Different Options To Steer An Electric Trolling Motor

Electric trolling motors can be steered and controlled in many different ways. These different steering options give fisherman greater manoeuvrability and freedom to move about on the boat thereby allowing him extra time to catch many more fish.

From The Transom

The transom hung motors are all controlled by using a tiller handle that is fixed to the motor. The most popular trolling motor is the one used for small boats and kayaks and has a thrust of 30 lbs. and a shaft length of 30 inches. You do get different variations with the tiller, some of which you can tilt, twist and extend. In a smaller boat you pretty much stay in one position so this type of steering is more than adequate.

From The Bow

With bow mount motors you have a far greater choice and the type you purchase can depend on quite a few factors i.e. the size of boat, the type of boat, if you use it for fishing, leisure boating or rafting up for partying. These are only a few points that can influence a buying decision.

Hand Steer

The first and cheapest option available is the hands on tiller version. These come with the same variations as your transom mount type, but you steer the boat from the front (bow).

Foot Steer

As the motors become more expensive the steering methods also become more sophisticated. Bow mount motors which are designed to be steered with foot pedals come with 3 options depending on which type of motor you choose. Some foot pedals are used only for steering and others include a speed control switch.

1) You get the standard foot steer cable type, where the pedal is connected to the motor with a cable. You do sometimes hear complaints that the cable which is quite stiff can get in the way when moving about the boat, but for most people this is not really a problem.

2) With an electric steer foot pedal you have a long electric cable connected between the motor and foot pedal. This pedal is not fixed to the floor of the boat so the skipper can place it in any convenient steering position from where he wants to steer the boat using only his foot.

3) Another great and popular option is to use a wireless foot pedal available with some motors. Place the foot pedal anywhere on the boat and foot steer it completely cable and wire free, so now there is nothing to trip over.

Wireless Remote

Then there is the co-pilot option where you use a wireless remote with which to steer the boat and control the propeller speed. This gives you complete freedom of movement and will allow you to present your lure from anywhere on the boat. With the remote on a lanyard around your neck or hanging from your belt you are in complete control.

Finally, if these different steering options do not get you fired up then there is the new wireless i- pilot remote for total accurate GPS positioning. With the i-pilot you can "lock" the boat onto a busy fishing spot, kind of like anchoring electronically, and also by steering on auto get the boat to retrace a previous recorded favourite fishing path, plus many more really cool functions.

So now there is really no reason left for not boating and fishing without using an electric trolling motor.

This article is sponsored by medical case study.