Q:Adding Trolling to 17' bowrider - cost and best way?

[Pomoxis]

Ok.
17.5' bowrider (pics in my profile),
The boat is probably around 2000lbs or so gassed up with gear (no passengers).

I'm not a hardcore fisherman and really need a solution that doesn't involve alot of holes and such. From what I"ve seen there's probably not a way to bow mount a trolling motor without altering the rail which is not a possibility.

Looking for the best suggested way to add a trolling motor to the boat. It's primarily a "family" boat but I prefer fishing.

Bow mount or stern?
Motor mounted or ?
12v or 24v?
estimated cost?

thanks in advance.

[Wannabe...]

24V Power Drive or Terrova with AP and you're good to go. Might consider a quick detach plate so you can remove and reclaim the space and weight for family time.

1) You're heavy - 2K is a lot of weight and if current is a factor. Boom, you need 24V.

2) This ain't cheap. Think 1K , new, installed with 2 batts and quick detach. Rough guess.

3) With a bow rider, you're fishing space is gonna be very limited, but he foot pedal and AP feature would let you long line, spider rig or even pull cranks from the back.

One other thought, you might could get away with a 55# 12V, but given your weight and height to fight the wind with, you're gonna need 2 batts anyway to give you the staying power. Might as well go with 24V and get the speed that can be had anyway.

Wannabe...

[Pomoxis]

Motor mounted ok? I may end up with an Min Kota EM54, does 54lbs of thrust on 24v. Someone posted motor drag..etc is an issue.

24V Power Drive or Terrova with AP and you're good to go. Might consider a quick detach plate so you can remove and reclaim the space and weight for family time.

1) You're heavy - 2K is a lot of weight and if current is a factor. Boom, you need 24V.

2) This ain't cheap. Think 1K , new, installed with 2 batts and quick detach. Rough guess.

3) With a bow rider, you're fishing space is gonna be very limited, but he foot pedal and AP feature would let you long line, spider rig or even pull cranks from the back.

One other thought, you might could get away with a 55# 12V, but given your weight and height to fight the wind with, you're gonna need 2 batts anyway to give you the staying power. Might as well go with 24V and get the speed that can be had anyway.

Wannabe...

[flycaster]

QUOTE"Motor mounted ok? I may end up with an Min Kota EM54, does 54lbs of thrust on 24v. Someone posted motor drag..etc is an issue. "UNQUOTE
you need to make sure that the trolling motor is not down in the water when underway with the gas motor.

[Wannabe...]

Actually Pomoxis, I saw and responded to that other thread and seeing this one had me a bit confused as to which direction you were moving in.

Yeah, I think that comment about it not being as efficient is correct, but it'll get the job done. Since, I gather, you're not out there trying to compete in tournaments, nor trying to fish 12 hour days 4 days in a row, I'll doubt the efficiency loss will even be perceptible. Only catch will be that your only steering control will be at the console. There won't be any way to fish from the front deck if you're trying to single pole and fish off the front. Likewise for spider rigging from the front too.

That said, it'd probably be bang up for long lining jigs from the back, but not sure you'll be able to get the speed or longevity to pull cranks in the 1.5 to 2.0 mph category....or at least not for long.

I think if it were me, I'd punt and get a refund on the motor mounted TM and get me a bow mount of some kind, but if your pinched for funds, it'll do, assuming you're OK with fishing that way and not being able to fish off the front (at least by yourself).

So, like so many quesitons on here......it depends.

Anyway, just my take on it and I'm just a

Wannabe...

[Pomoxis]

Ty for the replies,
I'm ok to fish w/o a TM for a while if the best solution is out of my budget.

I'm not sure which way that ebay TM is going to go. NO resposne so far so I'll probably call him here in a few.

[Wannabe...]

Good luck to you Po. I'm sure between the seller/ebay/paypal, some one will make the motor TM right for you. Worst case, you do a little repair work and it'll get you by until you can budget for a front TM.

Wannabe...

[Pomoxis]

Ok.. motor all packed up and will ship out tomorrow..

I think I've decided to not troll in this boat and just enjoy what I have. I'll save my dimes til I have enough to get "MY" boat :D .

I figure if I have to go through this much to get it working it's probably not a good idea to start with

[gabowman]

Now youre talking Po. Fishing on small lakes, even larger ones doesnt take a hugh boat. That's a nice looking bowrider and I'm sure you and the fam are really gonna enjoy it together. Drilling holes and mounting alot of hardware might not be in your family's best interest. (Although it would make a GREAT striper boat.) Having a second boat is not a bad idea. Then you can rig it out the way YOU want it without worries of the family not liking the changes. Look used, but make sure the motor is a good one. That's where alot of money can be spent on repairs. To get you fishing and catching fish, a jon boat with some kind of trolling motor mounted on the front and a decent (@ $100) depth finder or better will get you started. Add a few rod holders and youre putting crappie in the boat. It's wide open on the kind of boat to be looking for. Think about the style of fishing that interests you the most and figure which style boat would best serve that purpose. It can be made from almost anything. Take a look here at just a "scratch-the-surface" of some the different kinds and style of boats in this post to get some kind of an idea.
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/south...-your-rig.html