I'm thinking about adding a trolling motor to my Fish Cat Cougar this season, but I don't know much about trolling motors. I know I've seen it before, but I have not been able to find what size motor is recommended for my 'toon. I'm about 230, so not exactly light, but I don't carry much equipment on the Cougar when I'm out. I think I'd use it mostly to get from one side of the lake to the other. What should I be looking for?
[signature]
[black][size 3]If your fish cat cougar is a kick boat, I would suggest the smallest, cheapest, Mincota available.[/size][/black]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]They are either 30 or 40 lb thrust, and can move a pontoon boat very well.[/size]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]They are light weight, and if you watch where you shop, they should be available for about 100 dollars.[/size]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]After purchased, reverse the direction of the power head, mount it on your craft, and you're set after you locate your battery, and get it connected.[/size]
[size 3][/size]
[signature]
Some things you will have to think about. First the Battery is going to be 50 to 60 more pounds. You need DEEP CYCLE. Make sure to put it close to the back of your seat to balance it out and may require sliding your frame forward. Also, LICENSE to toon.
A Minn Kota is my choice. 30" shaft makes it easy to get into shore, but is only available on the Endura 30 which is what I use.
Secondly, how do you plan on using it? Trolling, getting from one point to another, running it all day?
You might consider the 36 or even the 40, but the shaft is going to be longer (36"). Any of them however is going to be iffy at best if you can run them on high speed for a day.
I use mine to get to a fishing spot, or to hold me in the wind. If I have it on 1 for say seven hours I can usually get a day or two. Put it on 2 and that is going to shorten it and so on.
My preference on mounting the motor, is the back of the frame. Loosen the bolt holding the motor head , and turn the head so that it is facing the same direction as the prop. It will use less power PULLING you than pushing. Now the controls are easy to get to.
[signature]
A buddy of mine has a TU toon and a 28lb thrust older Minkota. It did the job form him. it would actually push him all the gear and myself around nicely (I am in tube of coarse) How ever he wishes he had a slightly bigger one. The 36 seams to be good with most of the people I know. I really like FG's set up hers is sweet.
[signature]
[font "Verdana"]Thanks friends. This is exactly the kind of info I was hoping for. As I've seen on this site before, you know your stuff. [/font]
[font "Verdana"][/font][font "Verdana"]I expect that I would go a little crazy at first and zip around the lake, like that squirrel on water skis, all day. But after that, I plan to use it to get from one spot to another. I'm a bass fisher on fairly small lakes and ponds up here in MN. I actually like the workout using the oars, but I'd love to be able to get to more spots when I do hit a bigger lake. Plus, I've had a few close calls with power boats out in deeper waters. [/font]
[font "Verdana"][/font][font "Verdana"]I'm glad to see that 30-40lb thrust is all I need. I've never even seen another tube/tooner in my parts, so I had no idea how a motor works on a float boat. I wasn't thinking the battery would weigh 60lbs, so that's good to know. I'm also not completely clear on the whole reversing the motor head technique, but the pull vs. push thing makes sense. I'm thinking it will make more sense if/when I have the thing in my hands.[/font]
[signature]
Just get a boat... where else are you going to put your fishfinder, Aqua-VU, Temp meter, rod holders, anchor, Mooring lines, etc.....
My point being, the whole greatness of tubing lies in the fact of its simplicity. Once you add a motor, you have to have a battery, and a battery box and wiring. Now that you have a battery, then you can add a multitude of equipment. Where does it end? How many trips to the water just to get started? I hae seen it happen and it's not pretty. 'Ya wanna go Tubin'" " Na , too much work".Too much work? I Tube for lunch sometimes. Being able to carry the whole mess is one trip is paramount for me.
