Trolling Motors for Your Sportfisher - Part II
With anchor-lock gps systems to hold position without lowering an anchor and shafts ranging from 6’ to 9’, powerful remote-control electric trolling motors mounted at the bow are becoming very common not only on large bay boats but also on boats that head many miles offshore to pursue reef fish like snapper, grouper and rock bass as well pelagic species including mahi, billfish and tuna. Here’s a look at some that might work for your boat.
Garmin
The Garmin Force trolling motor is suitable for bay and inshore boats, with shaft options to 57”. The high-efficiency brushless motor operates at either 36 V or 24 V. When running at 24 V, it delivers comparable thrust to competitors’ 36-V motors according to Garmin. The included handheld remote control with a sunlight-readable display controls the trolling motor and features point-and-go gesture steering.
User-programmable keys can also control the chartplotter. It comes with a built-in transducer for CHIRP traditional and Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonars. The built-in autopilot, with integrated heading sensor and GPS, provides anchor lock, heading hold and cruise control. Set the track and it will guide the boat along the indicated course. Price is around $3650; https://www.garmin.com/en-US/c/marine.
Lowrance
The Lowrance Ghost brushless technology means it weighs about six pounds less than similar trolling motors. Yet it’s ruggedly built; a 3-year warranty is included and the composite shaft has a lifetime warranty. It’s equipped with a 360-degree breakaway mount, which is designed to take the impact, then automatic realign once it’s cleared of the water. An integrated stabilizer bar reduces pitching in rough water. Shaft lengths range from 47 to 60 inches, with the larger suitable for some offshore boats as well as larger bay boats.
Lowrance notes that this fly-by-wire model does not generate any interference with Lowrance sonar signals, which can be a problem on some mixed-manufacturer troller/sonar combo’s. A sonar nosecone with CHIRP and Down-Scan technology is included. The included foot control is designed to give the same tactile feel as cable steering, but without the wires. Prices range from $3499 to $3750; https://www.lowrance.com.
Minn Kota
Minn Kota, owned by Johnson Outdoors, is the market leader in trolling motors, building robust systems for a wide variety of boats including many specialized offshore models with shaft lengths to 96”. The Ulterra series features auto-stow and deploy, eliminating the need to head to the bow to put the troller into the water or pull it out to move to the next spot, a big plus for captains operating without a mate. Auto-trim raises the shaft up and down, an advantage when fishing flats or rocky shoals as well as when dealing with varying wave heights.
The systems can be activated from a foot control, from a linked MFD or sonar/GPS system, or from a key fob that can be worn around the neck or kept in a pocket. The remote also indicates battery charge remaining. The i-Pilot system lets you move your spot five feet forward, backwards, left or right - just by pushing a button. The saltwater models are warranteed for 2 years. The motors can be programmed to follow a route via MFD. Price is about $3150; www.minnkota.com.
MotorGuide
MotorGuide, owned by Brunswick/Mercury Marine, has bow-mount trolling motors to 36 volts producing up to 105 lbs of thrust, with maximum shaft length 72”. The company notes their wireless electric steering is up to 50% faster than competitors and provides exceptional agility, a plus in navigating in coastal mangrove and oyster country as well as in shoaling inlets.
The company also claims their GPS Anchor system is more precise than competitors, and the systems also include a “jog” function for small adjustments to location over deep-water reefs as well as the capability to play back an extended set of waypoints or follow a pre-set route. They pair seamlessly with Lowrance, Simrad, or Mercury VesselView dashboard displays. The company says digital power management built in can produce extended battery life, up to five times that of competitors in some situations. The composite shaft has a lifetime warranty. Price is around $2550; https://www.motorguide.com
Power-Pole MOVE-ZR
The Power Pole MOVE-ZR, available in two models and in shaft lengths to 72 inches, is said to generate more power than other 36 volt units with less battery drain. It has a titanium shaft with a lifetime warranty, while the motor has a 3-year warranty. The foot control is wireless, but gives the haptic feedback of a cable control system so the angler can keep track of where the motor is pointed without looking at it. The units “talk” to Lowrance and Simrad GPS systems, and can be ordered with a compatible transducer built into the lower unit.
Anchor mode, follow-a-route, vector mode and compass heading settings are available. The units have a small footprint on the bow, and built-in lift assist for easy deployment. They’re pricey, at about $5,000 for the 72” models, but this Tampa company has a reputation of building top-quality stuff and also of having an outstanding service department; https://power-pole.com/move-zr.
Rhodan
Rhodan Marine, a Florida-based company, wins the shaft length battle with a 108” monster priced at $5000, making it suitable for the largest center consoles and even some sportfisher designs. These 36-volt motors have a track mode, which allows the user to record a gps track and play it back to follow a set route repeatedly, a big plus in working over a wreck for grouper and snapper. Up to 12 routes will remain in the system memory even after power down. Paths can be recorded while running at trolling speed and even at cruising speed with the trolling motor stowed.
The company claims the most accurate anchoring system on the market, with 3’ accuracy in most conditions. An audible battery meter allows the battery state of charge to be checked from anywhere on the boat using the wireless fob. The motor has a quick release system for safe overnight storage, important because there is reportedly a market for stolen high-end trolling motors. https://www.rhodanmarine.com