Electric Trolling Motor Help?

[Lotech Joe]

If I have a 24# thrust electric trolling motor that pushed a boat X mph, and I replace it with a 48# thrust motor, will it push the same boat in the same conditions 2X mph?
Also, will a 48# thrust motor draw twice the power as a 24# motor from the same battery?
I need to upgrade my trolling motor and I'm curious what to look for.

[hewesfisher]

If I have a 24# thrust electric trolling motor that pushed a boat X mph, and I replace it with a 48# thrust motor, will it push the same boat in the same conditions 2X mph?
Also, will a 48# thrust motor draw twice the power as a 24# motor from the same battery?
I need to upgrade my trolling motor and I'm curious what to look for.

Hi Joe, I suppose in theory the answer to both your questions would be yes, however, I don't think "theory" knows anything about reality.

My best guess is the 48# thrust motor will push same boat faster, but probably not twice that of the 24# motor. Have to consider a lot of other dynamics involved, such as drag and so on.

As to motor draw, well, that depends on the amp draw of the motor and what kind of technology is involved. If your 24# is an old motor, and the potential 48# is new tech, the new one might not draw much more than the older one. Vast improvements in motor design have reduced battery drain on many newer motors.

I have a 55# thrust bow mount on my 16' Hewescraft and run it off a 12v battery. I have excellent battery life with that motor and I think it's due to the electronic "brain" in the motor. I can run it for two days without recharging.

Choose wisely, and research as much as possible to get the biggest bang for your buck. There are some good tutorials on Cabela's website, as well as FAQs on the major motor manufacturer sites.

Good Luck!

[Lotech Joe]

If I have a 24# thrust electric trolling motor that pushed a boat X mph, and I replace it with a 48# thrust motor, will it push the same boat in the same conditions 2X mph?
Also, will a 48# thrust motor draw twice the power as a 24# motor from the same battery?
I need to upgrade my trolling motor and I'm curious what to look for.

Hi Joe, I suppose in theory the answer to both your questions would be yes, however, I don't think "theory" knows anything about reality.

My best guess is the 48# thrust motor will push same boat faster, but probably not twice that of the 24# motor. Have to consider a lot of other dynamics involved, such as drag and so on.

As to motor draw, well, that depends on the amp draw of the motor and what kind of technology is involved. If your 24# is an old motor, and the potential 48# is new tech, the new one might not draw much more than the older one. Vast improvements in motor design have reduced battery drain on many newer motors.

I have a 55# thrust bow mount on my 16' Hewescraft and run it off a 12v battery. I have excellent battery life with that motor and I think it's due to the electronic "brain" in the motor. I can run it for two days without recharging.

Choose wisely, and research as much as possible to get the biggest bang for your buck. There are some good tutorials on Cabela's website, as well as FAQs on the major motor manufacturer sites.

Good Luck!

I bought my Minn Kota 24#'er about 8-10 years ago. I fish out of a 12' jon boat from the White Elephant. I want to put more power on the transom and I want it to last all day long. For that reason, I've started carrying two batteries. One for fishing and the other to get home from the other side of the lake. I like to fish Eloika Lake so I feel I need a stronger motor to cut through the seaweed (milllfoil), and when I fish Waitts Lake, I'd like to get around the lake twice without having to row back to the launch. Do you think a 50#'er would make that happen for me?
Thanks for your response, and I look forward to seeing you on the water.

[Anonymous]

Keep the 24# trolling motor, save a little more money and invest in a used 7-10hp motor. That will get you around. To answer your question on power, you are not going to double your speed by getting a 48# thrust. What hewesfisher said is right on. Also, if you get a good Trojan battery you should be able to run that thing all day and not even phase it. I can't say enough about Trojan batteries, they are worth it. You shouldn't have to carry two batteries. And if you are, then you have enough room for a gas can and motor. Go for the real power.


fishnislife

[Bill G]

Buy as powerful a motor as you can afford that way you only use half the throttle which increases your battery life by twice. Then you have the power you need when you do need it too.
Bill

[cavdad45]

The more thrust the trolling motor has the more it draws on your battery. It's a fact of life.

I have a 14' jonboat with a 40pound thrust trolling motor. I bring along two batteries. I will only use the motor for boat positioning and fishing or else I will be rowing home. This year I rebuilt a small outboard that was lying around in my shop and use that for actually travelling in the lakes I fish. Now I can fish all day and still have a near full charge on my second battery.

[Paul & Sammi]

We bought a Minkota 30# this spring to replace my 20+ year old 24#. We use it on a 12' boat and the difference is amazing. It pushes the boat 50% faster than the old one did. Lots quieter too. It's powered by a good quality Napa deep cycle battery that is now 3 years old, and we have never run out of power in a days fishing yet.
It said "new weed free prop" on the box, which made me laugh because we fish Eloika a lot. Weed free...sure it is... Well, to my surprise, it almost is. What little catches on the prop clears off with a quick shift to reverse. A few wrap on the motor shaft but those drop off easily but raising it up. I haven't had to hang over the back ripping weeds off the motor once. Electric motors have come along ways in 2 decades I guess.
We also have a 9.9 hp Evenrude. We don't take it along much, usually we just go with the electric. It weighs about 10 lbs more than my battery does. A smaller outboard would probably weigh less than a 2nd battery and is a good way of getting from here to there.

[bigastrout]

I like to fish Eloika Lake so I feel I need a stronger motor to cut through the seaweed (milllfoil), and when I fish Waitts Lake, I'd like to get around the lake twice without having to row back to the launch. Do you think a 50#'er would make that happen for me?
Thanks for your response, and I look forward to seeing you on the water.

I have never been to Waitts Lake, but from the pics on this site I don't think you would have any problems making a couple laps with a 50# motor as long as your not in a hurry and you dont have to fight to much wind. When you use your trolling motor a low speeds the run time will be 5 or 6 times longer than if you run at full power. I have a Minn Kota 55# pushing a 12' Highlaker (heavy boat) and would feel confident going for the second lap at speeds 1,2,or 3.