Fishing Forum

I bought a NFO rampage earlier this year and have decided that i need to get a trolling motor.To often than not, us tooners encounter wind and it can be brutal without out a motor I have learned.

So I wanted to ask to the pros a couple of questions and thanks in advance for your help.

1. Minn Kota seems to be the motor of choice, but what lb thrust would be recomended for a NFO Rampage?

2. I was also wondering what shaft length to get for my boat?

3. Battery? Do I need one of those massive marine batterys that cost alot and weigh even more? Or can you get away with something smaller?

Also if there is any other considerations that i need to think about please let me know. This forum is awesome, i always learn a boat load every time i log in.

BDawg
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I am going to say, at least a 40lb thrust, and definitly a 36" shaft. I have the X5 which is the same length. You will want a #27 battery and yes it is the big one. Deep Cycle a must. Walmart has a nice one for about $85. You will need the motor mount and you will need to license it.
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Thanks for the advice FG. I have thought of trading in the rampage for a renegade. Would you give the same advice for the renegade on the motor and shaft length?

Sometimes the rampage feels to big. it seems like alot of people on this forum really like the renegade.
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renegade is a great boat but so is the avenger
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and the assault
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Yes, the same motor for the Renegade . The toon diameter is the same on both, 15". Add the Motor mount and you need the longer shaft. I had the Minn 30 with the shorter shaft and it really doesn't work.. It doesn't clear the toon. If you lower it to clear, you can't reach the tilt bar.

I think you have a great toon and at only 10 lb's more, you have a lot more boat.

I love my X5 on the bigger water, but it weighs quite a bit more than yours.

I will put a vote in on the Assault however. I have the XX and it is everything in an easy carrying package.
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I recently bought the Assault XX and I've ordered the motor mount from Scadden, but I already bought the MinnKota Endura 30 so I wish I had read this thread sooner.

I also didn't figure on the registration issue. I thought it was for gas-powered boats only and not trolling motors, but the Utah DMV sight says any motorized boat, including electric motors -- bummer!

So what is the estimated cost to register a 'toon boat and how does one display the registration numbers? Seems like it could be tricky when the 'toon is constantly deflated and rolled up.

Adding a little electric motor has become such a hassle that I'm tempted to just stick with fins and oars.
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It can be a hassle, but the hassle is but once, from then on it is easy. You will be notified yearly by mail after the initial.
It is $37.
Ask Dave for all the info you will need on the boat, and just tell them you have a motor, they really don't care what motor, as anything under 25 hp, the licensing is on the boat, not the motor. Over 25 hp and you are licensing the motor. Doesn't really matter in this case, just a little F.Y.I

Your NEW bags that come with the ASSAULT XX should have a plastic slot on the outside of them. Using 3" numbers and letters, the DMV gives you for your boat, place them and the UT BOAT sticker on a piece of plastic. Siding works real well in this case.
If your bags do not have the slot, then a piece of plexi glass about 4" X 18" will work, then just your choice on attaching them to the side of your boat.

Numbers and letters and UT Sticker should be in visible sight on the side of you toon like a regular boat.

Like I said, a few hours of a hassle for years of enjoyment.
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[cool][#0000ff]Just a couple of words of advice on the registration. Call in advance to find which DMV places register watercraft. Some do not.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Bring a picture of your toon. You'd be amazed at how few DMV personnel have any idea what you are talking about.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Bring your receipt for your new ride. Part of your first year registration will be sales tax based upon the price you paid. Thereafter it will be $37 per year.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Try to return your 30" shaft motor and get a 36" model. The endura 40 seems to be popular. Not too much more than the 30. If you can't return it there is almost always a market for them and you shouldn't take much of a hit.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The motor is not for cruising all day. It is for getting to your honey hole faster, for short fast moves, for coming back in against the wind, etc. Once you get used to having it as an alternate source of propulsion you will never be without one again.[/#0000ff]
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Great info folks. Thanks. I do have the black dle bags with the clear plastic sides, which I assumed were for maps. Dave Scadden is so cleaver and deliberate in his designs that I should have known there was a more specific purpose for the clear side pockets.

I’ve ordered the motor mount and already purchased the motor, battery and case, so may as well spring for the registration. I’ll probably have to eat some of the cost of the Endura motor, but it was only $100 bucks to start with. I took my Assault out last week with a wood and PVC motor mount I cobbled together, so I know what you mean about the Endura 30 being underpowered; however, it was enough to get me back to the car in a stiff, Strawberry headwind. I had the same thoughts that it’s really not so much for fishing as getting to and from your destination quickly.

I just got Scadden’s upgraded oars like the ones I’ve seen on Flygoddess’ boat (the psychedelic ones). I’m hoping to hit Strawberry tomorrow so I’ll leave the motor at home and just fin and oar my way around – something I actually really enjoy. I love burning all those calories without giving it a second thought as I’m focused on the fishing.

