Trolling motor size?

[just ducky]

I admit that I'm too lazy to search all of the previous threads about this...I need to get a trolling motor for my 16' Lund for use in walleye fishing on Saginaw Bay, LSC, St. Clair River, etc. Not looking for a cadillac...but enough power for this size of a boat. Looking for advice on both size (thrust) as well as make for motors.

Second question...My previous experience with trolling motors is very limited, but the battery I had gave me enough power for about two hours at full thrust. So what size/type of battery would you suggest in order to give me enough power for a day of trolling on Saginaw Bay for instance?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

[just ducky]

And I just thought of a third question...I'm assuming I'd be best to go with a bow mount vs. a stern mount...but looking for advice on that as well. Thanks again.

[Flash]

I can't speak for the Bay, but my Minn Kota 55T Maxxum moves my 16' Star Craft all over inland lakes all day for 2 days before it needs a charge. I specifically got the Maxxum version due to its capacity to run longer on a charge - and it does. Quite efficient in my opinion.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/motors/detail.asp?pg=ftm_maxxum

[RJF]

My boat (1700 Sylvan Pro Select) weighs about 1,700 pounds, plus people and gear. I have a bow mount Min-Kota Power Drive 55 pound thrust, with the Auto Pilot. I’ve been on Saginaw Bay a couple times. I’ve trolled four hours with no loss of performance. I’m sure I could go quite a bit more, as the battery gauge still says one mark less than full charge. My battery is a Delco Voyager 27F series. Heavy bugger, but it has some power.

When trolling on the Bay, I wanted 1.5 miles per hour. I had to go past the six on the 0 – 10 speed dialer to get there. I wish I had a 24 volt system. I have room for two dedicated batteries, but not a third. My boat is wide (84 inch beam) and a heavy 90 horse outboard on the Stern. Mine works, well. I think I’d be better served with more thrust, but I have no interest in spending the extra money now. What I have works very well.

The bow mount works great. I would not give up the Auto-pilot. When working in-line planers you can keep control of the boat without having a full time driver.

[waterfoul]

This is an easy question to answer. Get the most powerful motor and battery package you can afford. Plain and simple. 55 lbs might be o.k.... until you are trying to go upwind and up current. If you can afford it get something in the 70 lb neighborhood and 24 volts. You will never be sorry you did.

If you can only afford a 12 volt system you can run the batteries in series and they will last a very long time without a recharge. I'm running the Maxum 55 on two 24 series deep cycles connected in series and I can litteraly fish from dawn to dusk on a single charge. An onboard battery charger is also a good idea... get home and plug it in. Then you are done, and fully charged in the morning.

Oh, and BOW MOUNT... it's the only way to go in current.

[tdejong302]

If I run my batteries inline (I assume you mean positive to postive and Neg/neg) when I go to charge my batteries will the charger only charge one battery at a time or will it charge both. If it charges both will it only charge both to the lowest charge of the two batteries. So if I have a weak battery will it charge them both to the weak charge. If it only charges them to the weaker charge should you charge both seperatly even though they are connected inline.


Finally one last question in reference to this. If I run my batteries inline and get a onboard charger that can charge two batteries at the same time. I assume it will fix the problem of trying to charge one battery at a time inline and the charger shutting off when one battery reaches its full charge.

As you can see I am pretty illiterate in how chargers and batteries work. I appreciate your input.

[just ducky]

This is an easy question to answer. Get the most powerful motor and battery package you can afford. Plain and simple. 55 lbs might be o.k.... until you are trying to go upwind and up current. If you can afford it get something in the 70 lb neighborhood and 24 volts. You will never be sorry you did.

If you can only afford a 12 volt system you can run the batteries in series and they will last a very long time without a recharge. I'm running the Maxum 55 on two 24 series deep cycles connected in series and I can litteraly fish from dawn to dusk on a single charge. An onboard battery charger is also a good idea... get home and plug it in. Then you are done, and fully charged in the morning.

Oh, and BOW MOUNT... it's the only way to go in current.

I can't justify a top of the line trolling motor because I'll use it fishing maybe 8 or 10 times a year max. So I'm thinking 55 bow mount would do me for my boat size. And again, since I don't use it a ton, not going to go into a 24 V system. Would a single deep cycle battery get me 4 to 6 hours of running time in normal conditions?

