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Choosing a Trolling Motor
By Ted Koppel
How to decide what you need before you buy.
Choosing the right trolling motor doesn't have to be difficult
but it is important for safe and fun operation. A few things you
need to know before you buy. Do you plan on fishing fresh,
saltwater or both? If both or just saltwater, you need to choose
a motor designed to be used in saltwater. What will be the size
and type of boat you will be fishing from? What type of boat?
Bass boat, pontoon, flats boat, deep V, canoe, Jon Boat or
kayak. Is it fiberglass aluminum or wood? How heavy will your
boat, gear and fishing buddies be? Do you fish in a windy area
or an area where you encounter strong current or both?
All of these factors come into play when choosing the right
trolling motor. You should choose a motor based on your heaviest
weight and worst conditions. Anything less will just frustrate
you and ruin your fishing fun. The below table is suggested
thrust for boats of these lengths under the best conditions. We
suggest you increase the thrust for a heavier than normal load,
windy area or fishing in fast current conditions.
Boat Length/ Lbs. Thrust 12' 30lb | 13' 30lb | 14' 32lb | 15'
36lb | 16' 40lb | 17' 50lb | 18' 55lb 19' 65lb | 20' 70lb | 21'
74lb | 22' 101lb
Mounting: You need to decide if you are going to mount the
motor on the bow, transom or engine mount it. For most boats and
most fishing applications bow or transom will be the easiest and
most convenient. A bow mount works better if your boat can
accommodate that application. You will need room for the motor
mount and room to stand next to it while fish. A transom mount
works fine on a canoe, Jon boat or other small boat without a
bow fishing platform. An engine mount can be used on boats that
don't have any room for a bow or transom mount but are usually
only used on boats for trolling as they must be steered with the
helm or engine stick making them awkward for casting. You may
have noticed that all of the tournament fishermen use bow
mounts.
Voltage: Motors are available in three different voltages, 12,
24 and 36. The 24 and 36-volt batteries are a combination of 12
volt batteries hooked parallel. When using 24 or 36 volt motors
there is less amperes of draw and so the battery holds a charge
longer. The higher the voltage, the lower the amperes at the
same thrust setting. In most cases any boat over 13' should use
at least a 24 volt system. Boats in the 20' + range should
consider a 36 volt system. Batteries should be good quality deep
cycle batteries to withstand the constant discharging. Regular
cranking batteries will expire quickly from the often discharged
state.
The shaft length: Length is strictly determined by the height
above the water line of the bow or stern being mounted to. You
want enough shaft to put at least 6" of water over the
propeller. Remember; shaft length is adjustable on the motor so
don't get one that is just long enough. "Long shafts are better"
Speed and Steering Control: The most responsive is the hand
control. There are, however, 2 choices with a third possible add
on.With the hand control it can be difficult to control the boat
when you have a fish on. With a foot control you have to get
used to the delay in response but always have both hands free.
You can add an autopilot and have the advantage of the hand
control and still have both hands free while fighting a fish.
About the Author: Ted Koppel. For more information on trolling
motors be sure to visit http://www.efishbox.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=404449&ca=Advice