Electric trolling motor on 20'SF

[HatTrick]

I want to put a Minn Kota Ulterra on a 20' 1986 SF. I fly fish so I would like to have the motor as low as possible on the deck when deployed to avoid tangling the fly line. The controlling will be remote so the motor can be down low when operating. Does anyone have experience with this and would the 54" shaft go low enough when deployed.

[HatTrick]

I read some of the earlier threads that have some great info, but I am curious if anyone has a 54" TM shaft out there...

[fishstu]

See my post in the Performance forum - I want to add a bow mount trolling motor to my 2001 SC 20 Lefty Kreh MA

24V 60" shaft, 80lb thrust seems to be the ticket for SC 20.

[HatTrick]

Done, with a home-made support bracket. Not sure if PVC will be strong enough, but I wanted to have the deck flush when the bracket was removed during operation. Sorry for the neck bending but I can't figure out how to rotate the images that are not right. I will look into it.
Ulterra 80# with a 60" shaft.

[fishstu]

Nice work HAT - squeezing the Minn Kota Ulterra in and keeping the front Navigation light. Another guy with a SC 20 MA removed the front NL to install the MK Ulterra directly in front. He fitted separate TACO rub rail port / starboard lights.

I am still thinking about (and gathering even more feedback) about going with a single 24v or 36v Lithium battery for the performance and space,weight savings. A 36v MK Ulterra is probably over kill but a single lighter 36v battery makes it is more practical and is only $200 more than the 24v MK Ulterra. But a single Lithium battery (with charger) will cost as much as the MK Ulterra !

For now the boat is going in the water for the spring black fish season - then I will pull it to fit a MK Uterra.

[HatTrick]

Yeah, the light is slightly blocked on the starboard side so it is not perfect. I will take a look from a buddies boat at night to see if it is OK. I just wanted to avoid putting more hardware up front. The recessing lights are EXPENSIVE. I read about the lithium batteries and besides the cost it seemed like there were charger concerns. Maybe I need to read more. The two grp 31 gel deep cycle batteries were pretty pricey too and they weigh about 69 lbs. apiece. The weight is why I brought them under the console for a steady, firm place for mounting. I think they should be plenty for a day of fishing, we'll see.

[HatTrick]

I also put plastic white ribbed wire tubing over the black and red wires on the deck. The colors bothered me.

[HatTrick]

Fishstu - If you don't have a place picked out to purchase your TM, check out trolling motors.net
George is very helpful and delivery was crazy fast. Ordered thursday, the motor arrived Saturday.

[fishstu]

HAT - thanks for the tip on trolling motors.net - I checked out that site and will call George about 36v vs 24v. .