I have a 19 foot bay liner. I want to put an electric trolling motor on it. The guy at Cabelas said I would be all right with a 40 pound thrust motor. Is that to small or do I need a 55 or 65 pound thrust motor. Also is it best to have the foot control or the handle. Can any one give me any advice?
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I would get a 70 lb or bigger but its up to you on foot or hand but I like foot....
It's better to have too much power than not enough if you get caught in the wind. Too little you can wind up on the rocks in a hurry.
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Go with the bigger trolling motor you wont be sorry.Also i have had the hand held one and trust me you would be better off with the foot control especially if you hook into a fish!Wind is another reason you want a stronger motor too.Thats just my experience with trolling motors.
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Make sure you get a long enough shaft too. You need the motor to be in the water when the front of the boat rides over a 2' wave.
I have a 19 Bayliner Capri and I have a 44 lb. Wish I had a 55. Thats the biggest 12 volt. I did not want to go 24 volt. I have the hand control and I am fine with it. I'm not a die hard bass fisher so if it's rough I usually troll. I fish from the bow with the electric when I'm finese fishing or casting the shorelines.
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Good question. I have an '86, 19 foot bayliner and I chose a Min Kota Maxuum with 74lb thrust and 60 inch shaft. It has the "push-pull" foot control. I use it at Lake Powell for bass fishing and it has met all my expectations. It uses 24 volts (two 12 volt batteries in series). The 24 volts provides for longer battery life between charging, and plenty of thrust. I mounted it with a slide mount that allows quick install and removal.
I modified the front bowrider section of my bayliner with a carpeted deck over the seat area, and installed a removable fishing chair. I can control the motor and bass fish structure.
One tradeoff to be made is the availability of electric controlled steering and thrust. Some have an 18' cable that allows control from anywhere in the boat. Some have wireless controls. This would be nice for combination fishing of casting for bass, etc. around structure, and straight trolling for other species, like trout, stripers, etc..
I like the responsiveness of the push-pull cable, and I think it will be more reliable, but thats just my thinking.
Good luck!
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Bigger is better and 24 volts. I also recommend getting auto-pilot and co-pilot. I have wrist controls (my boat is closed bow) and they work great, and the freedome to move anywhere on the boat without being concerned about cables is great. Also get a on-board charging system. Taking the batteries off of the boat to charge them would be a royal pain.
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