trolling motor
Louisiana Fishing
May 24, 2022 18:29:54 #
Harris T. Fudpucker wrote:
Just came in and it was a very hot chore, just getting it out of the box. I just finished drilling the holes and put two bolts and nuts tight, and had to come in, too hot. Hey Beaver, how much did that rock your world. I looked a spot lock, and very pricy!
$1100. Here's the whole story...Grab a cup of coffee...
I made the decision that I would purchase the Motor Guide XI3 with GPS and Spot Lock. It is Amazing and I do not regret the purchase. It is everything I had hoped for. All I have to do is hit that little "anchor" button on the remote control and the boat stops and stays in position until I hit another function key. I can stay glued to a spot to change a lure, dig out a backlash, retrieve a stuck lure from a brush pile, take a fish off the hook. I had hoped that I would be thrilled with the GPS/Spot Lock function and I am...totally thrilled...completely satisfied.
I have a Lowe 1240...that's a tiny boat. All the Minn Kota's had huge housings that I would have to fit to this tiny little boat. I wanted something much smaller and compact. The Motor Guide has a XI3 that is made for kayaks so it has a 36" shaft and a very compact housing/body that must be mounted to the boat somewhere. It was perfect for my application. I talked with the Motor Guide Rep at the Bass Pro World Fishing Festival back in March and made my decision that day to make the purchase. I put it on my Bass Pro Credit Card which offered a 12 month, no interest charge. As long as I make the required minimum monthly payment of $27.00, I can take up to 12 months to pay for it with no interest. I too could not afford the $1100.00, but I knew I could swing it if I had some time, so that is how I approached this boat modification.
Of course, you are not finished spending money with the purchase of the Trolling Motor...you must have a battery---I went with a Lithium 55 AH which was big enough for my usage (Weize from Amazon that had outstanding reviews and cost only $212, as apposed to nearly $500) that weights only 12 lbs, which is great for my little rig. Then I had to have a Lithium battery charger (Noco 10- $100) and then the cables and fittings and Motor Guide plug receptacles and circuit breaker...on and on...(about another $100.00). I also installed a quick release bracket, because I did not want the motor permanently mounted to my boat and I did not want to trailer the troller motor...I wanted to slip it in the rear of my SUV. The quick release bracket was about $80.00. I have a good story about the quick release bracket. I hit it off with the Motor Guide Factory Rep and he sent me a quick release bracket for FREE, just because we made a connection at the BP World Fishing Festival. What a blessing!
So, when I was all said and done, I had about $1600 into the project, but that was nearly $500 less than the Minn Kota which I did NOT really want because it was enormous...way too big and heavy for my little boat.
I hope you thoroughly enjoy your new motor and it serves you well over the years!
May 24, 2022 18:39:14 #
Just finished with the vacuum. I had shavings from the holes drilled. I have to cut the connector off the old one, and will solder the plug onto the new one. My last one was a 36 thruster and this one is a 45!! I might be able to get up on step with just the trolling motor. LOL My yacht is a 14/52 so not much difference in size.
May 24, 2022 20:35:14 #
May 24, 2022 20:36:13 #
Fredfish wrote:
The problem is even American semiconductor companies like Motorola are manufacturing in China. With China back in lockdown, many plants are closed. The chips that are already made are stuck in shipping containers, either on ships, or stacked up in California ports.
Everything is computer controlled nowadays, from your microwave, to your car, to your trolling motor. Thousands of companies are waiting for these chips. The answer is to start making them here, like they used to.
Everything is computer controlled nowadays, from your microwave, to your car, to your trolling motor. Thousands of companies are waiting for these chips. The answer is to start making them here, like they used to.
It would be nice to go back in time Fred. Don’t ever forget that American Business ( men and women ) decided that a bunch of money in their pocket or bank account was nicer than remaining in the US. Many Businesses sold their rights and all the stuff to other Businesses in other Countries. If you ask me what it means it’s pretty clear. GREED. New things can probably be manufactured here again but if a person sells the rights and copyrights etc off for a profit it’s not always even possible to go back in time and produce it as it was in the past. New copyrights and trademarks etc can be established but ask the people that have millions of dollars in their pockets why they sold out.
Traiger grills were sold out to China. They started here in Oregon. Now that same rich guy is way up in the Pit Boss Company. He is probably happy with the cash. Many that have a chance at huge amounts of money do not much care about the Consumers Globally because we will always exist.
Fishing equipment and the rest of the things we buy are made somewhere else because it’s more profitable for the few up top.
