Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Fishing => Topic started by: ducklab on August 20, 2012, 08:40:05 PM

Title: electric trolling motor question
Post by: ducklab on August 20, 2012, 08:40:05 PM: I have a 16ft fiberglass boat and was wondering if an electric trolling motor will move my boat at any speed good enough to troll. I was thinking a 55lb thrust? Im looking for a cheaper way then buying a gas troller. What speed can I expect?
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 08:43:24 PM: No that will move you prett good. I troll with my 55lber and it works very well. My boat is 17.5' your boat is probably a little more weight being fiberglass. I think I was trolling warts at like 3 or 4 out of 5 on the handle speed. On a really windy day or tons of current. I don't think it would work as well.
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: Kola16 on August 20, 2012, 08:46:41 PM: If you are just fishing on a lake, you should be fine. I wouldn't take it on a river, or in the Sound.
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 08:47:39 PM: Oh come on now. I have bombed around in the big c with mine :chuckle:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: Kola16 on August 20, 2012, 08:49:05 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 08:47:39 PM
Oh come on now. I have bombed around in the big c with mine :chuckle:

It would be a slow haul :chuckle:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: Button Nubbs on August 20, 2012, 08:49:45 PM: Shouldn't be a prob. I had a bow mount 55 and transom mount 55 on my 16'er and they pushed it at a good clip. Mine was aluminum but you shouldn't have a problem. If your worried about it step up to a 24v system. Never can have too much motor. :chuckle:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: h2ofowlr on August 20, 2012, 08:50:13 PM: I use a 50lb thrust on my 18' boat. It works good. Depending on if your trolling on a lake or river will depend on what's needed. If you have heavy current I would consider gas. For lakes and minor trolling an electric is good. Most bass or pan fish boats have bow mounted trolling motors, but use 1-2 batteries for the trolling motor and 1 for the main motor and have it set up to charge the batteries when the main motor is running. Baker lake and electric trolling motor is ideal for the slow speeds required to catch the fish. Running a river trolling, I would only use a gas trolling motor like a T8 or 9.9. I am on my second Minn Kota for the season as the first one was missing 1-4th speed.
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 08:51:12 PM: Quote from: Kola16 on August 20, 2012, 08:49:05 PM
Quote from: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 08:47:39 PM
Oh come on now. I have bombed around in the big c with mine :chuckle:

It would be a slow haul :chuckle:

:chuckle: Depends on the water. I fished the wind with it very well.
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: Kola16 on August 20, 2012, 08:53:53 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 08:51:12 PM
Quote from: Kola16 on August 20, 2012, 08:49:05 PM
Quote from: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 08:47:39 PM
Oh come on now. I have bombed around in the big c with mine :chuckle:

It would be a slow haul :chuckle:

:chuckle: Depends on the water. I fished the wind with it very well.

Ya, and have fun going upwind on the way back :chuckle:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 08:55:22 PM: Just think light and turn it up to 5 :tup: :chuckle:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: Kola16 on August 20, 2012, 08:59:17 PM: Untill your battery dies an hour later :chuckle:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: ducklab on August 20, 2012, 09:12:37 PM: Thanks for the replys has anyone had and experience with those happy troll plates?
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 09:15:39 PM: Quote from: Kola16 on August 20, 2012, 08:59:17 PM
Untill your battery dies an hour later :chuckle:

I carry 4-5 :tup:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: wraithen on August 20, 2012, 09:18:17 PM: Duck lab if you're talking about the ones that slow down a boat due to the lowest setting being too fast I fished once with a guy that had one. It brought his kicker motor slow enough to troll in his 18 ft canoe. :twocents:

Why does it seem so common for those minn kota's to loose a couple of speed settings? My buddy has one he bought last year and now only 4 and 5 work. :dunno:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: shoot-em-dead on August 20, 2012, 09:20:28 PM: Thats just the thing with electric- dang batteries die right when the fish start biting. I prefer no noise but I sure like the ease of just adding gas if I want to stay out longer. toss up in the end
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: Kola16 on August 20, 2012, 09:29:55 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 08:55:22 PM
Just think light :chuckle:
Quote from: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 09:15:39 PM
Quote from: Kola16 on August 20, 2012, 08:59:17 PM
Untill your battery dies an hour later :chuckle:

I carry 4-5 :tup:

2+2=6 :chuckle:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: huntingfool7 on August 20, 2012, 10:01:33 PM: A 3-1/2 hp nissan goes for about $900. You can literally cruise circles around a similar boat with a 55# electric on it with fresh/new batteries. If you figure the weight and cost of batteries, gas is the way to go.
Plus, batteries get weaker the longer you're out.
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 10:03:59 PM: I think he said troll :chuckle: Even though some guys tend to troll at a cruising speed :chuckle:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: Kola16 on August 20, 2012, 10:09:43 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 10:03:59 PM
I think he said troll :chuckle: Even though some guys tend to troll at a cruising speed :chuckle:

Ihave seen a guy trolling for small trout on opening day at a speed that I could probably wakeboard on :yike: :chuckle:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 10:10:48 PM: :chuckle:
Title: Re: electric trolling motor question
Post by: huntingfool7 on August 20, 2012, 10:17:45 PM: I think that a 16' fibreglass boat would troll real nice with my 3.5 nissan on it. My little boat weighs 110#, add 350# of guy/gear and dogs and I can get 'er ripping along at 5-6 mph. Maybe even hit seven as long as the wind and current are not conspiring against me :chuckle: