Minn Kota Talon on aluminum boat 2024

BLGarrison reply :

I would like to install a talon on my tracker 1860 center console aluminum boat. Anybody have any experience with this.

slonezp reply :

I installed one on my Lund. What would you like to know?

gulfcaptain reply :

I own a Talon and hopefully by next summer I'll own two. Pick which side, see if you need any of the brackets for your boat and if not put it on and wire it up.

BLGarrison reply :

Thanks guys, I still havent bought one yet. I keep swaying back and forth. It seems the micro anchor may die the trick for me for half the cost.

upchuck1383 reply :

I just ordered a micro for my Pro170. I went back and forth forever on which one I wanted before settling on the micro. I will post how it worked out once its installed and I can try it out! I just couldn't justify the $2k price tag for 1 anchor on my boat. I could get 2 micros for less than 1 of the other versions.

upchuck1383 reply :

My micro installed easily and works great. Boat held very well in mud and rock despite some decent wind 12-15mph. Had it rigged to my cranking battery and had no issues running livewell/electronics and deploying it up and down. Outboard cranked all day. Really glad I made the purchase. It didn't bother my co-angler a bit either.

gimruis reply :

Good work upchuck

Kevin22 reply :

On 6/8/2016 at 12:13 AM, BLGarrison said:

Thanks guys, I still havent bought one yet. I keep swaying back and forth. It seems the micro anchor may die the trick for me for half the cost.

And if it breaks because you exceeded the 1500# weight limit you will be out half the price of a talon, plus you will need to buy the talon!

Do it right the first time. Your boat weighs 1500# without any fuel, water, gear, or people in it.

It may work the first day, it may work the 10th day.. but if it breaks the mount on the 20th day you will be out $700. The first question power pole is going to ask is what boat you had it on, you can lie if you want.. that's up to you.

Tin Man reply :

Researched the Talon. Thought it made the best sense for a new aluminum Lowe Stinger. Ordered two to be installed sometime this week before I pick up. No space for a pump and 3 batteries on the Lowe plus they deploy quicker and are quieter from what I've beard with fewer moving parts which makes better sense maintenance wise. Also asked them to install them with quick disconnects. Also thinking of getting the anti theft bolt kit.

A-Jay reply :

On 3/12/2017 at 10:41 AM, Craig Sellers said:

Researched the Talon. Thought it made the best sense for a new aluminum Lowe Stinger. Ordered two to be installed sometime this week before I pick up. No space for a pump and 3 batteries on the Lowe plus they deploy quicker and are quieter from what I've beard with fewer moving parts which makes better sense maintenance wise. Also asked them to install them with quick disconnects. Also thinking of getting the anti theft bolt kit.

Congrats on getting the Talons -

Bet You'll Love Them ~ I do.

Might consider the Tilt Brackets - Helps with any low approaches or low storage situations.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Accessories/Talon-Accessories/Tilt-Brackets/Tilt-Brackets/

A-Jay

Tin Man reply :

Sweet. Sounds good A-Jay. Some people have told me that I could get by with just one but with a double hip replacement I can appreciate the added stability. Especially on the water. Running back and forth and up and down the boat to anchor is not an option. The Talons are a perfect fit. Could have gone up to a 75 horse Merc for what I paid for the Talons but this makes much better sense.

ScottK91 reply :

Does anybody know how a micro powerpole would work in river current on a 16' jet boat?

slonezp reply :

On 3/13/2017 at 10:08 AM, ScottK91 said:

Does anybody know how a micro powerpole would work in river current on a 16' jet boat?

Does the boat and motor loaded down weigh more than 1100lbs?

ScottK91 reply :

I would say it's pretty close to 1100lbs

slonezp reply :

That will put you at the max rating for the micro powerpole

Tin Man reply :

Found out that no one makes a one piece transom bracket for dual Talons. I like the two piece model but I already went out on a limb for the Talons. The two piece brackets go for around $350.00 each. As much as I dislike drilling new holes in the boat I will be using the stock brackets that came with the Talons.