May 24, 2022 20:40:14 #
BeaverTooth wrote:
$1100. Here's the whole story...Grab a cup of cof... (show quote)
Hopefully it works really good for you. You can add more batteries if the run time is not as long as you want. Looks really nice too. If you have a gas main motor you can add a circuit to charge your new system whenever the main motor is running. A solar canopy is another option to have additional run time while on the water.
Thanks for sharing.
May 24, 2022 22:08:00 #
trlittle wrote:
Never go to the Minkota outlet
They have nothing to do with a Minkota
They have nothing to do with a Minkota
Well I went ONCE, that was enough, the *&^%$*)& couldn't answer a question, so he hung up on me. LOL
May 25, 2022 19:33:15 #
bapabear
Loc: Blaine, Washington
Fredfish wrote:
Yeah Bapa, it's affecting our entire economy. Everyone is blaming the retailers, but even the factory sites are out of stock. The retailer can't sell what he can't get. Good job making something work until you get what you want. 
Thanks. I am at Banks lake. If I could only get the fishing to work. I am having a "Spirit". Maybe I should not have teased him so much.
May 25, 2022 19:48:52 #
bapabear wrote:
Thanks. I am at Banks lake. If I could only get the fishing to work. I am having a "Spirit". Maybe I should not have teased him so much.
Been there and done that, Bapa. Keep at it, you'll get them to play.
May 25, 2022 20:39:51 #
bapabear
Loc: Blaine, Washington
Fredfish wrote:
Been there and done that, Bapa. Keep at it, you'll get them to play.
It should be very interesting this weekend. There is a 36 year old bass tournament. The water is normally in the upper 60's for the tournament. It was 52 today. Wooo for the memorial day water skiers.
May 25, 2022 20:42:18 #
bapabear
Loc: Blaine, Washington
bapabear wrote:
It should be very interesting this weekend. There is a 36 year old bass tournament. The water is normally in the upper 60's for the tournament. It was 52 today. Wooo for the memorial day water skiers.
I forgot to mention, I don't fish tournaments. I will be at the south end of the lake looking for walleye and or something to eat.
May 25, 2022 21:07:29 #
bapabear wrote:
I forgot to mention, I don't fish tournaments. I will be at the south end of the lake looking for walleye and or something to eat.
They will be searching the shallow water looking for warm spots, or dropshotting the deep humps. Good luck with the Eyes, or Perch or whatever else is there. Up here the early jetskiers and waterskiers wear a dry type wetsuit. I get a chill watching them.
May 25, 2022 21:14:31 #
Fred, I just came in for the back yard pond. I caught two 2# er's I hooked one next to the bank in front of me, maybe a pd. and it jump and spit and split. The other one third on the list, maybe a 4lb two feet from the bank, and maybe 10" of water. Not bad for 15 minutes. All caught on a 1/4 oz chatter bait with a silver three-inch lizard.
May 25, 2022 21:46:45 #
Harris T. Fudpucker wrote:
Fred, I just came in for the back yard pond. I caught two 2# er's I hooked one next to the bank in front of me, maybe a pd. and it jump and spit and split. The other one third on the list, maybe a 4lb two feet from the bank, and maybe 10" of water. Not bad for 15 minutes. All caught on a 1/4 oz chatter bait with a silver three-inch lizard.
Nice Job Harris. That's my favorite time of night to fish, just before and after sunset. Especially fun in a small pond. Congrats.
May 29, 2022 22:44:07 #
bapabear
Loc: Blaine, Washington
Fredfish wrote:
They will be searching the shallow water looking for warm spots, or dropshotting the deep humps. Good luck with the Eyes, or Perch or whatever else is there. Up here the early jetskiers and waterskiers wear a dry type wetsuit. I get a chill watching them.
I caught 1 walleye and two perch. Nothing worth a photo. The weather went south again. I am not into fighting whitecaps on a lake, so I packed it up early and came home. Maybe my September week at Lake Pend Oreille and possibly a week at Lake Roosevelt, will turn out better. Oh well, the scenery around Steamboat Rock on Banks Lake makes the trip worthwhile in and of itself. I will sent a few photos on a new post when I get them downloaded.
May 29, 2022 22:50:49 #
bapabear wrote:
I caught 1 walleye and two perch. Nothing worth a photo. The weather went south again. I am not into fighting whitecaps on a lake, so I packed it up early and came home. Maybe my September week at Lake Pend Oreille and possibly a week at Lake Roosevelt, will turn out better. Oh well, the scenery around Steamboat Rock on Banks Lake makes the trip worthwhile in and of itself. I will sent a few photos on a new post when I get them downloaded.
Sorry to hear that Bapa, but at least no skunk. I'll be watching for that post. Have a good night.
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