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SS231 Trolling motor install discussion and questions
njm130
Member Posts: 10 ✭
I just bought a 2014 SS 231 Want a trolling motor. I was recommended the Minn Kota Riptide ST with 112lb thrust and 60" shaft ($1830, plus batteries, battery trays, battery charger, mounting bracket, and install). I want spot lock and i-Pilot features. Here is what I found out so far...
- 80lbs thrust is bare minimum, 100+ recommended. Reason, 80lbs thrust is good up to about a 4000lb boat. Add fuel/water/gear/people and I'm at 4500-5000lbs. I want spot lock effective in decent current so I need 100+ thrust. One owner with a 20' hurricane and 80# thrust likes it but does not use it for trolling or spot lock in current. He sees only 2.5 mph. Minn Kota rates the 112# thrust motor good for a 23' boat up to 7kts.
- fishing package pre-wiring is good enough for 36v system, but you need 3 deep cycle 12v batteries for the 100+ lb thrust motor (2 batteries for 24v, 80# thrust) and a separate cranking battery. I am hoping to use my trolling batteries as house batteries as well to avoid a 5 battery set up. Issues with that? Wiring 3 12v batteries in series gives 36v so does that run too much power to the other components? Do I need to leave the trolling motor batteries separate?
- 54" shaft will work fine for the GS/SS 211/231 since the bow is low, but the 112# Minn Kota only comes in 60" shaft length. Some installers can cut the shaft down or you can live with a long trolling motor.
- Mounting options are limited. Hurricane did not design the bow well for a trolling motor. I have seen many pics with people mounting them straight through the bow opening step but my model has the anchor locker and a fishing chair there. Also, when stowed it will be in the way of people sitting in the bow area. I would prefer to mount it along the bow angle to maintain access to the anchor locker and fishing chair without deploying the motor to get to the anchor. If I mount it straight I have to remove the seat and deploy the motor to get to the anchor. The angle from the bow swim step to the rub rail causes a decent overhang requirement for the trolling motor mount and limits the angle mounting options as well. Also, I want the motor safely stowed out of the way when docking but it has to clear the rub rail too. This is my biggest problem and suggestions are greatly aporeciated. I think I might need to fabricate a custom mount.
- Hummingbird 899 units are being discontinued for the new Helix line and are a great value right now and a more capable unit according to a Bass Pro Marine Electronics expert. They pair with the Minn Kota for A/P and spot lock features.
- Some Hurricane owners see a listing problem with multiple batteries on one side. The SS231 has the water tank on the opposite side and can be filled for a counter ballast. I don't expect this to be a big issue with four batteries.
Any other issues I'm missing? Suggestions?
- 80lbs thrust is bare minimum, 100+ recommended. Reason, 80lbs thrust is good up to about a 4000lb boat. Add fuel/water/gear/people and I'm at 4500-5000lbs. I want spot lock effective in decent current so I need 100+ thrust. One owner with a 20' hurricane and 80# thrust likes it but does not use it for trolling or spot lock in current. He sees only 2.5 mph. Minn Kota rates the 112# thrust motor good for a 23' boat up to 7kts.
- fishing package pre-wiring is good enough for 36v system, but you need 3 deep cycle 12v batteries for the 100+ lb thrust motor (2 batteries for 24v, 80# thrust) and a separate cranking battery. I am hoping to use my trolling batteries as house batteries as well to avoid a 5 battery set up. Issues with that? Wiring 3 12v batteries in series gives 36v so does that run too much power to the other components? Do I need to leave the trolling motor batteries separate?
- 54" shaft will work fine for the GS/SS 211/231 since the bow is low, but the 112# Minn Kota only comes in 60" shaft length. Some installers can cut the shaft down or you can live with a long trolling motor.
- Mounting options are limited. Hurricane did not design the bow well for a trolling motor. I have seen many pics with people mounting them straight through the bow opening step but my model has the anchor locker and a fishing chair there. Also, when stowed it will be in the way of people sitting in the bow area. I would prefer to mount it along the bow angle to maintain access to the anchor locker and fishing chair without deploying the motor to get to the anchor. If I mount it straight I have to remove the seat and deploy the motor to get to the anchor. The angle from the bow swim step to the rub rail causes a decent overhang requirement for the trolling motor mount and limits the angle mounting options as well. Also, I want the motor safely stowed out of the way when docking but it has to clear the rub rail too. This is my biggest problem and suggestions are greatly aporeciated. I think I might need to fabricate a custom mount.
- Hummingbird 899 units are being discontinued for the new Helix line and are a great value right now and a more capable unit according to a Bass Pro Marine Electronics expert. They pair with the Minn Kota for A/P and spot lock features.
- Some Hurricane owners see a listing problem with multiple batteries on one side. The SS231 has the water tank on the opposite side and can be filled for a counter ballast. I don't expect this to be a big issue with four batteries.
Any other issues I'm missing? Suggestions?
2014 SS 231 w/Yamaha 200 
Comments
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I have the exact same boat as you and installed the same trolling motor you are considering. 112#'s of thrust is good for that boat. I went with a 5 battery system. I installed mine on a fabricated bracket with the quick release bracket. Here is a link to some photos, they are on page 4 of the "Love your Hurricane?" thread.
http://hurricaneboats.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/4924/#Comment_4924
Also, I put a Hummingbird Helix fishfinder on my boat. I flush mounted the screen on the dash panel between the gauges and the stereo.2014 SS 231 w/ Yamaha F250 -
Thanks for the reply and great job with the install. Looks like a custom bracket will be the way to go. Are you happy with the helix and Minn Kota?2014 SS 231 w/Yamaha 200
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Yes, very happy with both. Remote operation of trolling motor took a little getting used to.2014 SS 231 w/ Yamaha F250
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Hi, where did you put the batteries for your trolling motor? I'm hesitant to put the weight of three batteries in the stern? I didn't get my boat yet. Is there room in the bow storage locker or inside the center console?
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I put my batteries in the stern where the cranking batteries are. My boat was pre-wired for a trolling motor and that is where the leads where routed to. I had to reposition the cranking batteries to make room for all 5 batteries.2014 SS 231 w/ Yamaha F250
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The dealer installed a Minn Kota Ulterra on my 2016 231OB. We put the three batteries in the bow floor locker and a Minn Kota four bank charger under the fresh water sink. The dealer fabricated an aluminum platform so that he could mount the motor on the bow.
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Could you post some pics of the trolling motor installation?2014 SS 231 w/ Yamaha F250
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Here are some pics of my install.
2014 SS 231 w/ Yamaha F250 -
Hi Mike. Great setup. I am in Jacksonville, FL. Where did you have this made?? I have the same boat and would love to do the same install.
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2015 231 CC
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Hey Mike , I know this is an old thread but I'm looking at options to install a trolling motor on my 2019 SS 231 OB . Pretty sure I'm going with the Minn Kota riptide. Any chance you have a template of the mount you made ? Possibly a link to the quick release mount you used ? Did you end up with the 80 lb or 112 lb thrust ? My brother inlaw has a 24 ft whaler with the 80lb riptide and it drags it around like its nothing. Hoping to stay with a 4 battery system.MikeP said:Here are some pics of my install.
Thanks, Kenny
