Hi all,

I put this in the "boat and motor" forum, but wanted to put it here also, as I am primarily going to use this trolling motor when crappie fishing. Hope I did not break any rules.

Just bought a used Prermier 235 tritoon. Set up for play and fishing... got to keep wife and kids happy. Sold my bass boat, so this is going to have to do most everything.

I primarily crappie fish and blue cat fish. Trolling motor mainly for the crappie on brush piles. Planning to put a trolling motor on the front. It has the wiring and split front gate, and I will mount it on a quick release plate. Want to make sure it has "spot lock" or "anchor", and hand held remote. Also, I have a 9" Lowrance Elite Ti that will be the primary unit on the dash. Not sure if I will add a front mounted unit or not. I am estimating 3500 lbs full load tops.

First - am I on the right path thinking I need at least: 24 or 36 volt, 80 - 112 ft lbs. 60" shaft.

I know that asking about which motor is about like asking which brand of beer or pick up trucks... most everyone likes what they have... but please let me know what you think and WHY.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Stay safe.

Ken

36v-112lb-52" Ultrex would be my recommendation but it truly depends on your style of fishing. We have them in stock and can get you installed as well if you are needing that service. We are authorized dealers and certified installers for the brands we sell and install. We also Educate..

Minn Kota Ultrex 112/MDI/IP Trolling Motor w/i-Pilot & Bluetooth- 36V-112lb-52"
1368871

I'd recommend the Ulterra due to the auto deploy feature.

I haven't looked, but I'm assuming they make a 36 volt with 112lb thrust.

I like having the longest shaft you can get which is probably a 60".

You can vary the length with your remote, but it's nice having the extra length if you need it.

Congrats on your new purchase.

I can also highly recommend the Lift Saver Trolling Motor Mount by Ron Duran. He goes by Blue Nitro on here.

The auto deploy on the Ulterra is awesome. I have an Ultrex with the long shaft, which is what you will need on a Pontoon boat to get it down in the water. I fish the timber so after moving 25 to 30 times and deploying the trolling motor 25 to 30 times I feel it the next morning.

But let me say this, you have a Lowrance depth finder, so you will want to be taking advantage of that, so you should look at the Xi5 trolling motor from Motorguide because Lowrance is compatible with Motorguide. You can deploy the trolling motor, then if its paired up with your trolling motor hit go to waypoint and the trolling motor does it's job while you are getting your rod ready eating a sandwich and what ever until your trolling motor gets you to the spot. The Xi5 does not have the auto deploy feature.


On another note if you only have 20 spots that you like to fish then it will be ok to go with one of the Minnkota's as the handheld remote Ipilot feature will do the same go to feature for up to 20 spots that you will mark with your hand held Ipilot.


There's some great technology features that will make your fishing much pleasurable, but you got to have the compatibility to get er done.

36V, 60" shaft would be my recommendation. Quick disconnect is a must.

I started with a 12V Xi5 on my 20' toon that would move 10-20' off mark in wind gusts on spotlock. Upgraded to 24v this year and its much better, but i kick myself for not spending a bit more and going 36v. I still move 5' or so in gusts with the 24v. On a bigger toon, you would definitely want the extra thrust. The pontoon fence is basically a big sail in the wind.

60" shaft let's me put the head of the TM above the fence/gate so i can see its direction from anywhere on the boat while using the fob.

Couple of notes...do you have space for 3 batteries? I have 2 group 29s for the Xi5 and a 27 for my livescope under the console. By the time I sit at the helm, that is a lot of weight on one side of the boat. I'm sure it would be better on a tritoon...but the lean annoys me. Looking for ways to move some weight to the other side.

...finally, the curved overhang on the front of the Xi5 is also a pain in my case. I have to loosen the TM on the quick disconnect every time I pull the boat on/off the trailer. The curved overhang hits the crossbar for the front deck bump stops on the trailer. I'm sure I could modify the crossbar or get the plate that lifts the TM up/back and fix this. This is my only complaint with the Xi5. Never owned a minnkota so I can't speak to which is better.

Thank you all. Some really good info - exactly what I was hoping for. I am searching the web for some of the differences between motors and between brands... Shut up and Fish - trying to figure out what my style of fishing is I guess... what all I really need and will use, vs. just having and not using.

Keep it coming please.

Stay safe, be careful. COVID sucks.

Ken

sent you a PM on one I am selling

36v ultrex 60” or 60” ulterra. Ultrex is made a little beefier if you are fishing around any stumps but it’s a manual deploy. Good luck!

congrats on the new boat! many crappie have been caught by a pontoon fisherman/woman!

My suggestion would be to get an 36V ulterra self deploy with i-ipilot LINK. sell your Lowrance unit on the classifieds here and get a Humminbird Helix or Solix with mega side imaging...

Thank me later!

Pontoon boat and strong wind ? Nothing works good . We have a 20 ft. with a 12 volt 45 pound thrust and works just fine in normal weather . Up to around 10 mph wind . If you want one for 20mph wind plus , shell out a lots of green ! LOTS of green .

I wouldn't go less than 36V and longest shaft they make. I just had shut up and fish install an Ultrex on my boat. I'm not sure how I ever fished without SpotLock!

Well, I always worry too much about stuff like this, especially when there is a lot of money on the line (to me). Read enough in last few days to cross my eyes and make my head hurt more than normal! But I found a deal on a new 36v 105 ft lb 60" shaft xi5. Has the gps, sonar, and hand remote, along with quick disconnect mount. It will work with my Lowrance. Pulled the trigger...

I appreciate all the help and comments here. Know there seems to be a lot more Minn Kota people, but the deal was too good to pass up.

Stay safe everyone!

Ken

On that large of a boat Im sure you likely need at least a 24V. Probably need the most thrust available. I have a 16 DLX and it works just fine with a 12V 54 lb. And most definitely get one with some sort of anchoring system, and the corresponding tech. Makes it much better when fishing.

I had a 24V on my pontoon for a few months and changed to a 36V Ulterra. When it's windy the 24V just wasn't strong enough. The remote works great and the foot control stays in the storage box. Also your Lowrance depth finder will work just fine on the Minn Kota transducer. Thats what I use.

My partners have a pontoon also and have a 36v xi5 on it. It's a good motor but when we use it we really miss the self deploying motor.

We have done some keen modifications to both pontoons that you might be interested in investigating.

I have a 24' tritoon with the Xi5 24v With 80lb thrust..not big enough. I am going to upgrade to the Ulterra 36v 112 lb thrust this winter. I will be getting in touch with Mr.. Shut up and fish...