Proper Equipment?

[DaRangeFinder]

Currently I am restoring a 1985 14ft Alumacraft Lunker. I need a bow mount trolling motor next and I am wondering what LB Thrust will do the trick. It is a very deep and wide boat and carries a fairly heavy 25hrs 4-stroke on the back along with my large frame. Just looking for some input from the people that know best.

Thanks for any ideas

[fishfearme]

65# of thrust should be more than enough for a boat that size. Go 24v. if you have the room for 2 batteries.

[DaRangeFinder]

I would like to go 24V but I just dont have the room up front so I think I may have to go with the 12v unfortunately. Thanks for the info.

[Ralph Wiggum]

55 lb would be more than adequete. I think you'd be fine with less than that, but if you can afford it, you won't regret a more powerful motor.

I have a 55 lb Terrova on my 16' Sylvan Backtroller with a 60 horse tiller and it is fine about 95% of the time. Heavy current on the river is the only time I have wanted more power.

[BassNut33]

I agree with Ralph you can get by with less, I had a 48 # on my old 16 foot lund and it did just fine. If you can afford to go with a more thrust do it though, it makes fishing in all conditions much more enjoyable. 55 #'s andup will push that boat very well. The newier Minn Kota Power Drives are very nice and quiet.

[TruthWalleyes]

I have a 55 lb thrust bow mount on my 16' alumacraft, with a 40hp on back...I can troll at 2.3mph with just the trolling motor. 12v system.

I tend to do most my trolling <2.0mph anyway

[BoxMN]

I have a 55 lb thrust bow mount on my 16' alumacraft, with a 40hp on back...I can troll at 2.3mph with just the trolling motor. 12v system.

I tend to do most my trolling <2.0mph anyway

We also have a 55# (12v) on our '82 Alumacraft with console and 50hp two stroke. Has plenty of power. Do youself a favor, and if you hav ethe cash get one with autopilot and copilot. Once you use them, you hate it everytime you are force to fish in a boat without one No kidding. Good luck.

[fishinfey8]

We also have a 55# (12v) on our '82 Alumacraft with console and 50hp two stroke. Has plenty of power. Do youself a favor, and if you hav ethe cash get one with autopilot and copilot. Once you use them, you hate it everytime you are force to fish in a boat without one No kidding. Good luck.

That's good advice. Since you already have a 25hp 4-stroke that will troll perfectly in windy, or high current situations, I would go with the 48 or 55 and autopilot-copilot.

[tacklejunkie]

I think a 55 lb thrust is uneended for a boat that size but it would do no harm.

[harvey lee]

I would go with the 55 if you can swing it. A little extra on some windier days is nice to have.

The co-pilot and auto pilot is great as suggested if you can swing it.

I also agree that with the 25hp 4 stroke, you should be able to troll down nicely.

[tacklejunkie]

Some explain to me what the auto/co pilot thing is all about?

I've heard of them but not that familiar

[Northlander]

Currently I am restoring a 1985 14ft Alumacraft Lunker. I need a bow mount trolling motor next and I am wondering what LB Thrust will do the trick. It is a very deep and wide boat and carries a fairly heavy 25hrs 4-stroke on the back along with my large frame. Just looking for some input from the people that know best.

Thanks for any ideas

55# is more than enough for that boat. You dont need the extra weight of 2 batteries in it. Heck I run a 65# 24 volt on my 17' Lund Explorer and its fine 95% of the time.

[Northlander]

Auto pilot keeps your boat going in the direction you put it in. Co pilot is a hand held device that most wear around their necks and you can steer and control speed and turn it on and off with it. I have both and they are all I will ever use now. No more foot pedal cord to trip over.

[tacklejunkie]

Yea those foot pedal cords are a pain in the rear.

I'll have to look into that. Do they mount on the bow the same?

[Northlander]

The auto pilot comes built into the bow mount trolling motor and the co pilot mounts to the side of your bowmount in about 1 minute. Just take out the 2 bolts for the side plate, bolt on the co pilot plate and plug in as you would a foot pedal. Super easy. Then the controller can hang around your neck, on a rod or around your wrist. I like it around my neck. You can have 2 so the 2nd guy in your boat can also control the bow mount if your busy. I love mine.

[goose89]

55# is more than enough for that boat. You dont need the extra weight of 2 batteries in it. Heck I run a 65# 24 volt on my 17' Lund Explorer and its fine 95% of the time.

I basically agree with "you don't need more than 55#'s for a 14 foot boat", deep and wide or not. Plenty of motor for that boat!

BUT, if you could swing 2 batteries, and arrange them so all their weight wasn't all the way up front, you could hook (2) 12V batteries in parellel and have more juice than you'd ever need in a day. Might be overkill, but not as much over kill as putting a bigger, 24V motor on. One battery would be sufficient a great majority of the time tho.

Good luck......