Trolling motors have become increasing popular over the past couple of years. If you're a serious fisherman, you've certainly taken notice of all those electric outboards on the bows of center consoles at your marina.
Why have trolling motors become popular on with fishermen on Long Island?
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Quiet Operation: Unlike gas-powered outboard motors that move your boat through the water, trolling motors are electric and nearly silent. This makes them ideal for fishing, especially in shallow waters or around easily spooked fish.
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Precision and Control: Trolling motors offer excellent maneuverability and speed control, allowing anglers to position their boats exactly where they want, even in tight or tricky areas.
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Lithium Batteries: Lithium battery technology has increased significantly in recent years, and the cost of these batteries has come down as well. Most trolling motors for center consoles run on 24v or 26v, and having a bunch of heavy 12v lead acid batteries to power a trolling motor isn't always practical. Lithium batteries are light weight and come in 24v and 36v options.
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Advancements in Technology: Modern trolling motors come with GPS, autopilot, and remote controls, letting users "anchor" in place digitally, follow waypoints, or control the motor from anywhere in the boat or via a smartphone app.
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Ease of Use and Maintenance: Trolling motors are much easier to maintain than gas outboards, with fewer moving parts and no winterization needed. This makes them more user-friendly, especially for casual boaters or anglers.
How are trolling motors installed?
Trolling motors are typically installed on the bow of a boat. While it is possible to do this yourself, there are a number of nuances that professional installers can tackle easily. If you do want to install a trolling motor yourself, you can use these steps as a guide.
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Choose a Location for the Trolling Motor
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Select a flat, sturdy area on the bow of your boat that allows the motor to deploy without hitting the boat’s edge.
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Make sure the shaft clears the rub rail and hull when lowered.
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Mark the Mounting Holes
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Place the mounting bracket (or motor base) in the desired spot.
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Use a pencil or marker to trace the hole pattern through the bracket onto the deck.
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Drill the Holes
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Drill straight down through the marked holes. Make sure to countersink the holes to avoid cracking gel coat.
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If your bow is hollow or made of fiberglass, consider using a backing plate inside to prevent stress cracking.
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Apply Marine Sealant
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Coat each hole with a marine-grade sealant to prevent water intrusion and protect the hull material. We recommend using 3M 5200.
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Bolt Down the Motor
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Insert bolts through the mounting bracket and holes.
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From underneath, add washers and locknuts.
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Tighten securely with wrenches.
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Wire the Motor
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Connect the motor’s power cables to a trolling motor battery. Make sure that battery you have sourced is marine grade and follows ABYC standards.
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Use appropriately gauged wire, an inline fuse or circuit breaker (recommended), and a battery disconnect switch for safety.
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Test the Deployment
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Lower the motor into the water and verify that it deploys, stows, and steers properly.
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Ensure the propeller clears the hull and anything on the bow.
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Where can I buy a trolling motor on Long Island?
Most marine stores like West Marine sell trolling motors, but they aren't all able to install a trolling motor on your boat. Your marina can likely get and install a trolling motor for you, but not all marinas specialize in trolling motors.
You can also buy a trolling motor from EMO Electric. We are specialize in electric marine propulsion and can do the install your trolling motor if your boat is on Long Island. We carry the Garmin Force Kraken, Minn Kota Riptide Terrova Quest, and Minn Kota Riptide Instinct Quest trolling motors and a wide variety of high quality marine grade lithium batteries. If you're interested in buying a trolling motor, please take a look at the different options that we have, and then give us a call at 631-204-8188 or send us an email to luke@emoelectric.co and we will be happy to help!