adam lancia Posted June 27, 2016 Report Posted June 27, 2016 My cousin has a 16' pontoon boat and we use that to fish from but we'd like to get a trolling motor for it. Any suggestions? What is the best spot to attach it? Still on the bow like a regular fishing boat? I also have a Hummingbird fish finder that we're going to put on, where should I mount the transducer? Thanks in advance!!
Tom McCutcheon Posted June 27, 2016 Report Posted June 27, 2016 you will have better controll of the boat when mounted at the bow. Do you wish to use the hummingbird strictly while using the trolling motor? If so, you can mount the transducer to the prop housing with a large hose clamp. If not, then the best place is on the stern end of one of the pontoons.
chris.brock Posted June 27, 2016 Report Posted June 27, 2016 I would bow mount the trolling motor. My pontoon has a plate on the back of one of the pontoons I assume for mounting a transducer. Maybe your cousins has the same thing.
grimsbylander Posted June 27, 2016 Report Posted June 27, 2016 Mount it where you have the most room to stand/cast. The bow is the best but if the layout is not accommodating to fishing and easy access to rods and tackle, it's not the best location for that application.
adam lancia Posted June 27, 2016 Author Report Posted June 27, 2016 Thanks guys! I'll get him to check the back of the pontoons. He'll probably use it for trolling with the outboard idling in gear for lake trout so he probably won't have the electric trolling motor in then. There is about a 2 foot front deck across the width of the boat but I'd say we do most of not all of our casting from whichever part of the boat is facing out target, lol! I suppose we would cast from the front and/or sides once we are able to keep the nose pointed where we want to. ideally, I'd like to get one with the remote foot pedal. Used is fine so what would you suggest? Thanks!
Tom McCutcheon Posted June 27, 2016 Report Posted June 27, 2016 Go with the maximum amount of thrust you can afford, (minimum 60), you need to remember that a pontoon boat is like a huge sail when it comes to wind and current. You may also wish to discuss 12 volt or 24 volt and shaft length. As far as makes and models, both Motor Guide and Min Kota are the accepted standards and different models are available to meet your needs. Some will swear by one over the other, but that is what Forums like this are for....
Old Ironmaker Posted June 27, 2016 Report Posted June 27, 2016 (edited) I agree with everything Tom has said above. Those pontoon boats look a lot heavier than a typical small boat of the same length. Find out the weight of that boat before going out and spending money on a electric that won't move it well. And like Tom said mount the transducer to the motor of the electric. Edited June 27, 2016 by Old Ironmaker
Raycaster Posted June 27, 2016 Report Posted June 27, 2016 (edited) I just happen to have a 16' pontoon and just installed a 80 Terrova iPilot US2 on the front. I've used it one weekend solid and it worked great. Its quieter than I thought and the 2 batteries (27) lasted 3 long days without a recharge (although should be charged daily). 3 problems (no fault of Minn Kota) The mk-23 Minn Kota quick release plate. The concept is great but the holes are tough to line up with the floor carpet making it .0001% unflat. Had to modify my front pontoon gate and have to figure out a water guard when the gates open. The top speed is slightly slow for trolling for musky. BTW, the Terrova I purchased also has the Universal Sonar so that would take care of your transducer install. Edited June 27, 2016 by Raycaster
adam lancia Posted June 27, 2016 Author Report Posted June 27, 2016 Go with the maximum amount of thrust you can afford, (minimum 60), you need to remember that a pontoon boat is like a huge sail when it comes to wind and current. You may also wish to discuss 12 volt or 24 volt and shaft length. As far as makes and models, both Motor Guide and Min Kota are the accepted standards and different models are available to meet your needs. Some will swear by one over the other, but that is what Forums like this are for.... I agree with everything Tom has said above. Those pontoon boats look a lot heavier than a typical small boat of the same length. Find out the weight of that boat before going out and spending money on a electric that won't move it well. And like Tom said mount the transducer to the motor of the electric. That's good info guys. I will assume torque and load (and battery drain) are all influenced by the choice of voltage, correct? More voltage = more torque at lower load (to the batterie in terms of amperage) which should result in longer battery life. Do I have that right or am I out in left field? I haven't the slightest about shaft length though, I could use a crash course on that. I'll get my cousin to check how hefty his boat is. I want to go used if possible, only to keep the cost down and to see if he likes it enough to look for a new one. Of course we have dreams of GPS spot lock and dual motors (front and back) dancing in our heads but that's neither here nor there right now... Thanks!!
