Advice sought for bow mount trolling motor on roof top dinghy
Hi Everyone, I was hoping someone could give me advise on bow mounted trolling motors for a rooftop dinghy.
I'm being relocated by work to Townsville, and I'm using the situation as a catalyst to ramp up my fishing game. I have a pretty good setup on my ute, with a 12 foot punt on top, which has had a dent amount of work done to it lately. I'm thinking of adding a bow mounted trolling motor on it in the near future. As its a roof topper, there'd been to be some form of quick disconnect on the bow, otherwise it'll be to fiddly, and I'll be less likely to set it up before heading off. I have a 105 AH deep cycle battery in the boat to run the sounder at the moment, which I would use to power it. The boat sits quite low to the water - maybe 400 mm from the gunwhale to waterline. Its quite light, I estimate that the total weight of myself, the engine, boat, and peripherals would be around 300kg.
I'm looking for something that would be able to be controlled with a remote, and not just foot controls, and something that would have anchor lock. It would need to be strong enough to deal with northern tides in creeks, and able to move upstream while I flicked lures at mangroves, I wouldn't be using the engine for moving around places, I have a brand new yahama for that, it just needs to hold its own while I'm fishing.
I'm at that point in my life where I'm not really interested in trying to go for the cheapest option, and having something sub-par. I dont want to be justifying that something is "just as good as the other brand" and being worried that things wont work. I'm putting this post out there asking for help from people who've had experience in a similar situation, and can provide feedback on options, if I'm going to put the time, money and effort into it, I want to do it right.
Thanks guys, I look forward to your responses.
Yewiefish85
Posts: 780
Date Joined: 02/01/11
Maybe PM Mick C, have read
Maybe PM Mick C, have read many of his posts regarding using his minn Kota with "spot lock", I would love to get one for up here at Port Hedland but unfortunately out of my budget
squidvicious1
Posts: 821
Date Joined: 22/07/10
I-pilot is the only option
I-pilot is the only option for quality.the 55lb will do, might ask your marine to put a relay on you motor to keep
The battery topped up, espically if you run any electronics off it too,
Minn Kota have a quick release bracket can be locked, put a Anderson plug on the lead for quick removal.
beau
Posts: 4104
Date Joined: 24/01/10
Before you commit to minnkota
Before you commit to minnkota be sure to check out the motorguide xi5, really positive reviews on social media for the xi5 from guys that have had both units
Nimbin 157
Posts: 130
Date Joined: 03/05/10
Motorguide Xi5
Yep as Beau said check out the Motorguide GPS Xi5. I have a 55lb 54 inch 12v with handheld remote on a 4.28 Sea Jay Avenger. The Anchor lock is superb and head turn speed is fast and quiet There is also a lockable quick release plate . Plenty of other features as well. Check them out on the CH Smith website.
Comrad
Posts: 109
Date Joined: 17/07/14
Thanks for the comments
Thanks for the comments everyone, this is exactly what I was looking for. Obviously I had first thought Minn Kota, and if I'm honest, I'm still leaning that way, but that's only based on my limited knowledge, hence asking the question of others that have experience. I'll look further into the motorguide, based upon your recommendaions.
Something else I'm wondering about is shaft length. As I said, its only a medium sized punt, so its quite low to the water, I imagine that longer is better than shorter, since you could just slide it up on the bracket until its at the right height, but, is there any other issues that can occur based on shaft length? Bouncing around during transit, maybe?
Coity
Posts: 47
Date Joined: 14/07/11
Motorguide
Second on the motorguide xi5.
Havent had any experience with Minnkota but running a xi5 55lb on my 4.44 side console and love it. Spot lock is the main thing i use it for aswell and works a treat, as for shaft length 48" would be heaps for you id say, i've got 54" but could geta away with 48 id say, saying that i don't think there is alot of price difference.
As Nimbin said quick release bracket has it on and off in a minute