Boat/Trolling Motor Question

I finally got me a bigger 19 ft bass boat to tightline and troll out of back in June. I know I have to get me a remote steer trolling motor before much longer with cooler weather approaching (this will be a big step up for me since I am normally trolling with a variable speed foot control motor)! I have been looking at trolling motors and may have the opportunity to buy a good used 101 lb terrova in the future. My boat is currently set up for a 24 volt and this one is 36 volt. Since I am not mechanically inclined, is it much trouble to switch it over to a 36 volt system? I know it also depends on if there is enough room for another battery, I had some big motor issues so the boat is in the shop and haven't been able to check this yet, but will check it Saturday when I pick it up.

Also have any of you ever mounted rod holders to compartments? I am gone look at it again but right now, I don't think I have much choice but to mount them for trolling on compartments.

I would suspect the same wiring wound work from 24v to 36v....but just guessing. You would need the 3 batts though. I would be looking into mounting a rail or some kind of bar across the back of the boat before mounting rod holders to compartment lids myself. Guess I'd just have to "see" the boat to make that decision though. Any pics of the interior of the boat...namely at the back half?

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Attachment 246722

These are the only pics I have, as you can see for trolling out the front the only place to mount them is the compartments so that I can see backwards. The back pic doesn't cover the whole back but the compartments you see run all the way to the edge of the boat. I can take some more on Saturday.

36 volt is just 3 batteries wired in series instead of 2 for 24 volt...if your existing tm has a 12/24 volt selector switch you will have 2 + and 1 - from batteries just figure out which hot is on same battery as the - and remove that wire from battery and secure. I would also check and see if you have a circuit breaker inline, you might have to change it with a higher rated one.

My boat is a bass boat to... I have a 4 rod T bar setup on each back corner of the deck, they are turned just enough to allow the battery compartment lid to miss them. also have a 2 rod t bar setup on each side inline with seat...

going to a 36 volt system will be nice , but I would make dang sure I had at least #6 gauge wire for sure that is what minn kota wiring diagrams call for !!!! and I don't think I would mount rodholder to the compartments I would look for a better way !!!

I think I would move the front seat closer to the bow and mount the rod holders in front of the compartments.

Actually a 101@36 volts pulls less amps than a 80 lb 24 volt.... Minn Kota calls for #8 wire on a 101

For the front holders you could do what I did...mount the foot at about where your rod tie down straps are and cantelever the 4 holders towards the back of boat...the riser of the holder would be mounted to one end of the horizontal mount, the holder would basically look like a sideways L works for me...

[QUOTE=midcarolina;3277430]Actually a 101@36 volts pulls less amps than a 80 lb 24 volt.... Minn Kota calls for #8 wire on a 101

each to their own you can go with #8 if you want to; but I will stay with my #6 gauge it has never failed me yet !!!

When I installed my first I-pilot I didnt want to pay for that BIG wire (4 ga. I think (whatever was recommended)...maybe 6 ga.?!?) so I went one size up (#6 I think...maybe 8 ga.?!?) and nary a problem. And I ran that motor HARD....daylight until sunset lots of days. Also went with a 50 amp breaker instead of the recommended 60 amp breaker.

wire size means a lot when it comes to distance between trolling motor a batteries !!! and the same with amp breakers !!! there are a lot people nary had problems !!!! but have you ever seen what 12 volts or 24 volts can do to a boat when there is a problem ??? they ain't pretty that's for sure !!! each to own just saying !!! remember you get what you pay for !!!