Electric trolling motor

[spoontang]

I am looking for some input (consumer reports) regarding the cavitation plate mounted electric trolling motor. They are rated for up to 9000 pounds with up to 201 pounds of thrust and they have up to 3 props. I am curious about these. They would make nearly no noise, no fumes, use no gas, no steering links, etc. I troll salmon and steelies starting July. I troll eyes too if I have no drift. I would love some feedback. I have a 23 ft Chapparral with an outboard.

[Manxfishing]

I have one
It's a Navigator (they were sold at Cabelas)
Same company makes the Panther lifts for trolling motors

Mines a 55 thurst pounds 24v on a 18' Amumacraft
Use it all the time trolling. I get about 8 hours out of it
It's great. No noise and can dial in any speed that I what
keeps the hours off the big motor and with gas at 4 bucks it helps

If I had to do it over
I'd go with the 80 thurst pound model
In extreme wind it will not push the boat into the wind
My front trolling motor has no problem (80)
But for most of my trolling I'm a little under half on the speed knob

[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

[Bruce Davis]

I have a 22 foot bayliner trophy and have the 160 lb thrust 2 prob on mine for 5 years. It will move my boat about 1.8 mph but if it is windy it is hard to keep straight. Nine is 24v and when the wind stops I keep on going.

Cost about $1000.00

Hope that helps.

[spoontang]

Thanks Bruce. Is that 1.8 max speed or just the speed you troll? I'm sure your boat is comparable to mine. How long does your charge last? When the wind picks up, do you continue under electric, or fire up the main and is it I/O or an outboard? Do you feel you have an advantage fishing over fish high in the water column as you have no noise?Thanks in advance.