02-11-2019, 02:53 AM
I've got a 1988 Starcraft Medalist 15' fiberglass with a 70 hp Mercury and it's a ski boat that I'd like to make a fishing boat. I like to troll a lot for trout and 1.4 to 3 mph are the speeds I typically troll at depending on what I'm targeting. The main motor at it's slowest is 3.0 mph so my options are:
a) trolling plate
b) adjustable kicker bracket with a 3-6 hp outboard
c) 12v 50lb thrust bow mount Minn Kota/Motorguide
a) The trolling plate is easiest and cheapest but I've heard of headaches they cause, not to mention I'm not sure how much I trust a 30 year old motor in the first place.
b) I've found kicker motors from a 29lb 3.3 hp 2 stroke mercury in excellent shape for $400 and a 61lb 4 stroke 6 hp Tohatsu for $800. Is a 3 hp too small? Due to the transom setup I don't want to go over 60lbs for motor weight.
c) The bow mount option would be great for bass and crappie but would I be able to troll for trout all day with that option (like when I go to Hebgen or Henry's Lake) I was thinking a 12v so I could have two batteries to extend trolling time.
What do you experts think would be the best option? $900 is my absolute limit total.
Thanks for any insight. Happy trails.
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a) trolling plate
b) adjustable kicker bracket with a 3-6 hp outboard
c) 12v 50lb thrust bow mount Minn Kota/Motorguide
a) The trolling plate is easiest and cheapest but I've heard of headaches they cause, not to mention I'm not sure how much I trust a 30 year old motor in the first place.
b) I've found kicker motors from a 29lb 3.3 hp 2 stroke mercury in excellent shape for $400 and a 61lb 4 stroke 6 hp Tohatsu for $800. Is a 3 hp too small? Due to the transom setup I don't want to go over 60lbs for motor weight.
c) The bow mount option would be great for bass and crappie but would I be able to troll for trout all day with that option (like when I go to Hebgen or Henry's Lake) I was thinking a 12v so I could have two batteries to extend trolling time.
What do you experts think would be the best option? $900 is my absolute limit total.
Thanks for any insight. Happy trails.
[signature]