A-Jay reply :

On 3/15/2017 at 8:51 AM, Craig Sellers said:

Found out that no one makes a one piece transom bracket for dual Talons. I like the two piece model but I already went out on a limb for the Talons. The two piece brackets go for around $350.00 each. As much as I dislike drilling new holes in the boat I will be using the stock brackets that came with the Talons.

Even if access is a concern, I'd highly recommend a through bolt & back plate right there.

Otherwise, they Will Pull Out.

A-Jay

Tin Man reply :

I think this would be a good idea. Plates on both sides of the transom or just the inside ? Also, how much bigger than the stock brackets foot print ? Width ? I am thinking quarter inch high quality aluminum.

slonezp reply :

The stock brackets will not allow you to tilt the talon(s) out of the way when pulling in the garage or under a low bridge.

I used a plastic cutting board as a spacer between the tilt bracket and the transom and just used fender washers on the inside of the splashwell.

More pics

A-Jay reply :

On 3/17/2017 at 2:02 AM, Craig Sellers said:

I think this would be a good idea. Plates on both sides of the transom or just the inside ? Also, how much bigger than the stock brackets foot print ? Width ? I am thinking quarter inch high quality aluminum.

Inside.

Mounting Hardware on the outside are sufficiently supported by the mounting brackets for the units.

The back plate foot print may end up being contingent on space available. In some cases a big washer may be all there is room for.

However, even that at a minimum, is considerably more desirable than the alternative.

A-Jay

On 3/17/2017 at 8:36 AM, slonezp said:

The stock brackets will not allow you to tilt the talon(s) out of the way when pulling in the garage or under a low bridge.

I used a plastic cutting board as a spacer between the tilt bracket and the transom and just used fender washers on the inside of the splashwell.

More pics

Nice -

I'll put up some pic's on my tilt hardware set up tomorrow.

It's a little different deal.

Either way the tilt function was a need for me not an option.

Storage inside was a must.

Works well.

A-Jay

Tin Man reply :

Thanks A-jay. You've hooked me up. Got it. I may have to go with tilt brackets later on down the road. You have a nice setup. I will be going with backing plates. Appreciate it.

A-Jay reply :

On 3/17/2017 at 10:58 AM, Craig Sellers said:

Thanks A-jay. You've hooked me up. Got it. I may have to go with tilt brackets later on down the road. You have a nice setup. I will be going with backing plates. Appreciate it.

@Craig Sellers ~ here's a couple of pic of my Talon install.

Includes standard mounting bracket connected to unit & the Tilt Bracket sandwiched between the 6 inch 'spacer', then mounted to the transom.

Makes for a clean & operationally effective installation.

A-Jay

Tin Man reply :

Do the Talon covers come all the way down ? I have seen some that only go halfway.

A-Jay reply :

On 3/18/2017 at 4:00 AM, Craig Sellers said:

Do the Talon covers come all the way down ? I have seen some that only go halfway.

Mine do - These are a custom product made by Tuffskinz http://www.tuffskinz.net/ They also did that cover for the 200 Opti as well.

Quality products both and they are designed so they can be left on during operation which I do from time to time. Always use them both for long highway travel.

A-Jay

Tin Man reply :

Thanks again. The Minnkota covers I saw only came halfway down. Yours look much better. Looked kind of strange. Spoke with my dealer today. Said they installed the Talons without issue. Asked them to send me some pics as I'm getting kind of antsy to pick her up. Pushed back my pickup date by two weeks as the wife is down sick with Bronchitis. My quickd dsconnects came in today and will need to install a third battery as well so I have a bit to keep me busy once I do pick her up. Will also be installing my on board chargers and anti theft devices, and a couple of Humminbirds. It's coming together. Now if only my BR jersey would get here :-)

Tin Man reply :

Here in Michigan, at Cabela's to pick up the Lowe. My wife was finally well enough to travel. SWEET ! The Talon Install turned out better than I imagined. I've seen these on Top of the line fiberglass units but not on a tin boat. I was pleasently surprized to say the least. Ecstatic is more like it. Now to replace the wiring with quick disconnects. I will elaborate more later. But in the meantime, check this out.

