Adding a bow mount trolling motor to a 175

[Blake912]

Hey guys I'm new to the site and own a 2000 175 osprey that my dad bought new and is older now so does not use it now its just sitting in my lift and does not get used much since I use my offshore boat more often so I've decided to do some upgrades to it to make more usable to me and fish shallow water with it. I'm looking at adding a bow mount 12 or 24v (thinking 24v will be better) and was just trying to get some ideas of what the best TM to get would be, the few pictures I could look like everyone is using the rip tide with a small footprint mount I know its not a ton of room up on the bow to mount a traditional one. Also how have you all ran the wiring to the bow/fit two extra batteries inside the console? And info/help would be great, Thanks!

[RickK]

  Blake 
Good idea to be leaning toward a 24V system.  A 12V system doesn't have the power to overcome a slight breeze or strong current.
Battery placement will be the main question and routing cables up front, the next question.
What does the hatch situation look like in the front of the boat?  Can you fit batteries in one of the hatches?

[tyson87]

What length and thrust are you going to use?

[RickK]

60" and 80 lb thrust.  I was out on a members 170 fishing in Tampa bay and he had a 80lb on the front. The motor would pull the boat about 10+ mph, could throw you off the boat if you didn't take it easy.  Plenty of power for a day or two of fishing before recharge.

[Blake912]

Thanks for all the replies, looks like ill be going for the 60" 80lb thrust I would rather have more power because the bay complex I fish in is usually windy and choppy. My front deck hatch is just a single lid that is used as a fish box and then at the bow there is a small compartment for the anchor. I'm pretty sure I can make 3 batts fit under my console. I'll take some pics of the boat this weekend or early next week as soon as I get a chance to make it down to the bay house.   

[Blake912]

Would the standard riptide hand control mount fit on the bow or do I need to get the I-pilot small footprint mount?

Here is the one I'm wanting to get http://www.basspro.com/Minn-Kota-Riptide-SM-Series-Bow-Mount-Saltwater-Trolling-Motors/product/103796/

Also does anyone have pics of the trolling motor on their 175?

[RickK]

I think the riptide bolt pattern is the same no matter what model you get - Spend some time on a site that offers them to figure out the bolt pattern.
I am going to use the quick release mount http://www.twobeesgear.com/minn-kota-rta-17-riptide-composite-quick-release-bracket-1854017/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=ppc

[Capt. Bob]

Also does anyone have pics of the trolling motor on their 175?

Kinda close:

Bow rail cutout  for tilting:



How it was done:

http://www.boatus.com/magazine/trailering/2014/october/mounting-a-trolling-motor.asp

Not really 175 specific but perhaps some ideas.

Good luck.

[Patrick]

Just seeing this now… Here is some info for the next guy.   In 2012, I installed the Minnkota Riptide I-Pilot  55lbs 12v system work very well on lakes and moderate wind and current.  I put the extra battery in the console and ran #4 wire with SB50’s as quick connectors.  I fabricated a fitting to accommodate the connector size and use the quick disconnect bracket for removal of the motor.  This suited us well on our trips to Canada and inshore wreck fishing off of Nj.   I would normally trim the 90hp Yamaha up when using it.   The 55lb motor always did the job for us.

[CTsalt12]

I am going to piggyback off this thread.  I am installing a 70 lb Minn Kota Riptide on my 175.  I'm going to put the extra batteries in the bow hatch as opposed to the console, and I'll have to cut the bow rail like the BoatUS article.  I am going to put a little platform in the bottom of the bow hatch to give the batteries a flat place to mount the battery boxes.  I will also likely install an onboard charger and circuit breaker.  Although I am thinking of just having a charger that i would keep at home, and removing the batteries when they need to be charged.  Any thoughts on this?

Any recommendations on chargers? 

I will setup a new thread with some pictures so you can see what I mean here, and how shoddy my work is....

[GoneFission]

Any recommendations on chargers? 
I will setup a new thread with some pictures so you can see what I mean here, and how shoddy my work is....

Can't go wrong with ProMariner.