Trolling Motor Advice

[pmueller]

Sorry you're reading this and not fishing. I'm looking for advice for a trolling motor to use primarily as a back-up in case the main motor fails (ok, I could stand and wave, blow horns, and get the wife to row...but I figure a motor is cheaper than a marriage counselor and it's a lot easier to justify as a safety item, than a fishing aid). So, you get the picture; engine fails, pull trolling motor out from side storage, attach to transom, clip to battery, away we go....heck, may as well fish on the way back! Anyway, the boat's a 17' runabout, boat and motor with people/stuff might be around 2100#s. I'm mostly in a large, relatively shallow lake that can get windy with 2'+ chop (Houghton Lake for you Michigan folks). What thrust would you recommend? I've read everything from get the most you can afford, to around 40# should be enough. Since you're not fishing, you may as well give me your opinion. Thanks.

 

[pmueller]

Re: Trolling Motor Advice

Bump ^

 

[DJ]

Re: Trolling Motor Advice

PJ57,<br /><br />Know Houghton well. <br /><br />Anyway, you can get 12 volt troll. motors in the 50# thrust range. I wouldn't go with a 24 volt if you are going to use it as a backup.<br />Transom mounts are alot cheaper too.<br /><br />I'm a MinnKota man. Never had a moments trouble with any of them.

 

[JB]

Re: Trolling Motor Advice

Ahoy, PJ57.<br /><br />I, too, am a Minn Kota user and like DJohns19 I have never had a moment of trouble with them.<br /><br />However, as a backup to get you home, maybe in a blow, I would get a 1.5 to 3hp outboard. Much more thrust and doesn't need a battery.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[sfels]

Re: Trolling Motor Advice

Here on Pend Orielle most folks use gasoline motors for trolling. I have a 20ft. Trophy and it's got an 8hp Tohatsu for trolling which does just fine. Our lake's deep (1200ft) and we get some good wave action and wind. My father-in-law has a 25ft boat and he trolls with a 9.9hp Tohatsu. One nice thing about a gosoline motor is you don't have to worry about the battery and if you have it hooked to a separate fuel tank you always have gas too.

 

[FISH'N101]

Re: Trolling Motor Advice

Howdee, I too am a Minn Kota boater 50lb thrust, but would srongly suggest a gas motor backup. I have a 16' Crestliner with 9.9 Merc as backup. Before I got the Merc I had motor problems ( I fish big water) and had to use my 50lb thrust motor to get me back while a storm was blowing in. It was very tough getting back even using the highest speed setting to make headway coming home. A trip that would normally take about 10 minutes took an hour....<br />The Minn Kota works great & use it all the time but for fishing. Big lake backup is too much to ask it to do.When it comes to safe error on the side of safety.<br />Good Luck.......