Just purchased my new boat toy

[Fishnngolfn]

Now it may not seem like much since I do not have a large fishing boat and my boat is just a personal inflatable pontoon, but my new Minn Kota Endura 30 lb thrust trolling motor looks so beautiful. It is so new and shiny.

I cannot wait to get it out on the water and try it out. I still have to purchase a small marine battery but I hope to try it out within the next few weekends. The weather down here has been rainy but it is supposed to clear up and get a tad warmer in the next couple weeks. Now I can be really lazy in my boat since I do not have to paddle anymore. I will try to get some video of how the boat moves with the motor.

It does stink that I have to now register my boat since it is motorized. From what I understand, I have to fill out a homemade boat form before I can register it.

[carolina-rig-01]

congratulations on souping up the hot rod, i think you will like that motor.

[bamabassman]

f&g, on the battery buy...get a jell battery buddy. DON'T GET ONE AT WALLY WORLD!!!! and can't wait to see the pics. and one more thing buddy. do not get mad when you get it (troller) scratched up a bit ok? lol.

[BigBassin144]

If it's not scrathched up a bit, then you're not really fishing.

Congrats!

BB

[woody]

You might as well go and smack it one time with your lure when your casting to get it broke in. Then it wont hurt as bad when it really happens. I'm serious it will happen.

[Fishnngolfn]

Originally Posted by woody

You might as well go and smack it one time with your lure when your casting to get it broke in. Then it wont hurt as bad when it really happens. I'm serious it will happen.

Seeing how I fish 90% plastics, I don't think the lure will leave a mark. My only concern, now that I got it home, is that the shaft is only 30". I have my boat hanging flat in the garage and I put the trolling motor on the mount just to see and even with the shaft all the way down it doesn't look like the blades will be totally submerged under water. I looked at the waterline on the pontoons and it looks like it will be close. I know the trolling motor and battery will add more weight and the boat will sit a little lower but I am still worried. They do have a 36 lb thrust with a 36" shaft but it was for $25 more.

If it does work, I will be sure to post some pictures. The bad storm went through rather quickly tonight and I hope to get it out this weekend. As far as a battery, I don't want to spend the extra money on a gel. Academy sells a battery that is strictly for trolling motors and is not a dual purpose marine battery. The battery is only $40. After the first 2 or 3 outings, I should know if it will work or if I need to take bamabassman's advice.

[boater]

I would like to see some pictues of your new rig I am thinking about getting a simular rig for camping trips

[Fishnngolfn]

I have added the following:
8" seat riser with swivel (this is great but make sure you can lock it down so it doesn't move while rowing)
plastic rod holder mounted to one of the motor mounts (holds 2 rods - cheap one from BPS)
trolling motor and battery (I will find out tomorrow if the 30" shaft will be long enough)

I love it. It is stable enough for me to stand up on the metal frame on the pontoons to stretch out on those long days on the water. I am thinking about making a metal plate that will attach to the frame for a standing platform. Cabela's has this one for $450.

[bamabassman]

niceeeeeee f&g!! are you coming to the get together? hope so.

[Fishnngolfn]

Originally Posted by bamabassman

niceeeeeee f&g!! are you coming to the get together? hope so.

I am probably not but it is pretty far away in our schedule so who knows what can happen over the next few months.

[woody]

FnG, It does look really stable. Thats a good looking Rig!

[keithdog]

Now thats a cool lookin rig right there. Hope it all works out with the motor.

[carolina-rig-01]

best wishes on the motor shaft length and that is a cool little rig.

[bcklash]

that's sweeeeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nitro 640]

Looks good. Did you think about a paddle boat wife a trolling motor? Sound like your spending a lot on it. Just a thought but seems like yours is a lot easier to move around.

[Fishnngolfn]

Originally Posted by Nitro 640

Looks good. Did you think about a paddle boat wife a trolling motor? Sound like your spending a lot on it. Just a thought but seems like yours is a lot easier to move around.

This boat is very easy to maneuver. The huge plus with my boat is that it can break down and fit in the back seat of my mustang. It takes 5 minutes to pump up each pontoon. That in itself made it worth the purchase. It takes me a total of 15 minutes to go from car to on the water. Also my boat is a lot faster to paddle than a kick paddle boat. You can get moving as fast as someone in a canoe once you get used to rowing.

[barkelypup]

That is an excellent looking little boat. Easy to move around and all. I wouldn't mind fishing from one of em.

bP

[Nitro 640]

Fishngolfn,
where do you get a rig like that. I have a couple of small lakes by me that dont allow motor boats and think one of those could be the ticket.

[Fishnngolfn]

Originally Posted by Nitro 640

Fishngolfn,
where do you get a rig like that. I have a couple of small lakes by me that dont allow motor boats and think one of those could be the ticket.

I got mine at Cabela's (through the internet). Cabela's had my boat for $50 to $100 cheaper than all the other sites that sold my boat. Cabela's also delivered mine 3 days after I ordered it!

Try these links (Cabela's pontoons or Bass Pro Shop's pontoons) for lots of different models. I finally chose a certain boat and then explored many different places to check prices. Cabela's was cheapest for me. Places I checked were Dick's Sporting Goods, Academy Sporting Goods, BPS, Cabela's, and even Wally World.

[bcklash]

FNG, 2 questions fer ya
1- w/o the tackle how much would you say you had in that rig? if you don't mind - a questimate would help
2 - weight restrictions- total weight person , tackle and all?

That thing looks like a blast-a fish catching machine

[Fishnngolfn]

Originally Posted by bcklash

FNG, 2 questions fer ya
1- w/o the tackle how much would you say you had in that rig? if you don't mind - a questimate would help
2 - weight restrictions- total weight person , tackle and all?

That thing looks like a blast-a fish catching machine

Colorado XT - $450 + $30 shipping (Cabela's)
White plastic 2 rod holder - $19.99 (BPS)
8" seat riser and swivel - $25 (Academy)
Minn Kota 30 lb thrust - $99.99 (Academy) newly purchased
Stowaway small deep cycle marine battery - $44.99 (Academy) newly purchased

My boat has a 400 lb weight restriction.
Me (6'7") - 210 lbs
Trolling motor - 18 lbs
Battery - 21 lbs
Gear - approx. 50 lbs
That leaves me around 100 lbs for a cooler/livewell.

The boat without all the accessories and stuff weighs around 80 lbs. I can lift it by myself and carry it to the water but it is a little awkward. It has a detachable wheel that can help with those longer walks. On our camping trips, someone helps me carry it to the water. I take the wheel back to the car because it hangs in the water even if it is stored flat.

[bcklash]

Thanks FNG, I'm going to give that some serious thought.

[rrw4258]

Very nice... I like it! Also, watch those rods on the back swing!

Ryan

[Joel]

Congrats on your new boat.

She's decked out for some serious fishin'. Your idea of Aluminum plate to stand on is the right way to go, as you can also stretch your legs from time to time. I would use some cross braces for stability issues.

Not everyone can afford a Bass boat. I, like the rest of the NYC Res Rats fish out of aluminum rowboats. We can only use oar power, so you're already way ahead of us in terms of covering water, handling the wind, and creature comforts.

One thing my partner and I did was name all our boats. Kind of makes owning them more personal. We've got the Linda B, The Luck of the Irish, and The Pride of the Yankees.