I know I'll get lots of opinions on this question, but is there one brand that is generally rated higher quality? I've had minn-kotas, and been satisfied. But again, I'm not a hard user, so my opinion means nothing.

[ESOX]

Second question...My previous experience with trolling motors is very limited, but the battery I had gave me enough power for about two hours at full thrust.

A 24V 70# running at 55# thrust uses a lot less juice than a 12V 55# running wide open.
Get the bigger motor. Buy a Minn-Kota. All others are junk compared to the Minns.:)

[Flash]

Speaking from my limited experience (last yaer was the first year for my Minn Kota Maxxum 55T) - I have 2 batteries [1 for the Mercury 402 and depth finder and 1 for the Minn Kota]. The Mercury motor is a Wal-Mart HD and the Minn Kota battery is an Interstate from JD Outdoors purchased with my trolling motor. The Minn Kota Interstate battery was charged 3 times last summer with an average of 3-4 times fishing (3-6 hours per time) in between charges. The battery level never dropped below the second light (of 4) thus was never below half charge. I specifically went the extra dollars for the Maxxum due to it being my backup motor if the 402 ever failed (1973 vintage) and I wanted to be sure I had enough juice to get me back to the dock.

I suppose one could drain a charge using the maxxum 55T but I can't imagine me ever doing it. Very efficient trolling motor.

[sfw1960]

PARALLEL .
Series gives you 24V and we don't want fried electronics.....
Parallel will give you 12V with a huge CURRENT reserve.
:p


This is an easy question to answer. Get the most powerful motor and battery package you can afford. Plain and simple. 55 lbs might be o.k.... until you are trying to go upwind and up current. If you can afford it get something in the 70 lb neighborhood and 24 volts. You will never be sorry you did.

If you can only afford a 12 volt system you can run the batteries in series and they will last a very long time without a recharge. I'm running the Maxum 55 on two 24 series deep cycles connected in series and I can litteraly fish from dawn to dusk on a single charge. An onboard battery charger is also a good idea... get home and plug it in. Then you are done, and fully charged in the morning.

Oh, and BOW MOUNT... it's the only way to go in current.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

A 24V 70# running at 55# thrust uses a lot less juice than a 12V 55# running wide open.
Get the bigger motor. Buy a Minn-Kota. All others are junk compared to the Minns.:)

Definitely 24v is better than 12v.

4-6 hours on a 12v is about right (but not on full power) If you go with 2-12v in paralell, you might as well go to 24v system, much better.

[just ducky]

Definitely 24v is better than 12v.

4-6 hours on a 12v is about right (but not on full power) If you go with 2-12v in paralell, you might as well go to 24v system, much better.

Yeah good point. Is there anywhere on the web some cheat-sheet info for wiring them in parallel, or do you have to be an electrical engineer to do it? I'd like to do it myself...is it difficult?

[ESOX]

Parallel wiring: Just hook the two positives from the batteries to the positive lead on the motor. The two negatives from the batteries to the negative lead on the motor.

[Priority1]

Yeah good point. Is there anywhere on the web some cheat-sheet info for wiring them in parallel, or do you have to be an electrical engineer to do it? I'd like to do it myself...is it difficult?

It's not rocket science. Parallel battery wiring simply means positive to positive and negative to negative. With this wiring you will have 12-13 volts to the load, and both batteries will draw down somewhat equally. Put a 12 volt charger on and both batteries charge.:) It's not a bad idea to have a inexpensive multimeter to check your work or to troubleshoot your electrical system. If you don't understand simple wiring it may be best to get someone who does.:) Equipment is expensive and can be destroyed by improper wiring.

[just ducky]

...It's not a bad idea to have a inexpensive multimeter to check your work or to troubleshoot your electrical system.

Got one already.

...Equipment is expensive and can be destroyed by improper wiring.

Which is exactly why I asked. I understand the basics, but I've never rigged two batteries this way so I thought there may be more to it.

Thanks guys for the advice.

So is everyone basically in agreement about Minn-Kota being the best brand?

[paulywood]

Check this out:

http://www.freesunpower.com/battery_diagrams.php

[chamookman]

Minn Kotas simpley stated RULE ! C-man

[waterfoul]

Well crap, series... parallel... all I know is mine are hooked up correctly for 12 volts and lots of reserve power. So... parallel it is!!

