Thread: Looking for a new trolling motor

Stick with Minn kota

I’ve had some 35lb motor guide units and they just weren’t big enough for a trolling motor only rig, for my taste. They have always worked fine, without issue. My brother lives outside Atlanta and there are some TM only lakes and tourneys nearby, so we’ve talked it over and given it some thought. I like a TM on the front for repositioning, more efficient and maneuverable, and a bigger 80 lb on the back for travel. Some of those guys have the money to throw at the electric boats for the tourneys, and my hats off to them. I’ve seen one that was 18’ with 2 80lb transom mounts of the back and a terrova Ipilot on the front. Way more than I would ever spend but there are things to be learned there. The front motor goes to where you’re going directly without having to correct the boat because the wind blew the nose out of shape. Not so using a transom mount. If I had to put one good motor on a light boat it would go on the nose, and an old dead motor would be setup with the motor itself removed and a piece of aluminum added to make a tiller to keep the back end in place and from blowing around. Hope this helps some...

I had a pond boat on out club lake. I had my Terrova mounted on a quick disconnect. I just added a 2nd puck to my pond boat and put the Ipilot on it. Took about 30 seconds to take off or put on.
With 55# thrust the pond boat would scoot. Had old DF running of the TM transducer on the pond boat.

Originally Posted by skeetbum

I’ve had some 35lb motor guide units and they just weren’t big enough for a trolling motor only rig, for my taste.

I agree, one just isn't enough for a trolling motor only lake. My buddy has three of them on the back of his boat to crank up on high for long rides across the lake, and another on the bow that he uses just for fishing. That's 4 batteries, but he has a 4-bank on-board charger to make life easier. It's really a nice setup. I think he got them one at a time, keeping an eye out for one at yard sales or auctions.