A Triumph newbie

[jrpjr]

I just bought a 2005 170 CC. I am waiting for the title to register it and get under way. Meanwhile, I am searching for an electric trolling motor. Any advice on what size, model, accessories, battery size? I will ask advice on battery placement and mounting later. Thanks in advance for any help.
John

[cagrove]

On my 170CC, I have a 71lb thrust MotorGuide 24 volt system with two deep cycle batteries located in the center console. I also mounted an on board charger in there to keep them ready to go at all times. The motor has a 51 inch shaft, and works great. Plenty of power. I fish the Potomac River just below the D.C. area and the current gets pretty fast at times. If you don't fish in areas with current or much wind, you could get by with less power, but for me, it's ideal.

Check out the pictures in the 170CC modifications sections of this site...lots of good info. Also, use the "search" feature from the toolbar above and look for trolling motors...lots of info there too.

Good luck.

Chuck

[rkola]

I have a 12 V Motor Guide 55 lb thrust on my 170 DC, and it's pretty good on still water lakes and reservoirs here in Colorado. On windy days I've got to run it at a pretty high speed to hold position, and the battery life falls off to 2-3 hrs. In calm to moderate winds I can run on the trolling motor all day. I, too, have an on-board charger installed, and plug the boat in after every trip to get it ready for those "spur of the moment" expeditions. CAGROVE gave me some great advice on the foot control - it slides around quite a bit if not attached to the deck. At his recommendation, I cut a piece of plywood to fit the shape of the control, screwed it to the base and glued on some of the rubber non-slip material sold for use on shelves - works great!

Ron

[wpschaef]

I have the Minn Kota Terrova 80lb thrust 24V system with 2 deep cycles in the console and an on board charger like Chuck. The kinda cool feature is the "co-pilot" remote control that is the size of a car alarm fob. It lets you sit in the back seats and have an adult beverage while trolling and control the trolling motor. It has holders that can go on your rods or wherever. It does of course have a wired pedal that would actually reach past the console. I did not get the autopilot that maintains a heading as I have heard several horror stories about them going crazy. I have I believe, the 60" shaft but don't put it down flush. I haven't got pictures of this set-up in yet but I will soon. This unit worked because I have and wanted to keep the tall bow rails. I had to cut the center to mount the trolling motor but it works well. PLENTY of power by the way, I rarely turn it to full power and have only used about half the battery capacity after trolling continually for 4 hrs at about 1.5mph. The long shaft bounces when trailering or going through chop so I use a set of rubber straps to support it. It just made me nervous to have it whipping around so much.

Good luck and congrats.

Biff

P.S Chuck, Great idea with the shelf liner material!