Patrick Reif
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- Dec 20, 2016
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This is my first post, and I'll soon be ordering my very first boat. I want to order a boat I'll be happy with for decades to come, and I could sure use some advice
I fish the New river in SW Virginia and the lakes in NW NC, Va, and Eastern Tn. I often times run into shallow rocky conditions and will be buying a Mac's prop saver.
I've decided on the Alumacraft 1756 with the 6" tunnel for a Mercury 40hp tiller steer prop motor.
the boat: all welded with .102" aluminum hull for durability. 21" transom. Big enough for me and both my boys, but small enough when I want to fish by myself.
The Mercury 40 hp tiller;nothing wrong with any of the other motor brands out there, but Mercury has dealers and service techs from coast to coast and border to border. It's just a brand I trust.
I want the tiller steer to keep the boat cockpit completely open(no CC or SC, just open floor) , and because of the responsiveness of a tiller. I think the 40 should be more than enough for a 17' boat, however the hull is rated for a 50. I'm looking at the price difference between the 40 and 50 hp, and it's enough to cover the cost of a very nice trolling motor or depth finder and battery chargers.
Motor question; should I buy the power tilt and trim, or save the money and go with the gas assist lift? My back does bother me from time to time and I'm not getting younger(48 heading towards 80 but no back surgeries in my past).
I'm also leaning towards factory installed sponsons to help float the motor a bit higher while drifting on the river. Opinions from you river guys will help a lot. I do see a practical use, but I can't called it absolutely needed.
I'm probably going with an 80# MinnKota Fortrex W/ Universal Sonar2 teamed up with Hummingbird Helix 7. I would like to have the side imaging technology of the SI model, but I'm not a tourney guy and see no reason to spend that kind of money on un-needed tech. I like it simple, but want some help figuring out the bottom.
What do you guys use for a trolling motor/depth finder combo in heavy current ?
This leads to the battery and charger questions.
I'll be mounting the trolling motor batteries in the bow. It'll be at least a 24V system. Should I factor in a separate battery for the depth finder?
Since the trolling motor and cranking batteries are going to be on opposite ends of the boat, do I need separate on board chargers to service each? This may seem elementary, but I honestly don't know.
Are there any brands of batteries or chargers you highly suggest to buy or stay away from?
There's a lot to this whole power boat thingy.
I fish the New river in SW Virginia and the lakes in NW NC, Va, and Eastern Tn. I often times run into shallow rocky conditions and will be buying a Mac's prop saver.
I've decided on the Alumacraft 1756 with the 6" tunnel for a Mercury 40hp tiller steer prop motor.
the boat: all welded with .102" aluminum hull for durability. 21" transom. Big enough for me and both my boys, but small enough when I want to fish by myself.
The Mercury 40 hp tiller;nothing wrong with any of the other motor brands out there, but Mercury has dealers and service techs from coast to coast and border to border. It's just a brand I trust.
I want the tiller steer to keep the boat cockpit completely open(no CC or SC, just open floor) , and because of the responsiveness of a tiller. I think the 40 should be more than enough for a 17' boat, however the hull is rated for a 50. I'm looking at the price difference between the 40 and 50 hp, and it's enough to cover the cost of a very nice trolling motor or depth finder and battery chargers.
Motor question; should I buy the power tilt and trim, or save the money and go with the gas assist lift? My back does bother me from time to time and I'm not getting younger(48 heading towards 80 but no back surgeries in my past).
I'm also leaning towards factory installed sponsons to help float the motor a bit higher while drifting on the river. Opinions from you river guys will help a lot. I do see a practical use, but I can't called it absolutely needed.
I'm probably going with an 80# MinnKota Fortrex W/ Universal Sonar2 teamed up with Hummingbird Helix 7. I would like to have the side imaging technology of the SI model, but I'm not a tourney guy and see no reason to spend that kind of money on un-needed tech. I like it simple, but want some help figuring out the bottom.
What do you guys use for a trolling motor/depth finder combo in heavy current ?
This leads to the battery and charger questions.
I'll be mounting the trolling motor batteries in the bow. It'll be at least a 24V system. Should I factor in a separate battery for the depth finder?
Since the trolling motor and cranking batteries are going to be on opposite ends of the boat, do I need separate on board chargers to service each? This may seem elementary, but I honestly don't know.
Are there any brands of batteries or chargers you highly suggest to buy or stay away from?
There's a lot to this whole power boat thingy.