Trolling Motor For 2004 175 Osprey

[thoyle]

I just bought a 175 Osprey and need to place a trolling motor with the bow mount.  Can anyone suggest the best one (Minn Kota / Motorguide) and what pound thrust and shaft length is recommended for best results.  The fishing I'll be doing is inland bayou's and marshes as well as bay fishing in and around the Gulf of Mexico (coastal).

Thanks

[RickK]

Welcome aboard thoyle.  Another addition to the 17 club.
Try this recent  thread, maybe it will help.  As for me, I mount mine on the transom

because I don't like all the holes, hardware and clutter that comes with mounting it on the front.  My neighbor and another buddy both have front mount trolling motors that mount so that they lay along the port front edge when stowed.  They like using them in this configuration however, each cover their boats when not in use and both have gone through multiple boat covers because they wear out from all the chafing from their trolling motors, which they don't like.

[StillKIckn]

Hey  Rickk thanks for the Bildge sugg and pics looks great, I am going to make one up (great idea). I have the setup for a trasom mount trolling motor. any suggestions on size to get for a 17' like yours I have  a 76 model.  thanks  again

[RickK]

As for trolling motor size, I guess you need to decide how many batteries you want to carry - one , two or three (extra 120-150 lbs onboard for #27 deep cycle).  The trigger seems to be around 50 lb thrust from 12v to 24v.  
I have a 50 something (12v) freshwater version - doesn't spend much time in the water but I do see some corrsion on the end of the shaft after a couple years.  The motor pushes the boat nicely except in a stiff breeze.  I tilt the big motor up and use it as a leaning post while trolling around - the trolling motor handle extends out about 6 or 8 inches so I'm not stuck right in the corner.

Let's hear from the guys with front trollers - so he gets another opinion.