What size trolling motor?

[Pacharlie]

Hello,
I recently purchased a 14' spectrum blue fin. It's a 1993. The trolling motor is fairly old but still works. It's a foot controlled 30lb minnkota. Im thinking of upgrading it to one of the big 24 volt ones. Is this overkill? Most of the lakes I fish are trolling motor only so it'll get used a lot. I've seen some used ones (70-80lb thrust) on Craig's list and eBay for good price. Is that overkill? Or should I just stick with a 12 volt like a 50lb or something? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: What size trolling motor?

Well, I do like over kill... but a 12v 55 lb. thrust will do your boat just fine.

I have a 12v 55lb. Motorguide wireless on my 17' Tracker deep V and it does great! I use it to troll for Crappie and can troll all day at 1 mph and still have 50% of the battery power at the end of the day.

Go with a wireless motor if you can, it's really handy to be able to operate the TM from anywhere inside the boat and not be a slave to a wired foot control.

I'm sure the big 24v are stronger and nicer but the battery weight is double, and so is the expense when it comes time to replace the batteries.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: What size trolling motor?

I have a 67# Motorguide on a 17' alum boat. It is 12/24v. I originally used 2 batteries and 24v for my boat and when my batteries wore out I only replaced with 1. Loosing the extra 12v has really impacted my "emergency" movement. Since I hooked my starting battery in parallel with it and tied my engine alternator to both batteries, having a discharged battery has not been a problem, but I don't run the TM for long periods without recharging the batt. If I did, I would go back to 2 and 24 and get my charging battery and alternator out of the loop so I don't burn up my alt. trying to charge a near dead battery.

Personally, having had half a dozen over the years, you can never over power; but that's my opinion and you asked for it.

Mark

 

[jcupo6]

Re: What size trolling motor?

Go with the biggest you can afford. I went from a 12v 30# to a 12v 55# and the difference is night and day. I used to max out at 1mph (even less against the wind), now I'm getting 4mph on the GPS. I bought an extra battery just in case, but haven't needed it yet. I have a 12' boat so yours will be a little heavier, but I would think you should get similar results. I also fish on electric only lakes and use the motor all day long.

 

[Pacharlie]

Re: What size trolling motor?

I think I'm going to go with a 24 volt 70lb thrust. Is there a different plug for a 24 than a 12? The one for the 12 on my boat is a 2 prong. Will the 24 volt 70lb have the same plug? Thanks

 

[etracer68]

Re: What size trolling motor?

I personally, would go with the 55#/12V, and use two batterys, wired in P. Seems like you would be able to go alot longer on that setup. The batterys should be at least 120 min reserve cap too.

 

[jcupo6]

Re: What size trolling motor?

I know I said go with the biggest you can afford, what I meant (I should have been more clear) was to go with the biggest 12V system you can afford. Not sure you'd benefit too much with a 24v system. I did a ton of research before I bought my 55# and it seems the top speed wont change much once you get to the bigger 50# plus trolling motors. Seems they all max out around 4-5mph. You'll just have more power to get you through the wind and current. If you're like me and are fishing lakes, you won't be fighting currents and a 55# will be able to power a 14' boat through the wind. Plus there a big price difference. My 55# Minn Konta was $200, the 24v systems were much more expensive. Not sure it's worth the extra price when you're installing them on these small boats.

 

[Pacharlie]

Re: What size trolling motor?

I personally, would go with the 55#/12V, and use two batterys, wired in P. Seems like you would be able to go alot longer on that setup. The batterys should be at least 120 min reserve cap too.

Yeah I'm actually leaning towards the 55 now. Seems like the big one would be a waste. What does "wired in p" mean?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What size trolling motor?

A relatively recent vintage 24 volt motor (not a combo 12/24) would be extreme overkill on a 14 foot boat. In fact if you tend to stand while fishing it could even be dangerous. 24 volt motors are over 55# thrust and stepping on the go pedal could pitch you overboard if it is set to a higher speed. 55# is very adequate for that boat and if you have room for two group 27 deep cycles they would easily power the motor for good day of fishing. Add a decent on-board charger. A 24 volt motor will need the same plug/receptacle as a 12 volt. When you get into the combo motors (12 or 24 volt) then you run nto the three and four wire configurations.

 

[etracer68]

Re: What size trolling motor?

Wired in P means, Wired in parallel.

 

[Pacharlie]

Re: What size trolling motor?

Wired in P means, Wired in parallel.

Can you explain this? And why?

 

[etracer68]

Re: What size trolling motor?

Wired in parallel is, positive to positive, and negitive to negitive. I was just saying, if you have the room for two batterys, thats what I would do. If you have a 24 volt motor, you must have two batterys, but you need to wire them in series, positive to negitive, and negitive to positive to get 24 volts from them. Wired in parallel you still have 12 volts, but twice the reserve capasity. With a 12 volt motor you only need one battery, but two in parallel will last a longer time. Keep in mind too, that you will have to charge the batterys up after each use.

Maybe Silvertip has a diagram to attach, he seems to have alot of them, or look for more info in these threads to find one.