Anyway perhaps this is in the spirit of a 'Devils Advocate' so it might promote a better understanding of how we all feel about this niche in our overall sport of Fish-chasing, Fish-Harrasing, and Fish-Eating or Fish Returning.[
]
[signature]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][purple][size 3]When you get the new motor, the handle will be pointing the opposite direction as the prop. When you mount the motor (this is if you mount it on the back mind you) the prop will be pointing to the front of the boat and the handle away from you. You loosen the bolt that holds the head on the shaft and turn it so that the handle is facing the front of the boat, then tighten the bolt.[/size][/purple][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][purple][size 3]Some people here mount the motors to the foot peg and in that case you wouldn't need to turn the head.[/size][/purple][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][purple][size 3]I prefer the motor on the back cause I do row and I put my feet up to do this. Plus I fly fish and with line costing $55. to $65 I don't want a propeller anywhere near my line.[/size][/purple][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][purple][size 3]Plus I prefer to land the fish right in front of me cause I do C&R and I don't even need to take them out of the water unless it is that 34" that just screams..."TAKE MY PICTURE" LOL[/size][/purple][/font]
[signature]
There is a coupon on Cabelas website to get a rebate on the Enduras as well. I bet you could print the coupon and but the motor at say Wal-mart for a bit of a cheaper price, send in the coupon and get the rebate and save yourself some money. Just go to the bottom right of the Cabelas page and click the link.
[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0017800017239a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&No=18&noImage=0&Ntt=Minn+kota+rebate&Ntk=Product_liberal&QueryText=Minn+kota+rebate&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&N=4887&Nty=1"]
Cabelas[/url]
[signature]
[cool][#0000ff]My sentiments exactly. The big appeal of tubing (for me) has always been the quiet, simple, hands-free approach. By keeping it light and simple you can go anywhere, launch under almost any conditions and be fishing effectively while those with motorized craft are still getting unloaded.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That being said, I do agree that there is definitely a need and a market for motorized pontoons...to fill the gap between fin powered tubes and high powered bass boats. Some anglers would love to be able to fish from float tubes...with fins...but have physical conditions that prevent them from doing so. Others have budget limitations..or just plain have no place to keep a larger and bulkier boat.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Yes, there are plenty of reasons for someone deciding to own a pontoon...with motor...but it is not for me.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
My feeling on it is like loaded gun downtown late at night. You might not need it, but you got it if you do.
I prefer the motor on my pontoon and my pontube, that is why I bought them. I might not use or need it, but it is there to hold me in one spot with wind. I have never really cared for anchor. Anchor and fly line don't work together for me[
]
I have been on waters when a storm has moved in and pushed me out to where I have needed oars and motor for a haste retreat.
I will admit that the Navigator II (basically a H3 on steroids) handles better without the motor than with. But, I have more leg and flipper in the water.
[signature]
[
].. all I gots right now is leg power.. it gets me where I want to go.. maybe not to fast.. but I get there.. [sly]
MacFly [cool]
[signature]
[font "Verdana"]Wow. I'm surprised to see there's an anti-motor sentiment here. Especially when there are people constantly describing and posting pics of the mods they've done to their own watercraft. Do you guys use cane poles too? Who needs that new Shimano reel or fancy swimbait when all you really need to catch a fish is a hook and some string, right? Why isn't anyone busting on the guy who just asked about underwater cameras yet? Magnetic braking? Fluorocarbon? Phooey![/font]
[font "Verdana"][/font]
[font "Verdana"]I thought this club was for anglers? Not just those folks who use "real" float tubes, ones without those new fangled gizmos like "engines" and "wide-gap hooks", who seem to feel their methods are superior, or at least more honest to the sport, than the rest of us.[/font]
[font "Verdana"][/font]
[font "Verdana"]Thanks for the help friends. Really.[/font]
[font "Verdana"][/font]
[font "Verdana"]Enjoy the water, however you so choose, to the rest of you. And thanks; now I do "understand how you all feel about this niche in our overall sport". And it's too bad.[/font]
[signature]
I do not think anyone was attacking you or motors. I just think a few people were making the statement that they prefer fishing with out them. I have fished with both people with Motors and with out. There are benefits to both. I usually use sonar, multiple rods on my tube; however I would not consider putting a motor on it. Likewise I know FG uses one on both her tube and toon, however I have seen her kick her pontoon around all day with out the motor. It is all about personal preference.
