Lenco Drive 164

[msmandel]

I'm giving serious thought to having the marina install one of the new Lenco trolling motor systems on the stern of my 2003 190 Bay. I called Triumph and was told emphatically that any problem I had with it would void the lifetime warranty. I don't know what is meant by "problem" and if this would mean any problem (e.g. a crack in the bow). Anyone have any thoughts or experience with add-ons and the warranty? Any help would be appreciated.

MM

[Dick@merrittmarine]

The addition of the Lenco system will NOT void the warranty, of course It will have to be installed properly, Rule etc. I checked with the factory and they don't know who would have told you that, but it's wrong!

Dick

[msmandel]

Thank you so much for your reply. I've already put a PowerPole on the transom and couldn't figure out why two 35 lb devices professionally installed would compromise the boat.

[Putershark]

I think you are now the second person to have a Power Pole (love mine) so how do you you like yours? I was thinking about getting a longer spike for mine (they now make a 8 foot model which has a longer spike) and was just wondering

Tight Lines!

[msmandel]

I love it for the following reasons:

1. Ease of use. When I want to anchor the boat I just have to make sure that I have stopped the boats motion with the trolling motor and a push of the button (or the remote) and we're anchored in up to 5 feet of water. Similarly another push of the button and we're good to go on to the next spot. The ability to stop the boat, even for a few minutes, in order to get off a cast at a fish spotted at the edge of the flats and then go on to our original intended destination is worth the price alone.

3. The environment. Anchoring with at traditional anchor brings up a ton of mud with it (and into the boat). Not to mention the chain rasping aginst the side of the boat

Out here on the flats north of Key West and at my age (71) I wouldn't have a boat without it. Day after day I never have to use the traditional anchor at all.

Which brings me to the reason for the Lenco Trolling Motor System. I have alluded to the fact in other posts that my 52 lb. Great White is just not up to the job of moving the boat around against the wind and/or tides. I was going to replace it with the 82 lb. version or even the 109 lb'er but that requires 3 batteries and there's not enough room in the box for a third battery. Finally decided to spend the money (it's my kids after all) and build an incredible "stealth" machine for sneaking up on the barracuda here.

Two caveats: It's possible to have the boat lift off the spike on the incoming tide. Pushing the spike in deeper to try to prevent this can result in it getting "stuck" so that it become difficult to raise. Both things have happened a couple of times but neither one would stop me from highly recommending the Power Pole to anyone who consistently anchors in less than 6 feet of water. I can't comment on the 8 foot pole since I've never used one but it seems that all of the foregoing would stll apply.

Good luck should you decide to get one.

MM

[Putershark]

Oh I have a Power Pole already and was told mine was the first on mounted on a 190 Bay from what they recalled Power Pole Shallow Water Anchor and like you will never have another boat without one for the type of fishing that "we" do... I do think though that when it comes time to change out my stake that I will go with the longer model that is on the 8 foot model.

I suspect that the battery box on the 190 would hold 3 batteries if you got some of the smaller model PC 1200 Odyssey batteries like I have in mine http://www.odysseysoutheast.com/ and you can see some pictures of in the 190 mods section.

Now I have a 24 volt Minn Kota Rip Tide 65 with both Co and Auto Pilot systems, and even in the pass near me with some pretty hard tides, I have found it had plenty of guts to control my 190. I do know though those tides down in the Keys unlike us up on the Gulf side, can really rip going under A1A so I can see the logic in needing the extra thrust for sure

So let me know how you make out, and one day I need to drag mine down and we can go run down a few Cuda and Bonefish for sure

[special K]

Do you need a trolling motor with the power pole? Was thinking of getting one put on in the near future. I see it on all the fishing programs on "Sunshine Network". I almost never use my anchor, just a pain in the...well you know. Before I work a couple days of overtime to pay for it(takes away from fishing time) I want to make sure it is worth the investment.

[Putershark]

No, you do not need one... But the combo of trolling motor and power pole is a deadly efficient way of covering a flat and even more so if you have any kind of breeze... If we can ever get together Brian on my boat, you will see what I mean

[special K]

Looking forward to it Dave! I think the wife would kill me right now, if I bought a power pole and trolling motor. I have the boat at the shop as we speak doing about 800$ worth of maintenance and up grades. Maybe next year I will do that. I will have to do some really nice husband stuff to get it done though "(shiny jewelry and shallow flattery)", only kidding, bonus points if anyone can name the TV show that came from, one of my all time favorites.
Brian

[Putershark]

Soon enough buddy...
If I had to do it in stages Brian, then I would mount up the trolling motor first... The fuel alone I save from NOT having to fire up the big engine every time I want to move across a flat or to work a stretch of docks is shocking. The engine hour meter is around 40 hours (just getting broken in) but I bet I have 3 times that many on the trolling motor if not more

I have literally ran the trolling motor all day long and the big engine for 1/2 hour in the same day so in the long run (not spooking as many fish either) the trolling motor is your best return on investment at this point and time