trolling motor for 20ft Maritime Skiff

[jim1205]

Interested in getting a trolling motor for sight fishing for stripers. Lencos aren't whithin my budget. Thinking of maybe a Riptide, but not sure which size I can get away with. Boat has a custom 25" transom. Any ideas?

[dollarshort]

Jim,

Have a 20D and have been thinking of getting a trolling motor myself. Thinking of a Transom mount with 70+lbs of thrust. I think its actually 80lb thrust. The boats are light so we dont need too much.

[riptide]

I've always run Minn Kota and they hold up well. Truth is if you fish hard in SW then the life expectancy of ANY trolling motor is about 5 years. More if you fish less. Get the biggest motor you can afford. Get the biggest batteries that will fit. Lastly get an onboard charger. The Guest one for $125 does 2 batteries overnight without overcharging.

I ran a 74# on my 22' and while it worked well, I always wished for the 101# motor. I just didn't have room for the batteries. The 74# would hold me and move me around in places like Woods Hole. The 101# would have been just that much easier to beat the current. You can always run the motor at half speed, but if your always on full your going to eat up your charge fast.

On a side note, trim your OB up so just the skeg is in the water when your using the trolling motor. It reduces drag drasticly and lets the electric work easier. If you trim all the way up the boat gets squirlly and won't track well.

Hope this helps,

[Nauti Buoy]

Just saw this on eBay: 10+ hrs. left to bid.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2476424942&indexURL=5#ebayphotohosting