Just purchased a new 22' pontoon boat to replace our old center console to be a more "family friendly" boat and was looking for some advise/input as I try to get it set up before fishing season begins here in the Northeast. It's a 22' tri-toon with a 150hp … I'd like to move my 2 dual-rod manual Cannon downriggers onto the back of it (there is a short "swim platform" on the back I can use) but I've got some questions.
1. Am I in for grief trying to get a proper trolling speed with the 150hp Merc? With such an investment already (and new wakeboarding gear for the kids on the horizon) I don't see a kicker motor on my budget. Should I be considering a drift-sock or something? Or should I be ok? I can't imagine an electric would move something so big, but I do have one that I use for the crawdad.
2. I was under the impression from a conversation w a guy at the marina someone made/sold a stand that I could put the riggers on, much like bass fishing seats, that sits in bases on the back of the boat. So I could easily put them in and remove them when not fishing. But haven't found anything anywhere. Is there such an item? If so, where?
3. Anything else I should consider/that will be different/I will need to "get used to", again being a guy whos been fishing out of a 20' center console for the past 6 years or so?
Thanks in advance. I know there's some info on here - and I found some already, but much seemed dated.