Flygoddess, I just got some of your furled leaders and can’t wait to try them out. They are things of beauty.
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A larger motor will get you there faster, but the 30 should work also. I would advise that you switch to a larger motor, but if what you have is smaller then just use it until you upgrade. I use a little 24 Minn Kota (ancient) on my Renegade and it pulls it fine, but I bet I wouldn't win a race against a 40! It doesn't bother me as I am usually fishing along the way, and I don't even have it on any speed other than low anyway.
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I agree the THRUST is not an issue, to me it is the SHAFT that is. I know Cpierce owns a Renegade also, but not sure how that 24 works as far as adjusting.
On the Renegade and the Assault XX (which are the same) that motor mount is a ways back there. Even more so on the Rampage.

Reaching the controls isn't really a problem either, what is a problem is the squeeze lever to tilt the motor.
Not an issue if you set up and take off with the motor in the water, but from years of pontooning I for some reason prefer to come in to shore backwards.
It puts the motor on dry land first, making access to the motor and battery much easier, plus the boat can't float away while hauling one or the other up to the truck.

We still have the short shaft 30 and we tried it on the Assault but that prop is very close to the toon.

Keep in mind, we turn the head of the motors so that the prop is facing the same direction as the head in order to PULL not push.

Although the Minn Kota 30 has been modified with the head removed, the shaft is untouched in this picture. It gives you an idea of how 6 more inches can make a difference.


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I should clarify: First my little Minn Kota is a 25 lb thrust (not 24- bad memory) and it has a 28 inch shaft. It works on my Renegade because I am not using the regular motor mount, but one that sits about 6 inches lower to the water. If you have the regular motor mount then you need the longer shaft as FG said.

I was mainly just addressing the issue of thrust needed to pull the boats. Small will work, just not as well if you want to get there faster, or are fighting a hurricane force "Idaho breeze"!
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I feel like we're in same boat,for lots of years I had those heavy batt. from wallmart,but I just started using small car battery,for short trips,about a mile"mine have a 3 year warrante,"get 2",,there just so light.My boat felt much faster with the lighter batt.I have an older model motorguide transom mount with a 48" shaft which I turned into a bowmount conversion 54lb thrust,I also have a 34lb motorguide which also pushes good,and my vintage sears dualprop trolling motor 48" shaft also ,each motor is 16lb for a combined 32lb,each motor runs independent,plus motor comes with a bright light,and voltage gauge,its true what they say about how things were made better in the earlier days,much more thought was put in.Just more food for thought if you put a trolling motor on the bow,its much ,much easier to control in the wind or current,with a transom mount the bow may swing around left to right.motor guide has a new motor which you can also reverse the head,I gave them the idea for free,just to make our lives easier.I hate to brag,but I won bragging rights,you see I'm in the lead for this year 443 challenge,this is a new picture I just got scanned today enjoy. "One mans boat is another mans dream" Paulpro
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Thing about mounting front or rear, I agree, a boat is no problem either way, but pontoon is a totally different story.
The haul is not designed for it, therefore pulling is much better and easier on a battery, plus you are totally hands free because you steer with your feet.

We put my 40 lb Thrust on our Gregor 14' aluminum boat and it works great...again, they are designed for a motor.

The problem with using Car batteries is they can not take the draining and charging like a Deep Cycle. I am afraid you will be going through a lot of batteries, and maybe abusing the warranty by not using it how it is intended, just saying. Don't need more reason to have battery prices go up more.

My brother in-law had a motor Guide...went through a lot of batteries for some reason with it and we use our Minn Kota's twice as much.
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FG,

i noticed your motor is wired different so you can control the speed from the front of the pontoon. So i am assuming that you just steer with your fins and and leave the motor in the same position all the time?

B
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You are correct. The new motors are not modified. One is a 45 lb thrust Endura and the other is a 40 lb thrust Maxxam. The prop on the 45 is way smaller than the one on the Maxxam???? wonder why? In fact it is smaller than the 30 cause I still have a bunch of props.
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The side bag window is an idea that Zak (Kochanut) had and he gave it to Dave.

Paulpro, FG tells the facts in using a car battery. They're made for STARTING your vehicle. Not continous use. You will ruin a battery like that by draining it down and recharging. They're not built the same as a DEEP CYCLE battery. If you don't believe me, Google it or Bing it.

You can see the side bag window and reg numbers on the picture
(double click on the picture to enlarge it.)


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Sorry I missed that about the Windows. Great idea Zach.
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My bad, I assumed we wer talking about an inflatable boat ,"tube"not a pontoon,these car batt work ok for light boats,plus you get up to a three year warrante,you could always replace it once it dies after one or two years,I've had mine for a year, runs strong until the end with a sudden lose of power[frown].Rigging the connection is a pain,my batt has the connections on the side,I use a bolt to screw into the side of the terminal and a nut to pinch the batt cable,or if you have batt connector just "clamp to bolt". "Nice boat by the way",I also have a pair of oars,5'1/2 wooden oars,I have an old Eagle mark 320 and a couple of years ago I got the speedometer wheel for it.I even tried one of those pocket size batteries for my fishfinder "weighs like a pound"P.S,I've do about a half mile trip with my 54 on the bow and my 34lb thrust on the stern,and both motors hooked up to a small car battery fastest I've ever gone,plus lightest I've ever been,even security at the lake thought I had a gas motor ,you have to walk really really fast to keep up,almost a light jog,lol
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