Trolling motor advice for new boat please

[Ryan]

So I went to a local marine dealer to see if I could afford a bow mount foot control trolling motor, but they wanted like 650 or 700 bucks. This is way out of my budget, so now I have to resort to cabellas. Anyways, I found what seems like a good deal. This is for a 1448 Jon boat with the weight of a 20 horse, two people, an ice chest, and ect. Bill I know your familliar with the 1448 jon boats so I figure you'd know around the right shaft lenth and thrust to get. From the little research I've done, it sounds like 45lb thrust sounds pretty good. But I'm pretty clueless to what shaft lenth? Here is a link to the motor I had my eye on because its cheap. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Electric-Trolling-Motors/Bow-Mount%7C/pc/104794380/c/104716980/sc/104233680/Minn-Kota174-45-Edge-Foot-Control-Bow-Mount-Motor/727535.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fboati ng-electric-trolling-motors-bow-mount%2F_%2FN-1100545%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104233680%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat1047 94380%253Bcat104716980&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104794380%3Bcat104716980%3Bcat104 233680

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I am not sure if the 36" would be long enough? but them what would it go on?

You can get the small group 24 deep cycle battery so it is not so heavy.

That would be a good power for your boat.

Most fly fishers like the auto-pilot so you don't have to keep steering it all the time though.

55# 12 volt auto-pilot would be nice but twice as much $$$

Auto-pilots use more battery charge too.

Always be careful on the smaller boats so you don't get too much weight in them.

Motor, battery(s), fuel, ice chest, gear, fishing partner, etc.......kind of like back packing?

I love the 1448 Jon boats for one or two people.

[mar]

Save your $$$ and get a motor with an i-pilot. It's worth every penny and more, IMO.
I'd pay top $$$ just for the anchor function alone.

[GreggH]

What Mar said. I have both my boats set up to take my I-pilot 60" Salt water Series.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb236/greggh_fish/_P1P9167.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb236/greggh_fish/_P1P9237.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb236/greggh_fish/DSC02127-1.jpg

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb236/greggh_fish/photo-38.jpg

[Ryan]

What exactly is an auto pilot? Is that the small remote controll thing to controll the motor? If so, I'd imagine controlling a transom mount compared to a bow mount would be the same thing? And if thats the case, I guess I should probabley go with the transom mount because its cheaper. Thanks for the responses by the way. And that ipilot looks nice, but it is way too far out of my budget unfortunately...

[OceanSunfish]

Hey Gregg,

Is your new motor pictured the one that replaced the motor you sold last year?

[briansII]

What exactly is an auto pilot? Is that the small remote controll thing to controll the motor? If so, I'd imagine controlling a transom mount compared to a bow mount would be the same thing? And if thats the case, I guess I should probabley go with the transom mount because its cheaper. Thanks for the responses by the way. And that ipilot looks nice, but it is way too far out of my budget unfortunately...

How did we ever catch fish before iPilot came along?? ;-) iPilot is great(i'll be upgrading to one this year), but not a must.

Minn Kota's Auto Pilot is a device to help keep you on course, without having to make steering adjustments every time the boat veers off course. VERY helpful in windy conditions, or current. Even more so when both are present.

Instead of the Edge motor, for a hundred or two more you can get a Power Drive 2. This way, if you decide to buy Auto Pilot, or iPilot, it will be compatible with the Power Drive motor. The Edge won't.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Electric-Trolling-Motors/Bow-Mount|/pc/104794380/c/104716980/sc/104233680/Minn-Kota174-55-PowerDrive8482-V2-Motors/737996.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fboati ng-electric-trolling-motors-bow-mount%2F_%2FN-1100545%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104233680%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat1047 94380%253Bcat104716980&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104794380%3Bcat104716980%3Bcat104 233680

briansII

[slimfishin's]

Lets keep in mind we're talking about a jon boat here...

With a 14x48 boat, space is going to be at a premium. You already mentioned money is an issue. With that in mind, here are my recommendations.

1. avoid the foot control. you probably don't have enough space in the boat to accomodate the pedal without getting in the way of everything. You can buy a normal transom-mount tiller control motor, and rotate the head. Then you clamp it to the bow and you're done. I have done this on multiple jon boats, and it works fine. 36'' shaft is fine. In 2 seconds you can convert a tiller unit to a hand-steer bow unit. Plus, you just unscrew the mount at the end of the day, and now its quick-release. Wow.

2. 40-55# thrust is all you need, the more the better.

3. IMPORTANT. understand the difference between VARIABLE speed motors and 5-speed. A 5-speed motor has FIXED speeds (like the MK all-terrain) and draw straight DC current. VARIABLE speeds have the 'maximizer' technology... a fancy way of saying pulsed-dc, which means your battery lasts 3x longer. It makes a difference. To get a variable speed motor, you will have to spend more money. The classic MK powerdrives are about the cheapest variable speed foot-control motor out there.

4. Group 24 battery is fine. Dont go any bigger, no need for that boat.

5. Buy used. There are a ton of motors out there on Ebay or C-list. Save money and buy a used one.

[JWarner]

Ryan, I have a Minn Kota like you are looking for and no boat to install it on.
I sent you a pm if you are interested.

Jeff 925 580-6508

[Shawn M.]

I have a minn kota allterrian bow mount 36" shaft w/5 speeds 40lb thrust and foot control. If interested cal at209-810-8609 I replaced it with an i-pilot and love it! Pricey but worth it! My 2 cents!