Front bow trolling motor

[StuMan]

I'm in need of a front trolling motor. I usually stick to Cayuga and Seneca w/ my 16' Starcraft. Any insight on what I should be looking for is appreciated. Thx!

[Don Supon]

Depends on what you want it to do for you.

If you are drifting and use it for boat positioning, a 12V system will be fine. But if you want to troll with it, a 24V or higher will serve much better.

Shaft length is important. You don't want the prop coming out of the water a lot in waves. 60in.will work well.

The more add-ons you want, the more expensive. Auto-pilot and remote steering come to mind, as well as linkage to a FF to track bottom contours or depth.

[StuMan]

Thanks! I am looking for one to just slow my drift. I vertical jig so that's ideal for me. Any idea of lbs thrust I should go for? I'm not looking to be too cheap but not looking for over kill either.

[Jonboy Walton]

A smart man told me once to get more than you think you will need....sheds, garages, trolling motors fall into that category as well. Probably will not find a 12 volt much bigger than 50-55 lb thrust. I have a 80 lb Terrova and it is by far worth the money. It is a 24 volt motor and will easily last all day with the two batteries. It has even got me off Ontario 4 miles out after the big motor failed to run. If you have the space I would definitely go with a 24 (two battery) system but I can spend other people's money pretty easy. Good luck.

[ioiosoiwork]

I have a 16 1/2'  deep vee Blue Finn Sportsman, I went with the Minn Kota Terrova also   60" shaft, 24 volt, 80# thrust w/ I-Pilot, like Jonboy I too am out ALL day w/ it trolling, jigging, I have my Lowrance elite 5 hooked up to the built in transducer PAR EXCELLENCE !  I-pilot totally eliminated my fishing partner, (Frank can't keep a boat straight, driving & texting !) he still comes BUT he sits until a rod fires ! If your into jigging, the built in "electronic anchor lock" (drift 5' from a selected spot and it returns you to it !) The I-pilot link that Don mentioned above ONLY works with  Humminbird fishfinder and LakeMaster digital GPS maps, which is ONLY available for Michigan ? Minnesota ? But the I-Pilot alone works wonders, point it in the direction you want to go and it doesn't falter, not with waves, wake, wind, fool partners moving around in the boat   PLUS it's ALL REMOTE CONTROL !!!!!!!!  $1489.99 from Minn Kota, pricey, but I can't say enough nice things about mine !    http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/trolling_motors/freshwater_bow_mount/terrova.aspx .......I call mine Frank  Stuman your welcome to come aboard and check "Frank" out before you buy if you like

[laketrout6]

 I use a 55 lb thrust MinnKota bowmount on my 16' split windshield Tracker and it works fine. I also use it for jigging lakers, mostly in Keuka in the winter with one battery.Fully charged it  lasts me three or four hours and juice to spare even in pretty .

 I'd highly recommend this for your set up. As stated above, you can add a lot of accessories6 but that drives the price up considerably.

 I've had mine for 7 seasons and have replaced the foot pedal once, no other problems.

[Meals-On-Reels]

I also have a MinnKota 12v 55lb (Power Drive) and it does everything I can expect from a trolling motor. I use it to counteract the wind to slow my drift or to give me a drift when there is no wind. It spends more days on the water in 20 degree weather than the warm weather for me. It's on my 16 now and spent a few years on my 17 before. I can get a days worth of steady fishing on a charge.

I guess it all depends on how much you're willing to sink into it ($$$). I'm adding autopilot to mine in the near future because its still cheaper for me than dropping a grand on a new one. I'd love to but just can't justify it right now.

[StuMan]

Thx all! Much appreciated.

[Ric66]

I have one for sale on craigs list

 

http://rochester.craigslist.org/boa/3980313221.html