Trolling motor ??

[RUGER]

I want a bow mount (the kind where you pull the string to raise and lower the trolling motor into and out of the water) trolling motor but I want a tiller handle, NOT foot control.

Where is the best place to get one.

Probably stick to 12 volt and it will be plenty for me.
Not sure of the thrust, but I will probably get more than I need, just in case.

17' Bass Tracker V17 Guide is what it is going on.

Looking for a deal, as always.

 

[SilverFox]

I love the thought of tiller but if you fish the wind, you'll spend more time adjusting it than fishing. Hard to crank with one hand... Not to mention the bites you'll miss.

Other than that, I prefer motor guide. Good luck.

 

[KENBOB10]

It's like getting a out building. Get one bigger than you think you need. BassPro has them like you want.

 

[fishboy1]

Get a minnkota 55lb thrust. Get a BIG deep cycle battery and here is the most important part..... Get a minnkota onboard smart charger.

Your $150 battery will last three times as long and will ALWAYS be ready for a day on the lake.
If you decide to get a different brand smart charger, shop the reviews hard. Many of the other brands had quality control issues 4 years ago when I got mine.

Oh and get a bump switch for the deck. Bass pro carries them, I think its called a big foot switch...about $25

You will probably want a tiller handle extension if your front seat is too far back like mine is.

 

[RUGER]

Bump switch is a must.

I normally stand when I fish and I doubt I even put a seat on the deck I build.

 

[bowhunterfanatic]

Just curious, but why do you not want a foot control? I couldn't imagine having to go back to a tiller handle.

 

[RUGER]

I had one on the boat when I bought it.
I don't know if the new ones are better or easier, but honestly I hated it.
Didn't feel right with my foot up in the air, hard to keep my balance too.

Figure I am in the minority, but I just absolutely didn't like it at all.

 

[paincave_2000]

I had one on the boat when I bought it.
I don't know if the new ones are better or easier, but honestly I hated it.
Didn't feel right with my foot up in the air, hard to keep my balance too.

Figure I am in the minority, but I just absolutely didn't like it at all.

I agree, I stand while I fish and trying to operate the foot control along with my sense of balance is a recipe for a swim

 

[fishboy1]

I had one on the boat when I bought it.
I don't know if the new ones are better or easier, but honestly I hated it.
Didn't feel right with my foot up in the air, hard to keep my balance too.

Figure I am in the minority, but I just absolutely didn't like it at all.

I agree, I stand while I fish and trying to operate the foot control along with my sense of balance is a recipe for a swim

x3 !!


Oh and back in the day (10 yr ago), we had a LOT of problems with the motor guides. (salt water) The connections inside the motor weren't well sealed and thy would corrode causing all kinds of problems.
Probably not an issue in fresh water and they may have fixed the issue. Just a fyi

 

[RUGER]

Pretty sure I am going with Minn Kota.

I just like 'em.

 

[Winchester]

Ruger, install a Troll eze pan in the front deck, drops the trolling motor foot control down even with the fishing deck. Takes hours off your back, makes balance much easier, and requires no hands or even looking at it to use with ease. I cant even imagine having to use my hands in any way to operate a trolling motor, they are always on my rod making more casts!

 

[Unicam]

Ruger, install a Troll eze pan in the front deck, drops the trolling motor foot control down even with the fishing deck. Takes hours off your back, makes balance much easier, and requires no hands or even looking at it to use with ease. I cant even imagine having to use my hands in any way to operate a trolling motor, they are always on my rod making more casts!

This!!

 

[Crosshairy]

I've never heard of the Troll Eze pan, but that sounds like a sweet setup. I also hate the extra 3-4 inches of height that a big foot pedal can add!

I've used both Motorguide and Minnkota trolling motors, and have a slight preference towards the Minnkota based on reliability, but truthfully I'd be OK with either one if the price was right. The motorguide that I used was relatively old, so it's not surprising that it had some problems.

 

[infoman jr.]

My duck boat trolling motor has a handle, and I despise it. When I try to fish from it, I spend too much time trying to wrangle the dang thing. You'd get used to the foot control in a few trips.

This, too.

 

[Winchester]

My duck boat trolling motor has a handle, and I despise it. When I try to fish from it, I spend too much time trying to wrangle the dang thing. You'd get used to the foot control in a few trips.

This, too.

There you have it!!!

 

[fishboy1]

Im just too uncoordinated for foot control. I would be tripping in that hole and falling all over the place.

Bet it is sweet for those with better balance than me.

 

[Model70Man]

I have the Minn Kota V2 55# Thrust with Auto Pilot. It is awesome. Point it in the direction you want, set the constant motor speed to .5 or 1, push the Auto Pilot button, and fish. It keeps your boat in line, and you don't have to adjust your direction. It adjusts to wind, waves, and current. I love it. I spend more time fishing and hardly ever touching the trolling motor controls. The only thing I don't like is deployment and bringing it back into the boat, but that's not that much of a big deal.

 

[mossyhorns300]

Ruger, if you change your mind and decide to try a foot controlled trolling motor, I have a new 12 volt, 45 lb thrust MinnKota Edge with manuals, that I would make you a heckuva deal on. Came off a new boat in which customer upgraded to 24 volt system. Never seen the water.

 

[RUGER]

Tried to send ya a pm there mossy.
You over your limit.

 

[mossyhorns300]

Tried to send ya a pm there mossy.
You over your limit.

Sorry dude. Try it now.

