MacGregorSailors.com

Ok Captains,
I got the "what can I do with a trolling motor[s]..." on my Mac.

Option 1: Find a way to rig a front mount trolling motor. Probably 24V, 80lb Thrust.
Aim: A- Bow control in the wind while picking up mooring ball solo. B- possible use as "bow thruster" while docking in tight spaces. C- Possible backup that will work with my battery & solar array & offer different & quiet form of motoring; Especially when sailing isn't an option. eg Trawlermode or windless day/night. Love of quiet.

Option 2: Port & Starboard 12V transom models 55lb ea. mounted in tandem or some kind of connection with the rudders.
Aim: A- To satisfy my "twin screw" Lust! - But, do trolling motors have reverse? B- to fine tune docking, harbor maneuvering. That's IF I have the ability to run either side in reverse... C- Same as 1C.

My setup: 3 bank 12/24V Charger. One bank currently unused. Bank 1- 12V motor. Bank 2- 2 6V AGMs 235 Amp Hrs. Bank 3- Blank. But, I have another set of 6V AGMs available to use with my GAS. Gear Acquisition Syndrome

Any thoughts, opinions, experience?...
Thanks

My 12 volt trolling motor has 3 reverse speeds, I think that all reasonable sized trolling motors do

Thanks Mike,
Where & how do you use yours? & That question applies to any & all takers - & trolling motor owners. Thanks.

I have not used mine on the Mac, only for messing about on my little sailing dinghies, I would be looking for a 3 bladed prop version, mine is the 2 blade prop and it may be a bit course to push much thats a bit heavy

There was a guy on this site who mounted a electric motor on his bow as an bow thruster I believe he had an , but I can,t find it in the mods section ?

J

Here is a link to that thruster setup.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1068

I have 24 V 80 lb transom mount minn kota on kicker motor bracket I use for fishing.

Where & how do you use yours? & That question applies to any & all takers - & trolling motor owners. Thanks.

Hopefully sumner posts up about his. He put a lot of thought and work into it, but I don't think I read a report how it worked out



http://1fatgmc.com/boat/mac-1/mac-outsi ... age-1.html

I put a 12v 55lb thrust on my I only kept it on 1 season, it did not work as well as I hoped. It was when I still had the 400lb 90hp outboard. It moved the boat, but acceleration was very slow. I had hoped to use it during no wind days on the creek or as a "thruster" when drifting around sailing at 1-2 mph and tacking. I really wanted it to work out.

Observations with 55lb
On my heavy every speed other than full was essentially useless. Full was 2-3mph. Less than that did not have enough thrust to keep the boat moving. It made a boil behind the boat and felt like I forgot to untie from a dock or was towing a barge.

It was larger than I expected, about 25lb.

It made more noise on speed 5 than I expected, enough hum/vibration that it was totally different, but comparable to my 4 stroke outboard at idle. You definitely knew it was running. It probably was not audible outside the boat, but the fiberglass seemed to amplify it onboard. My outboard at lowest idle moved the boat about equal.

If the boat was already sailing/drifting at 2.5 mph and I turned it on it had no effect. It did not speed me up ( I think the prop maxed at about 3mph) It did not help tacking at slow speed as I hoped. The slowing momentum of the boat was more than any added thrust from the motor. Mine was fixed mount so it did not aid steering.

To make the installation as clean as possible I removed everything but the motor body and shaft. Stainless pipe clamps held the motor to the side of the ladder so it flipped up and down with it. I direct connected the motor to a 12V continuous duty solenoid so a remote push button at the helm turned it on and off at full power. If it had worked better I was going to use a generic 12v wireless remote to trigger the relay. I was fairly proud of the installation.

After playing with it all winter I took it back off in the spring before heading out to the bay. It was probably my least successful mod. My boat probably weighed at least 5,000lbs and had bottom paint. I could see it working on a lighter smaller boat. A motor with double the thrust or twin install should work better, but I still would have my doubts to its usefulness on a fully laden .

I love this idea. I have thought about it for my love of fishing now that they have the gps lock type that will hold you in one spot!
I’ve also thought about the versions that mount on your trim tabs many times, and how they could be used exactly as you’ve described! But all in all, unless you get them large enough to push the boat around, and have the power available (and all the wiring and such that comes with that), it’s not very feasible. Kinda counter-productive on a boat that’s supposed to be light and able to sail.

But the thought of slowly ghosting around in flat calm at night listening to the ripples of the water and the neighbors’ conversations...wow!

Why r ur boat neighbors of the kinky type ! but u could always buy a drone with a camera & have audio & video , then the Admiral might say how come u like watching that ! more than doing it with her Er Honey ur just as beautiful as she is honestly !

J

Thanks all for comments & insights. I went for a 60"' 80lb 24V, saltwater motorguide, mainly because the price & opportunity was right. & it works with my Lawrence. But I am sweating whether the shaft is long enough for a bow application

Anyway, I'm getting ready to go down to Key Largo for 2 weeks with Miss Ollie in tow. I also hope to catch the Miami Boat $how. The mod will have to wait.

So Re: the twin screws, which I still like; I thought of connecting 2 12V 50lbers to the rudders. I'm thinking on the bottom. Perhaps even shortening them. But I wonder if the SS rudder racks could hold up. Thoughts?

Something like this is what i had in mind...same as you were thinking?

https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/m ... ?pid=63529

So Re: the twin screws, which I still like; I thought of connecting 2 12V 50lbers to the rudders. I'm thinking on the bottom. Perhaps even shortening them. But I wonder if the SS rudder racks could hold up. Thoughts?

I think you made the better choice with the single 80lb. I wanted to do the rudder setup, but after experimentation don't think its feasible. The motors are just too big and heavy with too much drag.

Gazmn wrote:Thanks all for comments & insights. I went for a 60"' 80lb 24V, saltwater motorguide, mainly because the price & opportunity was right. & it works with my Lawrence. But I am sweating whether the shaft is long enough for a bow application

Anyway, I'm getting ready to go down to Key Largo for 2 weeks with Miss Ollie in tow. I also hope to catch the Miami Boat $how. The mod will have to wait.

So Re: the twin screws, which I still like; I thought of connecting 2 12V 50lbers to the rudders. I'm thinking on the bottom. Perhaps even shortening them. But I wonder if the SS rudder racks could hold up. Thoughts?

Hi Greg
Where,s my invitation I promise to leave my Kilt at home !

J

I seen one of these SS230 bow thruster comes with all necc, equip. & wiring too install DIY includes one dash mount joystick & one wireless remote fob Victoria boat show spec. price was $3500. I was thinking for a rich guy like Greg he could buy 2 & donate one to my cause & in return I would install his for him !
https://shop.sideshift.com/collections/ ... w-thruster
J