[THS Sporting Center]

Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 70pd V2 24v 70lb 60"

What do you guys think about this for a 25' Pontoon boat?

 

[NuffDaddy]

I think it would move you along at a pretty good trolling speed. Use a 40 on my 24' for bass fishing. Don't go fast, but I think a 70 would be more than enough.

 

[redneckbowfisher]

Should be just fine.

 

[BigSwole]

Im going to go against the grain and say i dont think itll be sufficient in the current or the wind

If your buying new i would look for a 101 or maybe find a newer used one or wait till a sale comes along.

Also think about the weight youll add when you start putting fish in the boat!

 

[redneckbowfisher]

Yea but my buddy had one on his 19' bass boat and if he hit it it would make you fly back lol

 

[BigSwole]

Completely different boat.

Im not saying its not a good troller. We are talking about a 25' pontoon here!

The wind resistance alone is huge. Now add bowfishing gear. Fish. And all things already on the boat. Will a 70 move the boat. Sure
Not saying it wont.

Will it work effectively?? In the wind? Current? Both? Prob not near as much as you would think!

 

[redneckbowfisher]

A pontoon boat weighs way less than a bass boat.

 

[NuffDaddy]

I think weight and current would have little effect on it. It's like pushing 2 25' canoes. But the wind could kill ya if you have all the aluminum sides on it still. I good head wind would slow you right down.

 

[BigSwole]

A pontoon boat weighs way less than a bass boat.

Your gunna have to show me this.

 

[NuffDaddy]

Depends on the build of each, but 4 men can pick up my 24' pontoon. It's just a deck and aluminum siding with no seats and a little 25hp outboard. But if you add seats and other extras the weight would go up quick.
A 19' fiberglass bass boat would definitely weigh more than a basic pontoon.

 

[wagonburner]

i have a 65lb on my 1860 boat. it works hard. a lot of time on speed 5 when going down a dry bank or windy night. the bigger the trolling motor the less it has to work. it is 4 years old and i have had to take apart 3 times to free up the brushes where the brush housing got so hot it melted brushes in place.. supposedly if you let it cool in water a couple minutes before bringing up helps but who wants to do that. saving up for 101 or bigger. just my opinion

 

[redneckbowfisher]

Ok I may be wrong but its what you wanna do. I agree that a 101 will push it better and less strain on the trolling motor but I don't have that much wind were I'm from that's why I was saying it would do fine but yes if you have a lot of wind go 101

 

[NuffDaddy]

If the OPs question is "will it work?" then the answer is yes.
If the question is "is it the best?" then the answer is no.
You will always want more at some point in time so get the biggest and best you can afford to start with.

 

[redneckbowfisher]

If the OPs question is "will it work?" then the answer is yes. If the question is "is it the best?" then the answer is no. You will always want more at some point in time so get the biggest and best you can afford to start with.

well put.

 

[THS Sporting Center]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have not considered using much on the rivers but its defiantly worth considering. I have been mostly shoot bay areas. Wind and bowfishing sucks so its not like walleye river fishing. The bigger motor is looking better / more EXPENSIVE. I do like the remote and auto pilot feature as far as GPS assisted I don't think its that big of a deal.

 

[NuffDaddy]

Not sure how those GPS assisted trollers work, but if you could get them to follow a plotted trail that would be sweet.

 

[BigSwole]

I read this quote before and i agree with it to an extent.

Buy the best the first time, only cry once.

If you got to save for an extra month to get the right one you will be glad you did later on.

 

[NuffDaddy]

I agree with that quote as long as you know you like doing whatever you buying stuff for. If your just getting started I'd suggest you go as cheap as possible.

 

[wagonburner]

cheap is good that is how i started. and brother let me tell you ...........you will learn a lot on how to fix stuff which is handy.

 

[NuffDaddy]

You also get good at building homemade stuff.....witch is just as handy.