Cable Steer vs Electric Steer

[Bream Master]

Most of the guys in the last comp used electric steer trolling motors, yet Bushy describes the cable steer as the "prince" of trolling motors.

Thoughts ???

Warren.

[Dave W]

I've got an electric steer - and love it for the 'AutoPilot' function.

I posted on another forum that the steering is a little slow, compared to cable, and the boat would be less a few scratches if the servo's in the bugger were a bit more responsive

Probably a case of me wanting everything in one package - cable steer response with AutoPilot functionality

[chris_lemess]

Yar it's a bit slow but hey I can cope with that. Still catches fish and I like the AP feature.

Ultimately as Dave said I'd like the best of both worlds!

Chris

[madsurfe]

as Warren knows I have a cable steer Minn Kota All Terrain 36lb thrust which I got on the cheap and the cable steer is instantaneous. It does take some getting used to as you touch the foot pedal and it moves the boat rapidly, you have to learn to be subtle. My partner is still trying to come to terms with it. I have been standing and will soon put a seat in as in rough conditions it can be a real tough to maintain your balance. The motor just rocks...draws less power than the jobbies with solenoid controls but sadly no auto pilot. If I want to move a couple of hundred metres I'll just motor on the highest setting which pulls snuggleduck along at 3-4 knots. I have never run the battery flat, I have a 120ah deep cycle and I can do 10 to 12 hours solid on a charge.

[Newbass]

I have a Motorguide energy 46lb bow mount with cable steer.
And it turns on a dime.
As madsurfe says it takes time getting used to as it can throw you or your mate over .
Also see a few guys from another forum on the water that have electric steer and they spin out at how quick the cable steer turns compared to theirs .
Newbass

[breamreaper]

Hi there,

Is there such a thing as a cheap electric?
my missus wont let me spend $2000 on one and i was wondering if you can get a cheap one and if so are they worth having? cheers for any advice,

steve.

[madsurfe]

Hi Steve

yeah you can go cheaper than 2000 bucks. I spent 700 on the motor and 214 on setting up the deep cycle battery/mounts/cable etc. Mim shopped around while I was at work and found a display Minn Kota as I wrote about in the previous post. It had never been used and was just sitting on the display 12 months thus it was superseded stock. Just shop around, it's a tall order but do-able

[Mim]

John-Paul is right. At the moment I am too chicken to stand at the front of the boat and steer with the cable steering. I am looking forward to the seat being mounted, only problem is we haven't got a seat yet.
Can anyone suggest where to get a good cheap seat?
Once the seat is in there will be no stopping me. John-Paul had better watch out! There will be no more of me being the non-botaer in the comps.

Seriously though, Warren suggested we shop around, so that's what I did. You can pick up a 40lb thrust electric for around $1300. Try Challenge Marine.

[Bream Master]

If you're looking for a cheap electric guys, try ringing around your local quintrex dealers. They had a model called a bassbuster which came with a 36 pound thrust electric bowmount with foot controls.

They were hell expensive for what they were so the shops will quite often take the electric off and sell it seperately to put some money against the price of the boat.

This is how I got my electric, and I suggested Mim and John Paul try the same and they found a superseeded model. There's bargains to be had.

Warren.

[Newbass]

Motor guide are alot cheaper but they are freshwater only.
But if you give them some TLC like washing them down after every use and fit an anode you should not have a problem.
I havent yet.
My electric cost me $700 from TR Marine here in Sydney(Dural)
Brought it at the boat show.
Newbass

[Mim]

True they are cheaper, but at the moment there is no one stocking them in Perth. A few places will order them in, but they will take a few weeks, and parts/repairs will be more difficult as they are not as common.

Ira told me that since the start of the bream tournaments in Perth the Minn Kota's are going off. People are starting to see them around the rivers and more are being sold. This will make repairs and parts more accessible as we have more people using them now in Perth

Mim

[Dave W]

Originally posted by MimboNo5
John-Paul is right. At the moment I am too chicken to stand at the front of the boat and steer with the cable steering. I am looking forward to the seat being mounted, only problem is we haven't got a seat yet.
Can anyone suggest where to get a good cheap seat?
Once the seat is in there will be no stopping me. John-Paul had better watch out! There will be no more of me being the non-botaer in the comps.

Seriously though, Warren suggested we shop around, so that's what I did. You can pick up a 40lb thrust electric for around $1300. Try Challenge Marine.

Depending on how good a seat you want, I ermm... commandeered... a plastic one from the local school (it's O.K. they gave it to me when I asked nicely).

I use it for the third seat in the boat, and only rarely have three in it so it does the job nicely.

BIAS also have an el-cheapo one for around $40 but you still need the swivel etc.

Cheers,

[Mim]

BIAS also have an el-cheapo one for around $40 but you still need the swivel etc.

Where is BIAS?

$40 sounds good, and I would like something with a little bit of padding for the tush

Cheers,

Mim

[Dave W]

Hi Mim, they do mail order Aus. wide but I think they are NSW based.

Have a look at the seat section of their online catalogue here:

http://www.biasboating.com.au/seats.html

I've got two of the fold down padded ones and they are tops.

Keeps my big behind well padded

Cheers,

[Mim]

Thanks for that dave.

JP and I will check it out and see what we can come up with

Mim