Trolling motor recommendations for 187OB

[MichelBee]

I'm looking to install a bow mounted trolling motor on 187OB. I would like to know if Hurricane has any recommendation on the position and installation of the motor.

Should it be installed going straight back from the center or at an angle?

Is there reinforcement under the deck for the installation or do I have to install a plywood or metal backing?

Do I need a special plate to clear the edge of boat?

I'm planning on using a Minn-kota removable plate to allow deck to be used as a swim platform when we aren't fishing.

Can anybody tell me if ski locker (which is not very long) on the 187/188 can accommodate a trolling motor with 54? or 60? shaft? I would like to store it there when not in use or traveling.

I know it's a lot of questions, so thank you for reading and any possible feedback.

 

[cjjjdeck]

Re: Trolling motor recommendations for 187OB

Check out the post and thread from this link on this forum that I and other Hurricane owners participated in:

http://forums.iboats.com/hurricane-deck-boats/need-help-sizing-trolling-motor-543217.html

The posting was started in April from 2012 and is very informative to your cause. You will find that location is a combination of preference and necessity depending where you may have a boarding ladder and/or anchor locker and/or front deck pedestal seats mounted. The goal is to get the motor to be positioned as close to the point of the bow as possible. I attached some of the pictures from the above posting to show you that it is acceptable to angle (which I did on my boat) or straight mount (courtesy of NelsonQ's install picture) the trolling bracket and motor depending on your bow platform layout. Also, in determining the shaft length, you want the motor to have the ability to be a minimum of 1 ? feet in the water to compensate for surface conditions (and maybe more like 2 feet depending on how rough the water is where you boat).

I have a 60? shaft on my Minnkota Terrova and I can just get it into my ski locker, but only because the composite shaft bends enough to allow me to eke it though the hatch (if the hatch opening was just 1? inch longer I?d be totally home free!). I?m not sure if the SD187OB has the same size locker opening as the SD237 (my guess would be "no"), hopefully you can get the measurements for both the opening and overall length of the motor to make that determination.

I also choose the Minnkota MKA-32 mounting bracket and have been satisfied with it?s operation. There are other brackets that some of the other owners are using that they too are happy with. You?ll figure out your personal preference.

Hope this helps, ask away with any other question and let us know how you make out!

 

[MichelBee]

Re: Trolling motor recommendations for 187OB

Thank you for the thread. Got most of the information I needed.

NelsonQ's setup is exactly what I was planning. His boat and mine are basically the same.

The plan for me right now is to install a Minn-Kota Powerdrive 70lbs with a 54" shaft. The batteries will be going in the port side storage compartment under the windshield.

The reason I wanted the 54" shaft, it would allow me to store it in the ski locker. The 187's locker is short, with several people complaining that regular adult skis will not fit. If the motor doesn't fit than I will probably go with a 60" shaft.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Trolling motor recommendations for 187OB

MichelBee... Nice to see another Canuck on here (and from Ottawa too!) What lake are you on? I'm up at White Lake outside Arnprior area.

The 54 inch shaft barely fits. What I've done is when I store it in the locker (you'll laugh at this) but I took a hockey sock and tied a knot in one end and place it over the top of the trolling motor. Then I slide that end in first (sock keeps if from getting scratched up). I have to angle and turn it to get the skeg on the trolling motor to go in. Its very tight, but can fit.

Hope this helps.

 

[MichelBee]

Re: Trolling motor recommendations for 187OB

Hi NelsonQ,

I'm east in Rockland. I trailer the boat spending most of my time on the Ottawa river. The rest we go to different lakes on the Quebec side.

I'm not laughing because I was thinking of also using a sock to protect the motor head. Now it does take a real Canuck to use a hockey sock.

Thanks for the info.

So I think it's going to be Minn-Kota 70 lbs with a 54" shaft. Still debating if I get the IPilot or not.

Now if spring can only get here.

 

[cjjjdeck]

Re: Trolling motor recommendations for 187OB

If you can swing it, I strongly recommend the iPilot version. I have it on my boat and I'm really happy I decided to get it. I was lucky and found it in the Bargain Cave at Cabelas, I had to contact Minn Kota for a replacement iPilot module and once installed it worked perfectly. Along with all it's great features what I really like is that it really frees you up to fish rather than navigating to compensate for wind and wave activity (spot lock is really cool and useful!). My previous boat had a Motorguide with just a foot pedal, which seemed OK until I bought the new boat and used the new Minn Kota. It's fantastic technology. The US2 option will allow you to use the sonar transducer in the motor housing to connect to a bow mount fish finder too. I know the technology raises the cost on the motor quite a bit, but amortize the extra cost over the length of time you own the boat and sometimes it doesn't seem so bad.

Also, I don't know if you have ever used them previously or are considering them for your new trolling motor, but I thought I'd mention AGM batteries. Since you are going for a model that has pretty high thrust, you may want to consider AGM over lead-acid batteries (I know, it's easy for me to spend your money!). I have now experienced both types of batteries and after using the AGM's, I don't think I'll ever go back to lead-acid. Of course if you do, you will have to also purchase a "smart" charger to charge them properly.

Just some additional thoughts!

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Trolling motor recommendations for 187OB

If you can swing it, I strongly recommend the iPilot version. I have it on my boat and I'm really happy I decided to get it. I was lucky and found it in the Bargain Cave at Cabelas, I had to contact Minn Kota for a replacement iPilot module and once installed it worked perfectly. Along with all it's great features what I really like is that it really frees you up to fish rather than navigating to compensate for wind and wave activity (spot lock is really cool and useful!). My previous boat had a Motorguide with just a foot pedal, which seemed OK until I bought the new boat and used the new Minn Kota. It's fantastic technology. The US2 option will allow you to use the sonar transducer in the motor housing to connect to a bow mount fish finder too. I know the technology raises the cost on the motor quite a bit, but amortize the extra cost over the length of time you own the boat and sometimes it doesn't seem so bad.

Also, I don't know if you have ever used them previously or are considering them for your new trolling motor, but I thought I'd mention AGM batteries. Since you are going for a model that has pretty high thrust, you may want to consider AGM over lead-acid batteries (I know, it's easy for me to spend your money!). I have now experienced both types of batteries and after using the AGM's, I don't think I'll ever go back to lead-acid. Of course if you do, you will have to also purchase a "smart" charger to charge them properly.

Just some additional thoughts!

Thanks for the info... I'm seriously looking at the iPilot for the exact reason to spot lock and just fish and not keep working the pedal so much.

 

[MichelBee]

Re: Trolling motor recommendations for 187OB

Same here, spot lock was the option that caught my eye when looking into iPilot. Boat show is 3 weeks away. Hopefully I can find what I'm looking for.