Thread: How much thrust?

I have a 16' aluminum jon boat and I have a 46 lb Motor guide. I want to move up to the 80 lb 24V Ulterra when I get the funds scrapped up. That means I will have to have two batteries for the TM instead of just one.
You would need anywhere from 40 to 60 lbs of thrust to move that boat of yours around easily. If you plan on trolling a lot then go with a 24v so you can troll longer. If you just plan on doing trolling part of the time then a 46-54 lb thrust should do you well.
Make sure you get a TM with speed adjustment instead of the set numbers to adjust speed. It is much easier to set your speed with a percentage of power than a set speed on a dial. Like mine has 5 speed settings. But when I slow troll I can't use the slowest setting as it goes too fast. I have to keep hitting and letting off to adjust the slower speed. With a dial you can dial in the correct speed and troll without having to keep pushing the pedal.
The hand held wireless units are the best!
Go here..Freshwater Bow-Mount | Ulterra | Minn Kota Motors and select "thrust/volts" and use the slider to see how much thrust is needed for your boat weight.
Good luck!

Unless you do a lot of trolling like pulling cranks or Longlining jigs. The 12 volt 55 is all you will ever need if you use a group 29 or 31 battery.

Had a guy tell me that 3lbs of thrust per foot of boat you have bare minimum. And there is no such thing as too much.

I might possibly be doing a little more trolling. I am going to try to learn how to walleye fish this year a little more so trolling a bottom bouncer or cranks 3-4 hours is a possibility. With that said, I will look at the 24 volt in the 60-80lb range. Thank you as always for your help everyone.

Yeah ... TM thrust is a lot like outboard horsepower ... you want as much as you can get, so you can have it when you need it, and not have to use it all when you don't. Just knowing it's there when you do find yourself needing it, will give you the confidence to try a variety of fishing methods ... and not stress over whether or not your batteries or the thrust will confine you to any time limit or specific methods.

... cp

Originally Posted by parratt1

Hey everyone I have a 1970ish 16' aluminum v made by mirrocraft. I would say 90% of the time, it'll be just myself in the boat, with the occasional second adult and or couple of kiddos. Boat is pretty basic, just has a smaller casting deck up front which I may very well remove. Looking to get a new trolling motor to mount on the bow. Can't really decide how much I need. I mainly fish standing timber, but with the new motors having the anchor via gps, might use that some for suspended fish.
As always, thank you!

Its like a 4 Wheel drive your stuck in the mud without one!! The biggest you can afford.You can turn the power back if not needed you cannot add if you have'nt got it.

I run my 55 on a 1754 Wareagle. Pull cranks and longline plus spider rig. Run 2 group 27 batteries. Can rig or long line all day. Pulling cranks if breezy at all about 4 hrs. If you think that's what your going to do any at all go with the 24 and you won't be disappointed. If I had it to do over again that's what I would do even though I'm not unhappy with what I have.

Originally Posted by LowePro

Had a guy tell me that 3lbs of thrust per foot of boat you have bare minimum. And there is no such thing as too much.

Minn-Kota told me one time that I needed 2 pounds per foot, yeah right. Had a45 on a 17 ft went to 55 and now I'm at 80 and I'm happy Holds my boat with plenty to spare if it gets windy. Like they say you can't have too much