Minn Kota Talon on aluminum boat

[BLGarrison]

I would like to install a talon on my tracker 1860 center console aluminum boat. Anybody have any experience with this. 

[slonezp]

I installed one on my Lund. What would you like to know?

[gulfcaptain]

I own a Talon and hopefully by next summer I'll own two.  Pick which side, see if you need any of the brackets for your boat and if not put it on and wire it up.    

[BLGarrison]

Thanks guys, I still havent bought one yet. I keep swaying back and forth. It seems the micro anchor may die the trick for me for half the cost. 

[upchuck1383]

I just ordered a micro for my Pro170. I went back and forth forever on which one I wanted before settling on the micro. I will post how it worked out once its installed and I can try it out! I just couldn't justify the $2k price tag for 1 anchor on my boat. I could get 2 micros for less than 1 of the other versions.

[upchuck1383]

My micro installed easily and works great. Boat held very well in mud and rock despite some decent wind 12-15mph. Had it rigged to my cranking battery and had no issues running livewell/electronics and deploying it up and down. Outboard cranked all day. Really glad I made the purchase. It didn't bother my co-angler a bit either.

[gim]

Good work upchuck

[Kevin22]

On 6/7/2016 at 11:13 AM, BLGarrison said:

Thanks guys, I still havent bought one yet. I keep swaying back and forth. It seems the micro anchor may die the trick for me for half the cost. 

And if it breaks because you exceeded the 1500# weight limit you will be out half the price of a talon, plus you will need to buy the talon! 

Do it right the first time. Your boat weighs 1500# without any fuel, water, gear, or people in it. 

It may work the first day, it may work the 10th day.. but if it breaks the mount on the 20th day you will be out $700. The first question power pole is going to ask is what boat you had it on, you can lie if you want.. that's up to you. 

[Tin Man]

Researched the Talon. Thought it made the best sense for a new aluminum Lowe Stinger. Ordered two to be installed sometime this week before I pick up.  No space for a pump and 3 batteries on the Lowe plus they deploy quicker and are quieter from what I've beard with fewer moving parts which makes better sense maintenance wise. Also asked them to install them with quick disconnects. Also thinking of getting the anti theft bolt kit.

[A-Jay]

19 minutes ago, Craig Sellers said:

Researched the Talon. Thought it made the best sense for a new aluminum Lowe Stinger. Ordered two to be installed sometime this week before I pick up.  No space for a pump and 3 batteries on the Lowe plus they deploy quicker and are quieter from what I've beard with fewer moving parts which makes better sense maintenance wise. Also asked them to install them with quick disconnects. Also thinking of getting the anti theft bolt kit.

 

Congrats on getting the Talons -

Bet You'll Love Them ~  I do.

Might consider the Tilt Brackets - Helps with any low approaches or low storage situations.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Accessories/Talon-Accessories/Tilt-Brackets/Tilt-Brackets/

A-Jay

[Tin Man]

Sweet. Sounds good A-Jay. Some people have told me that I could get by with just one but with a double hip replacement I can appreciate the added stability. Especially on the water. Running back and forth and up and down the boat to anchor is not an option. The Talons are a perfect fit. Could have gone up to a 75 horse Merc for what I paid for the Talons but this makes much better sense. 

[ScottK91]

Does anybody know how a micro powerpole would work in river current on a 16' jet boat? 

[slonezp]

27 minutes ago, ScottK91 said:

Does anybody know how a micro powerpole would work in river current on a 16' jet boat? 

Does the boat and motor loaded down weigh more than 1100lbs?

[ScottK91]

I would say it's pretty close to 1100lbs

[slonezp]

That will put you at the max rating for the micro powerpole

[Tin Man]

Found out that no one makes a one piece transom bracket for dual Talons. I like the two piece model but I already went out on a limb for the Talons. The two piece brackets go for around $350.00 each. As much as I dislike drilling new holes in the boat I will be using the stock brackets that came with the Talons. 

[A-Jay]

25 minutes ago, Craig Sellers said:

Found out that no one makes a one piece transom bracket for dual Talons. I like the two piece model but I already went out on a limb for the Talons. The two piece brackets go for around $350.00 each. As much as I dislike drilling new holes in the boat I will be using the stock brackets that came with the Talons. 

 

Even if access is a concern, I'd highly recommend a through bolt & back plate right there.

Otherwise, they Will Pull Out.

A-Jay

[Tin Man]

I think this would be a good idea. Plates on both sides of the transom or just the inside ? Also, how much bigger than the stock brackets foot print ?  Width ? I am thinking quarter inch high quality aluminum.

[slonezp]

The stock brackets will not allow you to tilt the talon(s) out of the way when pulling in the garage or under a low bridge.

 

I used a plastic cutting board as a spacer between the tilt bracket and the transom and just used fender washers on the inside of the splashwell.

More pics

[A-Jay]

8 hours ago, Craig Sellers said:

I think this would be a good idea. Plates on both sides of the transom or just the inside ? Also, how much bigger than the stock brackets foot print ?  Width ? I am thinking quarter inch high quality aluminum.

 

Inside. 

Mounting Hardware on the outside are sufficiently supported by the mounting brackets for the units.

The back plate foot print may end up being contingent on space available.  In some cases a big washer may be all there is room for.

However, even that at a minimum, is considerably more desirable than the alternative.

A-Jay

1 hour ago, slonezp said:

The stock brackets will not allow you to tilt the talon(s) out of the way when pulling in the garage or under a low bridge.

 

I used a plastic cutting board as a spacer between the tilt bracket and the transom and just used fender washers on the inside of the splashwell.

More pics

Nice -

I'll put up some pic's on my tilt hardware set up tomorrow.

 It's a little different deal.

Either way the tilt function was a need for me not an option.

Storage inside was a must.

Works well.

A-Jay

[Tin Man]

Thanks A-jay. You've hooked me up. Got it. I may have to go with tilt brackets later on down the road. You have a nice setup. I will be going with backing plates. Appreciate it.

[A-Jay]

10 hours ago, Craig Sellers said:

Thanks A-jay. You've hooked me up. Got it. I may have to go with tilt brackets later on down the road. You have a nice setup. I will be going with backing plates. Appreciate it.

 

@Craig Sellers ~ here's a couple of pic of my Talon install. 

 

Includes standard mounting bracket connected to unit & the Tilt Bracket sandwiched between the 6 inch 'spacer', then mounted to the transom.

Makes for a clean & operationally effective installation.

A-Jay

[Tin Man]

Do the Talon covers come all the way down ? I have seen some that only go halfway.

[A-Jay]

32 minutes ago, Craig Sellers said:

Do the Talon covers come all the way down ? I have seen some that only go halfway.

 

Mine do -  These are a custom product made by Tuffskinz  http://www.tuffskinz.net/  They also did that cover for the 200 Opti as well.

Quality products both and they are designed so they can be left on during operation which I do from time to time.  Always use them both for long highway travel.

A-Jay

[Tin Man]

Thanks again. The Minnkota covers I saw only came halfway down. Yours look much better. Looked kind of strange. Spoke with my dealer today. Said they installed the Talons without issue. Asked them to send me some pics as I'm getting kind of antsy to pick her up. Pushed back my pickup date by two weeks as the wife is down sick with Bronchitis. My quickd dsconnects came in today and will need to install a third battery as well so I have a bit to keep me busy once I do pick her up. Will also be installing my on board chargers and anti theft devices, and a couple of Humminbirds. It's coming together. Now if only my BR jersey would get here :-)