As I stated though...go with a Minn Kota and as much thrust as you can afford. A good battery is also a must... go with as many amp hours as you can afford here also.

[flinch]

Something else to consider are the features of the motor. In my opinion I wouldn't buy anything but a Minn Kota with autopilot and copilot. The copilot uses a fob to run the motor from anywhere in the boat without foot pedals or any wires. It doesn't get more convenient than that. I use a 55 pound 12 volt on my 16 foot starcraft and it goes all day with a 27 series gel battery. But my boat weighs 1100 pounds dry with a 75 merc 2 stroke. So with a couple people and gear the weight still isn't too bad and the motor is usually set in the mid range speed for trolling. It really moves at high speed and I sometimes use high speed to move around smaller lakes instead of starting the main motor.

[sfw1960]

Something else to consider are the features of the motor. In my opinion I wouldn't buy anything but a Minn Kota with autopilot and copilot. The copilot uses a fob to run the motor from anywhere in the boat without foot pedals or any wires. It doesn't get more convenient than that. I use a 55 pound 12 volt on my 16 foot starcraft and it goes all day with a 27 series gel battery. But my boat weighs 1100 pounds dry with a 75 merc 2 stroke. So with a couple people and gear the weight still isn't too bad and the motor is usually set in the mid range speed for trolling. It really moves at high speed and I sometimes use high speed to move around smaller lakes instead of starting the main motor.

I wish I could afford the co-pilot!
:lol:
I have a similar sized/weight open boat (16'1") and I run a 70LB - 24V [W/2-DC24 batteries] system and I sometimes wish I had more LBs thrust!!

I wouldn't go back to 12V ever!

:p


Well crap, series... parallel... all I know is mine are hooked up correctly for 12 volts and lots of reserve power. So... parallel it is!!

Ladies & Gents... Mike almost apologized for slinging BOGUS info!!! (And possibly sm0king someone else's gear)

:smile-mad

[flinch]

I wish I could afford the co-pilot!
:lol:
I have a similar sized/weight open boat (16'1") and I run a 70LB - 24V [W/2-DC24 batteries] system and I sometimes wish I had more LBs thrust!!

I wouldn't go back to 12V ever!

Geez, do you even need a regular motor with that setup? And c'mon sfw, with as much fishing as you probably do and the cost of all those batteries, you could afford to throw the copilot in the mix for 150 bucks. You know it isn't that much extra.

[1mainiac]

Well I don't want to mess up anyone minds here but first off voltage is key to a DC motor. One thing that becomes a issue is the controller which varies the voltage to the motor I have ran several of the older 12v Minn Kota trolling motors at 18 and 24v however they did not have the auto pilot or remote control. Some time when you get bored go look at some of the electric dragsters out there some of these guys are running 48v forklift motors at 480v making 700 plus ftlbs of torque and 400 to 500 hp. Imagine making a 8 sec pass in a car that the only sound is the tires spinning. If I could get a low cost lightweight battery bank I would consider replacing the V8 in my boat with electric power. Maybe I could get a gov grant to pay for it total silence at 40 mph in a 26 ft boat would be cool. Dead batteries 12 mi from the dock would suck though. Ok back to the OP no matter how you slice it more voltage is better for the motors and the batteries once you get past the up front cost you will never consider going back to a lower voltage system.

[sfw1960]

Geez, do you even need a regular motor with that setup? And c'mon sfw, with as much fishing as you probably do and the cost of all those batteries, you could afford to throw the copilot in the mix for 150 bucks. You know it isn't that much extra.


I have 4 batteries onboard.

I have an OLD Minn Kota 70AT which is not CP capable .... meaning that I would need to spend $1k+ to have that option - so .............

You got a grand that I could HAVE??
I'll let you have my old motor............
:lol:

[RJF]

The cries for more power, I suspect, are from guys who are fishing the Detroit River, fighting the current. My 55 pound Minn Kota moves my 1700 pound boat plenty fast. I can easily troll constantly for four hours and the battery gauge shows one dot less than a full charge. I'm not fighting a current. I fish lakes, not rivers. Two batteries add quite a bit if weight.

Like I said earlier, if I did it over I might get a 24 volt system, but I doubt I would be better served. I'd put the money into the Auto-Pilot. I'm sure I would prefer the 12 volt Auto-Pilot than the 24 volt without it.

