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I am ordering a 1654 ss Xtreme boat and I need some advice on an electric motor. I will fish saltwater some of the time so it needs to be a saltwater I pilot type motor. I think I only need a 12 volt but have not bought a electric motor in a long time. Motorguide? Minn Kota?
I have a 55 pound I Pilot on a 17.5 Tracker. I can troll at 2 mph. I wished I had went with the with the 24 volt 80 pound. Better to have more than you need. It will run at a lower setting. In good running tides I can see the 80 pound being useful
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vagante
I would not put a 12 volt TM on that boat. As you know I have the Xtreme 1454 and it has the 80# Ulterra. I can't imagine using my boat with an 55# motor.
Regards
Thanks guys.... I knew I was going to have to do something more than 12 V but was hoping you would tell me differently. Alpha Hawk you should get a commission on this sale after all the conversations I've had with you thanks very much
I have the Minn Kota Riptide 80# thrust Terrova on my old 16’ tracker, love it.
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
You pretty much answered your own question. You'll definitely need a saltwater rated motor due to rust and oxidation issues with freshwater motors exposed to saltwater. As far as thrust, again you answered your own question. If you're fishing saltwater you'll likely be exposed to open water. With any wind or seas to buck, you'll suck the life out of your batteries pretty quick with a 12v 55# thrust motor. The 80# thrust 24v is a bit of overkill but there's not really many other options in 24v motors with i-Pilot. The only thrust options are 80# and 112# thrust in the Minkota. And I HIGHLY recommend Minkota over Motorguide. I have friends that have the MG's and have nothing but trouble with them. I had an 85# thrust Riptide tiller steer (can't get those anymore) on my 2010 21' Blazer bay and never had a problem with it in the 7 years I had the boat and fished it (quit saltwater fishing and gave the boat a new zip code in 2018). Other than that, the only other options in this class are shaft length. For creeks, small rivers, and sloughs a 55# 12v motor is more than enough. 80% of my fishing are done in these. I have a 12v 55# Minkota on my Xpress 1654. I keep two batteries on board but have never had to use the second battery even after fishing 10+ hours. Now, the other 20% of my fishing is in large, freshwater open lakes. I have had to use both batteries before in windy conditions, and at times going in to the wind I'm usually at 80+% throttle to maintain 1 - 1.5 mph. I don't fish the open water enough for me to justify the $2K+ upgrade for more thrust and higher voltage. If I fished more open water I'd definitely make the upgrade. I'd gladly go for the $75 per pound of "free" fish vs the $50 per pound I spend now. :Rofl