Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Wanting to put a bow mount trolling motor on my boat that can be removed pretty easily. Mainly for bass fishing in shallow weed infested lakes and ponds and in the river which has "suprise rocks". The boat is primarily used for duck hunting and I dont want it on the boat during duck season.

With the short front deck - I don't think a standard steering cable type motor will have enough length for the footpedal to reach the floor. Was leaning towards a MinnKota powerdrive type (electric steer) motor so that I could put the pedal wherever I choose.

Spoke with a person at a bass pro store yesterday and he suggested I wouldnt be happy with the way these motors deployed, steered, etc. I'd love to hear what you have on your boats and would appreciate any suggestions you may have.

On my other boat I have a motorguide cable steer type motor with the older "gator mount". It folds under the front of the boat when you hit something hard. Really like the way it operates and the way I can pull it up to shake and sling the grass of of it when it is really thick. This is what I was told was difficult with the electric steer Minn Kota's.

Thank you for your help. I've been reading the forums for a while, just haven't chimed in before.

Nitrosteel

I've got a 40lb tiller Minn Kota on mine, its plenty for a mudboat.

unless you are dead set on handsfree, get a transom clamp tiller handle. Very removable.

I see you are a new member so welcome! This topic came up a couple of weeks ago so check out the search feature.
With that being said what make/size is your boat?
Need to know how big it is to judge the motor size. Without any other info 40-50 lb should make it scoot just fine.

TJ! I see you have been around the site since start up, Whats up?!

If you look in his thread title you can see its a 16x44 GD!

I've got a 55 lb. MinnKota on a 16x60 GD. Will almost get on plane wide open.

IMO bigger is better. I got a 1660 with a Minn Kota 80lb.

40 lb will do it but bigger is always better.

I have a 45 hand controlled I will sell u


Sent from my iPhone using

Ordered a 50 lb minn kota power drive v2. On sale at cabelas for $399 with $5 shipping.

Will let you know how it works out.

Thank you for your help.
Nitrosteel

You will like it there nice motors

I run a 55 lb thrust on my 1436 and it has plenty of power to move the boat on a windy day

What is the best way to keep the rear of the boat from "spinning" around in the wind on the go-devil boats?

Also, for those of you with the power drive trolling motors - do you actually move the depth collar each time you stow the trolling motor or do you trust that the latch will hold it in the mount? The collar seems so tight and hard to slide, and the latch seems very secure - but the instructions say (warning sticker too) tighten it against the mount. I would do this when traveling down the highway, but it just seems stupid to do this each time while on the water.

Thank you again for your help.

Nitrosteel

You can take 2 bungee cords go from corner to corner, will hold ur motor straight and that should help

So you lower the skeg of the engine in the water and let it act as your rudder?

Correct!

X2

On real windy days you can drag a small piece of chain on a rope. Just enough to where it doesn't effect your trolling.

My dad uses that trolling sack you toss out the back the boat. Those things work great in canals

This works for me.

I've got a 40# 12v on my boat, plenty good. But honestly I don't even bother fishing if it's too windy

I use a minn kota v2 50# thrust on my 1744 bought it on craigslist for $200 works great.

I run a saltwater minn kota 12v, transom mount on the bow(its either 45 or 55, I forget). Goes on and off super easy and pulls my 1646 around with ease. I just trim the motor down to keep in going straight, works great if your in deepish water.

you can build a extended deck out of aluminum and mount motor of your choice to the deck. When duck season comes, you just remove deck and motor at once. I have done this for my GD 16X38. Works well.