[signature]
[black][size 3]Don't read anything to the post above. We're all friends, with different preferences concerning tubes, toons and how to power them. [/size][/black]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]It's just a different strokes for different folks type thing. [/size]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]Those of us who like elec. motors, hate the problems of charging, weight, etc. [/size]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]Those that don't use them, sometimes wish they had them when they are fighting a heavy wind of wished they were fishing the far side of a bay.[/size]
[size 3][/size]
[signature]
I will say that there are far more TUBERS on this particular forum than TOONERS. Well, given the fact that there is really no easy way to put a motor on a tube, they go manual. A tube will move easier with just flippers.
Pontoons on the other hand don't move as quick with flippers, so we got oars too.
More and more PONTOONERS are getting motors cause you are effected by wind more than a tube.
Hang in there bud, the tooners will come back as the weather gets warmer
[signature]
...ladies and gentlemen.. the [url "http://www.outcastboats.com/outcastboats/fishcatpontoons.shtml"]fish cat cougar[/url] is a pontoon boat.. not a float tube.. it seems to me we went off track a bit on the actual question about putting a motor on a pontoon boat..
if you look at the picture of the cougar it is already rigged to put a motor on it if the user wishes to do so.. and back to the original question.. what size/type.. ups and downs and ins and outs of putting a trolling motor on a pontoon...
... we often discuss people tricking out ther tubes.. and some times their toons.. so why is this one different.. makes no sense to me to come out and say get a boat if you want a motor on it.. this member is asking a legitimate question to what he felt like was a group of experts that they felt could help them to make the best decision for what they wanted to do with their craft.. in the past a vast majority of you have helped me to make good decisions on things I wanted to do.. so lets get back on topic and help this poster do the same thing...
MacFly [cool]
[signature]
If I had a toon I know I would have a motor. I have tried fishing with from one a couple of times. I liked everything but the roaing, cause it was hard to fish wile rowing. But than again that is why I went with the tube.
[signature]
..like was said before.. different preferences by different anglers.. I myself have never been in a toon.. and limited time in a tube..''
..I keep looking around at both in case I get a chance to upgrade some day.. in fact was just rereading the info on the toon in question and it seems it has a lower profile than most and is designed to use with oars or fins.. and it does have a motor mount in case.. so Id say the manufacturer is also trying to give the user as many options to choose from as possible.. to me it opens a whole new part of this sport..
MacFly [cool]
[signature]
Bendopolo, what makes you think we can't go with out. It is not like it is a permanent fixture.
We had a 18 1/2 ' Rinker with all the bells and whistles. It was a hassle cause we had to have a vehicle to pull our camping trailer and one to pull the boat.
So, we down sized to two 11 1/2' pontoons. Yes they are on a small trailer but they do fit in and on top the truck. Why should I give up the electronics?
We have made trips that we forgot either the motor or the batteries, but we could still fish. No we don't need them, but what is wrong with a little comfort.
As far as a hassle with the stuff and the pontoon, no problem. I drive the trailer as close to the water as I can and yes on the ramp some times. Why not, I am paying the same as the boaters, plus gate fees.
Pull the toon off the trailer, battery right underneath it, pull it off set on toon. reach in car, grab flipper, vest, oars, and motor. All other gear is on or in the bags of the boat.
Park car, put hippers on, grab rods and ready to go.
Even the day I met TD at Jordanelle. Back up ramp, pulled Navigator out, pumped it quickly with LVM, fins and vest were in the folded up Navi, Grabbed shelf, battery, and motor from back of car, went up and parked, put waders on grabbed rods.
Put shelf on boat quick clip, battery, quick clip, REAL SONAR (not a fishin buddy) Quick clip. put oars in holder, rods in holders, flippers on and it took me 10 to 15 minutes total and that was including inflating.
I am not there to ruff it, I want to fish and enjoy it. Too old for that cave man stuff[cool]
[signature]
[black][size 3]Mac,[/size][/black]
[size 3]Here's another craft for you to drool over.[/size]
[size 3]It look like it would be just the ticket for your purposes.[/size]
[size 3][/size]
[signature]