Grizz1288
Cadet
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
- Messages
- 29
Good morning, I am installing a new (to me) trolling motor on my 18'8 Flats and Bay and I am contemplating my weight distribution options and was wondering if anyone has gotten into this debate before and what they ended up doing.
Situation: I previously had a 12V minn-kota (I forget the model - black and yellow freshwater 50-ish lbs thrust) trolling motor mounted on the bow, it was what the previous owner had mounted so I used it until the mounting bracket and spiral cord fell apart and then removed it. I acquired a new-ish minn-kota Riptide RT70 24V motor from a family member that it wasn't work out for and I just got it mounted up on the bow yesterday. Now I am running though my battery size/storage/placement options.
1) Am I headed in the completely wrong direction even using the 24-V system on this vessel? I am sure that a RT55-12V would push this boat just fine, but that's not what I have and I dont want to drop $1K on a smaller version just to avoid the extra battery unless its necessary.
2) Looking at 2x 12V (27M - Lead Acid ) batteries are 57 lbs a piece, thats 114 lbs PLUS about another 50-lbs for the actual motor itself. This seems like a lot of weight to throw right up near the bow of the boat. The previous battery location was in the front most hatch. I do have the room for 2 batteries up there but I worry its too much weight. I have the option of putting them in the second hatch in the front, which is closer to the middle of the boat. Please see pictures for locations.
Has anyone installed a 24-V system on a flats boat of this size with the batteries up front and had issues with the weight distribution? Where did you mount your batteries?
Sitting on the back is a Johnson 115 2-Stroke, pretty lightweight motor, hull is designed for up to a 150.
Thanks for any input as always.
Situation: I previously had a 12V minn-kota (I forget the model - black and yellow freshwater 50-ish lbs thrust) trolling motor mounted on the bow, it was what the previous owner had mounted so I used it until the mounting bracket and spiral cord fell apart and then removed it. I acquired a new-ish minn-kota Riptide RT70 24V motor from a family member that it wasn't work out for and I just got it mounted up on the bow yesterday. Now I am running though my battery size/storage/placement options.
1) Am I headed in the completely wrong direction even using the 24-V system on this vessel? I am sure that a RT55-12V would push this boat just fine, but that's not what I have and I dont want to drop $1K on a smaller version just to avoid the extra battery unless its necessary.
2) Looking at 2x 12V (27M - Lead Acid ) batteries are 57 lbs a piece, thats 114 lbs PLUS about another 50-lbs for the actual motor itself. This seems like a lot of weight to throw right up near the bow of the boat. The previous battery location was in the front most hatch. I do have the room for 2 batteries up there but I worry its too much weight. I have the option of putting them in the second hatch in the front, which is closer to the middle of the boat. Please see pictures for locations.
Has anyone installed a 24-V system on a flats boat of this size with the batteries up front and had issues with the weight distribution? Where did you mount your batteries?
Sitting on the back is a Johnson 115 2-Stroke, pretty lightweight motor, hull is designed for up to a 150.
Thanks for any input as always.