Njalumacraft165 reply :

Hi guys, I'm new to the site I was wondering if i could ask a few questions, does anyone have any pics of their own install of a Talon on their aluminum boat directly mounted to transom? I have an alumacraft 165 side console, and I'm thinking about adding one direct mounted to the transom, I don't like the sandwich brackets how they look... thank you!

slonezp reply :

Njalumacraft165 reply :

On 1/15/2018 at 5:08 AM, slonezp said:

Sweet looks awesome thanks you! Do you still like having it on that side? That's where I wanted to put it, to offset weight but seems a lot of guys put it on the driver side for some reason...

slonezp reply :

If you have it on the port side it will not interfere with the co angler.

Way north bass guy reply :

I have the same one on my Smokercraft 18.5’, just don’t have the tilt bracket, don’t even notice it on there weight wise. I’ll never own another boat without one on it.

Njalumacraft165 reply :

On 1/15/2018 at 5:34 AM, Way north bass guy said:

I have the same one on my Smokercraft 18.5’, just don’t have the tilt bracket, don’t even notice it on there weight wise. I’ll never own another boat without one on it.

That looks so good!! I'm jealous I love your color combo on that smoker, is that a 12ft talon or the new 15ft?

Way north bass guy reply :

It’s a 12’. I’ve owned three different “nice” fishing boats over the years, a Triton bass boat, a Lund pro v and this one and they’ve all been pretty much the same colour combination . Something about a big, shiny, black rig that just turns heads!

3dees reply :

I didn't want any holes in my transom so I went with the over priced sandwich bracket. no need for a tilt bracket.

Njalumacraft165 reply :

Thanks guys! I finally got one, an 8ft new off Ebay the guy never used it, he just opened the box and checked it out but ended up getting a 12ft instead so I lucked out only paid $800! I mounted and wired myself I was so nervous drilling but it worked out here’s some pics for anyone wanting to see...

3dees reply :

good job. looks great.

KansasBassin reply :

I know this thread is a little old but didn’t necessarily want to start a new one. I have a new Bass Tracker 175txw that I am looking to put a talon on.

Those of you with just the one talon, is it working good? Holding you in place in the wind or does the front of the boat drift?

NHBull reply :

On 8/6/2018 at 10:41 PM, KansasBassin said:

I know this thread is a little old but didn’t necessarily want to start a new one. I have a new Bass Tracker 175txw that I am looking to put a talon on.

Those of you with just the one talon, is it working good? Holding you in place in the wind or does the front of the boat drift?

It only takes a few times to figure out how to position your boat in the wind..it will change as the wind does, but is predictable

Krux5506 reply :

On 8/6/2018 at 10:41 PM, KansasBassin said:

I know this thread is a little old but didn’t necessarily want to start a new one. I have a new Bass Tracker 175txw that I am looking to put a talon on.

Those of you with just the one talon, is it working good? Holding you in place in the wind or does the front of the boat drift?

I have one on the port side of my lund. I figured instead of buying two I would at least start with 1. I don't see myself getting a second because 1 has been just fine. If you're in choppy water, anchoring to gravel/rocky bottom with 20mph winds, you will not hold too well. The shallower, the easier it is to hold. But doing that in 10ft of water with a 12' anchor is where I have run into issue. I figure it's kind of expected in those conditions.

KansasBassin reply :

On 8/7/2018 at 2:29 AM, NHBull said:

It only takes a few times to figure out how to position your boat in the wind..it will change as the wind does, but is predictable

On 8/9/2018 at 1:33 AM, Krux5506 said:

I have one on the port side of my lund. I figured instead of buying two I would at least start with 1. I don't see myself getting a second because 1 has been just fine. If you're in choppy water, anchoring to gravel/rocky bottom with 20mph winds, you will not hold too well. The shallower, the easier it is to hold. But doing that in 10ft of water with a 12' anchor is where I have run into issue. I figure it's kind of expected in those conditions.

Thanks for the input guys. I think regardless starting with 1 is the way to go.

Krux5506 reply :

On 8/9/2018 at 2:39 AM, KansasBassin said:

Thanks for the input guys. I think regardless starting with 1 is the way to go.

For the price point of 2k each, absolutely.

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Minn Kota Talon on aluminum boat 2024

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