Trolling Motor Owner Questions - Specific Post

[Botchco]

FSH 210 Owners - I know there is a lot of information and old posts on this but as with most threads, the longer they go, the more people add confusing or non-related information so I was trying to get one succint thread for my questions below. I'm looking for advice or your experience/installation of a Minn Kota Riptide Ulterra Saltwater or Similar. Thanks in advance for responses/help!

1. Did you use the FSH factory mount? If not, why?
2. Do you fish in choppy coastal waters? (if Yes; See below)
   1. Did you use a 60" shaft? If so what has experience been?
   2. Do you think 72" shaft is better suited?
   3. What thrust do you recommend?
3. What battery type and setup did you use (i.e. two, single, Lithium Ion, etc...)?
4. Is the 36 Volt config. worth it?
5. What battery management/charging system did you use & why?
6. Did you interface or connect to any electronics or power at the helm?

Again, thanks in advance for any help or feedback you offered!

 

[Frank Marshall]

I have fished 5-7 days in coastal water, Bodega Bay. I am not use to the swell and it beat me up, but I'll be back.
I started with the factory mount. With my fishing locations, Columbia River, buoy 10, and coastal water it wasn't stiff enough. I had repair gouges in the gelcoat. I went to 1/2" aluminum plate. Used nylon locking nuts and second time around Loctite as well. Much better.
I went with 60" concerned about overhang with 72". It does come out of the water once and a while, but works fine.
I went with 112 lbs, and glad I did. In the Sac river, I can use anchor lock and hold a position, then jog.
If I could do it over, I would go with a Lithium Ion battery. A lot less weight.
I use Minn-kota's hand held remote. It's attached to my side. I can easily make adjustments and still try and manage a fish.
Take a look at this thread: Trolling Motor

 

[Liveto99]

1—-No, took it off looks funny.
2 yes use no wake mode.

 

[Bubblehead]

FSH 210 Owners - I know there is a lot of information and old posts on this but as with most threads, the longer they go, the more people add confusing or non-related information so I was trying to get one succint thread for my questions below. I'm looking for advice or your experience/installation of a Minn Kota Riptide Ulterra Saltwater or Similar. Thanks in advance for responses/help!

1. Did you use the FSH factory mount? If not, why? No, did not look good and too much flex.
2. Do you fish in choppy coastal waters? (if Yes; See below)
   1. Did you use a 60" shaft? If so what has experience been? No 72 all the way. Offshore in choppy seas, i have been glad I had that extra 12"
   2. Do you think 72" shaft is better suited? Absolutely
   3. What thrust do you recommend? 36v, whatever thrust for that brand. I have motorguide
3. What battery type and setup did you use (i.e. two, single, Lithium Ion, etc...)? Universal battery from Amazon. 100ahr. Straight sides allow for tighter configuration. Batteries are excellent and much cheaper than name brands.
4. Is the 36 Volt config. worth it? 100% lower average amp draw, therefore longer batt life
5. What battery management/charging system did you use & why? Prosport 3 bank 20 amp pro, works great, not too expensive, allows for all 20 amps to one bank or split as needed. I have trolled all day, and had batteries at 100% by morning.
6. Did you interface or connect to any electronics or power at the helm? Yes, nmea2k to simrad go9, I can use autopilot on Chartplotter to control motor. Love it!

Ps I'm still a minn Kota fan, but already had simrad plotter and vhf networked. Hummingbird and minn Kota would be a good pairing too. I have friends that love that setup.

 

[Zwick1113]

1. Did you use the FSH factory mount? If not, why? Factory mount with 3/8 fuel line for cushion on overhang
2. Do you fish in choppy coastal waters? (if Yes; See below) No however, ND gets windy and with 60” we sometimes get it pulled out of the water.
   1. Did you use a 60" shaft? If so what has experience been?
   2. Do you think 72" shaft is better suited?
   3. What thrust do you recommend? 80lb will troll our boat up to 2.5 mph and can hold anchor lock with 15mph winds pretty well
3. What battery type and setup did you use (i.e. two, single, Lithium Ion, etc...)? Dual 12v interstates AGM for 24v
4. Is the 36 Volt config. worth it? 24v so.... pass
5. What battery management/charging system did you use & why? ProSportHD 12 amp 2 bank. That’s what the dealer installed. Just told them to put what they put in all the lunds lol
6. Did you interface or connect to any electronics or power at the helm? We have a Lowrance HDS Live 9 flush mounted. We have a Motorguide Xi5 24v/80lb trolling motor. Still waiting for the dealer to get the correct cables to connect the 2. For now I use the remote. Can’t wait to see how these 2 work in unison.

 

[washipdog]

FSH 210 Owners - I know there is a lot of information and old posts on this but as with most threads, the longer they go, the more people add confusing or non-related information so I was trying to get one succint thread for my questions below. I'm looking for advice or your experience/installation of a Minn Kota Riptide Ulterra Saltwater or Similar. Thanks in advance for responses/help!

