In 2000, I purchased my ActionCraft (1820) and decided to have Lenco Marine install their Electric Motor Trolling system. The Lenco drive system is powerful, best handling and most user friendly trolling motor system I have used. Not only has Lenco made life on the water a little easier, they found a way to free up your bow for more important things, like fishing.
The system utilizes two 67lb thrust digital trolling motors mounted to the transom. The motors are controlled in unison via a hand operated switch with two speeds, high and low, for a total of 134 pounds of forward and reverse thrust. The motors are extremely corrosion resistant, and mounted in 7-gauge electro-polished stainless steel housings. There are no shafts, no “mounts” and no extra parts required to make the system “heavy-duty,” it already is. Only 4 inches of width and 13 inches of height (per side) are required to mount the motors, and everything you need (excluding batteries) is included with the kit. An anti-cavitation feature is also included, to help maintain silence in rough or shallow waters.
Maneuverability is phenomenal due to the thrust steering concept. Simply by utilizing the single hand operated switch control, each motor turns at an appropriate speed and direction to control the boat. This type of steering enables the boat to literally turn on a dime under normal boating conditions. Being able to turn inside the length of the boat improves your ability to return to that school of fish you just passed over, or pursue a pod of bait on the move.
I have had the system on the boat for 5 seasons and have not experienced any problems. The system delivers more than adequate thrust to move my flats boat with ease and stealth. I can bring the boat close to large fish without making them aware of my presence. This is particularly important when fly fishing or when casting with ligth tackle baits in shallow water.
Lenco Marine is a consumer friendly company. Rich DeVito (president) and Sam Mullinax (CEO) maintain a healthy communiction with their customers in order to continually improve their already fine products. I look forward to my next boat and can say with confidence, a Lenco Marine Trolling Motor System will be installed.
Lenco Marine now offers an improved Trolling Motor System, the Model 164. The new system offers 164 lb of thrust and improved foot pedal controls.
