trolling motor advice

[parker23]

I have a 23' Parker Center Console.
I fly fish close to the rocks/surf, mostly from the bow. Need a motor to help me maintain position or get out of the $^$%, quickly when necessary.

Minn Kota has a 101lb thrust bow mount w/remote control.

Any product suggestions/comments would be greatly appreciated.

[ragfly]

I have the 74lb 24 volt Minn Kota model on my 18 1/2 ft boat. No problems with it so far. I use the fresh water model in the saltwater all the time. The saltwater models are over priced. The only thing I ran into was mounting my depth finder. you can not tie-wrap the cable to the shaft because of the easy glide system. I ended up returning the trolling motor and getting one with a transducer built in. Check out Caleba's on line store for their reconditioned Minn Kota. Also make sure you get a shaft that is long enough. As a side note I used to have a minn kota 54lb 12v motor on my old boat. I never had a problem.

[ragfly]

I miss typed Cabelas........... OOps

[Got Stripers]

I've been fishing the 101 # Ripetide Minn Kota for years and love it. Thankfully I purchased the 3 year extended warranty, as it's be reshafted a couple times, don't buy it without one as it's not as indestructable as they claim. Otherwise I love it, but you'd have to actually take some measurements on your bow height off the water to make sure you have the shaft length to make that work. Remember any kind of chop or rollers and every time the bow comes up so does your motor. I have a 52" shaft on my Lund and it's perfect for my boat.

I'd also recommend a good on board charger, one designed for 3 batteries and is completely waterproof and sealed. Saltwater demands a minimum of 24V, but since going 36V years ago, I'd never go back.

[BobT]

Minn Kota is the best. Stay away from Motorguide !! My buddy has a MG 2 years ago and had to have it repaired twice in 6 months. It is now his backup. Put on a Minn Kota and hasn't had a single problem.