How does your boat handle?

[Sethshaun]

-What boat do you have?

-Does it have precise control when you’re using the trolling motor? 
-Can you hold your spot in the wind without kicking right and left? (not using spot lock)

-Does it coast strait when you let off the trolling motor. 

I get frustrated with my Crestliner fishhawk 1650 using the Garmin Force. If I’m trying to hold position in the wind (without spot lock) the boat will tack left and right quite a bit. I have the big motor trimmed all the way down and I mounted the trolling motor as close to center line as possible. 

My best guess is the boat is short and very wide and not designed like the big fiberglass performance Boats. 
 

Before this boat I’ve only had really nice kayaks. Old town predator PDL. Wilderness systems etc. and they’re so easy to control. 
 

Thanks

[Jig Man]

My guess is the shape weight and material of the boat is the cause.  

[Born 2 fish]

3 hours ago, Sethshaun said:

-What boat do you have?

-Does it have precise control when you’re using the trolling motor? 
-Can you hold your spot in the wind without kicking right and left? (not using spot lock)

-Does it coast strait when you let off the trolling motor. 

I get frustrated with my Crestliner fishhawk 1650 using the Garmin Force. If I’m trying to hold position in the wind (without spot lock) the boat will tack left and right quite a bit. I have the big motor trimmed all the way down and I mounted the trolling motor as close to center line as possible. 

My best guess is the boat is short and very wide and not designed like the big fiberglass performance Boats. 
 

Before this boat I’ve only had really nice kayaks. Old town predator PDL. Wilderness systems etc. and they’re so easy to control. 
 

Thanks

I have a 2023 Phoenix 819 pro

It is very precise with the trolling motor down. I can keep the boat straight in the wind and stay on my spot . Keep the nose pointing into the wind it tracks straight if I let off the trolling motor  and it doesn’t kick around unless I have my ultrex on high. 
 

My last boat was a aluminum Lund impact 1875 and it he boat control was horrible in wind due to the high sides and weight. 

[Sethshaun]

I appreciate the input 

[TOXIC]

If I’m not mistaken, you have a deep V and they are pretty squirrly in the wind and on the troller. My 21 foot Ranger Z21 is extremely stable in the wind and tracks pretty straight unless I put the tm on a high setting.  My only complaint is it takes a bit to get the boat moving and there is a pretty good coast after you get off the power. 

[Sethshaun]

Thanks. Sounds like I need to go boat shopping. 

[GaryH]

21’ Skeeter with a Ultrex 112lb. Tracks very straight.

[GreenPig]

My 1448 Jon with the 80lb Terrova is a hybrid of these two pictured below, in the wind. But I love fishing in the wind so I ride the ride.

[gim]

Ranger RT178

 

Wind doesn't grab much of it because there's very little surface area to grab.  It tracks relatively straight unless its on a higher setting then it can change direction quickly.

 

Its not very good in rougher water due to the modified V hull whether I'm using the bow mount or the main outboard.  But I'm also rarely out there in a good chop because that's not why I bought it.

[Bird]

Lowe Stinger 175.

The boat is relatively light being an aluminum hull and sits low to the water.

The 70lb motor guide has no issues in a head wind. 

Bow against the wind for better control while fishing.

[Sethshaun]

Keep them coming. I find this interesting. 

[A-Jay]

What boat do you have?

Lund 1875 Pro-V Bass Boat

 

-Does it have precise control when you’re using the trolling motor? 

Yes I do; with the 112lb trust 36 volt 62" shaft Minn Kota Fortrex, the TM moves my rig with with authority.

-Can you hold your spot in the wind without kicking right and left? (not using spot lock)

Yes, I am the spot lock. 

 

-Does it coast strait when you let off the trolling motor. 

Not sure why this is an issue.

My Trolling motor is specifically designed to allow me to put my rig with where I want it,

when I want it.  Free drifting without the TM running is like a free fall. 

I can & do well by anticipating where & when I want to present baits and operate my TM to support that.

 

I can do things with my non-spot lock cable driven Fortrex

that no electric steer motor on any "Auto setting" will ever be able to do.

Because I have skills and I'm smarter than my motor.

 

Finally having the strength, balance & endurance to operate that foot pedal in challenging conditions

so that I can present baits effectively is a skill I'm glad I still have.

https://youtu.be/s5YAlFDZ_C4?feature=shared&t=992

A-Jay

 

[Woody B]

I doubt you'll find any boat that's going to sit still in the wind.   Having a strong enough trolling motor is the key.   Your Force should be plenty for your boat.   Regardless of whether you're using Spotlock or manually controlling the boat in the wind, it's going to face into the wind.  The only way to make it face any other direction would be with shallow water anchors.  (assuming the water wasn't too deep at that point).   

My trolling motor is an 82 pound Motorguide Tour Pro.  It's cable steer, with GPS and spot lock.   I have the precision of cable steering, with the added luxury of GPS.   I can plot "trails" with mine but I've never done that.  When using autopilot there's 2 types of course headings.   I forget what exactly they're called, but one keeps it at the compass heading you set if for.   IE, if you were heading due South that would be 180 degrees.   One setting maintains the 180 degree heading but can/will allow the boat the be blown to one side or another.  You'll still be heading the same direction, but you'll be moved over a little.  The other setting maintains the course.  If the wind were to blow the boat one way or another it would correct for that drift.   I suspect your Force has similar settings.   

