Go trolling motor only?

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Wrboz

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Oct 13, 2020
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Location
Wales,Ma
So the lower unit on my 1986 Johnson 20 seized up. It’s on a 14 foot Mirrocraft. I use this boat exclusively on 100-300 acre local ponds. For the last few years I’ve only used it for trolling. Basically idle speed with a trolling plate deployed to maintain 1-3 gps all day long. No long runs to honey holes. Not in a rush to get anywhere. Should I just get a 55lb trolling motor and call it a day? I’m not getting any younger and the hassle of maintaining my gas motor doesn’t really appeal to me as much as it used to. If I didn’t have a bad back I’d be happy in a kayak. Although I like to keep my boat nice, and have customized it to meet my needs, it’s ultimately just a way to get to the fish. Could anyone who’s gone this route let me know how it’s worked out for them?
 
The big deal, powerful, expensive, electric trolling motors are having a lot of rejects. That are outrageous to repair. Batteries are not cheap. Add in a correct battery charger. You are not going to W O T with a tired battery and electric to get you to the ramp as fast as a gas 2 or 4 stroke motor as you see & hear electrical storms.
 
I have a 1648 with a 9.9 Honda, a 45lb. bow mount and a 55lb. on the transom. I use the 55lb. transom mount 99% of the time. You need a good battery and charger setup if going all electric. I run 2 deep cycle batteries in the boat.
 
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The big deal, powerful, expensive, electric trolling motors are having a lot of rejects. That are outrageous to repair. Batteries are not cheap. Add in a correct battery charger. You are not going to W O T with a tired battery and electric to get you to the ramp as fast as a gas 2 or 4 stroke motor as you see & hear electrical storms.
 
Cyclops2 - all good points! I agree we are a few years away from depending on larger electric outboards, both cost and reliability wise. I’m thinking like a 55lb thrust Minn Koda. If it dies in 2 or 3 years I will dig down and spend another $300. The ponds I fish are small. I’m old and slow and could walk from one end to the other in 10 - 15 minutes.
 
I have a 1648 with a 9.9 Honda, a 55lb. bow mount and a 55lb. on the transom. I use the 55lb. transom mount 99% of the time. You need a good battery and charger setup if going all electric. I run 2 deep cycle batteries in the boat.
So the 55lb transom mount works for you the majority of the time. Good to know. I’m thinking of running 2 deep cycle batteries in parallel. My hull weighs about 250 lbs and there are usually 2 adults on board. Do you think that will last me 4-6 hours at 1.5-2.0 gps?
 
Post #3 is the best setup. 2 ISOLATED drive systems. 1 will always get you to the ramp.

Any bad weather WOT the systems.
 
So the 55lb transom mount works for you the majority of the time. Good to know. I’m thinking of running 2 deep cycle batteries in parallel. My hull weighs about 250 lbs and there are usually 2 adults on board. Do you think that will last me 4-6 hours at 1.5-2.0 gps?
I have a 12v, 55# thrust bow mount MinnKota and itvruns off two group 31 batteries, I can get an 8 hr day trolling without much problem on my 16' Sylvan that weighs almost 1000 lbs.
 
You might consider a little gas motor and an electric troller...I have a little 2.2 hp Merc 2 stroke that I use on my little jon boat on ponds. I also use it to troll with on my 16' Sylvan....set it straight and lock the swivel and use my bow mount electric that has a remote fob around my neck. I can steer, stop, change course, speed up and slow down without getting out of my seat. Can also tend to my rods and net fish while sitting in the same spot !! My little Merc has never given me any trouble, it is a 1985 but gets the fuel drained out of carb after every run and I put a small amount of sea foam in the gas. It typically starts in two mabey three pulls, and the pulls are very easy....just some food for thought........
 
Cyclops2 - all good points! I agree we are a few years away from depending on larger electric outboards, both cost and reliability wise. I’m thinking like a 55lb thrust Minn Koda. If it dies in 2 or 3 years I will dig down and spend another $300. The ponds I fish are small. I’m old and slow and could walk from one end to the other in 10 - 15 minutes.
When I lived in NJ the majority of the lakes where electric only. Used to use a 55 tiller with a group 29 deep cycle battery on a 16 foot Lund. Could go out all day if I ran at 1/2 throttle. Important to charge soon as you get home and keep an eye on electrolyte level.
 
Most wet cell batteries die from NOT KEEPING the water / acid level ALWAYS above the Lead plate tops.

Sitting all summer or winter with low levels is DEATH to batteries.

ADD in not recharging after every use is another way to kill them.

Why I only use 2 stroke engines
 
I run a 14ft duroboat that I inherited with only electric propulsion on the lake I live on which is roughly 200 acres. Haven't taken it elsewhere, it's moored at my dock or on the trailer on my lot otherwise.

Setup:
55lb duramax minn kota trolling motor
MR127-100 Deep Cycle AGM battery from vmaxtanks + a noco genius 10 charger that I keep it on faithfully when not using it.

Haven't ever run the battery down trolling on this lake. Just added a rudder to my trolling motor to help with wind. When I'm alone in the boat wind gives me some challenges to navigate, but if I've got company the extra weight on the boat seems to help keep our course steady.

Got a 8hp honda outboard that I need to try out one of these days for my 14ft duroboat eventually when I decide to take this boat to a bigger body of water

Electric only has treated me well so far on this 200acre lake.
 
Thanks to all for your experiences and thoughts about this. It’s always good to hear from people. You never know when somebody sees something you didn’t even consider!
 
Swing that 8 horse by Seattle sometime. If you haven't had it out for "sometime" then it's possible the water impeller may give you issues or not function at all...just watch for the stream which will prevent the scream. Which "lake?"
 
Just look for a little 2-3 hp gas motor and an electric TM, being by yourself, best to have backup power. My little 2 hp merc only weights about 25/30 lbs, easy pull start.
 
At 2mph a 1-mile “run” (a longish 300 acre lake) is 30 minutes. For me weather might be the only consideration with that if time isnt as issue for you.
Would highly recommend 2 or even three big batteries if thats your main engine. Bigger boat, but one group 31 absolutely does not cut it for me on a breezy day, and Im only using it for positioning, not trolling with it. Ive had trolling motors crap out, but never mid-day, its always been between seasons. as long as batteries are good and plenty of juice Id be fine with oars as a backup on a small tin boat.
 
The lake I fish the most is about 270 acres, total electric, although you can leave your gas motor on. I have a 55lb Minn Kota on the transom and a 45lb Minn Kota bow mount that I rarely use. I run 2 deep cycle batteries and the 55lb will push the boat about 3mph. I run from spot to spot and fish anchored. I have never run out of battery. I do have a Minn Kota 3 bank on board charger and when not fishing the boat's in the garage plugged in.
 
You might consider a little gas motor and an electric troller...I have a little 2.2 hp Merc 2 stroke that I use on my little jon boat on ponds. I also use it to troll with on my 16' Sylvan....set it straight and lock the swivel and use my bow mount electric that has a remote fob around my neck. I can steer, stop, change course, speed up and slow down without getting out of my seat. Can also tend to my rods and net fish while sitting in the same spot !! My little Merc has never given me any trouble, it is a 1985 but gets the fuel drained out of carb after every run and I put a small amount of sea foam in the gas. It typically starts in two mabey three pulls, and the pulls are very easy....just some food for thought........
I like your trolling motor description. Can you raise and deploy it from your seat or do you have to go do that manually? What kind and model trolling motor is it? I’m looking…
 
It must be deployed and returned manually, but it operatuons are tgru a remote fob that hangs aroynd my neck. It is a MinKota power drive with the anchor lock feature
 

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