What trolling motor would work for me?

[joshrogel]

Hey guys/gals,

I have a 72 Glastron with 85 hp outboard. Im looking to retrofit a trolling motor. What one would work best. I have been looking at Minn Kota 30 lbs thrust. Will this be efficient?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: What trolling motor would work for me?

For a fiberglass rig you might want a few more lbs of thrust. The wind, waves, or current will make that 30 work pretty hard.

If it's mounted on the bow it will work better than on the transom as well.

 

[keninaz]

Re: What trolling motor would work for me?

Just go to the Minn Kota site and they have a little question section that will help you select a motor for you boat.

Here is a link~
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/selectamotor/

Without knowing the length and weight of your boat I am thinking 30# is not going to do it.

 

[dooma_Flatchy]

Re: What trolling motor would work for me?

Here is a general rule of thumb.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What trolling motor would work for me?

Get the biggest you can get that'll run on 12V. I'll second that a bow mount works better than a transom mount. I had a transom mount on my 16' and it was pain in the butt.

 

[jtexas]

Re: What trolling motor would work for me?

15, maybe 17 foot? probably a tri-hull?

In my experience any boat big enough for 85hp is going to want more than 30lbs thrust -- 36lbs would do on a calm day, but in any kind of wind you'd be wishing for 55. 45lbs would get the job done on a 15 footer.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: What trolling motor would work for me?

The biggest trolling motor that runs on 12 volts (a single deep cycle battery) is a 55 pound thrust unit, both of which are available from MinnKota and MotorGuide. I also agree that a bow mount is a far better choice and provides much more control than a stern mount, especially in windy conditions. The MinnKota PowerDrive V2 can be had in a wired, foot control or a wireless remote configuration so you can operate it from anywhere in the boat. MotorGuide has a similar motor. Remember, batteries have limited capacity so depending on how you plan to use this troller and for how long at a time will determine how big (capacity) that battery needs to be. The smallest for any motor of that size would be a group size 27.