Equipment & Gear > Power Equipment & RV

Bow mount trolling motors

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GWP:
I went with a longer than needed shaft and have had it come out of the water when it was rough.
I debated on auto deploy, but I have very good access to the front of my bow and the MinnKota's have a spring inside they call "Auto Assist" that makes it easier to pull up, plus the auto deploy is just more stuff to go wrong.
The Riptide will work for fresh or salt, the fresh water Terrova's do not have the same level of protection as the salt ones. There are other differences but I do not remember what all they are.
I am only familiar with the MinnKota's, so I can not give any info on other brands.

metlhead:
The Riptide Terrova I see has 90-115 lbs thrust. Plenty?

MeepDog:
It’s definitely worth getting a bow mount in general. The size of correction you need from the stern for a slight adjustment for the wind is obnoxious, but with a bowmount it just steers easier. When I’m trolling fast I’ll use both and only steer with the bow mount.

GWP:
While I would tentatively say “Yes” on the thrust, I sure have not regretted going bigger than necessary on mine.
Same with batteries. I have two Lithiums that are both at the high end of what they recommend for power. I have had to switch in a couple of high wind King Tide days.
As was said, and I do the same, I will lock my kicker in place at just above idle and steer with the bow mount.
One advantage using the bow mount is slowing a drift with it and having it hold the boat in a bow forward position. If you hit a good spot you can Spot lock to hold it there, then when it peters out release the spot lock and go right back to controlled drifting.
Once you get used to using one it would be hard to go back to not having it.
You can also program it to follow a pattern, and at the end, reverse the pattern back to where you started. It remains in the system if you save it so you can go back the next day and do it again.
My only complaint, if it really is one, is once you give it a command it may go full thrust to do it, which can be a bit abrupt.

GWP:
I wear the controller around my neck with the lanyard under a button of my shirt or life vest so it is not flopping around and getting in the way. I have used the controller enough I seldom need to look at it to change settings.
That is also a safety factor as in 'If' I went over I could (in theory) spot lock it or have it come chase me down.
With the 80 lb on my 19' it will hit about 6 mph wide open with no help from the kicker. At just above an idle with the kicker I will leave it at a 4 to 6 (out of 10) and that is enough to have it in control for steering in current and maintain 3-6 mph.

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