Trolling Motor Length

[DB]

Tossing around the idea of swapping out the motorguide on my '01 Intimidator for a new Minn Kota. What kind of shaft length should I be looking for? Is there really that much of a difference between the 36 and the 24 volt? I have the room for the extra battery, but realistically, with extra battery, and single charger, lines to run up front for third battery, say ballpark an additional $200, is it worth it? Does a 36 volt charge last longer on a normal average day, or does it really only show its strength on windy days fighting current and zipping to the next crop of lilly pads?

Dave

[cowtrimmer]

No need to run additional wires up to the bow.As far as the voltage ? I have a 36 but for me a 24 would be fine.Theres some guy's that I have read about that say they cant live without a 36 volt troller.Who nows ??

[FishNH]

Dave, it kind of depends on where you fish. If you fish big water and do a lot of bouncing up and down, use a longer shaft Trolling motor, I fish Lake Champlain. I'm running a 36 V, MG 109 with 4 batteries. I had the option to run 3 batteries using one of the batteries dual purpose as the cranking battery, but decided to go with four batteries. If you fish rivers with lots of current, or like to fish deep in the pads using a hydrillia hacker prop, or fish tournaments lasting more than a day, you may want the 3rd trolling motor battery. If none of the above, I'd probably go for just 2. I have an on-board Stealth charging system, so I don't worry about charging the batteries. The additional battery requires minimal wiring, however, I had Steve at Gambler install a Perko switch allowing me to using number 3 trolling motor battery to start the big motor just in-case. Then again, if you're a speed freak, that extra battery is another 60+ pounds.

[DB]

I fish Kissimmee, Tarpon, Winter Haven, and other lakes in these areas.

i like this idea of the on-board charging system, gonna look into this. So, what I see here is, 36 volt will give you a full day even when its crappy out, in the thick stuff, bring it on kinda thing. Gonna be a tough choice! I have a feeling I'll be hearing "you can pay me now, or you can pay me later, but you will be paying me!!" that the 36 volt might be saying!!

Thanks guys,
Dave

[FishNH]

I'm sure the system works fine with three batteries, but what's another battery or two. I do know there's not much stopping that 109 at WOT.

[carolina killer]

I have been running the 3 battery system after about two weeks from bringing my boat home.. I took out the cranking & trolling batts that came in the boat Group 24 was the crankin battery with all the accessories wired to it.. A lot to run on a group 24 batt.. I took it out and installed a perco cut off switch amd the installed three group 29's with 205 minutes reserve and 950 CCA. I run all my acc. through the perco switch so that when I turn it off everything is killed.. I made me a homemade set of jumper cables out of two 12" pieces of #6 wire and a set of old battery charger clips.. I have not had to use them to date after several tourneys but I do have the stealth charging system as well as the charge while you tow system I would say that is why it's held up so well.. I took the forth battery out not for weight purposes but I needed more room to install my Perco cut off switch, Oxygenator and add another pro air pump to the live wells and the only place I could find to mount them was where the starting battery would be so I took it out...
I will say this I would not attempt this unless you have three very good batteries with at least 205 minutes reserve and 950 CCA and a very good charging system with a battery monitor setup with a low voltage warning set at 11.9 volts