local shop install Bow Mount Minn K. Terrova

[The Quadfather]

With a new boat in the garage, I am wanting to have an 80lb Minn Kota Terrova/I-pilot, etc. installed on the bow.
I am still trying to wrap my brain around the cost, but I was wondering if anybody has any advice on what to expect from the typical retail shops such as 3-Rivers Marine, or Bass Pro? I think Auburn has Limit out Performance? Or something...?
So, anyone have any experience with this?
If you buy the Minn Kota package from them, (not boat) do you expect/hope for a price break on installation?
Or free installation

I have not even been into a retailer to look at these things yet, just Googling.

(Payroll screwed up, owes me a bunch of OT.
Part of me was about to buy a pressure washer, LOL.. then I came to my senses, and said let the moss grow! Go look at the Terrova.

[Sideburns]

Well since you've been googling, you should know what to expect for motor cost. $1500-2000
The basic motor install is less than an hour job. $100
Quick disconnect mounting bracket installed add $100
Do you already have Batteries, batt boxes, hold downs, cables, quick disconnect connector, circuit breaker and battery charger? $1000+
Ipilot "link"? you'll need a bunch more cables and setup (compatible humminbird fish finder not incl) $200

[The Quadfather]

That’s the stuff that I was not aware of at all, Sideburns. Thanks for the details. Man, that’s an investment.

[FishingFool]

I recommend saving your money and doing it yourself. It's not hard at all. Literally just 2 wires. To mount the trolling motor onto the front plate or deck or whatever you call it, it's just 4 holes. Maybe it's 6.... Very easy.

Order some 6 AWG duplex marine cables, appropriate terminal connectors, heatshrink w/ adhesive from http://www.genuinedealz.com/. There was a vendor on Amazon selling some for a bit cheaper too but I dont remember who it is at the moment. The length depends on how you want to route the cables.

Order a quick disconnect plug like the Marinco or Minn Kota plug.
https://www.amazon.com/Marinco-12VCPS3- ... YX2KYJSYEQ

Order a 60 amp breaker.
https://www.bluesea.com/products/7140/1 ... _Mount_60A








Then routing the cable, you have options. You can install the quick disconnect plug at the bow, and run the wires underneath the front deck, down either port or starboard side. Or you can install the plug at either the rod locker end or the console end and run the trolling motor wires to it along the wall of the boat. Either way, from whatever you install the plug and to your batteries, is how much 6 AWG you'll need. From what I can tell, the Lund is pretty open, so you should have no issues running wires underneath the front deck or rod locker or console side. Looks like the decks also held in with screws, so very easy to remove panels if needed.

Install the breaker as close to the batteries as possible. I think most call for no more than 16".

[FishingFool]

Also $100 rate is probably on the low side for us living around Seattle. I bet it'll be at least $120 per hr. I also find it hard to believe a shop will charge only 1 hr labor for it, even though I believe they should be able to get it done in 1 hr. I bet it'll be a "2-3 hr" job

Dont need to worry about the quick disconnect mounting bracket, unless you'll actually going to be removing the trolling motor when you get home.

[The Quadfather]

FishingFool, Thanks for the insight and your time spent on the post. I know it’s something to consider.

[Sideburns]

Agreed, dont be a wuss, do it yourself! Lol, just kidding ...kind of. Good advice from fishingfool. That being said, I have no idea what your comfort level is for doing this type of work. The battery wiring, charger wiring, battery mounting, knowledge to acquire proper sized batteries and other components needed can turn into a larger task than expected (story of my life). Adding the ipilot link system adds substantially to the learning curve. Having the i pilot link motor and i pilot link humminbird in my own boat, I would recommend against the extra hassle and expense. Keep it as simple as possible. The ipilot works just fine without the "link".

If you get a freshwater trolling motor, you'll need to install the quick disco bracket to easily remove the motor for use in the salt. (could be handy also if the boat will be used for other uses than fishing) I personally didn't use a quick disconnect bracket on our saltwater minn kota though.

Speaking of batteries, how hard and how long do you want to be able to run your trolling motor? Trolling all day in windy conditions or speeds above 2 mph requires a lot of battery capacity. Batteries are expensive and/or heavy. Relying on a massive bank of batteries for trolling needs can really fall apart when camping without power available. A small charger like the minn kota chargers could take over a day to charge a set of big batteries. An average 6 amp minn kota charger would take over 33 hrs to charge my 200+ AH 12v battery from completely dead. We troll with our electric a lot. The bow mount wireless "autopilot" features are game changing for trolling, but with hard use I run out of battery before the day is through if I dont fire up the kicker. Do you have a kicker motor? What do you mainly fish for? We can at least help you figure out how much battery/charger you really need before walking into a retail (salesman) situation.

-As a side note....Ive sold batteries through my shop for cars, equipment and rv's fort many years. Although new lithium batteries, gel cells and agm batteries are major advances in many ways, next time around I'll be installing four old school lead acid 6v golf cart batteries in my boat. They have thick plates that make them the ultimate in durability and longevity. 70 lbs each, but have huge capacity and can withstand abuse better than any other battery known to man. Every time you forget to charge your batteries as soon as you get home will effect these types of batteries far less than others, and can handle overcycling (like running till absolutely dead) much better. They are 6 volts each and can be wired in series for 12v and 24v systems. I always recommend these types of batteries to my rv customers. Not the best power to weight ratio, or power density, just plain durable and long lived as long as you check the water level a couple times a season. Take the above advice with a grain of salt.... might not be the most popular opinion, and you might not have need for that much battery.