Newbie ???s about Trolling Motors

[JimS123]

I've been a boater for 50 years but never had an electric. I would like to put one on my 14' fishing boat and have been doing some reading. Here are my questions:

1. Opinions - Minn Kota or Motorguide - which is better as far as reliability and service life?

2. How large a battery is needed for a 30 or 40 lb motor? - I currently have a 19AH, 275 CCA deep cycle that only powers the depth finder. Is that big enough?

3. How many hours can you troll at say half speed before the battery dies? I'm thinking I might troll for 2 hours or so on a day. Will the battery last that long?

4. Is a digital that much more economical? Like how long will the battery last vs. a 5-speed unit - twice as long? Three times?

TIA for all your comments.

Jim

 

[JB]

Re: Newbie ???s about Trolling Motors

1. Both are very good, reliable motors. Personal preference, MK because I am familiar with them.

2. The biggest battery you can afford and mount in your boat. I used Wal Mart's Everstart Marine Maxx. The big yellow one.

3. Think of the battery as a fuel tank. The more you have in it, the longer it will last.

4. At half speed a digital will last about twice as long as an analog controlled motor. At full speed they last about the same.

Good luck.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Newbie ???s about Trolling Motors

I would agree with JB(often do) just wanted to add that on my 12' aluminum boat I have used a 30lb thrust Minn Kota and have not had any issues running out of juice.

I often use the motor on fishing trips that last 6-8 hours with the motor being used around 50-80% of the time. I bought the biggest battery I could afford and fit in the boat as mentioned

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Newbie ???s about Trolling Motors

Here's the deal on battery size. Thrust and full speed current draw follow each other fairly closely. A 30# motor will draw about 32 amps. A 40# = 42 amps and a 50# = 52 amps. So to figure how long a battery will last, your 19 ah battery powering a 30# motor would last roughly 1/2 hour at its fastest speed. Keep in mind you are dealing with an analog motor so even though you operate it at 1/2 speed, it will not double run-time. This is the advantage the digitals have. While they draw the same wide open, the digital draws much less at lower speed settings. So while a 30# motor will work well for you, you will need a much larger battery (capacity) than you have. Even deep cycles should not be discharged more than half way before recharging so make sure the battery is charged immediately after every use. A group 24 or 27 deep cycle will serve you well.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Newbie ???s about Trolling Motors

Will this be the only motor on the boat, or just a trolling motor?

If the only motor, get as big as you can. I have a 46lb MG on my 14' Harbercraft and rarely do I bother with my 10hp Honda (actually never had it on this particular boat). A 30lb is fine if you plan on running an gas motor.

Really don't like the 5 speed versions. Biggest issue is I use mine to troll flies (my casting sucks) and speed 1 is often too fast. Get a variable speed with the maximizer. And the battery life is better when trolling (as others have pointed out).

Biggest battery that fits, but I like the spiral cell (Optima type) as I hate having the acid spill. I've trolled 5 hours with this battery and no sign of it slowing down. Just it started getting cold.

As to MG vs MK, I have both and think both are good units.