Curious, since i prefer having the trolling motor in the back, would a rudder at the bow work or would that affect the steering?

It's for a sun dolphin 8ft boat. Similar to a bass raider.

Curious, since i prefer having the trolling motor in the back, would a rudder at the bow work or would that affect the steering?

I don't believe a rudder in the bow would accomplish much. 

 

The issue we run into with the TM on the bow is that when you attempt to turn, the stern tends to swing as opposed to the front turning.  I believe it has to do with the motor pulling the boat & not having any resistance to pivot off of.  With the rudder in the stern, the boat pivots off the rudder & the front is dragged wherever you aim the motor.  It really works well when positioning yourself or moving down a shoreline casting.

 

 With the TM in the back, you are pushing the boat, so it pivots off the motor.  You probably notice that when you go in reverse with the motor in the rear, the boat swings all over.

Does anyone know if there are any clubs in New jersey for boaters like us? I saw a video about one in oklahoma www.okminiboattube.com, looks like a ton of fun.

I'd like to find one here in Central Ohio too.

Anybody ever notice how the Igloo Marine 48 qt. cooler fits this boat like it was made for it?

Took the boat out on Saturday. Very nice boat, had a trolling motor on the front and back. Primary on front, rear one just to help prevent swing.... didn't work like I hoped. Pretty windy, decided to make a rudder for it. Cant wait to try it now with the rudder attached.

I still can't figure out how I want to make a Rudder.... Want it to be break proof. Maybe with a hinge and spring to pull it back down after hitting something.

These boats have such a shallow draft I don't even worry about it. I would make it with a hinge so you can get it out of the way if you bush whacking. 

Hello, I'm a new member with a Raider 10e but am considering purchasing a used Twin Troller X10. Any members own one or have much experience with the x10?

Iceman,  I made a rudder from Plexiglas.  Attached to my rear trolling motor.  It works great!

What are warning points?

What are warning points?

Pond Fisher, you can find this info in the FAQ's of the site. But here is the cut-n-paste of it:

 

What does "0 Warning Points" mean?

Warning points here are a bad thing to have. If you have them, It means you have done something against the forums rules to warrant getting either a warning or a suspension. 0 is the best number to have! (Note that only YOU can see your own warning points. Nobody else can see them, and you cannot view other member's warning points.)

Thanks Bozz,

 

     My number is 0, so I guess I haven't ticked anyone off.

Having searched the internet for hours and finding little more than promotional info on the Twin Troller X10 I will post my review/observations from a used one I inspected today (no water test). My comparison is the Bass Raider 10e.

The x10 sits lower in the water and floor/storage area is 19.5 x 8' compared to 23 x 8' raider. I've had the raider on open water lakes, the x10 is small water only as the water line stain on the x10 and the owner will attest to. The hull and components are solid and sound. The particular x10 I inspected had many new spare parts, the important and costly ones, motors, blades, controller, wiring harnesses, seat covers, etc...

The used x10 was much newer and much more weathered than my Pelican, apparently the hull baked for a couple of summers, rode hard, put away wet... One motor was locked up/inop.

I walked away without making a counter offer, content my raider was a more versatile, much less expensive alternative.

Forgot to mention the x10 transom, it is much, much stronger than the Raider, were the boat not so diminutive and stood "prouder" in the water, a little better cared for, it would probably be in my backyard now. Also included in the pkg was a good 29 DC btry, working onboard charger and the trailer. Less than $2k and then some maybe...

Iceman,  I made a rudder from Plexiglas.  Attached to my rear trolling motor.  It works great!

 

I made mine from a piece of Lexan from an old racecar window.

Can't remember if I've posted on this thread or not. If I have, please forgive an old fart. First of all, I've used the 8' version of both Bass Buster and Bass Hunter for more than 10 years, and have never felt the need for a rudder with my bow-mounted 30# MinnKotas.

Finally made my rudder for my 8' Sportsman Used pvc pipe , 3" c-clamp and a 12 x 12 piece of plex. worked awesome had about a 12 - 15 mph wind today tracked like a dream.  Only have a minnkota 65 28lbs thrust wanna upgrade any recommendations?

Back when I had a boat similar to yours (a 10' Water Buster) I replaced the Minn Kota 65 that it came with and upgraded to a Maxxum 55.   I presume that you are wanting to stay at 12 volts, so get the biggest one readily available.  Go with variable speed, that is a very handy function.  The 2014 BPS Master catalog doesn't show a Maxxum transom trolling motor, but on page 463 does show and Endura Max which has all the features you are looking for.  A couple of pages back there is the BPS brand 55 lb thrust trolling motor, with 5 speeds and it is a little less.

As long as the one you got is working, I wouldn't see it as a major priority, but when you get spare money, it is a neat upgrade.  You will be amazed how much your top speed will improve and you will be able to crawl at any speed you want to.

here is my winter project.  Not sure what kind it is but the seats were actually based at the bottom.  But it is over 10 feet, I already have the steps down on what I am building, but now I have to figure out how to install new seats.   since these won't be able to fit after I put the floor in. Cost me $150 for the boat.

 

I centerd pedestals in mine bolted them right to the floor I installed. Work awesome I have full 360 movement. And sit higher which is much more comfortable for me.

Here's a pic of my seat and floor setup coach

Like that set-up.  I plan on putting in rod-holders  and was thinking about a casting deck as well.  but it looks like it may be hard with way the boat is designed.  

Coach I had a originally put a casting deck on but I'm a big guy and didn't care for how it sat in the water.  For my floor I used 1/4 pressure treated project boards from home depot and indoor/outdoor carpet, had to taper the ends to fit snug. But I like to stand when i'm fishing and it works very well. For rod holders I did the ol' pvc pipe homemade deal it's good when going out but a pain when casting.  I could use a better way to store rods if anyone has any ideas.