What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

[Bubbasboat]

I want to ad a trolling motor to my boat this year so I don't have to use my main motor all the time. I have never bought one before. I would like some advice on what I should look for to get a decent motor. My boat is a 1974 Glasspar V165 an weighs about 1000 lbs.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

You need to decide if you want a bow mount or transom mount first, then a budget. You can get a cheap unit for as little as $100.00, or up to $2,000.00 with all the bells and whistles. I wouldn't say there are any bad ones, it just depends on what you want it to be able to do.

 

[Bubbasboat]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

I want a 40# thrust, Stern mount, 12 volt, basic and reliable. At best a battery gauge would be good. Beyond that, Money matters. I want it to move the boat for me. Again nothing fancy!!

Any Ideas?

You need to decide if you want a bow mount or transom mount first, then a budget. You can get a cheap unit for as little as $100.00, or up to $2,000.00 with all the bells and whistles. I wouldn't say there are any bad ones, it just depends on what you want it to be able to do.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

Most any of them will work fine, you sort of get what you pay for on these small motors. Look for a good price and go for it.

 

[Star]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

WRONG!!!
Most any of them will not push a 16.5' fibarglass boat from the rear even on a calm day with a 40# motor. If you are interesed in going fishing on anything other than a mill pond, you wll need at least a 55# thrust motor. If I had 3 people in the boat I would have to hand out oars. If you enjoy fishing you have to get a bow mount system, preferably with auto pilot or I pilot. Save your money until you can get a real system if you don't you will spend most of your time trying to steer your boat on the desired path, and in any wind at all you will only troll with the wind. I have had both so I am not guessing here. with a bow mount the motor pulls you where you want to go with much better control. Yes i am talking about $700 plus batteries and mounting, turn in cans, rob a bank, do whatever don't waste your money on somthing that will not work well. Good luck!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

He set out the parameters for what he wanted, in that category there aren't many options or features and quality is good with either major brand. when you climb higher up the ladder in price the options and features become far more important and you pay for them.

I have a Terrova I-pilot, with batteries and on board charging, cables to use the transducer on the motor, etc. the cost would be over $2000.00, it doesn't sound like he wants to go that route.

I also have a 30# thrust transom mount, on one 16' boat it works OK, on a different one it's not that good, depending on how he plans to use it it should work OK, will it be ideal...no, but we all need to live within a budget.

 

[Bubbasboat]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

Excellent answer! I put specs on to get started, not to absolutely state what I want. I don't know what I want. As I said, money matters, but would rather save and buy what really works and will serve me well than throw money away on a undersized or wrong design motor just to get one NOW! Your answer is clear and makes sense. Your points are well taken and supported. Yes, I enjoy fishing, the main reason I go out on the lake. I figure on an average outing, my boat, motor, myself and 1 passenger, gear etc, weigh around 1600#. My hull is a 1974 Glasstron V165. Wind is often a consideration here in Colorado. My 40# spec came from a chart I found on recommended thrust to hull size. This chart gave no consideration to type of hull, weight, weather conditions etc., just a general sizing chart. The higher thrust makes sense. Obviously this chart is off. How much thrust should I really have for this boat and weight, and generally breezy conditions? Thanks

WRONG!!!
Most any of them will not push a 16.5' fibarglass boat from the rear even on a calm day with a 40# motor. If you are interesed in going fishing on anything other than a mill pond, you wll need at least a 55# thrust motor. If I had 3 people in the boat I would have to hand out oars. If you enjoy fishing you have to get a bow mount system, preferably with auto pilot or I pilot. Save your money until you can get a real system if you don't you will spend most of your time trying to steer your boat on the desired path, and in any wind at all you will only troll with the wind. I have had both so I am not guessing here. with a bow mount the motor pulls you where you want to go with much better control. Yes i am talking about $700 plus batteries and mounting, turn in cans, rob a bank, do whatever don't waste your money on somthing that will not work well. Good luck!

 

[Bubbasboat]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

Sorry about sounding so specific on specs, they were really just a general starting point. Money matters, but I realize sometimes you have to spend more to get it right. I just don't need the coolest thing out there, my boat sure isn't. I know nothing about trolling motors, so am trying to learn before making a costly mistake buying the wrong one the first time around. As they say, I want to get it right! Thanks

He set out the parameters for what he wanted, in that category there aren't many options or features and quality is good with either major brand. when you climb higher up the ladder in price the options and features become far more important and you pay for them.

I have a Terrova I-pilot, with batteries and on board charging, cables to use the transducer on the motor, etc. the cost would be over $2000.00, it doesn't sound like he wants to go that route.

