I've had great luck with Minn Kota.
lizard posted 10-19-2009 11:07 PM ET (US)
Nauti-
Your Minn Kota is color coded for saltwater (white) and freshwater (black) applications.
Nauti Tauk posted 10-20-2009 12:40 PM ET (US)
Lizard,
You are absolutely correct.....along with the fact that the Riptide models are the saltwater version for Minn Kota.
erik selis posted 10-20-2009 01:53 PM ET (US)
Using a non-saltwater trolling motor in saltwater will definitely ruin the trolling motor in a short period of time. The white colored MinnKota Riptide models are great for saltwater use.
Erik
fishgutz posted 10-24-2009 03:13 PM ET (US)
I cannot speak about Motorguide but I know several people who use "freshwater" Minnkota motors (both remote bowmount and transom mount) in saltwater and have for years with no problems. They just rinse them occasionally and check their electrical connections (cables and plugs) from time to time. You'd have to do that with a saltwater model also.
69boo307 posted 10-26-2009 08:14 AM ET (US)
My '89 Striper has the original Johnson trolling motor, presumably a 'fresh water' model. It's spent quite a few days in salt water now though and is none the worse for wear, not a single sign of rust or corrosion on it.
I think salt water isn't as evil as everyone thinks, so long as you keep equipment washed down.

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Author	Topic: Special Trolling Motors and SONAR Units For Saltwater
pcrussell50	posted 10-17-2009 05:24 PM ET (US) My [Boston] Whaler Sport 13 came from the previous owner with both a trolling motor and a fish finder. It was a fresh water boat when those things were in use. Now it's a salt water boat, and I removed and carefully stored those items, partially because I did not know if they would tolerate the saltwater, and secondly, because up until now I have enjoyed the less cluttered look with them removed. Now I've gotten into ocean fishing, and I'm thinking of pressing these items back into service, but I don't want to ruin them. So I was wondering if trolling motors and fish finders are made specifically for saltwater and fresh water, or if they are all about the same in that regard, and that for saltwater use you just act more dilligently in the cleaning routine, like all things in saltwater. -Peter
contender	posted 10-17-2009 07:18 PM ET (US) Any electric motor in salt water is going to last on how well you take care of it. The fish finder, only the sending unit is in the salt water should be fine.
lizard	posted 10-18-2009 11:12 AM ET (US) Both Motorguide and MinnKota, two of the leading trolling motor manufacturer's, have both fresh water and salt water models, for just about every model size that they make. I have never looked at them close enough to determine the differences, but I have always assumed it is the presence of more stainless steel in the hardware on the salt water version. Maybe it is just marketing.
Jefecinco	posted 10-18-2009 11:34 AM ET (US) Don't know if it's a fact, but I've been told the white trolling motors are designed for salt water use. If yours is not white but in good condition you may want to try to sell it and replace with the salt water version. If that is impractical I would use it until it becomes unreliable or unsightly before buying a salt water version. Any trolling motor can benefit from a thorough cleaning after every use but particularly if it is used in salt water. Butch
lizard	posted 10-18-2009 08:57 PM ET (US) Butch- You are correct about black and white being designated fresh and salt, respectively, at least for MotorGuide.
lizard	posted 10-19-2009 10:34 AM ET (US) After poking around the West Marine website, it appears that the black and white color choices apply to most trolling motors, as well as downriggers. I guess it is an industry standard.
Nauti Tauk	posted 10-19-2009 06:40 PM ET (US) I am not familar with Motor Guide but My Minn Kota Riptide is designed from the ground up around stainless parts for saltwater use. I've had great luck with my Minn Kota.
Nauti Tauk	posted 10-19-2009 06:42 PM ET (US) I am not familar with Motor Guide but my Minn Kota Riptide bow mount trolling motor is designed from the ground up around stainless parts for saltwater use. I've had great luck with Minn Kota.
lizard	posted 10-19-2009 11:07 PM ET (US) Nauti- Your Minn Kota is color coded for saltwater (white) and freshwater (black) applications.
Nauti Tauk	posted 10-20-2009 12:40 PM ET (US) Lizard, You are absolutely correct.....along with the fact that the Riptide models are the saltwater version for Minn Kota.
erik selis	posted 10-20-2009 01:53 PM ET (US) Using a non-saltwater trolling motor in saltwater will definitely ruin the trolling motor in a short period of time. The white colored MinnKota Riptide models are great for saltwater use. Erik
fishgutz	posted 10-24-2009 03:13 PM ET (US) I cannot speak about Motorguide but I know several people who use "freshwater" Minnkota motors (both remote bowmount and transom mount) in saltwater and have for years with no problems. They just rinse them occasionally and check their electrical connections (cables and plugs) from time to time. You'd have to do that with a saltwater model also.
69boo307	posted 10-26-2009 08:14 AM ET (US) My '89 Striper has the original Johnson trolling motor, presumably a 'fresh water' model. It's spent quite a few days in salt water now though and is none the worse for wear, not a single sign of rust or corrosion on it. I think salt water isn't as evil as everyone thinks, so long as you keep equipment washed down.