pontoon trolling motor

[geezer1960]

Hi guys<br />I own a 20 foot palm beach pontoon with a 85 hp suzuki. the boat has railing all around it except for the first foot......my first question is what type and size of trolling motor do i need to use on this boat so i can fish up and down the banks of the water. I live in Louisiana and the wind is always needed to be considered in the size of the trolling motor.<br />2nd question........where and how do i mount the trolling motor whether it be foot controlled., hand controlled or what....i have seen some people mount them on front of deck and i have seen some who have mounted them on transom but the transom is out of question on this design of boat. I have even read where someone cut a whole in the interior floor of the deck and mounted a motor through the hole down between the pontoons.<br />Any help sure would be appreciated<br />Thanks in advance<br />have a great day

 

[Toontime]

Re: pontoon trolling motor

I guess it would depend on where you are while fishing in relation to the troller. Remote control is great with the 18ft cord or remote on the MinnKota but the mount/storage problem comes into play. The flip down/fold up models require a lot of deck space and toon rails tend to be right in the way. I tried several mounting positions for my remote but they were all bad. Ended up with a manual control/transom clamp model mounted on the front to a fabricated bracket. MinnKota has a model designed to do what I did, but I already owned the motor I used.

 

[neumanns]

Re: pontoon trolling motor

I have a 43lb bow mount that deploys through the front gate and is foot controlled, this was on the boat when i bought her.<br /><br />This is strictly my thoughts on my setup.<br /><br />On the breezey/windy days I would not mind more power.<br /><br />I bought my rig as a pleasure/fish craft and do not mind the loss of deckspace afterall she is my fishing rig and will gladly accomodate the troller.<br /><br />I do find the foot controller a bit inconvienent however have not decided if it is because the seat sits to low or because I am just inexperienced in foot control and wil grow acustomed to it.<br /><br />hope this helps you gather your thoughts.

 

[geezer1960]

Re: pontoon trolling motor

This is the first time I have owned a pontoon rig. I have three other boats and all had trolling motors on them the last i think had around a 55lb or so thrust model. I havent been out in the boat enough to realize how much the wind and current will push the boat around on the water. In my own thoughts i was thinking minumum 55 lbs thrust but was thinking it would be needed to be much higher. the local dealers have a 40lb thrust motor on one of their models. but like i said its gotta be pushing the limit of the motor

 

[neumanns]

Re: pontoon trolling motor

I think your headed down the right road with the 55+, remember that toon aint like your other boats she has the larger profile for the wind to catch.