Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I am completely new to pontoons so please excuse if I decide to ask dumb questions. Recently bought a 2006 Starcraft 20' fishing pontoon. I think I want a trolling motor. I have found a "lightly used" 24 volt 71 pound Motorguide for under 400 that was on a pontoon. It is a standard trolling motor mount like used on bass boats. Seems to be good price and I like the idea of bigger power but I am not sure how it will work in the front gate when loaded on the trailer. Any comments or suggestions?

You will need to leave the front gate open if it lays on the deck.
Since you need two 12v batteries are you going to run the wiring from the back to a plug on the front? Is it a foot controlled motor? Also I would recommend a two bank charger just to keep the deep cycle batteries charged up. How will you mount it to your deck?

I have a 70 lb Minn-Kota on mine with the co-pilot. My front gate is open on the bottom so it fits under it. The front of my pontoon has two storage compartments in the front of the boat so I put the two batteries on one side and the charger and anchor are stored on the other side.

Just my two cents but mine had a TM there when I bought my toon, I had it there about 6 months and never used it but for me it was "in the way" a lot.
Yes you can navigate around it but many times the front gate was the best place to load or unload and it just didn't work for us.
But I catfish mostly and I know it helps when chasing the scaly fish or if you just want the peace of mind the TM gives you for possible back up power.
Welcome and enjoy the toon!

I got a hand control trolling motor and a mount from MinnKota that made for a pontoon .When im not fishing i just remove the motor.Work great

fod59 wrote:I got a hand control trolling motor and a mount from MinnKota that made for a pontoon .When im not fishing i just remove the motor.Work great

Do you have a pic of that set up? or model no. of mount? Thanks..

I do have the half front gate so probably go under the gate. The loss of room and the front gate use concerns me. It is a foot control so there is more hardware added to deck. My fence goes all the way to front of the boat. Will the stored motor stick out past front of deck and run the risk of getting destroyed by boarding ladder on the trailer?

this picture shows mount better, I hope

I bought this one...haven't installed yet. I have a tri-toon and according to the description it as a quick release bracket. I plan to use it only when needed and stored as a back up most of he time.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MQ ... 02_s00_i00

Drive your freshwater fishing adventures to new depths with the Powerdrive V2 Pontoon Boat Trolling Motor. Minn Kota has been known for making the best trolling motors for 75 years, and the Powerdrive V2 is the latest technological spin on classic functionality. The V2 for pontoon boats features a powerful new Deploy-Assist Lever, an aluminum quick release bracket, improved ergonomics, and increased digital electronics that extend battery life. A quiet motor with a 54-pound thrust kick, the Powerdrive V2 allows you to swiftly navigate to the catch without scaring them off, and the indestructible composite shaft with Weedless Wedge Propellor guarantees that you won't get caught up in the small stuff. This item is covered by a 3-year warranty.
Product Description
Powerdrive V2 is perfect for pontoon boats. It includes a quick release bracket ideal for fishing or for quickly removing the motor for maximum versatility. This motor features 54lbs of thrust and a 48" shaft.

I dont have a picture boat in storage 90 miles away,The bracket i used is a MKA-21 Quick Release Bracket the motor i am using is a Minn kota Pontoon Hand Control.It work great.I like that you can take it completely off.IT take about 2 to 3 minutes to put it on

fod59 wrote:I dont have a picture boat in storage 90 miles away,The bracket i used is a MKA-21 Quick Release Bracket the motor i am using is a Minn kota Pontoon Hand Control.It work great.I like that you can take it completely off.IT take about 2 to 3 minutes to put it on

Thanks I scoped it out..

To answer one of your questions: I mounted a TM on the front of my tri-toon; It MUST stick out in front of the boat (in order to deploy down fully and not hit the deck). I cannot load my boat on the trailer without removing the (quick disconnect) TM. I will have to widen the front trailer bracket (galvanized, so not that easy) to make it fit without removing the TM. Is it worth it? Well, to me yes, but it's a PITA.

Hope this helped answer another one of your concerns.

Todd

I'll cabbage on to this conversation.

Referencing the Amazon link:

Is 54 lbs of thrust and 48" the right size for a 20' pontoon ?

I realize 'bigger is better", but is it enough for calm conditions ?

If I put one on my 24 ft Suntracker would y'all suggest I go bigger ?

Looks like at about 60 lbs of thrust you're looking at 24 V systems.

Looks like a great price !

I have a MinK on my 22ft toon it is a 24 volt 70lbs it will go 3mph by gps bimi up no wind.

killerkernrich wrote:I have a MinK on my 22ft toon it is a 24 volt 70lbs it will go 3mph by gps bimi up no wind.

That's interesting. That's about what I estimated my 80# Minn Kota will pull my 22' tri-toon with the bimini top up. It was a windy day, so I kind of tried to average in two directions (I wasn't trying too hard to be accurate). I suspect 3 mph is the max I'll get also.

Todd