Trolling motor control issues

[bluegillfisher]

I rented a boat this last weekend. I thought I could learn about how a real boat is put together. My boat is jon boat with 25 evinrude tiller and manual start, transom trolling motor and my experience is limited to that.
The rental boat had a motorguide bow trolling motor. The foot pedal was a balancing act. I don't know if it was worn out, but there was no tension so the direction would swing one way and then the other. I really didn't like that I had to keep my foot on the pedal to use motor. And the entire time I had to watch where the dot was so the boat would go the right direction.
On my boat, I tighten clamp, set where I want to go and turn the speed to what I want and have two hands to fish with and I can move around in boat. If I want to change course I tap the tiller or tweak the speed control.
Was the rental boat controller worn out? Does the motor only work with foot on pedal? I guess I'd get used to it, but not with out a lot of whining.
Thanks for information.
Mary

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling motor control issues

You didn't mention whether the motor was a cable steer or electric steer. Cable steered motors generally have a tension adjustment on the pedal and this one was apparently set very loosely. Foot controlled motors also have a MOM/CONT (momentary/continuous) switch on them. Momentary means the motor runs only when you step on the "go" pedal. Continuous means the motor runs continuously at whatever speed you have selected without the need to step on the pedal. Electric steered motors function in much the same manner but the foot control is either a radio and hence wireless, or it has an electrical cord connected between the foot control and the motor. Wireless fobs like the remote for your card are also available. I think you were just unfamiliar with the motor and the motor happened to have a misadjusted tensioner. A 10 second screwdriver adjustment would have fixed it.

 

[rndn]

Re: Trolling motor control issues

Something was wrong with the rental boat.

 

[JB]

Re: Trolling motor control issues

Yup. What they said.

I was never happy with a cable steered bow mount. I did like my Minn Kota Power Drive motors and really loved my Minn Kota Auto Pilot. I think I would have really fallen in love with the wireless hand controller for the Auto Pilot, but never got to try it.

If I had a Jon and wanted to maneuver without having to stand on a pedal I would get an Auto Pilot with the Copilot wireless remote. You could operate it from the back seat if you wanted to.

Gonna move this to the Electrics, Electronics and Trollers Forum.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Trolling motor control issues

Yup. What they said.

I was never happy with a cable steered bow mount. I did like my Minn Kota Power Drive motors and really loved my Minn Kota Auto Pilot. I think I would have really fallen in love with the wireless hand controller for the Auto Pilot, but never got to try it.

If I had a Jon and wanted to maneuver without having to stand on a pedal I would get an Auto Pilot with the Copilot wireless remote. You could operate it from the back seat if you wanted to.

Gonna move this to the Electrics, Electronics and Trollers Forum.

Yep. Totally agree.

 

[bluegillfisher]

Re: Trolling motor control issues

I still don't know if the motor was cable or electric. I am wondering about the place I rented the boat. I asked about being able to have the motor run without my foot on pedal and the guy said that you had to have foot on pedal for it to run.
I could consider a bow mount, if I could stay in the back of my boat. I fish from the back and my partner fishes from the front. Maybe next years check from uncle sam.
The one thing--besides the electric start motor, I really liked on rental boat was the livewell. I am going to set one up in my jon.
Thanks for all of the comments,
Mary