Bow mount electric

[Red Shepherd]

I am looking for advice on a the right sized bow mount electric motor in terms of power and shaft. I have a 1700 Lund Explorer with 115HP and T8HP Yamahas. I have been looking at the PD55 Autopilot trying to stay with only one 12 volt if possible. I also am not sure of the needed shaft lenght. I have had electric bow mounts on previous boats and do not use it frequently. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Red Shepherd]

I am looking for advice on a the right sized bow mount electric motor in terms of power and shaft. I have a 1700 Lund Explorer with 115HP and T8HP Yamahas. I have been looking at the PD55 Autopilot trying to stay with only one 12 volt if possible. I also am not sure of the needed shaft lenght. I have had electric bow mounts on previous boats and do not use it frequently. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Northlander]

I have that same exact boat. My 55 is ok but I would like to have more power for those high current areas. I highly recomend Universal Sonar and Auto Pilot. Im thinking about a 24 Volt Bowmount next year. Probably 74#. You can never have too much.
One thing with that T8 is if the 55# isnt enough that T8 will work great from there. Maybe even lock the kicker in place and at a good speed and steer with the bowmount.

[Ufatz]

If you can I would go with the 24v 65PD/SP Auto and the universal sonar. I have pretty much the same boat you have and this setup works great with plenty of power to really move me when I want to MOVE!

[joshb]

get the biggest you can afford.

[gtofast1]

I have the same boat. Just love having the 65pd 6o inch shaft 24 volt system for the windy days. longer shaft is great in the bigger waves. Univ. sonar is also the way to go. I try to buy the best I can afford and not kick myself later for being too cheap.

[ChuckN]

I feel it depends on your fishing. If you fish big lakes and want to stay on top of fish on windy days, you'll need the 60" shaft, and you will likely need about 65-74lb thrust. A 24V system is nice.

You can also squeeze by with a 55lb 12V, but I would recommend getting 2 deep cycle batteries and connect them in parallel. My friend has this system in his glass boat and it works well for him.

[This message has been edited by ChuckN (edited 09-28-2004).]

[Giant_Jackpot]

Quick clarification. There is no such thing as connecting batteries in “parallel series”. It is one or the other. Two 12 volts in parallel will give you 12 volts with twice the run time providing the batteries are the same reserve capacity rating. Connecting two 12 volts in series will get you 24 volts. Just wanted to make sure someone didn’t get 24 volts to their 12 volt motor.