1. Did you use the FSH factory mount? If not, why? I used the factory mount. It flexes a tiny bit but hasn't affected performance at all and it hasn't damaged the boat in any way. I was in some rough conditions this past weekend and the trolling motor performed well and mount held up. Plus my OEM cover fits nicely without the trolling motor installed.
2. Do you fish in choppy coastal waters? (if Yes; See below) Yes: Greater Jacksonville, FL area.
   1. Did you use a 60" shaft? If so what has experience been? I used the 60" shaft and haven't had any problems at all. In really choppy water the motor will occasionally come out of the water for a second.
   2. Do you think 72" shaft is better suited? I also fish the inland waterways so if I had the 72 and had it all the way down and forgot about it, I might damage it...just a thought. With the 60 all the way down I haven't had any problems in the skinny water.
   3. What thrust do you recommend? I do fine with my 80lb Ulterra. I fish all the rivers and inlets around Mayport and St Augustine, FL throughout the entire tide cycle, in various winds and have never had a problem with spot lock holding my boat in place.
3. What battery type and setup did you use (i.e. two, single, Lithium Ion, etc...)? I bought a single ZeroFuel 24v 50ah lithium from ebay. I can fish 2 days per charge in the conditions (decent current/wind) described above.
4. Is the 36 Volt config. worth it? If money is no object!
5. What battery management/charging system did you use & why? My charger came with my battery and it doesn't look very water resistant so I pull my battery and charge in my garage. It takes me 2 minutes to install/uninstall my battery. Plus I store my boat at a storage facility with no electrical outlets.
6. Did you interface or connect to any electronics or power at the helm? Haven't looked into yet but would like to if my setup allows. I have a Garmin 94sv chartplotter/fish finder.

Again, thanks in advance for any help or feedback you offered!

 

[Botchco]

Well... Got my Garmin installed this weekend! Works great!
awesome. Thanks. I have the Garmin Echomaps UHD with Panoptix so I will let you know if I get to link them up First.

 

[Botchco]

So after all of the research and contemplation - I went ahead and isntalled the factory Trolling Motor Mount. While I was urged to use a custom plate, after testing I think this installation is plenty strong enough for my 36 Volt 112 lbs. Ulterra trolling motor. I did end up putting more bolts throught the boat body than I've seen others do which might have contributed.

 

[Frank Marshall]

That's what I did first. Almost identical to your layout, including the clear tube protection. The 112 lbs has a lot of torque and over time damaged my gelcoat. fyi

 

[Botchco]

That's what I did first. Almost identical to your layout, including the clear tube protection. The 112 lbs has a lot of torque and over time damaged my gelcoat. fyi

Did you thrubolt the two rear bolts of the Puck as well? I also installed spacers/bushings in the gel coat....

 

[Frank Marshall]

The plate bent at the arrow.

 

[JASmith]

Nice to see another Garmin user in here! I Did the 8610sv and the 57" Force trolling motor, and of course Panoptics. So far we really like it, and even @ 24v config it can pull over 4.5mph. I was definitely worried that it would be too short, but so far it's stayed in the water well enough, even on busy lakes like Prior Lake in Minnesota, with wake boats everywhere.

I used the factory mount, with a minnkota quick release. I'm getting the bending action exactly like Frank posted above. I'm going to try the fuel hose protection, but eventually might just make a custom mount.

How is your Panoptics Transducer mounted?

 

[Botchco]

Nice to see another Garmin user in here! I Did the 8610sv and the 57" Force trolling motor, and of course Panoptics. So far we really like it, and even @ 24v config it can pull over 4.5mph. I was definitely worried that it would be too short, but so far it's stayed in the water well enough, even on busy lakes like Prior Lake in Minnesota, with wake boats everywhere.

I used the factory mount, with a minnkota quick release. I'm getting the bending action exactly like Frank posted above. I'm going to try the fuel hose protection, but eventually might just make a custom mount.

How is your Panoptics Transducer mounted?

I still haven't mounted the panoptix - Putting it on trolling motor with the adjustible mount. Will let you know.
Went with the 72 inch trolling motor - Think I'm going to regret it but just didn't want to undersize it. I can have it shortened by a mechanic supposedly if its too much to handle.

 

[Botchco]

The plate bent at the arrow.

Thank you for clarifying Frank! I'm going to think about how to reinforce that and have some ideas of how to transfer the force back to the middle of the plate from the top side. I'll share if it works out. Otherwise I'm just going to have an identical plate made in thicker material.

 

[washipdog]

Did you thrubolt the two rear bolts of the Puck as well? I also installed spacers/bushings in the gel coat....

I put thru bolts on the rear of my puck and used spaces too. So far the install has been flawless.

 

[washipdog]

So after all of the research and contemplation - I went ahead and isntalled the factory Trolling Motor Mount. While I was urged to use a custom plate, after testing I think this installation is plenty strong enough for my 36 Volt 112 lbs. Ulterra trolling motor. I did end up putting more bolts throught the boat body than I've seen others do which might have contributed.

I put a few extra bolts in my install as well. Your install looks identical to mine for the most part.

 

[Botchco]

I put a few extra bolts in my install as well. Your install looks identical to mine for the most part.

What size Trolling Motor did you install? (Thrust/Length)

 

[OverlandingGoat]

I had to remove the factory mount and trolling motor this week to get the cover on the boat. I ordered a Minn Kota RTA-54 Quick Release and the MKR-26 plug. Going to remount everything this week and hopefully will be better than what was there originally.

 

[JASmith]

Cool I did the trolling motor mounted Panoptics also and added on the perspective mode mount. Haven’t tried that part yet but Livescope is freaking sweet.

 

[washipdog]

What size Trolling Motor did you install? (Thrust/Length)

80/60. I've been in some pretty rough seas and the mount hasn't budged or damaged the boat in any way.