Trolling motor options????
 

I am trying to learn more about wellcraft boats... and deep vee boats in general... Has anyone ever seen a bow mounted trolling motor on a V20 or V21, not the Center Console version, but the cabin version? If so, what about a seat plate with chair to sit on top of the cabin, control the trolling motor, etc... Seems like a good stable high platform to fish from...

Welcome to the site. Do a search this has been talked about a few times.

I might be wrong but reelapeelin might be the best to talk to as far as how much power and stuff you need.

Thanks, MJ...

Here's my approach and it's worked well for years...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...n/Image007.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90.../IMGP09072.jpg

I took the center section of bow-rail out and capped the ends...as far as putting a chair up there, it'll sure handle the weight, but I'm not sure there's room for motor in stored position and a chair, unless ya can get real creative about it...

The trollin motor you want is Minn Kota 24 volt...if you know yer gonna be in currents, you might want to consider 36 volt...the auto-pilot feature is the real-deal on these motors, as is the co-pilot wireless remote control...they sound a little "gimmicky", but trust me, after YEARS of using these things, they're "gotta haves" for me...the motor's gonna be about a grand, batteries $100 apiece and no doubt the only way to go w/multiple batteries is an onboard battery charger...just plug it in and forget it...it'll pay for itself in extending the service life of your batteries, plus they'll be hot to go all the time...good luck and keep us posted on what ya do...we like pictures, too!!...:beer:

Thanks for the fast responses... I wll keep the board updated with pics as soon as I buy the boat...

The trolling motor in the pics has a foot control, correct?... Wireless remote sounds like a good option... will definately go that route, too... Thanks for the advice...

There is a wired foot control for this motor, but I keep it stowed away unless I need it for some reason...

The auto-pilot and co-pilot fit the particular type of live-bait slow trolling we do a LOT of on the big freshwater reservoirs for stripers down here...for the type of fishing you're gonna do, a different set-up may be more suitable...that's one of the fun parts of these boats is fine-tunin' them to exactly what you wanna do w/them...

Hey Reelapeelin,
How often do you use your trolling motor ?? Do you think its worth getting ??

Scott

For the type fishin we do and electric trollin motor is ESSENTIAL...gotta have one to properly SLOW-troll live bait...I can't think of any of the MANY striper fishermen I know who don't have one...

...and last year when Willy and I went to Sebastian and fished w/Franco, we used his trollin motor to work the back-waters off the Indian River...

I've also used it to move around close-shore schools down in San Blas...worth it?...ain't worth fishin' w/out it...adds a whole new way of doin' things if ya don't already have one...:clap:

Thanks !!!!!!! Thats what i needed to hear.

Scott

Ozzie and I can tell you for sure it don;t work well in sand/mud type stuff though. For that you need a couple of old geezers to throw overboard. I always try to keep a couple of them around, cheap too, a little pie, a cigar, and some sipping whiskey holds them over and shuts them up.

Good luck w/it...holler if ya need anything else on 'em...:beer:

I hava a 6hp johnson that's hung on a adjustable up/down bracket. It's very easy to deploy and pushes the boat 7 knots. I bought it as aux power for emergencies ( used it too ) but use it most to troll with out over the reefs or out in the gulfstream.


http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1232724689

troller
 

You could mount a clamp on troller on the transom as well for a cheaper option

Hey RAP,

What shaft length you running on your V. I really would like a different boat for inshore saltwater fishing, but the old v-20 is paid for and a trolling motor might be a less expensive route.

Thanks

Where you be RAP?

Yeah..spend some money on an electric trollin' motor and SAVE A TON on another boat...get 72-80 lbs thrust, two 12 volt batteries, onboard charger and you'll open a whole new realm of fishing w/the same boat...

Shaft length...measure from top of bow deck where motor will mount, down to waterline...add two feet, more if you fish choppy water...

I probably should take this to another thread but what the hell.....

Reel, what would be a good trolling motor for a 14' mckee craft? I'm thinking of rigging dad's boat to be a cheap striper fishing machine. I know you are the expert!

Gonna build a portable bait tank too. How do you feel about this type aerator? A buddy of mine has one installed in a homemade setup and it works well however he said the motors don't hold up all that well. He also has an o2 tank supplying oxygen:
http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/c...1?$main-Large$

55lb Minn Kota Auto -Pilot...the AP feature keeps the boat straight ahead while you are working lines...nothing more of a pisser than havin' the boat circle back over the flat-lines you just put out...ESPECIALLY when by yourself, but even with someone it's great

Danco air infuser best way to aerate bait tank...the one you show goes out more than a UNC co-ed...:hide:


http://www.danncollc.com/


This one carburates the air (infuses) into the water stream...been using for years and it's the deal!!

TIP: no matter how you aerate a bait tank, sometimes they'll foam up on top...a couple of pinches of Coffee Mate and POOF...foam GONE!!...

I'm so glad to have you as a resource dawg!! You are THE man!
:party::party::party::party:

who was the first guy to figure that out??????do you accidently spill your coffee in the bait tank and go "well I'll be"???

I wondered the same thing :head: risk a tank of bait to see if this works:head::head::head:

1st time I heard about it was about 25 years ago from "The Bait Man" at Lake Murray...pulled up along side his bait-boat w/a foamy tank...he said; Lemme show ya something...couple of pinches right outta the CM container and POOF!!...FOAM-BE-GONE!!...and I says Fo SHIZZLE!!

Rwilson, It went down something like this:

1) Dry coolaid, nope
2) baking soda, nope
3) bulldog saliva, nope
4) k-y jelly, nope
...
...
...
457) doe in heat, nope
458) budweiser, nope
459) cayene pepper, nope
460) coffe-mate, BINGO!!!!

Bet the cayene got 'em JUMPIN'!!