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Posts: 1828
| Those of you with 18 - 20 ft fiberglass boats, what voltage and thrust trolling motor are you running and do you wish you had more?
A lot of the 18.5' boats I'm seeing have 24V, 70 or 80 LB bow mounts. For some reason in my head I would think you'd want 36 V, but I realize the glass hulls don't catch as much wind and have a bit more inertia.
Thanks. |
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Posts: 1735
| On my 20' skeeter tiller I had a 80 lb 24 volt Ulterra.
On my 20' Lund tiller I have a 36 volt 112 lb. Ulterra.
The 36 volt might be needed because this Lund hull is 500 lbs heavier then my Skeeter was.
I would say if you stand and cast all day working the trolling motor go with the 36 volt. I never felt under powered with the 24 volt on the Skeeter. I also hate battling the wind which is where the 36 volt would really shine. |
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Posts: 734
Location: Watertown, MN | Ran a 24v 70lb PD on 620 for years and was fine, but would be days had to manage the batterries. I always ran 31 series so I had the biggest battery.
Now running with 36v 112lb terrova, and it last all day no problems no matter how many hours or the wind. Just wish I could get Power drive foot bell.
Troyz
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Posts: 791
Location: North Central IL USA | 80lb 24 volt Terrova on my Skeeter MX 1825. Works fine! |
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Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI | 18’ id go 24 volt, 20’ id go 36 volt. It’s really that simple
Edited by danmuskyman 9/5/2018 8:57 PM
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Posts: 1209
| It depends how hard you fish and the conditions, if your going in the wind for a full day you will more than likely need a 36, if your fair weather or half day fishermen a 24 will be fine, can save you 80 pounds , draft less , better whole shot, more speed while on the gas motor |
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Posts: 1828
| Fishysam - 9/6/2018 10:00 AM
It depends how hard you fish and the conditions, if your going in the wind for a full day you will more than likely need a 36, if your fair weather or half day fishermen a 24 will be fine, can save you 80 pounds , draft less , better whole shot, more speed while on the gas motor
For almost all of the fishing I do it sounds like 24V will be fine, but if we switch to my boat for tournament fishing, it sounds like I'll regret not having 36V and 100+ Lb.
Thanks everyone. |
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Posts: 228
Location: Tinley Park, IL | Never had an issue with my 24-volt, 80 lb thrust not being strong enough or running out of charge on my 19' Tuffy. And I am casting all day and running the trolling motor nonstop. In terms of thrust, I never have it set higher than half speed unless I am not casting and moving to the next spot. |
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Posts: 100
| 24 volt 80lb Terrova on a 17' aluminum deep V here. I've never used more than half a charge during a tournament (12-13 hour days). The troller is always running in auto pilot if I'm fishing |
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Posts: 48
Location: West Central Wisconsin | When I picked up my 19ft Recon, it had a 36v 112lb Ulterra powered by 31 group batteries. I thought it was overkill but absolutely fell in love with it on a trip to Vermillion. I was able to fish wind-blown points that I would have never tried with my previous boat - 17ft Fishhawk w/ 24v 80lb motor. I can go an entire weekend without a charge. With that said, I have yet to deal with the $$ pain of replacing those batteries. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | 24 volt 80 lb Ulterra on my 690. While it def does the job if I had room for another battery, which I do not I might opt for a 112. I do have a Minn Kota DC charger which charges on the fly and is worth it's weight in gold on big water, haven't been below 2 bars in big wind fishing all day on lotw with the On the fly installed
Edited by BNelson 9/7/2018 10:59 AM
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | 24V 80# works just fine. 36V 112 works more than fine....and is actually pretty awesome.
I went from a 112 on a 619 back to the 80 on an 1850. Im able to get by just fine, have no issues running out of juice, but certainly the drop in power is very noticeable. I almost equate it to having an outboard under MAX hp...yes it works just fine, but you’ll get on plane much faster with the other puppy. As stated, not all boats have the room for the extra battery and it’s obviously a higher cost to switch (new charger, bigger TM, new battery) |
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Posts: 1828
| Musky Brian - 9/7/2018 10:49 AM
24V 80# works just fine. 36V 112 works more than fine....and is actually pretty awesome.
I went from a 112 on a 619 back to the 80 on an 1850. Im able to get by just fine, have no issues running out of juice, but certainly the drop in power is very noticeable. I almost equate it to having an outboard under MAX hp...yes it works just fine, but you’ll get on plane much faster with the other puppy. As stated, not all boats have the room for the extra battery and it’s obviously a higher cost to switch (new charger, bigger TM, new battery)
The 1850 MS is actually what I'm after. Finding quite a few used ones, all of them with 24V TMs. Is there no room for a third battery?
The onboard charger off the outboard, like BNelson mentioned, sounds ideal. I'll have to line one up.
I'm a ways out from the upgrade, but I like to do lots of homework first. How do you like your boat? compared to the 619? |
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Posts: 21
| Tuffy x-190, 36 v 112 lb ultrex. When I bought the boat, they wanted me to put a 24 v, but I insisted on a 36. I’ve learned that you can NEVER have too much trolling motor. I never want to run out of juice on any fishing trip. Whether it’s a local lake or the trip of a lifetime in Canada. Always get whatever you can afford. More is better! |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | jaultman - 9/7/2018 2:25 PM
Musky Brian - 9/7/2018 10:49 AM
24V 80# works just fine. 36V 112 works more than fine....and is actually pretty awesome.
I went from a 112 on a 619 back to the 80 on an 1850. Im able to get by just fine, have no issues running out of juice, but certainly the drop in power is very noticeable. I almost equate it to having an outboard under MAX hp...yes it works just fine, but you’ll get on plane much faster with the other puppy. As stated, not all boats have the room for the extra battery and it’s obviously a higher cost to switch (new charger, bigger TM, new battery)
The 1850 MS is actually what I'm after. Finding quite a few used ones, all of them with 24V TMs. Is there no room for a third battery?
The onboard charger off the outboard, like BNelson mentioned, sounds ideal. I'll have to line one up.
I'm a ways out from the upgrade, but I like to do lots of homework first. How do you like your boat? compared to the 619?
I’m referencing the Ranger 1850 (now the 1860). I think the Skeeter has a similar setup. I suppose I could find a way to make it work, but didn’t really think it was necessary versus other upgrades and money dumps
I absolutely agree with the above though. I hear people say a lot “ that’s too much, that’d be overkill”....no such thing as having too much.
Edited by Musky Brian 9/8/2018 7:50 AM
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Posts: 1828
| Brian, it’s a Ranger 1850 I’m after. The MS must just be one of their package notations. 4 seats on the floor.
Anyway, thanks again for all the info everyone.
Edited by jaultman 9/8/2018 10:14 PM
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Posts: 74
| If you can fit 3 batteries go 36 volt. As soon as you have a full load in wind you will be glad. Underpowered sucks. I have 24v 80 on 16 ft and my brother has 24 80 on 14 ft. I had a Ranger 18’6” with 24 80 every time I used it wished it was 36 v 112 |
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Posts: 556
| Like said above---16- 18 fter---- 24 volt 80lb will be fine..... 19-21 ft--- you should go the route of the 36 volt 112.... otherwise you will be sorry !!!! |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | Skeeter MX 1825 80# 24 volt all the powering need |
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bow mount thrust on 18 - 20 ft glass boat