Any input on the following add-ons for my 2019 Competitor 205 Tiller?

Looking for some input on our 2019 Comp 205 Tiller with 115 Vmax. I am thinking of adding the following items to my boat and am looking for people with these items or similar to offer some opinions because they are VERY expensive here in Ontario and want to get the rigging correct the first time hehe!. I posted this on the FB Tiller group and only got 1 meaningful response, the rest were just dumb**es commenting on my motor size. Ugh!

1) Looking to add Traxtech for rod holders and down riggers (never down rigged before)
A) Would you run the rails as far back as you can so the riggers as close to the back of the boat as possible?

2) Thinking of adding a 9.9 hp matching kicker. Has anybody got this set up with a 115 hp.
A) Will the extra weight effect the over performance of the boat drastically?

3) Trim Tabs, I often have 2-3 adults and my 2 80lb labs and all our gear for fishing. I noticed the boat lists much more than my old Alaskan. So I’m thinking tabs would be a great addition for running with a big load or multiple people.
The is a perfect easy to reach spot at the drivers handle to mount the switches. Anybody run tabs on these boats

Would love to hear your thoughts and see pics of your set ups. Thanks!

Oh! This boat is a fish catching machine!!

My buddy has that boat. He has a Minnkota Vantage along with a 150hp Merc. on the back so I don’t think the weight difference of a 9.9 will matter.

He loves his.

Put the tracks back as far as you can comfortably reach the downriggers.

Add kicker on the side that needs weight or you can reach it best, may be a bit to think about.

Trim tabs may not fit with a kicker??? They may also make the boat pull and add steering strain if you dont have power steering, ive not used tabs on a tiller myself.

I personally prefer a 6 inch trax for downrigger and or potentially a tree and traditional rails for rod holders. The rails allow for quick no hassle adjustment for rod length and rough water height adjustment needed. Pay attention to where you mount downrigger and where the actual arm & weight end up. Too often,I see them mounted too far back and quite awkward to get at the weight and banging the boat.

Kicker, it will save hrs on the big motor but really cant say I would make that a big priority over using your 115.

Limited space trim tabs should fit no problem with a kicker motor. Tabs are the single most addition that I can say literally “no one” wouldn’t do again , and wished they had added sooner.

Thanks Guys! I knew I’d get some good input here!

My 115 hp is just a little fast for trolling on calm days if I don’t use bags, which is not terrible but a pain. We switch up a lot and would be nice not to have to always pull the bags when we stop to sit on fish. I can use my Ulterra though.

I’m thinking the best place for the riggers would be on the flat section of the back corners, I could fit a 6″ track there. I forgot there are line ties right at the back.

I think I will make the Tracks, Trim Tabs a priority. I did get a bit of sticker shock on the TraxTech stuff. I really like those ratcheting rod holders! Eventually I’d like to get the trees for when we use planner boards in Quinte.

I’m going to spend more time trolling before I decide on the rigger placement to see what’s going work best.

I have a 115hp on my 19′ Warrior and I have never needed a kicker in 15 years. Trolling forward on a calm day might get too fast, but you can always go backward or use the electric motor. I wouldn’t add the weight or the cost for a kicker.

You and Dean are probably right on the kicker! Since I can get a solid 4 full days out of my Ulterra and usually have charging available, I think I’ll wait until I upgrade the motor

If you decide to go with kicker put on starboard side on comp. 185. I put mine temporarily on port side and it sucked moved to port and can reach with no issues. I fish the river all the time so a kicker is what I need lakes maybe a different story with not as much current awesome rig though.

Funny, I was thinking it would go on the port side, to balance out the driver and starting battery weight. Would definitely need an extension handle.

I would really like a kicker for multiple reasons, but will prioritize it to the bottom of the list. I’d rather get the TraxsTech, trim tabs and steering assist this year.

Well I guess the Trim Tab option is out of the question. Just got this reply from Alumacraft.

Hi Greg,
Yes, installing hydraulic trim tabs will void the warranty.

Thanks,
Alumacraft Customer Service Support

I’ll save ya a couple more bucks. I use to run a 20′ skeeter tiller with a Yamaha 115 hp motor. While I wanted the power steering it really wasn’t needed. It was more a want than a need. Now that I’m running a 20′ Lund fiberglass tiller with a 200 hp Merc it’s a necessity. My buddy with your boat has the 150 Merc with power steering and I don’t think he would be without it. I think you should sock the money away and run yours a while, I think you will find you really don’t need it.

I agree Dutchboy, it’s really just a want with this size motor. I had a Mertens on my 75hp that I bought used. I don’t really “need” it, but it is very nice!

There have only been a few instances when we were running this summer in some chop where the steering torque was crazy, my arm was numb by the time we got to calmer waters.

I have the motor adjusted so there is almost zero torque in normal conditions, it’s when she blows and your crossing waves that it can be stubborn LOL! I guess I could just slow down!

I have no input other than the coloring on that eye is fantastic. Thanks for sharing

I have power steer on my 115 on the Warrior. I will NEVER be without it again!!! Do I “need” it, probably not, but holy crap is it ever nice to have. Especially when it’s choppy.

I asked Alumacraft if I had the dealer install the Trim Tabs would it still void the warranty. Now I’m concerned about transducer installations!

To late to worry about that I guess, what fishing boat doesn’t have a transducer installed on the transom, that’s absurd.

Hi Greg,

Unfortunately that would still void the warranty as this would be an added accessory that did not come from the manufacturer. I am sorry for the inconvenience.

T
Parts/Warranty/Customer Service Representative
~Alumacraft Boat Co. | 315 Saint Julien Street C Saint Peter | Minnesota | USA

Did you get some down riggers mounted? I’ve been wanting to Put two on my 175 competitor And don’t really know how to go about it . I would like to have them removable though. Any pictures of your set up ? Or any body else’s for that matter. I have two cannon lake trollers in my shop, but have hit a mental block on how to put them on. Maybe the gunnel clamp mounts ? Don’t really want to scratch the boat up though. Thanks

I have added the 72″ Traxtech rails on their Alumacraft brakets and 4 ratcheting rod tubes. We are very happy with them!

I will probably add riggers next year. I will be using the TraxTech rails for that.

Greg,
Can you put a picture on here with the Trax Tech. I really like the looks of this boat, but have wondered how it was to troll out of? I have wondered about mounting tracks on the boat, but didn’t think that they would mount on the gunnels. I hadn’t considered using the brackets.

I decided to use 72 inch tracks for ultimate versatility. My boat is a Starcraft Delta tiller, but very similar gunnel systems to Lund and Alumacraft. I use rod holders, riggers, rod trees, etc. Easily interchangable. The tracks are just a bit (1/4 inch or so) wider than the extruded gunnels on most of this style boat (Pro Guide, competitor, etc), but it’s not a big deal. I drilled holes through the top heavy gauge aluminum and used 1/4 inch aluminum aircraft rivets to attach the tracks to the gunnels.

with pictures……

Attachments:

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   traxstech-on-Starcraft.jpg
   

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   traxstech-rivets.jpg
   

Hi Phil,

I don’t have any great pictures of them. Here are 2.
We are very pleased with them so versatile! They serve a great purpose as a vertical rod holder when retying, which helps to keep the line from getting caught on the dogs while were retying!!

It’s great to sit the net in one and keep it off the floor as well.

Grabbing a rod out of these tubes when a fish hits is nothing short of fantastic! They are expensive but well worth the money.

A little off topic, but that’s a beautiful blue phase walleye in your picture.

Ya, it was beauty , warts and all! and a personal best to boot!