 

Again, the only GPS feature I normally use is Spot lock.  I do everything else with my foot.   

[Catt]

Alweld 1652VJT 

Minn Kota Riptide 55 lb thrust hand control. It ain't overly fast but will cut through any vegetation. 

 

I have 2 Big Foot Trolling Motor Switches, one mounted on each side of the deck. 

 

I have the trolling motor adjusted to where it does move with out physically moving it. 

 

Pretty much like @A-Jay said, I know where i wanna cast next, I point it where I want the boat posited hit the switch occasionally.

 

Been doing this long I don't even think about it.

 

[Susky River Rat]

I have a 18’ ccj tunnel hull G3 (jet) 

 

I can put this boat just about anywhere I need to with the TM it’s not as much of a boat design as it is learning YOUR BOAT and how to handle the trolling motor. 
 

jets never track straight unless they are on plane.

 

I do not have this luxury but you can turn your big motor if need be to act as a rudder to control help spin. 

 

 

[Deephaven]

Had a Ranger 521 which was great, changed to a 620T which is a higher side wall tiller boat.  It is also great.  No problems with tracking, control and really don't feel a ton of difference between the two when using the trolling motor.  The 620t backtrolls a crap ton better though

 

[Tackleholic]

Vexus VX21, Lowrance Ghost, a great combo..  I do not go out in wind over 12 mph so I cannot comment beyond that. 

[Sethshaun]

3 hours ago, Susky River Rat said:

 

I can put this boat just about anywhere I need to with the TM it’s not as much of a boat design as it is learning YOUR BOAT and how to handle the trolling motor. 
 

 

Good point. I agree I need more practice. 
 

I’ll give an example- I fish a lot of trolling motor only lakes. When I put the boat back on the trailer I troll to the trailer at a medium speed and a straight line on a calm day with the big motor all the way down, lift the trolling motor a few feet before I hit the trailer and try to coast the rest of the way to the trailer, get out and winch it up. As soon as I lift the trolling motor the boat almost always loses course and I feel stupid and have to use the paddle to get straight again.  
 

It’s almost like there’s not enough keel or chines or something. Or maybe my expectations are wrong. 
 

I took out 100 pounds of lead batteries from the front and replaced them with lithium.  Could that affect handling? 

[Susky River Rat]

@Sethshaun May I ask why you do not power load it with the big motor? Is the lake electric only? Power loading is much easier than doing it with the trolling motor. 

 

when I fished electric only lakes in PA I would put the trolling motor on about 4 or 5. I’d actually try to keep the trolling motor in the water as long as possible. I would sink the trailer deeper so I could even have the trolling motor manually pulled up higher than it should be to keep my momentum going forward. The reason you lose course is because pulling the trolling motor out of the water is making drag and directs you that way. Also you have to learn to play the wind and set up to try and catch it just right. This is honestly the hardest way to load a boat. 

[VolFan]

Taking 100 lbs out of the front would definitely make it sit more nose higher and affect how it tracks. I took the deck out of my small tin and a similar issue especially when solo. I just put a 45 lb sandbag towards the nose and it helps.

[Catt]

What I've done for years that helps me load lighter boats in wind was to increase the length of my side boards. Mine are around 4 1/2 to 5' long, plus I moved them within an inch of the sides of the boat.

 

Edited June 29, 2024 by Catt
Fingers faster than the brain

[Sethshaun]

10 hours ago, Susky River Rat said:

@Sethshaun May I ask why you do not power load it with the big motor? Is the lake electric only? Power loading is much easier than doing it with the trolling motor. 

 

when I fished electric only lakes in PA I would put the trolling motor on about 4 or 5. I’d actually try to keep the trolling motor in the water as long as possible. I would sink the trailer deeper so I could even have the trolling motor manually pulled up higher than it should be to keep my momentum going forward. The reason you lose course is because pulling the trolling motor out of the water is making drag and directs you that way. Also you have to learn to play the wind and set up to try and catch it just right. This is honestly the hardest way to load a boat. 

I guess I thought I was following the rules (shrug) I never thought to ask them if it was ok to power load… There’s some really grumpy old dudes out there that will tattletale on you and call the FWC. There’s a check in station. They’ve got wildlife biologist and game wardens etc.

[Susky River Rat]

@Sethshaun here unless it’s electric only you can powerload. I would def make sure that is legal for you. I do not know why jt wouldn’t be. 

[GRiver]

There was s not a lot of area to catch the wind on my boat, I’ll adjust the main motor depth to keep the stern from getting blown around. My trolling motor if offset to the left side, but you get used to it after awhile and I adjust without even realizing it. The coasting factor depends on the depth of the main motor. 
I ave a 45lb thrust with foot cable control, no spot lock.

the boat is a 15ft modified V Polar Kraft, welded aluminum.

[MN Fisher]

I've got Bass Trek pretty well balanced fore-aft, and when I built the mount for the TM I designed it to drop the TM directly off the bow-point. Tracking is good with the 45# Edge cable-steer and I adjusted the steering so that I can even direct it straight backwards. There's enough tension that I can release the foot pedal and she'll stay on the 'set' course.