Thread: Trolling Motor size question

Originally Posted by Clint

If money were no object, I would not be fixing a 30 year old boat. A 70 to 80# motor, along with the extra battery or batteries would put this project way out of my reach. I am trying to justify the expense of a 55# TM over a 40#.

That's a decision nearly every fisherman has had to make at one time or another if they have been doing it a while and have owned some boats. I have a 16 ft Lowe Big John with some wood decks in it and some other stuff adding weight,along with the fat boys who ride with me sometimes. I bought it used with a 40 lb Minn Kota on it. I figure to upgrade when it gives up the ghost.The more powerful motors give you a much wider power band to control speed in the wind. When it gets very strong I just have to kicker to 5 which is too fast or strong where as 4 just wasn't quite enough.

I have a 24 volt 80 lb on my bassboat.To be able to choose between 12 or 24 volt and 5 speeds in each range just lets you find just the right amount of power. But in the right conditions even it is maxed out and thats on only a 17' fiberglass.

I have caught thousands of fish in that jon boat,its seen big and small water ,you learn to work with what you have. But now if you'd offer to swap me straight up for a bigger motor right now I'd say heck yeah you kiddin'

I hear ya ; I bough it for my 17.5 feet nitro because I got tired of getting pushed around in rough weather and I wanted another 20 years out of my boat. Its a rough call I feel for ya...

I believe the largest 12 volt system is 55# thrust. I've got a 55# Minnkota on my 17 ft. Polarcraft, and it's adequate for lakes without much wind. If you're on a river, such as the Tennessee, I bet it would be inadequate.

Well today I made up my mind to go completely overboard and picked up a 107# Motorguide Tour Sonar 36V motor. It bacame available locally and at a price I could not turn down. I have room for the extra batteries, so I decided to try to make it work. I should be able to troll all day and don't beleive I will have any problems going upstream in any of the local rivers. I asked around and everyone said you can go too small with a trolling motor but not too big. We shall see.

Thanks to all who replied.