04-13-2015, 01:58 AM
My thoughts, for whatever it's worth (not much?) A kicker motor is certainly the best way to go, especially if it's linked to the steering. I have a Mariner 9.9 hp on my big Trophy boat that has a Remote Troll on it, so I can steer from anywhere in the boat, with a remote on a cable. Those are made up in Logan. If your boat is such that you can comfortably sit in the stern and steer with the tiller handle, that works too, but you have to sit there in the same position all day, which gets tiresome.
If it's a problem of your battery going dead too soon, you can carry a couple of spare batteries.
I've used the Happy Troller trolling plate, which works OK on the big motor, but I'm personally not real fond of them. But for less than $100 you can troll all day with your big motor, and they do work.
Obviously, electric trolling motors are not really meant to be run wide-open for long periods, and that will certainly run batteries down in a hurry. Even if you bought a 24v 70 lb motor, you probably wouldn't be happy with the result, with either your speed or your battery life.
If you can afford it, you'll be more that happy with a kicker, especially if you're going to fish for wipers a lot. The next best thing really would be a trolling plate, and not another electric.
I think a kicker between 8 and 10 hp would be ideal.
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If it's a problem of your battery going dead too soon, you can carry a couple of spare batteries.
I've used the Happy Troller trolling plate, which works OK on the big motor, but I'm personally not real fond of them. But for less than $100 you can troll all day with your big motor, and they do work.
Obviously, electric trolling motors are not really meant to be run wide-open for long periods, and that will certainly run batteries down in a hurry. Even if you bought a 24v 70 lb motor, you probably wouldn't be happy with the result, with either your speed or your battery life.
If you can afford it, you'll be more that happy with a kicker, especially if you're going to fish for wipers a lot. The next best thing really would be a trolling plate, and not another electric.
I think a kicker between 8 and 10 hp would be ideal.
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