how big
I am looking at getting an electric motor for my boat but i am confused about what size to get!!! I have a 4.85 seajay sports haven, i was originally going to put a 54lb thrust motor on(12 volt) but the boat has quite high sides and i am worried it might not push it in some wind. So i was wondering if anyone had a similar sized boat and what works for you.
Thanks rabbitsMERRY XMAS.
mate I have a 4.9m Quintrex with a 55lbs Minn KOta, it pushes it well enough. The Quinnie in pretty high to, from memory I think the shaft ir 54". The Motorguide has about the same length shaft and is a bit cheaper and the Water Snake is only a 48"shaft but is a lot cheaper.
Mate,
There is now a 54lbs in a 54inch shaft as well as the 48 inch done by jarvis marine. Apparently the "revamped" model, with autopilot? and a scissor mount is due to be released in January so I am hanging out for that. However given that everything else with these guys seem to run 6months late I dont think that I will hold my breath. I don't know how many of the longer shafts are around though with the watersnakes. You may be able to pick up one of the "old" RT55AP kotas up cheap though... Just a thought
Rabbits ..... You could be disappointed with anything less than a 74lb 24 Volt system.
Yes many will say that they are pleased with a 54lb on a 4.8M boat but it is akin to a 4 cyl Camry Vs a V6 version ( yes the 4 cyl gets you around but load the car up or tow with it ..... & it will show up the inadequacies very quickly) ..... The same goes for leccies! ..... From what I have seen & experienced a 54lb should not be used on anything bigger than a 4.3M boat ( specially on a high sided boat).
The reality is that the smaller leccy would be used at a higher throttle setting ( shortening your running time) . If you are using the boat in windy conditions or against a strong tide a 54lb will struggle ( A guy I know has a 54lb on a 4.35 hornet & has to often use a drogue as well as his leccy to hold position when fishing Alpine lakes).
I have a 4.8M Hornet & run an 74lb 24 volt system. To date I'm yet to flatten the batteries in a 12 hour days fishing. Usually I have 50% charge ( this also prolongs the life of the batteries) ...... Because of the higher thrust , I can turn the boat faster as well. Finally on a recent trip to Peter Faust we had motor problems one evening at the opposite side of the dam & with a 20 knot SE blowing in our face we still managed to get back to the ramp ( 5km) running at about 5-6Km/h( & we trolled lures out the back) ...... I doubt we would have got back on a 54lber as we would have needed to run the leccy flat stick & would have flattened the battery.
Yes there is a cost to be paid ( duel batteries .... Quality AGMs will set you back %700 / pair) .... but they are great ( I've got Absorbed power 2x100amp).
So do your homework before going a 54lb leccy for that size boat ... Nagg
PS Ididn't even mention what load / people you will have on board .... That also has a big influence
Rabbits, i own a hornet 4.75 with a 70 pd minn kota dual battery. Cant fault it. Was advised 55pd would be enough if dollars was a problem. 7o pd More pull but more weight with second battery, no biggy. Never run her flat.Also have on board charger nice and convienant. 7o really pushes boat along no need to start main motor when sneaking further up dam.
cheers Ethan
I would love nothing more than to have that as a worry. I have a 3.85 Explorer with a 42lb riptide, no matter what the conditions I'm either getting blown around or the current is draging me in the opposit direction. Can't believe i still have hair.
Mitch
I've had the RT55AP on a 450 topender for about 3 years. I can fish a full windy day at Faust with no problems (it's always windy when I'm there...) and I'm yet to run the battery dead flat. I wouldn't like to rely on it to get me across the basin in a strong wind though, I don't think it would do it.
I have to run at near full thrust when holding position in tidal run if I'm fishing the larger tides here where there is up to 5m diff between high and low. Most of my fishing sessions are less than 6 hrs so I've not run into problems yet with flattening the battery. Sometimes with heaps of run you just have to anchor up. Also have to use full power when working current lines and bommies/points offshore, I like to work lures through eddies/upwellings over reef and full thrust will usually hold me or make my drift really slow which is ideal.
Summary, the 55 is adequate but I would try and afford the larger one if going again. Most important make sure you get the 54" shaft. I also love the autpilot feature, makes fishing in wind a LOT easier. I wouldn't consider a motor without it
good luck
kev
Summary, the 55 is adequate but I would try and afford the larger one if going again. Most important make sure you get the 54" shaft. I also love the autpilot feature, makes fishing in wind a LOT easier. I wouldn't consider a motor without it
good luck
kev[/quote]
Hi Kev, I think its just my boat, small, lite with more above than below. I've taken to dropping a small bucket tied to the back when running into a current just to keep me streight.
Mitch
Definitly a 24 volt motor, no if's or buts. I have a Fisher 4.8m platey and run a 65lb 24volt Minnkota. It's fine but next time a 70 + lb motor. 24 volts is not the hassle people think. Mine is set up to to just plug in and charge with a duel channel charger. If you want more info PM me
hey Mitch, mine behaves like that if I lift the outboard leg out of the water...the bow mount needs a rudder at the other end or it just fights itself back and forth all day. I leave my F60 leg fully down straight in a line along the keel
cheers
kev
Too right ..... definitely need to keep the leg down (learnt that one very quickly....... someone asked if I was pissedOriginally Posted by Kev_McC
I never lift the outboard, my Quiny is just to light for open water conditions. I'll win lotto one day and buy a bigger boat.
Mitch
you dont need to win lotto mitch from what ive been told your loaded.
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