trolling motor suggestions -kodiak 16

[deerhunter]

I just bought a crestliner kodiak 16' I'm farely new to summer fishing and was wondering what size of trolling motor to get and where to get it? Do I just have the boat dealer put one on and buy from him or are there cheaper ways to do it I guess I didn't realize how much they are

[delcecchi]

bow mount or stern? How much do you want to spend?

[deerhunter]

bow mount I think I might go with the powerdrive V2 55# 12volt. Would that work?

[delcecchi]

That would work, You can get some reconditioned units at Cabelas. I would consider a terrova with the ipilot and US2 if you can swing it. I have the US2 and it works great for the bow sonar.

And if I would have had the opportunity to get the ipilot for basically free instead of having to pay for it as an add on that would have been a plus.

55 lb would be plenty for that boat. I have 80 for a 1775 provee and rarely go over half on it.

[JosMN]

That would be a good choice. I personally run a 55lb powerdrive in front and a 55lb minnkota transom in the back that I use sometimes for sloooow back trolling. Have had no problems with both. I rarley need to have it over half on my Lund Predator II, which is a pretty big and wide boat for a 16.5 foot boat. I would love something with ipilot and US2, but really can't swing it right now. The powerdrive works just fine for now, Minnkota to me is top of the line - they have really improved their product over the years.

[deerhunter]

I'm sorry but what is back trolling? Is it exactly what it says trolling backwards? I know it is probably a dumb question but there is only one way to learn

[JosMN]

That's basically exactly what it means. It is one of the reasons the tiller steer outboard was born - when you troll backwards with a tiller you have a lot more control vs counsel steering.

[delcecchi]

Tiller outboards were around from ole evinrude's time. Back trolling was developed to be able to go slower and to provide more maneuverability when rigging. Popularized by Lindners.

[JosMN]

Waaahhhpeeeeeesh. I stand corrected!