Electric trolling motor

[spoontang]

Thanks Manx. I have also looked on Bass Pro and Cabelas consumer reports. What I am finding is good. I can buy a 2 battery pack with on board charger for about $500. It will full charge the system in 4-6 hours. I found a website (Hodges Marine) that has what I'm looking for (Minn Kota) 160 lb thrust at $900. It would take 2-3 years at gas being $4 a gallon and I would start putting $ back into my pocket. I have to believe the near silent aspect of the electric will put "spooky" fish in my box. When I am in deep water and have my sonar on 50khz. I can litterally see fish sound to the bottom when I run over them. I think I'm sold on the whole idea.

[ERIE REBEL1]

Hey Spoon if you look at a lot of the touring pros boats a lot of these guys are running them on their boats.

[Manxfishing]

Your on the right track
I would go with the Minn Kota as well (they weren't out when I bought mine)
I really don't think you need a 160 thou. Or going that big I'd go with 36V
With my front mount trolling motor (80) I can go over 4 mph
And even thou my boat is a 18' Alum
Dry weight is 1485 so motor, gas, 2 guys and gear I'm around 2,500 pounds
I'm told the rule of thumb is 15 pounds of thrust = 1 hp

I've all ready put 50 hours on the main motor
Without the elec. I'd be at 4 to 5 times as many hours

I take allot of fish straight line trolling over 20 FOW
If there's allot of boats out on the weekend I do have to run the inside boards
So the slient part does help.

[spoontang]

Thanks Rebel. I know it is a little newer technology but it seems outstanding. The only side I have seen that some with an I/O don't like, is it creates a spray as the mounting bracket is not completely out of the water when running and some love them but would like a slightly larger model. I love the idea the more I think of it. No gas, no fumes, no external gas cans, no noise, no steering links. I expect I will purchase one and I will keep you posted. Thanks again brother

[spoontang]

The main reason I would want the 160 is to fast troll steelhead up to 3.5 mph into the wind if needed. My boat, engine and gas are 5,000 pounds. Add a crew and tackle and we are near 6500. It sounds like you really like yours and you have reaped the benefit of saving on fuel and engine hours. I like it alot. I sure do appreciate the feedback Manx. What speeds are you trolling at and do you need to manuever much with the wheel or does it track straight?

[Manxfishing]

Spoontang,

Right now I'm trolling at 1.6 to 2.0 with crank baits
this spring I was doing 1.2 to 1.4

Mines on a 90 hp Tiller so there's no wheel
But I have a friend that has one on a wheel boat
No problems at all staying straight

[michiganmarv]

Spoon, your boat is 5K loaded and 6500 with crew? just how big a boy are you? I thought about getting a duel prop job for my I/O but I think I'll get auto pilot instead.

[spoontang]

Just got back in town. I know it sounds like We are monsters. My fuel tank is 120 gallons. I figure 800 pounds or so for that and 4-5 guys and tackle puts us up there. So how has the fishing been?

[Manxfishing]

Just got back in town. I know it sounds like We are monsters. My fuel tank is 120 gallons. I figure 800 pounds or so for that and 4-5 guys and tackle puts us up there. So how has the fishing been?

Fish are getting smaller but there still here

Took my limit on Wen.
And Dad and I took our limit on Fri

Fishing out of Sterling state Park (Brest Bay) both days
The fish are 4-5 miles in front of the bay with the avg. size being 20-23"

Took them Trolling Reef runners deep
Any thing white or gray was the color

[spoontang]

Thanks Manx- I love those reef runners. They are worth their weight in gold!