Am I expecting to much from a 30lb. thrust trolling motor on a 18 foot bayliner? It just doesen't move it. Is there any thing I can do to make it work as an emergency motor?
Re: Boat doesn't move/ 30lb thrust Trolling motor 18' Bayliner
Yes assuming that the prop is low enough to provide thrust then you just don't have enough gusto.
Minn Kota recommends 23 of thrust for every 100# of boat and that's a minimum.
Depending on the wind, how heavy your boat is loaded and other factors you may need more thrust.
And you are aware that even if the trolling motor was correct for your boat that it's only supposed to do 2-5 MPH, or trolling speed?
If you are a little ways out that's a long cruise at a slow speed and will use up a lot of battery too.
Re: Boat doesn't move/ 30lb thrust Trolling motor 18' Bayliner
This is why they make 100# 36 volt motors. You are indeed expecting too much for a 30# motor. In high winds a 30# motor would hardly be enough snort to move a 15 foot row boat. Unless you are a mile or less from the dock, this is not a solution for "emergency" propulsion.
Re: Boat doesn't move/ 30lb thrust Trolling motor 18' Bayliner
hard to say, not knowing the age & condition of the motor, battery and wiring, whether you're getting all the power it's capable of. But I can say from personal experience that a 36# motor on a 15' boat won't make much headway in any kind of wind. If you don't want to add another battery (or two), a 12V 46 or 50# motor might do in a pinch but as said, don't expect more than 5mph.
Re: Boat doesn't move/ 30lb thrust Trolling motor 18' Bayliner
I have pretty much the aluminum version of that boat (spectrum 1700) and I have a Minn Kota AT50 on it.
I need to run that thing on 4 most of the time. Rarely 3.
You need at least 50 LB of thrust and your boat is most likely a lot heavier than mine
Id say that motor is too small.
Re: Boat doesn't move/ 30lb thrust Trolling motor 18' Bayliner
My 30lb electric trolling motor saved me big yesterday. I used it to push a 4500lb, 25ft cuddy into the wind for over an hour. I was slow, but I got home safe and dry.
I find that these forums are helpful not only for the people who originally started the thread, but people in the future who have similar questions. I searched for a while to see if the 30lb motor would move my 4500lb boat. I could find no clear answers, and I knew everyone would say no, but no one had actually tried it. I had to use it yesterday, it worked and if someone else has a problem maybe they will appreciate my response. It was a slow ride home but a hell of alot better than paddling.
