Pontoon boat - electric motor

[stapler]

Hey All:

I just picked up a PAC 900 pontoon boat and i am curious what is the best way to operate the electric motor. The set-up (as with all pontoons) has the motor mount directly behind the seat making it extremely difficult to reach and furthermore very uncomfortable. In addition, the boat will be trolling forward with your back to the line and fly. Ultimately i would prefer to be facing my line. I have thought about flipping the seat around, which would make the oars obsolete, however, it will be easier to operate the motor, i can put my feet up on the motor mount platform and see my line? Has anyone run into this dilemma and if so any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[professori]

Hey All:

I just picked up a PAC 900 pontoon boat and i am curious what is the best way to operate the electric motor. The set-up (as with all pontoons) has the motor mount directly behind the seat making it extremely difficult to reach and furthermore very uncomfortable.

The way I operate mine is to lock the motor in a forward position. I then steer with my flippers or oars. Dip the right flipper or oar in the water and you swing right and vice versa.

In addition, the boat will be trolling forward with your back to the line and fly.

This is the same orientation you will get in any boat if you are the one steering a tiller. You will (should ) have your rod in your hand, so you will be able to feel a hit long before you would see it anyway. In all honesty, I use my motor to get from one place to another. I very seldom troll, whether it is my a pontoon or in my tin boat. If I want to troll in the pontoon, I row, with the rod in a rod holder. My electric is much too fast to use as a troller (look at what you are pushing with that motor)

[Zane]

Troll backwards and get a rear view mirror. I would pay heed to the above post by professori.

[CHICO]

get a real boat! my 2 cents.

[professori]

get a real boat! my 2 cents.

a lotta help CHICO!!

[Dostegrar]

I have a pretty decent Minn kota 30lb thrust 30" leg, variable speed with the battery saving technology. Bought it for the pontoon boat but now only use it on my zodiac because i found it too awkward. If you have the dough, i would look into the the minn kotas with the hand remote. I may try to save up for the conversion kit. Until then, i will just row.