Every angler knows that noise and fishing are like water and oil. They do not go together. “Do not scare away the fish!” is one popular phrase used among anglers. This is because being quiet and still in water while fishing is a vital part of attracting a huge catch. In our Cloud Mountain 86LB/200LB motor review, we shall look at the two trolling motors from the reputable brand Cloud Mountain, their features, some pros, and cons.
When considering a trolling motor, there are certain factors to look into before selecting one, such as size, power output, type, and among others.
Nonetheless, being quiet and still is one hectic task for most anglers, especially when in a motorboat. We all know how noisy they can be. This, in turn, grabs the attention of the fish and they end up swimming away.
The solution for this, a trolling boat. This is a piece of important equipment to have when fishing. It can easily be mounted on your kayak, boat, or any other vessel. It is so convenient, you can just relax and enjoy fishing while it does the job for you.
So, what is a trolling boat anyway? This is an electric motor that helps you navigate at a steady speed. The name, “trolling”, comes from the type of fishing, “trolling”, where the fishing lines with baitfish or lures are drawn via the water at a constant speed.
Features Found In Cloud Mountain 86LB Motor Review For Trolling Boat
This is a trolling motor from a reputable brand, Cloud Mountain, which is both the designers and manufacturers. It is known to be one of the most powerful models of trolling boats given its range of thrust. In addition, it has been designed to be mounted to the transom using a lever lock bracket that is fitted on the shaft.
Also, it is quite versatile as it can be used in both saltwater and freshwater. So, wherever you go, this trolling boat will be sure to serve your needs. It comes with a one-year warranty.
Strong and Powerful
This trolling boat boasts of its great power given the different versions of thrust that ranges from 36 pounds of thrust to 86 pounds of thrust. This means that whichever type or size your boat or other vessel is, you will manage to find a suitable motor for it.
In the event you have a small boat, you can set the level at 36 pounds of thrust. In the case of a larger boat, such as a 21-foot boat, the motor unit can generate up to 86 pounds of thrust.
Versatility
With this device, it can be used for saltwater as well as freshwater. This is because the hardware it has been made of is resistant to corrosion so when fishing, you have no reason to worry about how long it will last.
However, it is important to rinse your trolling motor with fresh water after fishing in saltwater just to be on the safe side.
Resistant Fiberglass Shaft
The shaft of the trolling boat has been made from composite fiberglass. This contributes to not only its resistance to corrosion but also gives the device a high tensile strength. This shaft is 28 inches.
Design and Construction
It comes with an ergonomic and telescopic handle that is 6 inches long, which is a guarantee of the best comfort and experience when you switch it to different positions. For speed control, it has 5 forward speeds and 3 reverse speeds which ensures consistency of the speed for the flow of the motor.
This product has a battery level indicator, which is a 10-point LED meter. It is found at the head of the unit. If you ask me, this is a strategic position as it allows you to be aware of your battery level at all times.
In regards to construction, the lower unit has parts made from stainless steel. On the other hand, motorhead is made of aluminum. This, in turn, ensures it is corrosion-resistant and durable.
If mounting a trolling motor is easy, then in the case of this motor it’s easier. Anyone can mount this motor without any technical help.
Silent Operation
When an angler uses this trolling boat, its silent propulsion coupled with the power-efficient electric motor allows for silent operation. The fish, in turn, are not easily scared away resulting in a great catch.
To add on to that, the propulsion hardware benefits from the superb construction of its 3-blade propeller.
Pros
- It is versatile as it allows trolling in both saltwater and freshwater.
- The model is a high performing, heavy-duty compact device
- It is easy to install without the need for any technical assistance
- It has been constructed with high-quality and corrosion-resistant materials that contribute to its long-lasting effect.
- It has a wide range of pound generation to serve different types and sizes of boats
- It is quiet, thus does not spook the fish.
Cons
- The shaft is only 28 inches, which most anglers complain that it is too short for some sizes of boats.
- The trolling boat has some components made of plastic, which is not long-lasting.
- Your hands have to constantly be used for steering. This can eventually become overwhelming.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which is the best battery to use for the 86-pound thrust trolling motor?
A: The best trolling motor battery for this type of trolling motor is one with 800 marine cranking amps and can clock 105-amp hours with 185-minute reserve capacity.
