Saltwater trolling motors

[Brad O.]

Any feedback on saltwater electric trolling motors? I have a center console that displaces 5000lbs and am wondering about the effectivness of a trolling motor on such a heavy boat in the currents and winds of Maine waters. I am thinking of mounting one on my auxillary outboard mount or even going with trim tab mounted units.

[bassman]

Hi Brad...Pretty heavy rig for a trolling motor me thinks..I have a Motor Guide saltwater model that displaces 56lbs of thrust on two 12V batteriess. It is mounted on the bow of my flats boat. Pulls it along real nice but my skiff is 1500lbs boat and motor....You may be better off with a kicker. Best of luck!...Jeff

[Brad O.]

That is my concern also. I found a site that has trim tab mounted motors that looks interesting. They are priced about the same as a 9.9hp kicker. But my reason for looking into electric is for stealth which I would sacrifice with a kicker. I have never used a electric trolling motor, are they really stealthy?

[bassman]

Brad...My rig is relatively new and do not have any first hand experience to honestly answer that question. But,while I was down in Florida this past year it seemed that the majority of flyfishermen who fished the flats were against the trolling motors. Mainly due to noise. Of course they are alot quieter than a kicker but for flats fish it seems that even the trolling motors can send a school sailing. I think alot of it depends on what type of fish your targeting. Look at the freshwater bass guys. They motor up right into structure with their electric motors and nail big bass...Soooooooooo.....Good luck! Jeff

[Opie]

A good trolling motor on a boat that weighs 5000 pounds will pull you around and help keep the boat positioned during a drift, but thats about all. Strong wind and rough seas will be a problem. Many of the big tournament bass boats weigh close to that if not more. The style you get will depend on where you fish from in the boat. Most people put them in the front because they stand in the front when the fish alone or with another person. One that you control with your foot is best.

I have fished out of a freshwater bass boat (in freshwater) for many years and could not be nearly as effective without a trolling motor. I plan to buy a saltwater boat soon and I will be looking into a trolling motor. However, I have already been told by two boat dealers that they are a waste of money because even the saltwater models only last a few years before corrosion gets them. I guess its related to electralisis (sp?), which I know little about.

[riptide]

I have a 22' Hydra-Sports CC with a 74lb Minn Kota bowmount. It pulls the boat well in all but the worst current i.e. Woods Hole. It will move the boat along the shore line faster than you can work the water. It's the second one I have owned. The first one lasted through 4 years of heavy saltwater use. They are very tough and can take a real beating. They are not cheap however. Expect to spend $800+ before your done. Motor, 2 batteries, on boat charger (a must have). Just my 2 cents.

Riptide

[BradO.]

Riptide:
It looks like a bow mount would be the way to go. What kind of mounting arrangement do you use ? I run a 22 ft Padebco. From bow to waterline must be at least 3-4 ft on my boat. I would be concerned about the unit leaving the water in any chop. I have a kicker motor mount on the stern in place now that I could use. But my quess is that a stern location limits the stearability versus a bow mount.

Also, how much does your Hydra-Sports displace?

[tomcat]

I have a minn kota power drive which is meant for freshwater. It's warranty has already expired and I was wondering if it would completely fall apart if I used it in salt water sparingly and rinsed it throughly after each trip. Has any one had any experience with this.

[mctrout]

I have 2 boats. 1 with a transom motorguide sw46 lb on mako 17. has foot wswitch on poling platform, flush wiring. on-board charger and 31 battery.
the other is a 21 steiger with lenco troll and tabs.
both of these systems are completely crap, especially the Lencos. they have got to be the worst company I have ever dealt with. they break all the time and they do not honor the warrantee. so they are HUGE money.
generally, SW is trhe wrong place for electrics unless you have a flats boat that stays on a trailer, then I have heard less trouble. the bow mounts are not for fly-rodding, for obvious reasons.
If you have lots of free time to keep up on them or you trailer your boat, honestly they are not worth the benefit, especially on a 5000 boat (mine is 2400) I have tried all systems on allot of different boats, and I go out of my way to silicone, caulk, shrink-wrap, bottom-paint, rinse, grease and keep up on them-still no-go
sorry to be so negative, but just got off the phone with Lenco again for about the 60th time in 1 year. I could line up 10 other guides that have had the same trouble
Brendan

[RogerStg]

On my Seacraft 20 I have Lenco Troll n Tabs. Kind of pricy, but then again you get 164# of thrust, remote control and trim tabs. In calm water they move me right along. In 10+ kt wind they barely make headway. I'd hate to rely on less thrust.

I bought them based on recommendations from several guides. I hope I don't have the problems that Brendan has

Do you already have trim tabs?

[JoeJ]

I would have to disagree with Brendan, I have Troll & Tab's on my Jones 1910. A few weeks ago I noticed a little corrosion on one of the motors called Lenco and had a replacement in 4 days no questions asked. They did ask me to leave a CC # for security but never charged me a dime. As for performance they work well in light to moderate wind and currrent but there are times they just don't cut it. If I were to do it all again it would be a 50/50 shot as to get trolling motors again but if I did it would be the Lencos. One other note my boat is kept on a trailer and washed down after every use.