phill81 Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 Hi Raiders, I am about to get a minn kota put on the front of my 450 topender. The guys at the boat yard said a 55lb motor with a 54" shaft would be fine for that size boat. Anyone out there with a similar setup? if so does it work well or would you have preferred to spend the extra on an 80lb? My main issue with upgrading to the 80lb is the setup would need to run on a 24V system instead of 12 volts. Also, is the 54" shaft long enough if there is a bit of a swell, i'm worried the 60" shaft will take up room in the small boat. Any advice would be appreciated before I spend $$$ cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 (edited) I have a 55lb 54” Minn Kota on my Stacer 449 Outlaw, so a similar set up. It works fine. I use it in the Bay (Port Stephens), on the bait grounds outside and up at Broughton Island if floating baits back for snapper. I’m happy with it. If the current is racing, it can really work overtime but I’ve only had trouble holding spot lock once when there was a strong current plus a decent wind. I don’t use it in huge swells. Edited June 15, 2019 by Berleyguts 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phill81 Posted June 13, 2019 Author Share Posted June 13, 2019 thanks baz, I wouldn't be out in a huge swell (my guts don't handle it too well), maybe just outside when the ocean is pretty calm fishing for snapper and I want to fish on top of a reef. what sort of battery do you run with it? would a 100amp hour battery be sufficient for a days fishing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted June 14, 2019 Share Posted June 14, 2019 I use a Century N70T which is a 102 ah battery. I’ve never had it run flat on the water. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_Bert83 Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 I agree with Baz stick with the 55lb electric. Would be very rare occasions it won't hold position in current or wind. Save $$$ and cuts down weight in your boat from the extra battery. I do however run a 60" shaft on my electric and when the wind gets up it come in handy. If space is an issue I'm sure 54" shaft would be fine. Cheers, Trav 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked-Up Posted June 15, 2019 Share Posted June 15, 2019 I had 55 on my 449 nomad for over 10 years, recently upgraded to 24v system and it lasts sooooo much longer and works sooooo much less. top speed slight increase but gets there easier and holds position at lower speeds. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 @phill81 Try and make sure you motor and controller have Bluetooth inter-connectivity. I was having trouble getting mine to respond sometimes but fixed an issue with the hand controller (battery door was cross threaded) and it seemed to fix it. Some Raiders told me it would be Bluetooth but when I fished with Scratchie and AerialAngler on Friday, it was difficult to get it to respond. I just tested it in the boatport and it worked fine BUT when I used the controller down behind the console, it wouldn’t respond. So... that means it’s infrared, not Bluetooth, and needs line of sight! I guess the newer models are Bluetooth??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onearmedfisho Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 yeah as others have said the 55lb will be fine on your boat but I would also consider the 60"shaft. Your better to have it too long rather than not long enough!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phill81 Posted June 22, 2019 Author Share Posted June 22, 2019 Thanks again for your advice, I ended up with the 55Lb and 54" shaft as they had this in stock ready to go. I don't take the boat out in anything too rough so hopefully the shaft length will be fine. It seems to be Bluetooth Berleyguts. Looking forward to testing it out. Do you guys unplug the motor from the battery before charging it on the C-teK or equivalent? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted June 22, 2019 Share Posted June 22, 2019 4 hours ago, phill81 said: Thanks again for your advice, I ended up with the 55Lb and 54" shaft as they had this in stock ready to go. I don't take the boat out in anything too rough so hopefully the shaft length will be fine. It seems to be Bluetooth Berleyguts. Looking forward to testing it out. Do you guys unplug the motor from the battery before charging it on the C-teK or equivalent? Congrats! You’ll find it very useful! I don’t unplug my motor, when I charge the battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onearmedfisho Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 I do and would definitely unplug before charging! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted July 5, 2019 Share Posted July 5, 2019 1 hour ago, onearmedfisho said: I do and would definitely unplug before charging! Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onearmedfisho Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 my mechanic told to when he fitted my boat up and why risk not doing it??? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted July 6, 2019 Share Posted July 6, 2019 2 hours ago, onearmedfisho said: my mechanic told to when he fitted my boat up and why risk not doing it??? Lol. Because I like to know the reasoning and the science behind it, not just because someone told me so, without giving a reason! 😂 I’ve never unplugged my MK while charging and had no problems. It’s pretty much on trickle charge whenever it’s parked in the boat port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onearmedfisho Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 maybe its because on my Minn Kota on board battery charger mate 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berleyguts Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 2 hours ago, onearmedfisho said: maybe its because on my Minn Kota on board battery charger mate Oh I see. Fair enough. I plug mine into a CTek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimg1au Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 those CTeks are great i plug mine into a lead om my ducati charges battery great slow charge is best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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