Power poles

[Gene Eby]

This is a general question concerning putting Power poles on an older boat, I have a 1996 Stratos 268 with a Johnson 90. Pushes the boat at 55 mph with just me in it. I’m looking at mounting 2 Power pole Sportsman 2’s on it. What are the feelings on these on a 16’ 8” boat. Total weight will be approx. 46 lbs. The boat is in excellent shape and is perfect for the waters I fish. Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated. As a side note our season up here is 5 months and I fish 15 to 20 days a month. 

Thanks 

Gene

[Fishing Rhino]

That's a lot of weight hanging off/behind the stern of a 17' boat.  They probably won't have much of an impact on your top speed but they will affect how well the boat gets up on plane.

 

Don't know what your storage set up is, but if possible shift all the moveable weight toward the bow.  If your batteries for the trolling motor are at the back of the boat, moving them forward can compensate for that added weight on the transom.  A single battery can weigh more than your power poles.

 

Ideally, when moving batteries forward, they should have their own isolated compartment unless you don't mind the smell of battery fumes, in that compartment, particularly as they get older.

[Gene Eby]

Great points Tom, will consider moving the battery to the front, maybe build a box under my foot control well. There is plenty of room there.

thanks

gene

[Jig Man]

I expect you will have to contend with your boat porpoising with that much extra weight in the stern.

[Gene Eby]

Yes, you may be correct, already have a bit whenever I exceed 55, funny how 45 lbs can change your stability. But I’m opting for 2 tow help with balance. Thank you for your input. 

Gene

[DINK WHISPERER]

I added a dual setup to my 96 18.5' ProCraft and it didn't change much of anything. Maybe just a tad slower hole shot but nothing that bothers me. 

[WRB]

Moving batteries is more complicated then you may think. AGM's can be mounted without leaking fluids, longer power cables and 50 amp breakers are needed. Most power poles are mounted  to the Jack plate bracket, I doubt that your boat have a jack plate, so you need to think how and where to mount the poles on the transum.

Tom

[DINK WHISPERER]

Sandwich brackets between the transom and outboard if no jack plate available. 

[Gene Eby]

Going to try to go directly to the transom, trying to keep weight to a minimum. That said this older boat has a fairly flat transom and is in excellent condition. Have a friend who owns a marina who is also a master tech, he is willing to assist with the installation , however has never installed poles, don’t see many pure bass boats this far north, mostly guys fish othe species. But I believe I can make this work. If necessary I can eleminate about 40 lbs if it is necessary to lighten the stern a bit.Want to thank everyone for their input, it really makes this somewhat easier.

Gene

[Angry John]

Weird point but make sure there far enough apart to allow full travel of the motor.  Seen this done wrong.  Sounds crazy but it happens.  Also seen them to low and cause drag and vortices.  This messed up the stern transducer.

[TOXIC]

Regardless of the added weight, I am not a fan of the sandwich mounts.  I've seen too many of my friends have the nuts work loose on a very regular basis...yes, even they nylocks.  So much so, they were checking them every time before they launched.  I went with jackplate mounts even though my boat is older and has a 2005 plate that we had to drill.  

[DINK WHISPERER]

47 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Regardless of the added weight, I am not a fan of the sandwich mounts.  I've seen too many of my friends have the nuts work loose on a very regular basis...yes, even they nylocks.  So much so, they were checking them every time before they launched.  I went with jackplate mounts even though my boat is older and has a 2005 plate that we had to drill.  

What would the added brackets there change that would make bolts come loose? I've had both styles and never a problem either way. But, I do remember Merc (I think) was voiding warranties for people using the sandwich brackets. 

[ThatredneckguyJamie]

Minn kota makes a smaller slightly different version of a power pole that may work better, having said that I see a lot of skiffs that run a dual power pole setup with no problems

[TOXIC]

3 hours ago, DINK WHISPERER said:

What would the added brackets there change that would make bolts come loose? I've had both styles and never a problem either way. But, I do remember Merc (I think) was voiding warranties for people using the sandwich brackets. 

To be honest, I think it was the added length of the transom bolts that caused them to work loose easier than the JP mounts.  Whatever the reason, the sandwich mounts were problematic.  The plate mounted brackets were not.  Mine have never worked loose.  

[DINK WHISPERER]

I had no option on my current boat but to use sandwich style. I have a CMC power lift plate. But mine are sandwiched between the plate and the outboard itself. Hopefully I don't lose my motor going down the lake one day ?

[WRB]

What happens is the fiberglass transum compresses over time and pressure taking a set, the bolts will loosen without turning. The only way to prevent this without a wide flat plates is to use metal standoff tubes thru the transum to take the load/ pressure of the bolts. This means for example drilling hole 3/4" for 3/4" tube 1/2" ID to accommodate the standoff tubes and 1/2" bolts then sealing them so no water gets inside the transom. you will need heavy SST fender washers. A jack plate makes this so much easier.

Tom

[Gene Eby]

Well, decided to go with the standoff plates do to the age of the boat (22 yrs) and the slight curve of the transom. My only concern will be the weight, mainly because of the motor h/p. Will keep posting updates as I work on this. Presently the boat is in storage because of the long winters here will likely be early April before I get them on. 

Thanks to all for the insights and info.

Gene