Replacing My Bow Mount Trolling Motor

[Da Coder]

I own a 1995 Lund 1750 Tyee Gran Sport. It currently has a MotorGuide Brute 765DV on the bow. It's 24 volts, 55# of thrust with a 48" shaft on a Gator mount. Because of the size of the foot pedal, the cabling, the shaft size, and the bow casting area, I'm thinking of going to a different motor, possibly a MinnKota PowerDrive, 55# of thrust, 54" shaft, 12 volts, Micro-Touch foot pedal. Is 12 volts enough for this size motor, or is it better to stay at a 24 volt system for this amount of thrust? The smallest thrust I've found for 24 volts is 60#, which I guess is all right, but I'm not sure I need one that big. I'm trying to stay under $500.00, but will go over a little if necessary. Thanks for any help.

[Big Tiller]

For a 1750 Tyee, I would stick with a 24 volt motor, with a 54" or 60" shaft.

For less than $500,your choices are limited. Cabela's has sale prices on the Minn Kota 65 PowerDrive, 54" or 60" shaft for $499.99. This is a powerdrive motor that does not have the autopilot feature. The 2001 version 65 PowerDrive is $549.99 with the new Grip Glide mount in a 60" shaft motor.

Cabela's also has their version of a Grip Glide 60 PowerDrive 60" shaft for $499.99. They call it Cabelas Tournament Series by Minn Kota.

They also have a Minn Kota 824 AutoPilot, 54" shaft for $502.95 (48lbs. thrust) or a 65 AutoPilot, 54" (56lbs. thrust) for $599.95.

12 volts will only offer about 1/2 the running time that a 24 volt sytem will. You might end up carrying two 12 volt batteries even if you get a 12 volt motor, might as well go 24, since that is what you are running now.

[T.Ryan]

I have a 195 Alumicraft T. Pro tiller with a Minnkota 24v 74lb thrust on the back. Would a 65lb thrust with the 60" shaft work on the front or should I go with a 74lb on a 19' 7" boat.

Thanks for the help.

[FROGMAN]

It all depends in what you plan on using it for. For most applications I think it would suffice. I genrally only use mine for boat positioning while jigging, or rigging. It seems that all I ever use anymore for trolling is my 4-stroke kicker. I sometimes use my bowmount to guide the boat while the 4-stroke does the pushing. There are some anglers that will use their electrics for trolling. If that is your primary use I would definitely consider going to a larger motor, that way it will run cooler, and more efficiently. Tight Lines

EAT, SLEEP, FISH

FROGMAN NPAA #260

[Da Coder]

Looking at Cabela's is what made me ask the question. I was thinking of the 55PD, but it was only 12 volts. I went with the 60PD Tournament Series instead, with the 60" shaft and 24 volts. Thanks for the advice.