Bison Trolling Motor

[GTom]

How do you think it would cope with the 4-5kt currents which GTom apparently has to counter?

I'll try to get a 2nd hand unit to test. I can pass it on if it's not up to the task.

It has to push a kayak only which is probably less effort than a dinghy with four 200+lbs blokes...

 

[LittleSister]

How many people actually have a bison they want to troll?

 

[JumbleDuck]

How do you think it would cope with the 4-5kt currents which GTom apparently has to counter?

Dunno. We only got it in the autumn and didn't get speed vs current draw tests done before the weather went all Scottish. It's a spring project and I'll post the results here.

 

[lw395]

How do you think it would cope with the 4-5kt currents which GTom apparently has to counter?

I'd imagine you'd want to counter those currents by getting out of the tide in the shallows as far as you dare?

 

[GTom]

I'd imagine you'd want to counter those currents by getting out of the tide in the shallows as far as you dare?

Seems it is not as bad as I first thought, 3.5kts, springs, adding an hour patience will bring it down to less than 3 knots. Briefly thought about getting the 24V, 100lbs model - I think I'll save on the batteries and get the 68.
http://www.cbolton.co.uk/chris/sea/morris.jpg

 

[[185615]]

I've posted about our experiences with a Bison 65 (62?) before... but this is a new thread, so here goes again.

We only have a short (200m or so) and relatively sheltered trip between shore and our mooring, and for that we have found the Bison to be just fine . We use small batteries, a pair of 22Ah AGM mobility scooter batteries. The batteries are each wired, using 30A electric cooker wire, to (2 terminals of) a 3 pin computer type mains socket, with the motor wired to a corresponding plug. The batteries each go in a handled carry pouch, obtained online from a golfing store, which makes them very easy to carry about. For our usage, there's no point at all in carting about some massively heavy large capacity battery. We need something where each component is easy for my wife to lift (ok, and me as well!). The wires get a bit warm if running at speed 5 for more than a few minutes, so I usually use speed 4, which is plenty to push our plastimo 300 tub, with two people and a load of stuff, through the water even if it's a bit choppy (up to the level of chop at which I wouldn't really want to be out in a flat bottomed tub anway, no matter how propelled). Speed 5 is nice to have as a bit of grunt in reserve.

I've had no problems with range; on working weekends I've gone to and fro many times on the same small battery, keeping the other as a reserve. But we don't have to go very far.

Suits us: might suit others with similar usage patterns; might not suit people with (a lot) further to go in rougher water or who want to go fast.

Thank you for your experiences, mirrors my usage and others I suspect. The model is a '68' there is also a '100' the largest they makle.

 

[[185615]]

Like people who build on flood plains and complain when the carpets get wet, the trick is in the name. Flood plain/Trolling Motor.

Trolling motors are not normally used at full power. They are designed to carefully and quietly hold a lightweight skiff in position against current/wind or to slowly move the skiff with artificial lures being pulled behind. Most-but not all, of course- are used in freshwater and are always, in an angling/fishing situation, secondary to the main method of propulsion.

My two pennyworth anyway....................................

Thank you, your tupenny worth is enlightening and very welcome,