Thread: Pontoon Boat?
View Single Post
Old 01-29-2018, 12:27 PM   #27
ishoot308
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island
Posts: 5,891
Thanks: 2,274
Thanked 4,904 Times in 1,897 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by loonguy View Post
Thanks for the information, Dan. Your advice with respect to the electric trolling motor is consistent with my expectations. The pontoon boat that I am looking at has an option for an electric trolling motor with 55 lb. thrust, which seemed inadequate to me. The alternative of a gas 9.9 Mercury kicker is interesting, but I am wondering what that would do that running the main engine at low rpm would not. Is it just an inexpensive way to limit the hours and wear and tear on the main engine?
Yes , the main reason for the kicker is to keep the hours off your bigger main engine. Trolling for 6 or 7 hours a day can really add up quick and you really do not want to put those kind of hours on your larger main motor. A trolling motor is made for specifically that...trolling.

My previous Premier pontoon had a factory optional kicker motor bracket which is what I used. It worked out well. I would think most pontoon manufacturers have this option, if not, the brackets are simple to make.

Dan
__________________
It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!
ishoot308 is offline   Reply With Quote