[Lucky Dog]

Which 16' Lund do you have, how much dos it weigh?

[just ducky]

Which 16' Lund do you have, how much dos it weigh?

It's an Alaskan...Don't have the specs in front of me (& too lazy to surf for them :evilsmile) but I'm guessing the boat dry is 1000 lbs, plus a 50hp merc 2 stroke. Not overly heavy, but heavy enough.

[yellowbelly80]

I have 4 batteries onboard.

I have an OLD Minn Kota 70AT which is not CP capable .... meaning that I would need to spend $1k+ to have that option - so .............

You got a grand that I could HAVE??
I'll let you have my old motor............
:lol:
i picked up the 65at 24v on craigslist for 150 it was never used how is the 70at on the rivers

[Lucky Dog]

It's an Alaskan...Don't have the specs in front of me (& too lazy to surf for them :evilsmile) but I'm guessing the boat dry is 1000 lbs, plus a 50hp merc 2 stroke. Not overly heavy, but heavy enough.

If it is a tiller it should be a bit under 900 if it is a console boat a bot over 900 lbs. I don't think that boat comes with battery holders for a trolling motor, so you will have to let space dictate how many batteries you you put on board. They add a lot of weight and take up a lot of space.
As was said earlier, get as big as you can afford, but that being said, I think 24 volts wold be the max I'd go. 50 to 70 pounds of thrust should be enough.

It sounds like you are going to want a bow mount instead of an EM or transom mount because of the D river fishing, jigging I assume.
If you are going to do a lot of trolling, I'd avoid a cable drive and go with some kind of motor drive unit, the motor drive will at least stay in the direction you leave it. Or go with an auto pilot.

For all day trolling, Id go with a 24 volt motor or at least a dual 12 V system.
The bigger the thrust you go with the less power you will use to maintain a trolling speed, so your batteries should last longer.

Keep in mind that trolling with electric is best at around 1.5 mph or slower, anything more than that and you will just burn up your batteries. use your gas motor for faster trolling.

Good Luck

[just ducky]

If it is a tiller it should be a bit under 900 if it is a console boat a bot over 900 lbs. I don't think that boat comes with battery holders for a trolling motor, so you will have to let space dictate how many batteries you you put on board. They add a lot of weight and take up a lot of space.
As was said earlier, get as big as you can afford, but that being said, I think 24 volts wold be the max I'd go. 50 to 70 pounds of thrust should be enough.

It sounds like you are going to want a bow mount instead of an EM or transom mount because of the D river fishing, jigging I assume.
If you are going to do a lot of trolling, I'd avoid a cable drive and go with some kind of motor drive unit, the motor drive will at least stay in the direction you leave it. Or go with an auto pilot.

For all day trolling, Id go with a 24 volt motor or at least a dual 12 V system.
The bigger the thrust you go with the less power you will use to maintain a trolling speed, so your batteries should last longer.

Keep in mind that trolling with electric is best at around 1.5 mph or slower, anything more than that and you will just burn up your batteries. use your gas motor for faster trolling.

Good Luck

It's a console...sorry, left that out before. Most of my use will be the St. Clair River not the Detroit River (similar conditions as the Detroit though), and basically using the trolling motor to slow your current drift for vertical jigging and drifting. Pretty common on the SCR or lower Lake Huron north of the Blue Water Bridge. I don't do much regular trolling in slack water like a big inland lake, but I can see your point about speed. If I were doing a lot of that, a small kicker would be in order.

[Lucky Dog]

It's a console...sorry, left that out before. Most of my use will be the St. Clair River not the Detroit River (similar conditions as the Detroit though), and basically using the trolling motor to slow your current drift for vertical jigging and drifting. Pretty common on the SCR or lower Lake Huron north of the Blue Water Bridge. I don't do much regular trolling in slack water like a big inland lake, but I can see your point about speed. If I were doing a lot of that, a small kicker would be in order.

If your main use is going to be jigging, I'd think a 12V 55 lb would be enough, if you start running out of power you can always add another battery to increase the life.

[sfw1960]

i picked up the 65at 24v on craigslist for 150 it was never used how is the 70at on the rivers
Nice buy....
I don't fish rivers (generally) since I have a deep V - but I put in plenty of time with winds kinda like what we have going on , just NOT as bad!

:yikes: :yikes: :yikes: