RAP Trolling motor info?
 

Rap,

I'm toying with the thought of putting a bow mounted trolling motor on my boat. What are the specs on yours:

Shaft length:
LB thrust:
Voltage:
Etc...

My concerns are the time that I'm not using it. When I'm fishing in the Chesapeake bay, that things going to stay pretty darn wet. Will they hold up alright and will it be banging around up there in the mount or does it lock down pretty secure?

Thanks,
Scott

Re: RAP Trolling motor info?
 

Shicks, you won't know it's there when not in use...NO rattles, bumps or that kinda stuff...storage position very secure (older ones weren't as tight). Obviously get the Rip Tide (saltwater) version, definately 24 VOLT (12s weak)...mine's 74lbs thrust, they updated to 80lbs right after I got mine...AUTO-PILOT is great, STAYS on course while you're doin' your thing out the back...will come w/wired remote-control which is good..I got the Co-Pilot which is wireless and has up-sides and down-sides-$150 extra...figure on two group 31 Marine batteries and for THE REAL DEAL get an on-board charger to keep 'em hot...my Guest 2620 has been flawless for 7 years...
Shaft length...mine is 48'', but suggest longer for Chesapeake Bay use...in rough water it'll come outta the water and gurggle if shaft not long enough...54'' is standard...if seas are too high for that length, you'll probably be headed in anyway...
They offer a bracket for easy removal...mine's permanently mounted...good luck w/it...if any more questions, just holler!!... ;D...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...n/Image003.jpg

They're MADE to get wet so don't sweat that and if you still got a bow-rail, you'll have to remove center section... ;)...

One more thing...you'll have to deal w/the nav-light on the bow...I split mine... :)...

Re: RAP Trolling motor info?
 

Thanks RAP, I'm just not sure what I want to do. I hate to spend the money, modify the boat, use up my deck space for something that I might only use 10% of the time. Don't get me wrong...it would be real sweet. I wonder if I could make a bracket of some sort and use one of the clamp on transom mounted ones. What do you think?

Re: RAP Trolling motor info?
 

For the type fishin' you're gonna be doin', the stern-mount will probably work as well...what I'm doin' requires movin' SLOW...at that speed, it's a lot easier to control PULLIN' from the bow, rather than PUSHIN' from the stern... ;)...