ELECTRIC DREAMS

The Minn-kota features prominently in the couple’s plans for Yeah Buoy, not only to hold the boat on station using ‘spot-lock’ while deepwater dropping for hapuku and bluenose, but also to prospect in shallow areas casting soft baits and lures for snapper and kingfish. The electric motor will allow them to hold the vessel in place against wind and tide, follow contour lines or slowly navigate pre-programmed routes casting lures as they go.

Sascha demonstrated the Minn-kota, which was operated remotely using a fob hanging around his neck. Deploying and stowing the unit is a hands-free operation, but access to the bows is good anyway via the huge forward hatch. Anchoring is manual with a grapnel, chain and warp housed in an open locker.

With 150hp on the transom, the maximum recommended for this model, performance is brisk. Engine data is displayed on Garmin digital displays and hydraulic steering is standard on the 610 model. The combination USB/12V outlet on the dash is also standard equipment these days and there is a battery gauge to monitor the health of the Minn Kota batteries, as well as the vessel’s house and start batteries.

A pair of weighty deep-cycle batteries for the Minn-kota are housed forward under the bunk on the port side, the same side