Foot Controlled CRASH - Plus a battery question.

[XpressJeff]

Folks, I have been able to finally get my first real boat with a foot controlled Minn Kota Edge 45. I have always had a transom mounted hand control TM previously.

 

The real problem is that the only thing I do well is CRASH! I have not yet developed the ability to control direction and speed without either finding a dock or a log to run into while catching trees or boat canvas with my Spinner bait at the same time. It's quite a sight I bet!

 

I am forcing myself into small spaces and spend time doing drills to develop control. I have  mounted my control pedal neat the bow but at a slight angle and I now see others are mounted on centerline and all the way forward. I 'll remedy that.

 

The question is, "About how long does it take to become proficient"? It's embarrassing and could be expensive. 

 

The second part of my question is regarding battery power. I have a single lead acid battery now and I would like to add a Red Top Optima battery to extend my daily fishing time. I waste allot of power by getting out of control right now. Is it problematic to battery types? Series,or Parallel?

[Al Wolbach]

First thing I would do is rotate the shaft in the mount until the pedal is level and the motor is going straight. This will allow you to push down with toes to go left and push down with heel to go right. Should make it much easier and will become natural.

[Ski213]

Practice, practice, practice. It varies for everyone, but it shouldn't take too long if you spend some time with it  The first times I used a foot control it was a mess. My biggest problem was overcorrecting and using too much power at the wrong times.   It got natural pretty quick though. 

 

Start off slow and don't go overboard on the situations you put yourself in right off the bat. 

[A-Jay]

First Off, although Optima makes a decent battery, that Red Top is a starting battery where the Blue top is a dual purposed product that handles Starting & deep cycle duties well.   So choose wisely to ensure you're meeting your needs with this next purchase.

 

Second - a 45lb thrust unit is on the lower end of what most full size boats use effectively.  Don't know what size / type vessel you've got but I can tell you that a more powerful unit will encourage a quicker and more defined throttle response which can & often does make a world of difference, especially when building confidence & learning how to run it.  

 

  I'd encourage you to Not fish while you're getting the feel for your TM.  It can be some tricky business casting, & working the TM in tight quarters, especially in the wind.

 

Either way, we all learn at our own pace and attempting to rush or speed up the process by putting yourself in maneuvering situations you're not ready to handle might only lead to frustration and possibly minor equipment damage. 

Take it slow.

A-Jay

 

 

[XpressJeff]

Thanks folks,

 

The Optima is one I just happened to have on hand. Sounds like I'm better off getting another lead acid deep cycle and I can make that happen. It is safe to extend service day right? Or does the second battery need to be an EXACT match to the first?

 

Its a 17 foot Xpress tin boat. Can probably get a bigger 24V system next year.

 

Practice I will! I know you are right A-Jay, but its hard not to fish when I have been ready all winter!

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, XpressJeff said:

Thanks folks,

 

The Optima is one I just happened to have on hand. Sounds like I'm better off getting another lead acid deep cycle and I can make that happen. It is safe to extend service day right? Or does the second battery need to be an EXACT match to the first?

 

Its a 17 foot Xpress tin boat. Can probably get a bigger 24V system next year.

 

Practice I will! I know you are right A-Jay, but its hard not to fish when I have been ready all winter!

 Sounds about right ~

Good Luck

and btw - you get no sympathy from this human - we're still Iced In Solid and will be few a few more weeks   ..  ..  ..  ..eh.

A-Jay

[sully420]

I wouldn't get a optima until you upgrade your trolling motor just get another cheaper battery. Also make sure you have the space In your battery compartment before you upgrade so you know what size batteries you can accommodate and how many volts you can run. I would suggest 24v 80lb trust would work well for your boat, I have a 16' tracker and went from 40lb trust to 80lb and it's amazing how much better it can control. Make sure you get a onboard charger installed it's really a life saver.

[XpressJeff]

I was out today and my boat control is abysmal!

 

Not only am I fighting with learning control but now I have probably separated a coupling ribs when the dang cord broke trying to deploy the thing and I went flying back like a shot. The landing on the port gunnel/rod locker was so graceful that  a bass jumped up with a sign reading 9.3! I guess I have to work on my landing!

 

Ordered a new handle with stainless cable already.

[Ski213]

1 hour ago, XpressJeff said:

I was out today and my boat control is abysmal!

 

Not only am I fighting with learning control but now I have probably separated a coupling ribs when the dang cord broke trying to deploy the thing and I went flying back like a shot. The landing on the port gunnel/rod locker was so graceful that  a bass jumped up with a sign reading 9.3! I guess I have to work on my landing!

 

Ordered a new handle with stainless cable already.

There's nothing at all wrong with a 9.3. That's a solid score.  I'd call it good if you stayed dry and didn't get hooked by something laying on the deck. 

 

Just take it slow. Don't get tore up and you'll be parallel parking with the tm sooner than you think. 

[Fishing Rhino]

First, don't try to parallel park the boat until you've learned to drive down the road.  Practice your maneuvering where you cannot get into trouble.  Do it away from the shore.  Look at the direction indicator on the top of the trolling motor.  Set it to the direction you want to move before stepping on the "go button".

 

Keep in mind, the boat will not necessarily move in that direction.  It will when operated in a straight line forward.  If you set the direction to "three o'clock, or nine o'clock, the bow will move in that direction and tend to pivot around the stern.  If you set the indicator to four or five o'clock, the bow will move to the starboard/right while the stern moves to the port/left and the boat will tend to move backward.

 

When you need to move away from the shore, face the indicator directly away from the shore.  As the boat moves, keep the indicator pointing directly away from the beach.

 

Practice in calm water without a current.  

 

One more thing.  Set the speed control to a slow speed.  If set on a high speed, when you back up, the motor will tend to pull off line, jerking to the left or right.