I also have a 30# thrust transom mount, on one 16' boat it works OK, on a different one it's not that good, depending on how he plans to use it it should work OK, will it be ideal...no, but we all need to live within a budget.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

That makes it easier. You can step up to a 50# or 55# for around $250.00, which is still a single battery (12V), any larger and you go to 24V and 2 batteries, this increases the cost, but also increases your runtime.

You can keep stepping up in $50.00 increments and add more features.

 

[Bubbasboat]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

Is that price for a bow mount? What brands are you referring to? What star says makes sense about pulling as opposed to pushing, especially in a wind.

That makes it easier. You can step up to a 50# or 55# for around $250.00, which is still a single battery (12V), any larger and you go to 24V and 2 batteries, this increases the cost, but also increases your runtime.

You can keep stepping up in $50.00 increments and add more features.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

Bow mounts work better in most situations, but they also cost more.

Look here for Minn kota and MotorGuide for pricing.

http://www.iboats.com/Electric-Trolling-Motors-Parts-Accessories/dm/view_id.238344

 

[Bubbasboat]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

Took a look, appears starting around 500 give or take with foot control. How long is the foot control cable? None of the descriptions seem to say.

Bow mounts work better in most situations, but they also cost more.

Look here for Minn kota and MotorGuide for pricing.

Electric Trolling Motors, Parts & Accessories

 

[ondarvr]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

Typically not very long, you're standing near the motor when you use it. But.....that next level of gadgets gets you a wireless foot and/or hand control. Then you step up to auto pilot, then I-pilot, then I-link, then front and side scan sonar, etc. It just keeps going until you run out of money, or you pick a stopping point.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

I know you're looking for "cheap" TM, but you'll be better off buying a "digital" trolling motor. MinnKota says you can "go up to 5 times longer" with a digital motor, but realistically it's more like 2-3 times longer if you run the motor around 1/2 power. IE: you may only need 1 trolling motor battery instead of 2. Just spit-ballin, but running a 40-50# TM constantly at 50% power off a group 29-31 battery will last roughly, 3-4 hours for an old speed coil TM or 6-8 hours off a digital TM (rough guesstimate).

For fishing, are you going to be trolling, or positioning and casting? Personally, I like transom mounts better for trolling and bow mounts for casting. An Ipilot bow mount would would be great for both trolling and positioning, but they are expensive.

WRONG!!!
Most any of them will not push a 16.5' fibarglass boat from the rear even on a calm day with a 40# motor.

Are you sure about that?.... I used to run an old 43# MotorGuide on a 16.5' (heavy soaked foam) SeaSwirl and it worked OK. Surely not setting any speed records, but it caught a bunch of fish trolling. It also saved me once when the main engine konked out and we had "troll" 5 miles back to the marina.

I'm not saying more power wouldn't be better, or that 40# will push the boat through waves/wind, but I'm sure he could do some fishing with a cheap 40# TM if that's all that the budget allows.

 

[Bubbasboat]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

Not so much cheap, as a good value for the money! Cheap is Cheap, but value doesn't always have to cost an arm and a leg! The thought about saving you when your main went out, I also think of that and like the idea of a back up!

I know you're looking for "cheap"

 

[fishrdan]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

Not so much cheap, as a good value for the money!

Whoops, bad assumption on my part (cheap).

MinnKota has the Endura Max (digital) transom mounts for $200-300, though, that's a good chunk towards a low end bow mount. Really depends on "how" you fish... (I have a bow mount TM and a transom mount TM on my 18'er...)

The cable operated bow mount I have is kind of a pain straight line driving the boat (have to keep in contact with the pedal while motoring), so I wouldn't recommend a cable operated bow mount TM. Wished I had a MK with the electric foot pedal, Ipilot or Autopilot is even better, as you're not tied to the trolling motor.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

How long is the foot control cable?

18' for the MK PowerDrive.

 

[Pony]

Re: What qualities and features to look for when buying your first trolling motor

Whoops, bad assumption on my part (cheap).

The cable operated bow mount I have is kind of a pain straight line driving the boat (have to keep in contact with the pedal while motoring), so I wouldn't recommend a cable operated bow mount TM. Wished I had a MK with the electric foot pedal, Ipilot or Autopilot is even better, as you're not tied to the trolling motor.

x2 on the cable operated TM. I have an 80# Minnkota Maxxum on the bow and an 80# engine mount on the main motor. I-pilot isn't available for the cable steer Maxxum.....wish I had a digital foot TM. I use the engine mounted one for trolling or positioning the boat while drifting (change course a bit or avoid other boats). LOVE it, but it does kill my hole shot. Both TM's have digital maximizer......seem to run all day