Kicker motor question (Trolling motor)

[Hvymtl]

I have a 20 ft deck boat we just bought. Don't quite trust her yet and was wondering if I added a bow trolling motor if this would get us a mile or so up or down river in moderate current on two batteries to where we could land the boat if there were motor issues? I don't want to add a gas kicker because of the space it takes up on the rear platform

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Kicker motor question (Trolling motor)

My 12V bow mount moves my 18' boat pretty well and would probably get me home a mile or two. A larger 24V should do the same for your much heavier 20'. However, a bow mount + 2 batteries is major money. Much more than I would invest for backup power.

 

[cjjjdeck]

Re: Kicker motor question (Trolling motor)

I have an 80 lb thrust motor running 2 AGM batteries on my 23 ft deck boat. I max out at about 2.5 to 3 mph conditions permitting. I use it primarily for maneuvering the boat near and around fishing spots or slowly going along shorelines while fishing, not really "trolling" (probably like most people). So I have never ran the motor full bore until the batteries ran out, but I have spent the entire day using it mostly "on" not "off". Based on how much my useage drains my batteries (about half to almost three-quarters). My guess is I'd be able to get an hour or two out of the batteries at max speed. I always felt glad to have the troller as emergency back-up power too. I felt at least I could maneuver to a safe location. Trying to paddle my dead boat sure would suck (and look pretty funny too)!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Kicker motor question (Trolling motor)

Define "moderate current."

 

[Hvymtl]

Re: Kicker motor question (Trolling motor)

Define "moderate current."

Not glass conditions. Normal light river flow (can't define normal either).