trolling motors

[gary305]

Hey Guys As the new season approaches I am considering getting a bow mounted trolling motor for my jon boat I have a transom motor now I've been looking at bass pro for trolling motors and plan to visit bass pro shops when they open at end of april in atlantic city or so What I haven't been able to figure out is the 2 different bases on them One is long and the other is much shorter Minn kota and motor guide both have them Is there an advantage of one over the other Figure you guys would know more and have better opinions then some new salesman at bass pro when they open I have minn kota now and probably get a minn kota Thanks for any info you can provide

[acabtp]

basically it has to do with how the steering works

the ones w/ the shorter cable: cable controlled, there is a cable (like a bicycle brake cable) between the pedal and the motor that handles the steering. it physically moves when you move the pedal.
advantage: you can change the steering angle of the motor very quickly.
disadvantage: because you are actually moving something, it means a shorter cable, and they are usually not compatible with autopilots or wireless remote upgrades.

the ones w/ the longer cable: electrically controlled. the pedal has switches and there are wires that go up to a little motor in the unit that does the steering. when you press left or right, the steering motor runs and that changes the angle of the motor.
advantage: longer cable, control it from anywhere on the boat. compatible with wireless remote, autopilot and gps tracking upgrades.
disadvantage: doesn't change steering angle as fast as cable controlled.

IMO: the cable controlled ones are good if you fish stumps etc and have to change direction very quickly so you don't bump into stuff (e.g. bass fishing heavy structure).
for everything else (trolling, getting from point a to point b, etc), the electrically controlled ones are superior.
i have a minnkota powerdrive on one boat and a powerdrive v2 for my other one. these electrically controlled (long cable) types. i am happy with them.

for Minnkota's current freshwater bow mounts
cable steer (short type): fortrex, maxxum, edge
electrical steer (long type): ulterra, terrova, powerdrive v2

[gary305]

thanks for the info I', m in central nj Not many of the lakes have a lot of stumps except Manasquan reservoir So its more electrical/cable difference than size of the base that mounts to boat

[acabtp]

Originally Posted by gary305

thanks for the info I', m in central nj Not many of the lakes have a lot of stumps except Manasquan reservoir So its more electrical/cable difference than size of the base that mounts to boat

yep, pretty much... the bases for the electric steer ones are bigger because they have that steering motor in them and the electronics for it.

[jimmythegreek]

you need to figure out if you want a cable steer motor or a digital motor. after that you figure out how much power u want, 12/24/36 volts and for a jon boat Im gonna guess 12volts, possiblt 24 if you troll and the length of motor, either a 48 or 54. give us an idea of how you fish, do you troll, do u cast, a combo of the two, and then we can point u in the right direction. I will tell you that buying trolling motors/electronics from big box stores is paying top dollar, you can save alot of money from online dealers or the classifieds, here, I have a new motor listed myself......

[gary305]

We basically cast some trolling but not much jon boat is 14' I have 55lb thrust on transom right now carry 2 12V marine batteries on board Usually the transom is ok but if there is any kind of breeze its difficult to fish and use motor at the same time because it just moves so easily and turns So my thinking was get a bow mount motor with foot pedal while I cast for the big one lol 36lb thrust would do ok shaft 42 I use a small 12V motorcycle gel battery for the fishfinder In Monmouth county and fish lakes like Marlu Manasquan Res Stone tavern and Rising sun From what I have gotten from here I'm thinking electrical as opposed to cable steering Thanks for this help and info

[matt12328726059]

i have a 12ft Lowe 1257.looking at a minn Kota edge bow mount trolling motor what would be a good thurst and shaft size for a boat like that

[kcritch]

Depends on what you are looking to do with it. If you are looking to bass fish casting as you go and such then 45lb with a 45 inch or so length is plenty for that size boat. If you are also going to use it as your primary motor to get places then go bigger just for the speed of it. I assume you are thinking a 12V system so 55lb would be as big as you can get without going to a 24V setup. If you got the extra cash I highly recommend a motor with the iPilot system with remote. Especially if you fish alone a lot...that navigation and anchor lock stuff will change your fishing life. Good luck whichever way you go.