Dual boat trolling motor?

[hopper]

I have a small 16ft skiff type boat with 20hp and a 1436 Jon boat for rivers and electric only waters. On the skiff I have a bow mount powerdrive 55# minn kota (no i pilot) on my Jon I had a motorguide bulldog up front that just died.
My question is I would like a new trolling motor with "spot lock"
How easy would it be to use quick disconnect on both boats so I could use the same trolling motor on both boats?

 

[northgeorgiasportsman]

Minn Kota makes a quick release bracket for taking off your trolling motor. The only issue I could see would be any wiring that's attached to the motor (transducers, etc).

 

[JROESEL]

Motorguides xi5 quick connect, takes about a minute to take off, I believe most quick connects are pretty simple and quick, some have a locking mechanism where you can put a lock on the plate, there’s several options out there, once you go with spot lock, you want go back, trust me

 

[RamblinWreck]

Yep. I use a MK MKA_53 heavy duty mount, and bought a second mount base for the other boat. For power, I use the Battery Tender brand plug and have a socket wired on both boats. Takes only a minute to swap my 80 lb Terrova iPilot between boats.
Minn Kota mount
Battery Tender plug and socket

 

[northgeorgiasportsman]

And I'll second the nod towards spot lock. Even with the amazing advancements in sonar imaging in the last 5 years, I think the spot lock is the greatest invention to hit boating in decades.

 

[oops1]

And I'll second the nod towards spot lock. Even with the amazing advancements in sonar imaging in the last 5 years, I think the spot lock is the greatest invention to hit boating in decades.

I can’t say enough good things about spot lock. It is an amazing addition to my boat and has help me catch a ton of fish I wouldn’t have caught otherwise, in both fresh and saltwater.

 

[Ajohnson0587]

I have a MotorGuide XI3 55Lb with spot lock, I use it on my kayak and I have a aluminum quick connect mount that MotorGuide make and sells for $90 (might be cheaper), if I wanted to I could buy another mount and use it on my boat. My boat has a Minn Kota Terrova 55Lb with I-Pilot so there isn't a need, but if either unit failed I'd swap between the 2 boats if needed. I could not imagine fishing with out spot lock, well I can because I did in my kayak for a year and a half before I put the MotorGuide on, but I'd never go back.

 

[fairweatherfisherman]

I really like the MKA-32 quick release from Minn Kota. Locks down solid. I‘ve been switching between boats for close to a decade.

 

[TKLB]

I use the Minn Kota MKA-21 on my Terrova and love it. I would also look at this thing for the power cord...

Power Connector

It is the best connector that I have found, and never had it overheat like the 3 prong plugs I have tried.

Unfortunatly, you would need to buy two of each item.

On the MKA-21 you would need 2 of the outside pieces

On the Power connector you would need 3 halves if that makes sense, each one is 2 pieces, and you would need a total of 3 pieces, one for each boat and one for the Trolling motor. Hope that helps.

 

[letemfly]

Just curious, what did you do with your Bulldog motor? Looking for parts for the one I have.

 

[hopper]

Just curious, what did you do with your Bulldog motor? Looking for parts for the one I have.

It's actually sitting on my work bench in pieces at the moment. I forgot it was in the canoe that had filled with water. Just cleaned it all out and will put it back together soon. It may be shot. I did find a place that possibly sells parts. But not sure https://www.perfprotech.com/mercury...dog-54-12-volt/assembly/13932/30?umodel=17313

What part do you need?

 

[letemfly]

I have one now and would like to get one to try in build one from scratch. Crazy, huh?

 

[hopper]

I have one now and would like to get one to try in build one from scratch. Crazy, huh?

I have family in town now but if I get it back together and it's not running I will let you know when it on the curb.

 

[letemfly]

Thank you, Good luck getting it running again.

 

[letemfly]

Did you have any luck getting the bulldog back to barking?

 

[hopper]

Did you have any luck getting the bulldog back to barking?

Not yet been. I do look at it and say I really should put that thing back together, so Maybee getting close?