Q: What kind of speed is best for the 86-pound thrust?
A: With this, you can use speeds ranging from 7 or 8 miles per hour. In addition, you will be required to have a 24-volt battery for efficiency. This will guarantee you a run of 4 hours when at full speed.
Cloud Mountain 200LB Brushless Motor Reviewed
This motor with one year of warranty is also designed and manufactured by Cloud Mountain. It comes in different sizes such as 200 pounds and 250 pounds. Here are the main features of this brushless motor observed in the Cloud Mountain trolling motor review:
Brushless Motor
The motor of this trolling boat is made with brushless technology. With this, you can be sure of greater thrust and minimal noise when in use. As an angler, you can choose between different thrusts such as 200 pounds or 250 pounds. This, in turn, ensures you have a better fishing experience.
Powerful and Durable Motor
The trolling boat has been constructed with a reinforced nylon bracket which the trolling motor uses. This makes it strong, with good ablation resistance and good dimension stability.
The head of the unit has also been done in aluminum. The service life of the motor is therefore increased, ensuring it lasts longer without constant repair.
Design and Construction
The handle is a 6-inch ergonomic and telescopic. It is also adjustable. This means that it maintains comfortability when in use. In addition, it comes with a 5 speed forward and 3 speed reverse for speed control. This puts control at your fingertips for a smooth and easily controlled ride.
It has also been designed with a 1-10 LED lighted power indicator. It constantly reminds you of the remaining capacity of the battery when in use.
Shaft Made of Fiberglass
The 30-inch adjustable shaft has been made of composite fiberglass which increases the tensile strength and guarantees corrosion resistance. It credits itself to proper depth placement in all water conditions. Not only is the shaft adjustable, but it is also suitable for sitting or standing. This depends on the anglers’ experience.
Versatility
This trolling boat can be used in both saltwater and freshwater. However, after using in saltwater, it is good to wash it to get rid of any residue that may damage the materials and harm it further.
Pros
- It is easy to install the trolling boat. An angler at a beginner level can do it without any technical assistance required.
- It is also easy to use this trolling boat on any given boat such as a fishing boat, kayak, inflatable boat, dinghies, and others. This shows that every angler is covered.
- This equipment is appropriate for freshwater and saltwater making it versatile and flexible.
- It has been constructed with materials such as bolstered nylon, composite fiberglass, and aluminum. This ensures that it is durable, strong and corrosion resistance respectively.
- It comes with step-less speed control.
- It provides you with a choice of choosing between 200 pounds of thrust or 250 pounds of thrust. This gives you the leeway to choose depending on your preference.
- The LED lighted power indicator offers protection to the batteries, thus making them durable.
Cons
- As much as the trolling motor is strong, it tends to kill the battery faster when on full blast with no available props to switch it out.
- The trolling boat has some components made of plastic, which is not long-lasting.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does this model come with reverse speeds?
A: Yes, it does. It actually comes with 3 reverse speeds on top of the 5 forward speeds
Q: What is the range of thrust generation from this Cloud Mountain model?
A: This model of trolling boat has the thrust as its unique feature. It can be as low as 200 pounds per thrust or as high as 250 pounds per thrust depending on your preference.
Conclusion
In this Cloud Mountain 86LB/200LB motor review, we talked about high performance and heavy-duty hand operated trolling motors. They are also both salt-resistant models that provide the leeway to use them in both saltwater and freshwater bodies. In this review, we tried to show you the correct characteristics of both motors. This brand is obviously not the Minn Kota or Newport Vessels but the people are relying on this motor as it proved its performance.
If you are all about power, the second one reviewed is the best for you. Keep in mind though that it can kill the battery when you run it at full speed. For the first one reviewed, the motor unit can generate up to 86 pounds of thrust if it is supplied by 24 volts direct current. (DC)
In relation to this, the maximum thrust generation when a 12-volt battery is used is limited to 60 pounds of thrust. If a 24-volt battery is used, then this model is ideal for powering 21-foot-long boats.
With that said, whichever model you decide to choose or are leaning on more depends on the preferences and specifications you would like. They are both pretty similar in their features with small variations here and there. At the end of the day though, your needs are most important when making the decision.
