hi folks,
got a pontoon for xmas this year and was wondering if it would be silly not to put a motor on it? I usually fish the smaller ponds and lakes(vernon,minnersville etc. Would like to do ut lake but have a concern about not being able to get off quick enough if thw wind gets to strong. Is that a concern or am i making a big deal of nothing? would be greatful for any help.
thanks
pa
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pick up a 30 lb + minkota they make the long trek back to the launch better for your legs plus if its windy you can move along better.
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No not silly at all I had bought a Minn Kota Endura Motor, trolling plate, & battery. Hit almost everybody of water here in Utah except Powell & Bear Lake. And honestly its just allot easier and less of a headache not having a motor. I think all in all everything weighed probably 50+ pounds. Made the front of the pontoon stand straight up in the air and made me feel a bit un-easy on the water.
The only water I wish I still had a Motor on would be Strawberry, With all the different areas to fish it be nice to motor from one point to another oh and factor in the wind ya a motor be nice. but for the most part I can row across say Mantua in less than 15 to 20 minutes.
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Pa, you know how I feel.....GIVE ME POWER! My knees are shot, and we usually hit lakes on Sunday after I have been standing, dancing, or even jumping around all the night before at work (rock and roll band).
I agree you don't need one, but it is like camping in a Tent or a Trailer, why make thing ruff, you're there to enjoy, specially the older we get.
There is the additional cost such as Motor, Battery (and you really do need a MARINE DEEP CYCLE because they last longer and you can continually charge them), License the boat. Total cost at least $200. at least, but the first two are a one shot deal. Here in Utah you are looking at $37. a year to license.
Worth it? To me you bet! I do fish Strawberry, and Mantua along with Scofield, Yuba, Grantsville plus several Uinta Lakes now allow motors, not to mention Idaho. Several lakes do not allow motors such as Tibble so be sure.
I have been using a motor for years, even back when I had a Caddis Donut with the aid of a Power Flote.
Things you want to know:
First, slide the frame as far as it will go to the front of the pontoons, secondly, Put the Battery RIGHT BEHIND THE SEAT, so you have all the weight right in the middle.
I have seen people put the motor in front and forego the flippers and just steer with the motor. Personally I prefer it in the back PULLING me. Which means loosen the head and turn it so it faces the same direction as the prop. Make sure you have a SOLID plate for the motor as it will have torque.
I also prefer to keep my fins on and steer with my feet. I fly fish as you know and I don't want my $65. line anywhere near the motor.
Set up is not a big deal if you get a system down. I spend more time stringing three rods with different line and getting dressed than I do getting my boat ready.
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Pa, if your interested I have I a Cabelas Deep cycle Marine Battery and Creek Company Motor Mount for sale. The battery is practically new I upgrade from a Wal Mart Brand and then was offered to buy my Motor so I sold it with the old Wal Mart Battery.
The Motor Mount is Creek Company it is made out of Diamond Plate. A few U bolts and it will attach to any toon here are some retail pics all sell you both
PM me if your intrested
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This wasn't you last year was it? Note how far back everything is sitting. Also, I want to had, I had a 6' Buck's Alpine that I put a motor on and it tracks nice and level. In fact my sister in-law is still using it.
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NO thats not me [
] .. But kinda looks like mine I have a Dark Green 8' Creek Company ODC Sport XL. You can see ODC sport XL on the side of the toons. But the that setup looks allot like mine. The way Creek Company recommended was to put the motor mount on the rear deck and the battery right next to it and move the toons forward. But It worked much better if I moved the motor to the center between the 2 foot bars and the battery in the back.
Honestly im just lazy, packing all the gear then putting the toon together then mounting the motor blaaaah I get too anxious to start fishin
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Whatever works, but I think you want to move the FRAME forward and the toons back as far as you can.
I have got it down like I said. With my pontoon, it is on a flat bed trailer. I back up to the water, unload the boat, the battery is under the boat in a shallow metal box on the trailer. Put the battery on the boat and the motor is on a bar on the trailer, so loosen it then put it on the boat. All my gear is in the bags.
Take the trailer up to parking and string rods and get dressed...ready to go. I can do this in about 5 to 10 minute,
BUT, the navigators are inflated in the back of the truck or my car.
So I back up, and pull all the stuff from the back of my car or truck (boat, flippers, vest, motor, battery even rods) Then go park, then go back and inflate and put the stuff on the boat. About 15 to 20 minutes.
But then I can relax on the water and not sweet the wind.
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Nice, sounds like you really do got it down !!! Hmm maybe the creek company guy did say to move the frame forward with all that stuff DOH [cool]
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