Just bought a 20' Lowe pontoon and now I need a TM. I relly want Spot Lock to attempt to hold on to brush piles etc. Since I don't think a foot control is a big deal to me, I'm considering a 24 v Min Kota Power Drive 70 w a 54" shaft. Have any of you used this TM on a pontoon and how has it performed. It appears to be about 18" from my mounting surface to the water line. Am I missing anything or perhaps can you recommend a better unit? I am currently using Humminbird fish finders. Thanks!

I have an 80 lb 60" mk on a 24' toon and it works great.

IMO, you never want to be under power. If money is not an issue, spend a bit more and put the largest TM you can on it. You will not regreat it... buy the 36volt, 72 inch shaft with a quick release on it. I say this from experience on my TM. I took the advice from someone else and it has paid dividends... Longer shaft will ensure that your trolling motor head stays in the water if you ever come up on some really rough water you were not expecting... If you want to have a family day and take the TM off the quick release is super awesome and super easy!



B

Make sure there is enough room in the stowed position for the shaft length you choose.
If a 54" shaft will be coming out of the water on a small toon, you probably don't want to be fishing there anyway.

Agree with Ken. I've for the 18' pontoon and use the 55" length and it works most of the time. If water is so rough that prop is coming out of water, I'm heading in! Water coming over the bow is no fun for others; does not bother me so much, but the passengers get a little restless!

I just mounted a 68lb pontoon 48" powerdrive on my 18' Bass Buggy and added the ipilot. From all my figurin" it should be ok as far as shaft length and power. As stated before, if it's coming out of the water, I'm going to the dock. I will find out next week, going to the lake for a five day stay.

Please let me know how it performs!

k, going on the 11th thru 15th. Just got it on and wired up with 2 group 27s.

I had a 24V Xi5 on my 20' Pontoon. Worked fine most of the time but on a windy day it was too slow to pull into the wind. I upgraded to a 36V, 105# Xi5 and love it. My foot control stays in the locker, only use the remote. I have fished with others with their Minn kota's and would not trade for anything.

Go with Motor Guide, you will love it. I use a 54" shaft and could lower it another 6" if I needed to but don't need to.

Let me know if I can assist you with a quote. Feel free to give me a call and discuss your options. Like Ernest says, You will be happy with the xi5 on the toon.

i bought a Xi5 from Dave (shut up and fish) 54" 24 volt 18" to the water..best thing i ever bought for my boat! i love it!

I had a 36v 112 lb terrova 60" with pilot link on my 22 ft pontoon and it worked great. I have a friend with a 24v 80 lb MG XI5 and he is fine on a 22 ft pontoon most days but when the wind picks up it struggles to keep a spot lock. You might be ok with the Bimini top down, but I would really consider a 36v system for a pontoon. I would definitely go for the quick release mount is really important for a pontoon to get that bow clear of obstacles for family fun. Just a matter of time till someone trips over a 60" trolling motor blocking the front gate.

Put that graph on a seat base pedestal and you will love it more. Also I recommend a kill switch for when you get your line caught in the trolling motor.

Very helpful info! Thanks

Have you decided yet? Mine did great.