Tom McCutcheon Posted June 27, 2016 Report Posted June 27, 2016 For shaft length, take a measurement from the deck of the boat where the motor will be installed to the surface of the water. The motors are adjustable for height but you want the prop housing and prop to be at least a foot and a half below the water surface at a minimum. When it is rolling with waves or wake, the prop will come out of the water and you will lose propulsion. 24 volts will give you..., Tim Allan's....MORE POWER....AARRGGHH....AARRGGHH...AARRGGHH
adam lancia Posted June 27, 2016 Author Report Posted June 27, 2016 For shaft length, take a measurement from the deck of the boat where the motor will be installed to the surface of the water. The motors are adjustable for height but you want the prop housing and prop to be at least a foot and a half below the water surface at a minimum. When it is rolling with waves or wake, the prop will come out of the water and you will lose propulsion. 24 volts will give you..., Tim Allan's....MORE POWER....AARRGGHH....AARRGGHH...AARRGGHH So all of my sciency mumbo jumbo didn't amount to squat... dammit! I thought I was onto something there. Are there any longevity benefits from higher voltage, since I would assume the motor needs to draw fewer amps to make the same power since there's more voltage available...? Will check the deck height, thanks!
Tom McCutcheon Posted June 27, 2016 Report Posted June 27, 2016 (edited) You were close....That all depends on how long you use the motor on Full Power. Generally speaking, 24 volts will give you twice the amount of run time as a 12 volt system if the same speed is maintained on both systems IE: 24 volt is doing 4 MPH and 12 volt is doing 4 MPH, and batteries are of equal size and capacity. Edited June 27, 2016 by Tom McCutcheon
adam lancia Posted June 27, 2016 Author Report Posted June 27, 2016 Gotcha, thanks Tom, you've been really helpful!
John Bacon Posted June 28, 2016 Report Posted June 28, 2016 So all of my sciency mumbo jumbo didn't amount to squat... dammit! I thought I was onto something there. Are there any longevity benefits from higher voltage, since I would assume the motor needs to draw fewer amps to make the same power since there's more voltage available...? Will check the deck height, thanks! Yes, a 36 volt system will draw fewer amps than a 24 volt system which draws fewer amps than a 12 volt system. So you should get longer battery life in addition to extra power. At a given thrust, the draw would be inversley proportional to the voltage. A 12v motor gives you 1 pound to thrust per amp of current. A 24v motor will give you 2 pounds and 36v will give you 3 pounds. If weight and space is not a problem I would get a 36v system. If not then 24v is better than 12v.
adam lancia Posted June 28, 2016 Author Report Posted June 28, 2016 That's good to know, I'll keep that formula in mind once I find out how much his boat weighs. Is there a good rule of thumb when it comes to amount of thrust versus weight?
John Bacon Posted June 28, 2016 Report Posted June 28, 2016 That's good to know, I'll keep that formula in mind once I find out how much his boat weighs. Is there a good rule of thumb when it comes to amount of thrust versus weight? Weight is not the only factor. If you are fishing in windy conditions than the surface area exposed to the wind will probably be a bigger factor than the weight.
Old Ironmaker Posted June 28, 2016 Report Posted June 28, 2016 Yep there is a lot of stuff sticking out of the water on a pontoon boat. It will act like a sail in the wind, you know that already. There are 36 and 48V motors avail as well as electric thrust motors that are married to the gas engine. No they aren't cheap though. Personally I would stay away from buying used for many reasons unless the seller is willing to give a written guarantee.
Terry Posted June 28, 2016 Report Posted June 28, 2016 It's 16 ft. A 24 v will do you fine Get the longest shaft you can ,as long as it will fit laying down when not using it.
Sinker Posted June 28, 2016 Report Posted June 28, 2016 Yep there is a lot of stuff sticking out of the water on a pontoon boat. It will act like a sail in the wind, you know that already. There are 36 and 48V motors avail as well as electric thrust motors that are married to the gas engine. No they aren't cheap though. Personally I would stay away from buying used for many reasons unless the seller is willing to give a written guarantee. Bought a used minn kota from a member here many years ago, must be at least 8 years now, maybe more, and it still runs like a top, just like the day I bought it. I saved a pile of money. S.
adam lancia Posted June 28, 2016 Author Report Posted June 28, 2016 So it sounds like 24v will have me covered, is there a minimum amount of thrust I should aim for? Tom mentioned a minimum of 60 lbs, does would that take into account the fact that it's a pontoon?
Tom McCutcheon Posted June 28, 2016 Report Posted June 28, 2016 There is a 24 volt 80 lb Minn Kota Maxxum for sale from a Muskies Canada Member. He is upgrading to 36 volts. He is asking $600.00 I can put you in touch with him if your interested.
adam lancia Posted June 28, 2016 Author Report Posted June 28, 2016 There is a 24 volt 80 lb Minn Kota Maxxum for sale from a Muskies Canada Member. He is upgrading to 36 volts. He is asking $600.00 I can put you in touch with him if your interested. That would be great Tom, if it isn't too much trouble.
Tom McCutcheon Posted June 28, 2016 Report Posted June 28, 2016 (edited) That would be great Tom, if it isn't too much trouble. I will PM his contact information. PM sent. Edited June 28, 2016 by Tom McCutcheon
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