Time For A New Trolling Motor

[gitnby]

My 1993 Johnson bow mount(original on my Stratos) is about shot.

I'm out of town right now, but without looking, I think it's about a 50+? lb thrust? (I need every bit of that, if not more)

Thinkin it's a 42" shaft.

I do know it's on a 24v set up, has 3 speeds and a 12/24 switch.

Not looking for any of the fancy new set ups, just a solid unit.

Saw this one, which is in my price range:

http://www.basspro.com/MotorGuide-Pro-Series-Freshwater-Trolling-Motor-Pro-75/45/product/10225012/

Any other recommendations?

Not sure about the Gator Mount?

Have heard some guys complain about them slipping too much and hard to get back to the right spot when pulling it up.

Or, if anyone has or knows of a good used one, let me know.

[Dutch]

You might check the BPS outlet in Springfield. All of their returns are reconditioned by the guys at Marine Repair Center before they are sold. Sometimes they have really good deals.

As for the Gator mount, I have been using one since 02 and have no idea what you mean by slipping.

[cullinby9]

If you can I would recommend the 82 # tour motorguide I payed 799.00 for a new one at marine repair center in Springfield it was a year old that had been optioned off a 20 footer. It's plenty of motor for my 18 foot boat.

[dtrs5kprs]

Have run motorguide since 1994, without complaints. Current one is a Tour 109, but that is on a 21' Flippin brand barge. Cullinby9 is probably in the right range, but a 70-ish thrust would probably work. Hard to have too much TM. Hole pattern might make a difference also, but not sure if any fit the old OMC footprint.

A lot of what you hear about any TM is sort of Ford vs. Chevy action. All of them run, all of them will grind your gears at times, all of them will break eventually. I am hard on TM's, frequently using them like a power pole, and the MG's have held up.

Will say a straight 24v beats a unit that switches, if any are still made. Let us know what the pick is.

[cullinby9]

I know the minkota and motorguide hole patterns are different than the OMC. I took dow rod and epoxy and filled the holes when I bought my boat it had the omc on it. I also put two 2x4's in the bow to strengthen the nose and used longer bolts its held up well and I beat the snot out of it. I also got rid of the plug and hard wired a breaker switch like the newer boats.

[Quillback]

I agree with these guys, I'd definitely get something around 80 lb., and run it off a 24 volt system.

[fishinwrench]

As for the Gator mount, I have been using one since 02 and have no idea what you mean by slipping.

I've seen the slipping Gator mount issue on the older models quite a bit. If the impact slide is overtightened and you hit something causing it to slip anyway then the bushings (which are a soft aluminum), and the stainless lock washers have to be replaced.

They have eliminated the bushings on later models and I think they just made the inner slide wider for a tighter fit which has probably ended that little glitch forever.

[Gregg]

sent you a PM

[gitnby]

I figured I'd have to deal with the hole issue. Like the idea of bracing underneath with a 2 x 4 and longer bolts.

I assume my wiring will be okay with a 24v model?

The 12/24 switch is on the foot control so I should be able to run the same leads to the posts on new one, right?

I'm back in town tonight and I will measure everything and get the specs on my old one.

Thanks for all of the help, guys!

[dtrs5kprs]

If you are running a 12/24 then you should be good for straight 24v. Will just pull from both batteries all the time instead of giving you the option of switching. You will love it. Variable speed vs. 5 speed is certainly nice too.

Not a bad time to run some new 6ga and look at your breakers and such though, since you are going to have the lid off anyway.