Steering Pontoon Boats withTrolling Motors

[forgiven]

If you read my post about flipping a Fat Cat 4 you know I am getting a pontoon boat.

I notice a lot of you are using trolling motors mounted on the back. My question is how are you steering them? Are you setting the motor so the boat tracks straight then steering with your flippers?

Seems awkward to turn around & grab the tiller to steer.
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[idahopanfish]

Love your name, isn't it great!

Yes I stear with my flippers
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[forgiven]

Yes it IS great! Glad to know there is a brother here and from Idaho to boot! I'm from the Nampa/Caldwell area, what about you?

Another question: Do you reach around to turn it on and /or adjust speed or do you have some sort of remote up front with you?
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[idahopanfish]

I'm from Twin Falls

Actually I took the control handle off, spliced the wires so they would reach and set it beside me and the battery, took the reostat unit and mounted it in a plastic electrical box (blue box in the picutre), I'm not sure if you couldn't just ust the original handle control.

Do you come this way often?
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[flygoddess]

As mentioned, I took ribbon wire and removed the head also and bought a box and a radio knob from Radio shack



Have sold allot of people on this idea[]

One thing you need to know. If you don't modify the motor, you still need yo loosen the head and turn the bottom half so that the prop is facing the same direction as the handle. This gives you full power in a pulling mode which is much easier and uses less power. You will have the reverse settings to push you forward, but it is hard to control. Good for going nose first into shore however.

You can just pull the head off and extend the wires. I did it on my older boat which Pokymon now has. I put a peg in the motor head and it fits nicely in the oar hole.

You do steer with your flippers, but I forgot my flippers once and could steer with my feet. Not as well but I was able to turn when needed.
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[forgiven]

[quote idahopanfish]I'm from Twin Falls

Actually I took the control handle off, spliced the wires so they would reach and set it beside me and the battery, took the reostat unit and mounted it in a plastic electrical box (blue box in the picutre), I'm not sure if you couldn't just ust the original handle control.

Do you come this way often?[/quote]

Looks good! I get to your area now and again. I was in your neck of the woods when I flipped my tube at Clear Lake. We should meet up at a lake or pond somewere.
If you come this way, I live about 5 miles from Lake Lowell & the spring largemouth bite is killer!
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[forgiven]

[quote flygoddess]As mentioned, I took ribbon wire and removed the head also and bought a box and a radio knob from Radio shack

Have sold allot of people on this idea[]

.[/quote]

Thanks for the tips! I might just try to use the existing control head. Looks like can get a 30lb thrust Minkota reconditioned for under a C-note. That otta be enough motor eh?
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[flygoddess]

Absolutely. That is what the one in the picture is. It died last summer so I bought the Maxxum 40. I like it but, because of the warranty, I left it in one piece. I am going to go ahead and redo it this year as, when I come into shore I raise and tilt my motor, but with it in on piece it really gets in the way, but out on the water it is no big deal to reach around every so often.
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[idahopanfish]

I ve wanted to fish Lake Lowell, what other fish are in there?
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[forgiven]

[quote idahopanfish]I ve wanted to fish Lake Lowell, what other fish are in there?[/quote]

Bullheads, a few BIG channel cats, crappie, a few smallmouth, a few trout. Largemouth is what Lowell is all about though.
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[idahopanfish]

Sounds like a trip I will try to plan for, let me know approximently a good time to come and if those crappie are any size I would love to try for some of them as well.

I will return the favor for a trip to Salmon for some walleye.
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[forgiven]

Deal! Always wanted to do Salmon falls when the walleye get agressive. Is that around the end of June?

Spring is the best time for Lowell. Mid- Late April through the spawn is best. I would say plan on May sometime & I will keep an eye on it.

Lake opens April 15 for boats, tubes & etc.

Crappie are usually good at the same time and can be caught in the same places. I'll keep you posted.
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