Upgrades

Wheatland · Mar 22, 2021

I just bought a 1997 Lund 1700 pro sport. I would like to start to upgrade equipment, what would you get first? It has a 1982 Johnson 9.9 kicker, a 12volt minnKota trolling motor, Lowrance hook 2 fish finder and a 1997 Mercury 90hp 2-stroke.

SDMF · Mar 22, 2021

24V 72" shaft bow mount. Yes you DO need 24V and the only reason I say 72" shaft is because they don't make one that 84".

You can make the other stuff work, but, if the bow mount runs out of juice on a long day and/or can't keep the prop down in the water with a little chop, it's useless, it's worse that useless because when you're not using it it's just in the way.

SLE · Mar 22, 2021

I with SDMF, trolling motor for the exact reasons he listed, then electronics. Watch the classifieds, bisman, walleyecentral, etc and you can find both lightly used reasonably easy.

Captain Ahab · Mar 22, 2021

Definitely a 24V trolling motor with an anchor feature and a fresh set of batteries would be priority.

guywhofishes · Mar 22, 2021

What types of water do you typically fish? A mix, small, big, rivers vs lakes?

Do you troll, cork, or pitch?

Wheatland · Mar 22, 2021

guywhofishes said:
What types of water do you typically fish? A mix, small, big, rivers vs lakes?

Do you troll, cork, or pitch?

Usually troll on Lake Audubon

701FishSlayer · Mar 22, 2021

Boat control and new graph/s. Check your batteries and upgrade if needed. Kicker can come last unless your always rippin cranks. Fuck it, just do it all at once. Buy once cry once.

3Roosters · Mar 22, 2021

Wash it, wax it, and flip it for couple $1000 more than you paid for it.;:;bowdown

zoops · Mar 22, 2021

SDMF said:
24V 72" shaft bow mount. Yes you DO need 24V and the only reason I say 72" shaft is because they don't make one that 84".

You can make the other stuff work, but, if the bow mount runs out of juice on a long day and/or can't keep the prop down in the water with a little chop, it's useless, it's worse that useless because when you're not using it it's just in the way.

72” seems like overkill on that boat unless you really fish rough water. Seems 60s are much more common...can find them used pretty easily.

Bfishn · Mar 22, 2021

SDMF said:
24V 72" shaft bow mount. Yes you DO need 24V and the only reason I say 72" shaft is because they don't make one that 84".

You can make the other stuff work, but, if the bow mount runs out of juice on a long day and/or can't keep the prop down in the water with a little chop, it's useless, it's worse that useless because when you're not using it it's just in the way.

Minnkota makes a saltwater terrova with an 87" shaft.

https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.com/saltwater-trolling-motors/riptide-terrova

SDMF · Mar 22, 2021

zoops said:
72” seems like overkill on that boat unless you really fish rough water. Seems 60s are much more common...can find them used pretty easily.

The Pro-Sport's nose sits almost as high out of the water as a Fisherman. Why on earth would one EVER mount a NEW bow-mount and then have to utter: "Yeah, it works pretty good most days, until the wind is over 15 then the prop shoots out of the water."?

johnr · Mar 22, 2021

A good comfortable seat and a cup holder. I also like a little background noise, so a working radio.
Fresh batteries, and a bag of spits. Fish it a few times and see what you are missing.

tikkalover · Mar 22, 2021

zoops said:
72” seems like overkill on that boat unless you really fish rough water. Seems 60s are much more common...can find them used pretty easily.

That’s why you’re wife/girlfriend keep asking you if you’re in yet! ;:;rofl

Slappy · Mar 22, 2021

zoops said:
72” seems like overkill on that boat unless you really fish rough water. Seems 60s are much more common...can find them used pretty easily.

Had almost that same boat and put a 60" on the bow. Unless you don't plan to fish in the usual 2 ft chop, definitely go with the 72" if you can. I've never wished I had less shaft...

And on board charger that does all the batteries is a must.

Rowdie · Mar 22, 2021

Wheatland said:
I just bought a 1997 Lund 1700 pro sport. I would like to start to upgrade equipment, what would you get first? It has a 1982 Johnson 9.9 kicker, a 12volt minnKota trolling motor, Lowrance hook 2 fish finder and a 1997 Mercury 90hp 2-stroke.

A fiberglass hull....JK LOL

guywhofishes · Mar 22, 2021

Boy am I pissed when I have to give up on a good pattern when my trolling motor starts sucking air.

vetleap · Mar 22, 2021

zoops said:
72” seems like overkill on that boat unless you really fish rough water. Seems 60s are much more common...can find them used pretty easily.

Completely agree...17' boat and 72" of shaft....whoa

Ericb · Mar 22, 2021

I've got a power drive v2 24v sitting in the storage unit. Pretty sure it's a 60". Would let go pretty cheap.

espringers · Mar 22, 2021

72 inch 24v for sure. 12v is not enough if u fish all day and a 60 is definitely questionable on that bout with any good chop. Even if u are only using it to steer, that is tops on your list. Nothing pissed me off more than hopping in a friend's boat if their trolling motor couldn't perform or their anchor couldn't hold me in one spot in a 15 mph wind. It always blows 15 mph in North Dakota.

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