Is 34# thrust enough for a 12' aluminum?

[marcuscarr]

Is a transom mounted 34# minn kota enough motor to push a 12' wide beam aluminum around?

Quiet lake fishing, mostly trolling.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Is 34# thrust enough for a 12' aluminum?

It will work, it won't be speed demon, but to move you around a small quiet lake it would be OK.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Is 34# thrust enough for a 12' aluminum?

Yes it will work, but I would suggest getting a 40+# thrust trolling motor as it will give you more power when needed... IE windy conditions. If you have a gas outboard the 30# would probably do the trick though.

I have used both (30+# and 40+#) on small aluminum boats and prefer the bigger trolling motor. The only advantage to the smaller motor has is that you have more slow adjustment for trolling,,, the bigger motor picks up speed faster between the different speed settings.

You would think the bigger motor would use more battery power (which is true if they are both set to the highest speed) but from my experience it doesn't since you are most likely going to be at speed 2/3 on the bigger motor, compared to speed 3/4 on the small motor. While trolling they will use the same amount of power for the given speed

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Is 34# thrust enough for a 12' aluminum?

I'd watch for the Thanksgiving sales coming up in the next couple of weeks.
For a slight increase in price, I'd buy a 55 lb. thrust. Better to have some
power in reserve, and for special occasions.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Is 34# thrust enough for a 12' aluminum?

I have a 30 lb Minnkota Endura on the transom of my 12' boat, and it does a fine job of pushing the boat around. At the highest speed setting, it does around 3-4mph. I rarely run it at that speed, though. That's what the outboard is for.

The mid-range speed (3 on the dial) is perfect for trolling in that boat, and the battery lasts a very long time.

Now, if all you're going to have on the boat is the electric troller, I'd go with a little larger one, but for maneuvereing and trolling, your 34 lb. rig will work just fine.

One tip: Put the battery up near the bow of your boat. Mine is right behind the front seat, with the battery box attached to a little platform with sides contoured to the boat. It really helps balance the boat out when I'm in it by myself. I used jumper cable wire to wire things up.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Is 34# thrust enough for a 12' aluminum?

I have a 40lb endura in my 14'er and in my opinion is just a tad much. trolling on low speed is a little too quick in my opinion but on high speed is moves the boat rather quick.

is the trolling motor going to be your main source or propulsion?

 

[marcuscarr]

Re: Is 34# thrust enough for a 12' aluminum?

Yes, the 34# minn kota will be my only source of propulsion. The areas we fish with it are pretty small. Each trip would require less that 5 minutes of water travel and the rest would be trolling.

I have given a lot of thought to putting a gas motor on this boat, but I think I would rather have the peace and quiet. I have a ski boat if I feel the need to race around the lake.

Good point about the battery location and excellent tip on using jumper cables. I have them laying around and amost went out and purchased new wiring.

Another option would be to moved the 55# minn kota from the ski boat to the aluminum, but that one is on a bow mount. I think I would have to purchase a transom mount and disassemble the head of the motor and the wiring to put it on this little boat. Probably not worth the time for a little increase in power.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Is 34# thrust enough for a 12' aluminum?

I have a 30 lb Minnkota Endura on the transom of my 12' boat, and it does a fine job of pushing the boat around. At the highest speed setting, it does around 3-4mph. I rarely run it at that speed, though. That's what the outboard is for.

I own two of those motors. We practically burned the first one out in 3 years of continuous use. I bought all the rebuild parts directly from Minnkota for just a few dollars and rebuilt it like it is new again. We liked it so much we bought a second one. They push our little 14' tinny just fine and the canoe really moves out with it. We rarely bring the gas engine anymore and troll around all day long on a battery charge. It's really a benefit for those lakes and ponds we can't use the trailer to launch from and have to cart everything down to the shore.