I am looking to set up my 9 foot pontoon boat this year with a trolling motor and battery so I can get back into some secret spots for cat fishing when my friend is un available with his boat. My problem is how can I balance it out on the flotation so that it isn't too rear heavy and not balanced? I know that there are a couple of regulars on here that have done so to their toons so any help I can get would be appreciated. In case anyone wonders I have a 36 lb thrust minnkota that I would like to use. It is the same motor I use on my canoe for duck season.
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TD put me onto those boat bumpers as extra flotation. I use 2 that are 10-12" diameter by 2' long. They add about 60lbs of extra flotation so they equal out a battery. Works great but they do make the assembly process a little more difficult. Good luck. J
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The inflatable pontoons strap onto the frame and can be adjusted forward or back. Try it out in close local water. Take it out and adjust again until it is level. Then make some marks to set it up again with that adjustment.
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I agree with RPF. Slide your frame as far forward as you can. Place the battery as close to the back of the seat as possible (center of gravity).
The bumpers can add higher weight capacity, but also major drag. More drag effects the time on the battery from the motor working harder.
What boat do you have.? Remember you will have to license it.
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With the 9' toon you may not need the extra flotation, mine is a 6' and I needed the help. Later J
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I also agree with RPF, you can look at putting your motor in the front and battery in the back. That is how I used to have mine set up it definaly helps to balance things out and it was easier to control the motor.
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I set mine up with the motor in front as well, I really like it that way. J
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Just understand, it will take more juice to PUSH than it does to pull.
I personally never understood motor up front, but to each their own. I see line problems and in the way.
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What type of toon or model do you have? That will help to make a decision as where to go. Also as stated the frame will need to be moved forward on the toons to help balance things out. And as FG stated put the battery as close to the seat as possible. You want the toon to sit as level as possible. There are some pics on the float tubing board as well that can help.
[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/gforum.cgi?category=66"]http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/gforum.cgi?category=66[/url]
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call pat ..tubedude nobody better,
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i tend to agree with you FG, make the motor as efficient as possible. And, out of the way.
I have a 9' toon with a heavy group 27 batt, and 30lb thrust minn-kota, and don't notice being too back heavy or lop sided. I think i'd test run the setup before modifying too much.
One mod I made to the motor, is re-drilled the hole in the shaft that connects the throttle/handle to the shaft. its now at a 45 to my left instead of directly behind me. much more comfy, and less arm fatigue after a long run, or when trolling.
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[quote zman2]call pat ..tubedude nobody better,[/quote]
Really?
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ya n,,st pat is the one u want to talk to,
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[#0000FF]You have already had a lot of good input. Before I could offer anything more I would like to know the make and model of your toon. A 9 footer should be able to handle a motor and battery without additional floatation. A big question is whether or not your craft already has a motor mount and/or a rear deck for the motor and battery. That will make things easier.
As has been suggested, it is critical that you locate the battery, motor and seat correctly...to get your toon to float level. That makes a huge difference in the ride and in the efficiency of the motor...and life of the battery. Might take some experimenting and adjustment to get it just right.
Very few tooners choose to have the motor at the front. Those who set their motors up in front are generally less experienced and/or don't know how to rig their motors to pull the toon backward...while mounted to the rear. Simple to remove the single bolt on the head and turn it around 180 degrees. Front mounted motors may be easier to reach but they complicate the fishing...when casting or when fighting or landing fish. There is also the potential for angler injury if you get "propped". Not as bad as with a gas motor but even an electric motor can cut you with a prop blade.
If you would like to bring your craft to my place I would be happy to look it over and make suggestions...or help you with the rigging.
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Before you accept everything TD and FG say consider the crafts they run and how they fish verses how you will fish. For me, I like to troll, not motor out and then kick fish and so easy access to the steering is a major plus for my cat trolling. Now keep in mind I can still climb around a little so I can get in the craft over my motor mount which will get more difficult as I get older, but for now its worth it to me. They have a point about landing the fish but with a landing net I seldom have too much of an issue landing fish, I did lose one big LMB that wrapped around my motor shaft and broke off, but that was one of many. Another issue they bring up that is important is getting hurt by the motor. On my toon the motor is far enough in front of me that it hasn't been an issue getting in the prop. I would say consider your craft and how you like to fish and weigh the benefits and decide. I know many toons are designed for rear mounting and so that's probably the way to go, but if you get a choice not everyone has the same opinion. Later J
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My toon is the trout unlimited edition of I believe it is the Colorado brand boat. I am unable to move the deck further forward on the toons as they only have two spots on each side to run the straps through to hold them on. It does have the motor mount as well as the basket that clips to the frame right behind the seat. I would be happy to meet up with you and get your input and advice. I live in Providence UT. If you would like to pm me with your number and address I will get in touch with you and work out a time. I will send you my number in a pm. Thanks, Chris
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[#0000FF]There have been quite a few Utah tooners with the Colorado. It can carry a bit of weight and the wire mesh deck and motor mount (rear) will handle just about any motor/battery setup you want. With that frame design it is also possible to add rod holders, tool rack, sonar, etc. Got some pics of a couple of other Colorados I have pimped out.
Got your PM and sent my contact info.
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I see several pontooners with motor in front. They also do not bother with waders of any kind or fins. They rely totally on the motor.
That is fine, but you will be missing out on the fine tuning of the toon. Slight breezes, you control with feel, and forgo an anchor.
Plus the whole idea is a "little" exercise, right?[
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Go with what works. And do NOT drill holes in the frames.[
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cdashby, you are in the hands of the "Tube"Dude.[
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There are others that actually own pontoons that tried to help.[
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I think this goes back to needing multiple craft because I really like the finesse of fins on my small toon that I backpack into mountain lakes but when I'm using it on a big pond that I need to cover ground or want to troll, then I like the motor setup. And I do just like you mentioned, I don't wear waders only knee boots and keep my feet up on the motor mount out of the water. Totally different usages of the craft. Both are really fun. I do miss out on the exercise, but where I fish has too much current for me to overcome and that was the main reason for the motor, not tough enough to kick that hard or long. Later J
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