55 lb Trolling Motor for 18.5 Foot CC??

[Gadabout Guinea]

(Not trying to hijack the other trolling motor thread!)

I'd like to put a trolling motor on my 18.5 foot center console, but if I have to go to a 24 volt setup I'll likely wait until the next boat. Do you think a 55 lb thrust Riptide (I've already figured out the brand thingieo) is going to push me around enough? I'll primarily use it in the Merrimack fishing the flats and around the upstream islands. I know the current can really rip through there, but not having to start the engine to correct the drift and also being able to move the boat without being at the helm (co-pilot feature) would really be excellent!

Thanks for your comments and experiences!

Chris

[Kuskus68]

No you will need more thrust if there is any type of current;)

[G-Man]

I agree ... you'll be happier in the long run to spend the extra 2-4 hundred to get a 24v 70lb+ setup. It's painful .. I know, but more painful is buying a $600+ 55lb and finding it ain't enough.

I have a transon riptide 55 12v on a 17' cat. It's fine for night time trip in the quiet shallows. It run's a battery down too quickly with any current around tho, and I rarely use it once the sun is up.

When I had a 14' tin boat the 55 was perfect ... it's kinda light for the 17' cat ... and your boat is bigger and pushes more water. It will work, but you may be dissapointed.

Just my thoughts.
-G

[teflon_jones]

You should look for something with around 100 lbs of thrust.

[Gadabout Guinea]

My buddy has an 80 pound unit on his 25 foot Pathfinder which made me think I could get away with something smaller. His hull doesn't push as much water though.

[teflon_jones]

The general rule in saltwater is to get as much as you can afford. Do you expect to use it only on protected bays, or in the open ocean? In the open ocean I guarantee there will be times you want more thrust if you have an 80 lb motor. If you're on protected bays most of the time, you'll probably be ok with the 80 lb unit most of the time.

[Gadabout Guinea]

I was planning on using it only in the Mack, but the water does really get going there when I fish around the islands. The flats would probably be ok. Hampton Harbor would probably be fine too.

It's not so much the money for the motor, but adding two more batteries for a 24V set up means space issues, and then an isolator/voltage converter for the charging system, etc.

I agree that getting something that doesn't work well but saves up front money is not a solution. I don't like to do things half as*ed so I may just have to wait until boat#4 or some major funds free up.

Thanks,
Chris

[spitfisher]

you'll need at least 70 lbs, 24 volt ( 2 batteries), you could skip the onboad charger- but that means you'll have an extention cord to charge it -it usually is good over night. But as someone pointed out you can "never have too much power"

If you're into saving some money motorguide (mercury) is making a very decent unit.

I would sugest going wireless to- exspecially with space being a concern, less crap on the deck and you can manage it from almost anywhere.