What size electric?

[TopEnder]

Hi All,

Great website you all have. I've been reading all of the great posts for some time and finally picked up the courage to post my own. I currently own a Quintrex TopEnder 450 (hence the name) with a Yamaha 60hp EFI 4 stroke and want to add an electric bow mount motor for a bit of bream fishing. First of all I will ask on advice and opinions on size and I'll add some pictures so you get an idea of the beast.

Regards Dave:D

[TopEnder]

I'll also ask advice on who and or how I should go about modifying the bow rails. Any suggestions on a good alloy welder South of the river would be great. Another picture.

Regards Dave:D

[Bear]

Hi Dave,
Well done for getting up and posting mate.

I've got a few mates with the bigger boats, including a Tralcraft 4.5m. They get away with the 55lb Minn Kota Riptide, but if you could afford it, I'd go up to one of the 24 volt models to get the extra push. This will make a HUGE difference in the strong wind.

HTH.

[Brad Y]

Nice rig.

The ol faithfull RT55AP will do the job and ive seen it used on boats similar to yours. However, there is a RT65AP and a RT74AP which is the bigger brothers of the 55lb motor.My choice would probly be the 74lb- Don Johnson has one on his tounament elite stacer- It also would get his little 3.5m punt planing if it was a transom mount!

Your choice from these three gets boken down into what voltage system you are willing to run. The two bigger ones are 24V and the 55lb is 12V. Of course if 24V is not trouble, then look at your budget.

65lb is just over two grand
74lb is under two and a half
55lb is around 1650

Prices taken from the BLA website
www.bla.com.au

HTH

[TopEnder]

And finally (I promise no more pictures without permission :p ) any advice on which of the big name brands( MG or MK) without starting the big which one is better debate. Also is a 55lb going to do the job or is a 65lb going to be required. (trying to avoid the 24 volt problems) Any advice from the guys who have 475 Hornets etc. would be appreciated as this is approx. the size and weight of the TopEnder.

Regards Dave:D

[crocstooth]

Good ay Topender

Just quickly, you could not go smaller than a 55lb er or thats my opinion as some might say differently. Just the size of the boat and wieght of the motor added will dictate the need for a bit of trust to get you moving about. I have a 4.2m with a 30hp on the back and a 55lb gets it moving nicely with no troubles.

Now if you have the bucks you can upsize to 74lbs and i think there is even bigger than that but Im not sure.

The 55lb elecs are 12 volts and the 74lbers are 24 volts.

I wont start the war between the Minn Kotas and Motorguides. There is alot on the different motors on this site. Have a suss and get the motor you like.

Cheers

[TopEnder]

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

Where does everyone in the Perth area get there MG's and MK's from. It seems like there in no dealers in Perth according to the MinnKota site. (would hate to pay freight on one of those suckers) Was thinking the Rt65Ap would be the go. Dollars are not really a problem if the end result is what I'm after. Ihate skimping on quality and performance for the sake of some extra cash. (a few less beers will do me some good;) )

Regards Dave:D

[Brad Y]

Good to see mate, better doing it right than having to do it again.

65lbs will push her along nicely. I think any shop may be able to get them but since your SOR try sewelly or the mad one at Anglers Paradise- im pretty sure they can get them

[Bear]

Dave,
I believe MK are the only ones with a long enough shaft for your style of boat. You'll probably have to look at cutting the bow rail as well.

As far as dealers go, Hayway Marine, BLA and even us here at BM are dealers. There are more, I'm not 100% sure though.

Drop me a PM and I'll see what we can do for you.

[madsurfe]

Hi Guys

Rod Pallister at the Joondalup Boatshack can help point you in the right direction for Minn Kota service and parts. 24v systems aren't hard to deal with as it just means running 2 batteries. Also factor in $ for a good charger. The average trickle job for a few dollars is not worth the hassle. I use and recommend Beehive chargers. Do a search on BM and you will find a wealth of info. I have spent a bit of time on the 65lb Riptide Leon has on the Bat Boat and it is well matched to the size of the boat. I have also been in the situation where a 55lb Riptide couldn't hold a 435 Hornet in the current. You can never have too much power cos' the motors will run more efficiently on lower power settings and you'll have some in reserve.

[don]

Nice rig

Mine is the 470 Pro tourament Elite . Hull weight is approx 475kg and fitted with a 75 Mariner 4st Weight 178kg.

When I got this boat it was fitted with a 55lb Riptide and although it did do the job OK , I found it had to be opperated at 3/4 to full power .

I have since changed it to a 74lb 24 volt and the differance is like chalk and cheese.

The cost differance is about $800. buth well worthit if you can stretch that far.

For a Quote you can try Kym at Bias Boating at Claremont in Perth.
I found them the cheapest and very help full.

Hope that helps

RGDS
Don

[The_Scales]

Mate I've got a 5.3m Trailcraft Profish with (plate alloy) a 90 Mercury. I have a RT65AP, I fish in rivers and open lakes. I find that my motor does a great job. With 24v system you will get a bit more life out of your batteries per charge also as they draw less amps than the 12v models do. I have 2 x 120amp/hr batteries and I would easily get two full days fishing from mine.

My boat would weigh heaps more than yours so you definately don't need to go any larger than 65lb thrust. Your boat is like mine - a true V nose, so straight away your boat will glide along a bit easier than a boat with a flatter bottom.

Nick

[Mim]

Hi Dave,

John-Paul and I just got back from visiting Rod at Joondalup Boat Shack and he told me the 55lb Riptide with the 54" shaft (the long one which you will need) would cost you $1385 if you bought it from him. I don't think you could get a better price.

Cheers

Mim

[Doc_Hollywood]

HI topender,

Before the bat boat I had the 475 topender, wicked all round boats. I had a 55lb on that it it certainly did the job. The only problem was that you needed to run it at higher speeds all the time.
And because of the higher sided boats the wind does get hold of them meaning more time on the motor and therefore less battery life.
I would recommend the 24 volt systems. Get yourself 2 by 110 amp (at least ) batteries and a good charger. By that I mean at least 10 to 15% of your battery.
That is 100 amp battery then get at least a 10 amp charger. It will cost you more than the cheapies but you will get better charges and longer battery life.
When it comes to mounting it the only practical place i found was sideways along and behind the anchor well, that way i only had to cut a small section of the rail. I put 2 fishing rod butt end caps over the cuts and it looked like it was made for the job. Mount it all on a quick release plate and bobs your (and everyone elses) uncle.Just keep the cut bit of ali to weld back if youo ever sell the boat.

Cheers
Leon.

[don]

http://www.ausbream.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1170

Check the above out it may help you our . but I would say you would have to be quick

[TopEnder]

Thanks for all of the great replies. All of your advice is fantastic. It looks like the 65lb is the go but I will check out the 74lb as well. The Minister of Finance (read Wife) doesn't really mind, which is quite nice.

A few specs on the boat for any one who is interested. Hull 350kg, motor 115kg, fuel up to 70kg, fishing gear etc 50-100kg and me 85kg. =approx 700kg. It is 4.75m long overall 2.05m beam and has a depth of 1.17m (nice for getting blown around) And its good for about 32knots or 60km/h.

Once again thanks for all of the help. One last note. I was checking out the U.S. MinnKota site and noticed that the 65lb and the 74lb Riptides look to have been replace by or updated to 70lb and 80lb respectively??????? Should I be waiting to find out or is this gonna be U.S. only.
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/_docs/motor_specs.pdf

Also 54" shaft or 60"

Regards Dave :D