09-30-13, 12:07 PM | #1 |
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I'm Back
Just got an '85 Bass Tracker III for free. Everything works and the boat was used regularly. My buddy stepped up to a huge boat and just gave me his tracker. I cannot be more thankful for that. It has a 40hp motor. It's not the prettiest, but I can fish my *** of in it, and plan to work on her aesthetics slowly.
Here's the question: This is a 17ft boat with no trolloing motor. I'm not planning on fishing in high winds/current, so will I be fine with a 40# thrust trolling motor up front? Hell, all I do most of the time on Toho is troll the mat line and flip, so I'd assume I'd be alright since the boat isn't that heavy, and will just be me fishing most of the time. Thanks, guys. |
09-30-13, 07:44 PM | #2 |
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Welcome back BBD. That's a solid looking rig...congrats.
-Mark |
10-01-13, 07:10 AM | #3 |
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Very nice friend indeed,no 40 lb thrust isnt enough even though its a light boat for current and or wind,its enough for no current or no wind to speak of.
My first boat a 14 fter went backwards in current after a rain on the ohio river,traded up to a 47 then a 52,54 before trading that boat. For simplicity 12v will do but think 50 and up..Gave 400 for the same thing back in the eighties with no outboard,had a weak 40lb troller no battery.saved me pennies up and put a 45 chrysler on it(another 400). Last edited by lilmule; 10-01-13 at 07:16 AM. |
10-01-13, 07:48 AM | #4 |
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No 12v trolling motor is ever enough (IMO), unless it's on a canoe or plastic "pond hopper". A mid-sized 24v, something around 62# is where I would be. A 12v on that boat will not likely last all day (6 - 8 hours) so you would need a second battery for a full day of fishing anyway so just step up to a 24v troller and be done with it.
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10-01-13, 09:12 AM | #5 |
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i agree with muley and brucie, get at LEAST a 56# thrust, 24 volt.
very nice lil rig by the way. a little spit shine and she'll look as good as new. congrats to you buddy.
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10-01-13, 09:23 PM | #6 |
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Thanks, guys.
I'll hopefully be picking up a 67# minn kota off CL this week. MOS DEF gonna' go for a 24v now. Thanks for the feedback! Now time for some electronics. |
10-03-13, 02:19 PM | #7 |
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Update. Found a local guy here in JAX with an 8 year old motorguide great white, 24v, 82# motor. It took a few days, but I got him down to 175 for it. You guys think that's a good deal? Guy said he fishes local tournaments and just upgraded to a 36v. I'm thinking I should change all the seals in it since it's an older motor, but he said it works great.
Last edited by BBD; 10-03-13 at 04:57 PM. |
10-05-13, 03:07 PM | #8 |
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I went from a 40# 12V on my 14' fiberglass, to a 68# 24V on my Grizzly1754. It like the difference between a trolling motor and rowing. Plenty of power and hardly dents the batteries. You got a free boat, spend a little on the trolling system. The deal you just posted on the motor is a GREAT deal. Not quite better than a free boat but...
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10-06-13, 12:13 AM | #9 |
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I believe my trolling motor is a 47 pound thrust, it gets the boat around fine, but we don't have a casting deck in like yours (yet). Just a an aluminum flat bottom.
I've upgrade to a 70lb thrust with that boat personally, but do what ever gets you around... it'll be better than beating the bank I promise!
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11-20-13, 04:35 AM | #10 |
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Got the boat/trailer, cleaned, primered, and sprayed. Turned out decent. Was a quick job, but totally rejuvenated the boat. Next, I'll polish the jack-plate and spray the entire engine the factory color again, then add fresh yami decals. Other than that, I'm pleased with how it turned out. Daylight pics to come. Thanks to a good friend of mine, the total material cost for the primer, scuff pads, and industrial green coating was 130 bucks total. Not too bad.
I wasn't gonna' go full retard on this boat and do an elaborate resto that would end up costing as much as a nice, used, older glass boat. Ive seen guy's dump 12k into a tin boat.....no thanks. Everything on this boat works great, it just needed some new skin. I just wanted to bring the life back to her, and I think I've achieved that. |
11-20-13, 07:35 AM | #11 |
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nice job looks great now go out and fish your A** off
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11-20-13, 11:51 AM | #12 |
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Wow, that looks great! Good work...
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11-21-13, 05:21 PM | #13 |
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11-21-13, 07:55 PM | #14 |
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That looks awesome!
Great job!!!!!
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11-21-13, 09:11 PM | #15 |
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Great job on the boat restoration.
-Mark |
11-21-13, 10:49 PM | #16 |
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Thanks, guys.
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11-21-13, 11:31 PM | #17 |
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Nice job and that troller was worth more than 175,so you did well.
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11-22-13, 06:32 PM | #18 |
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nice job only thing i see wrong is you have too many rods and reels could trip over send them to me i will store them for you just looking out for your safety
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11-22-13, 08:14 PM | #19 |
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Yeah, it sucks. I want to extend the deck like a bass boat with a long, rectangular section that goes from the front deck all the way back to the passenger seat in order to support the rods.
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11-24-13, 10:15 AM | #20 |
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Very nice. I bet if you pick up some boats like that cheap and do a minimal resto you can make some money to put into your boat. Or buy a newer one.
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