Hi Dev75... Here is an excerpt from my previous post in the "Trolling Motor" post listing what I have installed. Pictures of it installed are in the album "Trolling Motor" in the Pontoon Gallery. I added some new photos of a bounce preventer I rigged to minimize the bounce to the stowed motor when trailering or in heavy wave action....without mounting anything to the interior deck. I am pleased with the performance of the motor although it is a little heavy to deploy and stow since you have to reach out to lift it up and in. The auto deploy might be worth considering in you want to spend the extra bucks. I love the Ipilot system.
I decided on an 80 lb thrust Minnkota Riptide with Ipilot and 2 batteries for 24V, 60 inch shaft for my 22sfx. Bow mounted with a sliding bracket to retract the motor when docking bow in. It also allows removal of the motor with the removal of one bolt. I chose 80 based on dealer recommendation, talking to some other fishermen, and online research. I wanted to sufficient oomph to manage a tall and heavy craft for windy conditions or currents in whichever bodies of water I will be operating in. Here is an excerpt from Cabela's info on choosing a motor:
Simply put, the bigger (or taller) the boat, the more thrust you'll need to control it."The size and weight of your boat translates into your need for power (thrust) and endurance. The basic rule of thumb for determining the amount of thrust you need is five pounds of thrust for every 200 pounds of weight. Don't forget to include the weight of your boat's contents in the calculation. To be sure that you have enough power, take the boat's estimated weight and add in its maximum weight capacity. A boat that weighs 1,500 pounds, and has a maximum weight capacity of 1,200 pounds would need a motor with 67.5 pounds of thrust. (1,500 lbs. + 1,200 lbs. ÷ 200 = 13.5 x 5= 67.5)