 

[scn]

That motor and your recessed mount are your answer, Ruger.

 

[Winchester]

That motor and your recessed mount are your answer, Ruger.

I agree!

 

[TN Larry]

That motor and your recessed mount are your answer, Ruger.

I agree!

Me too. There is no way that I could fish with a hand control.

 

[Headhunter]

Only thing I would do different Ruger if I could afford it is run a 24 volt. I always put what everyone calls overkill for a trolling motor on my boats and I have never regretted it. I have a 80 lb thrust on my 16'10" G3 and it is priceless when it is needed. A friend of mine a 24 volt on a 14' boston whaler with a 50 hp motor, it was awesome when fishing the jumps. There is pretty much no such thing as to much trolling motor. Also, IMO, you can run the 24v on a much lower speed setting for a lot longer time than the 12v will on most any setting especially if is a windy day. More money but in the end, especially if you fish a lot, more than worth it.

 

[TN Larry]

Only thing I would do different Ruger if I could afford it is run a 24 volt. I always put what everyone calls overkill for a trolling motor on my boats and I have never regretted it. I have a 80 lb thrust on my 16'10" G3 and it is priceless when it is needed. A friend of mine a 24 volt on a 14' boston whaler with a 50 hp motor, it was awesome when fishing the jumps. There is pretty much no such thing as to much trolling motor. Also, IMO, you can run the 24v on a much lower speed setting for a lot longer time than the 12v will on most any setting especially if is a windy day. More money but in the end, especially if you fish a lot, more than worth it.

Agree with this as well although the 12V will work and can also be made to last longer by hooking two batteries inline.

 

[Winchester]

Only thing I would do different Ruger if I could afford it is run a 24 volt. I always put what everyone calls overkill for a trolling motor on my boats and I have never regretted it. I have a 80 lb thrust on my 16'10" G3 and it is priceless when it is needed. A friend of mine a 24 volt on a 14' boston whaler with a 50 hp motor, it was awesome when fishing the jumps. There is pretty much no such thing as to much trolling motor. Also, IMO, you can run the 24v on a much lower speed setting for a lot longer time than the 12v will on most any setting especially if is a windy day. More money but in the end, especially if you fish a lot, more than worth it.

Agree with this as well although the 12V will work and can also be made to last longer by hooking two batteries inline.

Good advice!

 

[Headhunter]

Only thing I would do different Ruger if I could afford it is run a 24 volt. I always put what everyone calls overkill for a trolling motor on my boats and I have never regretted it. I have a 80 lb thrust on my 16'10" G3 and it is priceless when it is needed. A friend of mine a 24 volt on a 14' boston whaler with a 50 hp motor, it was awesome when fishing the jumps. There is pretty much no such thing as to much trolling motor. Also, IMO, you can run the 24v on a much lower speed setting for a lot longer time than the 12v will on most any setting especially if is a windy day. More money but in the end, especially if you fish a lot, more than worth it.

Agree with this as well although the 12V will work and can also be made to last longer by hooking two batteries inline.

If I am going to put 2 batteries inline, I am going to run a 24 volt trolling motor. Why have 2 batteries and only a 12v trolling motor?

 

[Winchester]

Only thing I would do different Ruger if I could afford it is run a 24 volt. I always put what everyone calls overkill for a trolling motor on my boats and I have never regretted it. I have a 80 lb thrust on my 16'10" G3 and it is priceless when it is needed. A friend of mine a 24 volt on a 14' boston whaler with a 50 hp motor, it was awesome when fishing the jumps. There is pretty much no such thing as to much trolling motor. Also, IMO, you can run the 24v on a much lower speed setting for a lot longer time than the 12v will on most any setting especially if is a windy day. More money but in the end, especially if you fish a lot, more than worth it.

Agree with this as well although the 12V will work and can also be made to last longer by hooking two batteries inline.

If I am going to put 2 batteries inline, I am going to run a 24 volt trolling motor. Why have 2 batteries and only a 12v trolling motor?

If all you have is a 12v trolling motor the 2 batteries will last much longer than just a single battery, especially if running it on high speeds for long periods! The 2 batteries in this case are actually in parallel, not in series which then makes it a 24v system. I agree a 24v is much better but some already have a 12v installed and don't want to purchase a different motor?

 

[TN Larry]

Only thing I would do different Ruger if I could afford it is run a 24 volt. I always put what everyone calls overkill for a trolling motor on my boats and I have never regretted it. I have a 80 lb thrust on my 16'10" G3 and it is priceless when it is needed. A friend of mine a 24 volt on a 14' boston whaler with a 50 hp motor, it was awesome when fishing the jumps. There is pretty much no such thing as to much trolling motor. Also, IMO, you can run the 24v on a much lower speed setting for a lot longer time than the 12v will on most any setting especially if is a windy day. More money but in the end, especially if you fish a lot, more than worth it.

Agree with this as well although the 12V will work and can also be made to last longer by hooking two batteries inline.

If I am going to put 2 batteries inline, I am going to run a 24 volt trolling motor. Why have 2 batteries and only a 12v trolling motor?

Oh I am with you and agree totally with your first post. I am going to have a 24V. However, they are more expensive, and he may get a good deal on this one. The 12V will work for his boat, and hooking them in parallel with two batteries would make it last longer.

 

[rsimms]

I think you've gotten some real good advise here, albeit more than you probably needed or wanted. So I'll hush up. :grin:

But if you want my 2 cents worth... PM me.