Simplify Your Boat: The 36V Garmin + Norsk Battery System That Changed Everything

If you've spent any time fishing the Brainerd Lakes area whether you're chasing walleyes on Gull Lake, working the weed lines on Pelican, or exploring the depths of Mille Lacs you know that your trolling motor can make or break your day on the water. And if you're like most anglers around here, you've probably dealt with your share of frustrations.

The Problem Every Brainerd Area Angler Knows

Let's be honest: manually deploying and stowing your trolling motor gets old fast. Especially when you're trying to move spots quickly on a windy day or when you're fishing alone and juggling rods, nets, and electronics. Add in the battery situation three bulky 12V batteries taking up half your deck space, complicated wiring that looks like a spider web, and constantly wondering if you'll have enough juice to make it back to the launch at Nisswa or Crosslake it's enough to take the fun out of fishing.

My boat was cluttered, my back was tired from wrestling with the motor, and I was spending more time managing my setup than actually fishing the incredible waters we have right here in Central Minnesota.

The 36V Solution: Power Meets Smart Technology

Everything changed when I upgraded to a 36V system with either the Garmin Kraken or Ulterra trolling motor. These units are absolute workhorses designed for serious anglers, and here's what really matters for fishing our Brainerd lakes:

Auto-Deploy Technology: Press a button on your remote or fishfinder, and the motor deploys itself. Coming up on a promising point on Whitefish Lake? Deploy while you're still driving. Moving from one side of a hump to another on Edward Lake? Stow it without leaving the console. It's the kind of convenience that lets you focus on what matters finding and catching fish.

36V Power: Whether you're fighting the wind on big water like Mille Lacs or need precise control in tight weed pockets on smaller lakes, the 36V trolling motor system gives you the thrust and runtime you need. All day power without compromise.

Garmin Integration: If you're already running Garmin electronics (and most serious anglers in the area are), the integration is seamless. Spot & lock, heading hold, route following it all works together to put you on fish and keep you there.

Norsk Batteries: The Real Game-Changer

Here's where things get really interesting. Traditional 36V setups require three 12V batteries just for the trolling motor. Then you need your house battery for electronics and your cranking battery for the outboard. That's a lot of batteries, a lot of weight, and a lot of precious deck space especially on the smaller rigs many of us run on our local lakes.

Norsk batteries changed the entire equation.

With Norsk's high-capacity lithium technology, I consolidated from three batteries down to just two batteries total:

• One Norsk battery handles the 36V trolling motor with power to spare
• One Norsk battery runs both house loads (graphs, livewells, lights) AND serves as the cranking battery

Think about that. Five batteries down to two. The weight savings alone improved my boat's performance, but the real win was getting my deck space back. No more tripping over battery boxes. No more playing Tetris trying to organize gear. Just clean, simple, reliable power.

Mounting Your Electronics Right: BeatDown Outdoors

Once you've upgraded your power system and trolling motor, you need a mounting solution that matches the quality of your equipment. That's where BeatDown Outdoors comes in.

Ben's Marine carries the complete line of BeatDown mounting systems, and these aren't your typical flimsy graph mounts. BeatDown's Ultimate Series and Flex Series mounts are built specifically for the demands of fishing the Brainerd Lakes from rough water on Mille Lacs to all-day tournaments on Leech Lake.

Why BeatDown Mounts Matter: Your upgraded Garmin electronics deserve a mounting system that's as solid as the rest of your rig. BeatDown's patented reverse telescopic design allows you to adjust your graph height from deck level to 30 inches with a simple twist of a knob. Whether you're standing at the bow working a weed edge on Woman Lake or sitting at the console running across Gull Lake, your screen is always at the perfect viewing angle.

The Ultimate and Flex mounts work seamlessly with Garmin, Humminbird, and Lowrance units, and they're built to handle Minnesota's toughest conditions. When you're bouncing through chop or making aggressive turns, the last thing you want is your expensive electronics wobbling around. BeatDown mounts eliminate that worry completely.

Real Results on Brainerd Waters

Since making the complete switch 36V power, Norsk batteries, and proper BeatDown mounting my time on the water has transformed. Whether I'm spending a long summer day targeting smallmouth on North Long Lake, trolling for muskies, or making the run up to Leech Lake for a weekend tournament, I have:

• More fishing time: No battery anxiety or cutting trips short
• Better boat organization: Tons of space freed up for tackle, rods, and coolers
• One-button convenience: Deploy and stow without leaving my seat
• All-day confidence: From first light to sunset, power holds up strong
• Rock-solid electronics: BeatDown mounts keep graphs stable in any conditions
• Less maintenance: Two batteries instead of five means less to manage

The difference is especially noticeable during our long Minnesota summer days when you want to be on the water from dawn to dusk chasing that evening walleye bite or waiting for the muskie window to open.

Is This Upgrade Right for Your Brainerd Lakes Fishing?

If you're dealing with any of these situations, it's worth considering:

• You fish alone frequently and want easier motor management
  
• You fish all day and worry about power
• You're tired of complicated wiring and multiple battery banks
• You want the latest technology integration with your Garmin electronics
• You fish both big water (Mille Lacs, Leech, Gull) and smaller lakes where precision matters
• Your current graph mount flexes or doesn't give you the viewing angles you need

Get It Done Right in Brainerd

The 36V Garmin Kraken or Ulterra paired with Norsk batteries and BeatDown mounting systems isn't just an upgrade it's a complete transformation of how you fish the Brainerd Lakes. More space, more power, more time fishing, and less time managing your boat's electrical system.

Ben's Marine & Motorsports can help you spec out the right system for your boat and fishing style. Their expert rigging services ensure everything is installed correctly the first time clean wiring, proper mounting, and a system that's built to last. Whether you're rigging a new boat or upgrading your current setup, the investment in simplicity and reliability pays dividends every single time you launch.

Have questions about the upgrade process or want to know more about how this system performs on your favorite lake? Contact Ben's Marine & Motorsports or call (218) 820-9781 we're happy to help you build the perfect system for fishing our local waters.