Thread: Which trolling motor?

The 55 lb will work with some limitations on just how much wind,current,boat weight you can deal with. You should install parallel or have switching capability for two 29 class batteries if you want to be really satisfied.

What you really need if you want to cover about every situation is the 80lb 24 volt. The 24 volt will also require two batteries.However,you will not have as much reserve battery capacity because operating on 24 volt requires the batteries in series which develops the higher voltage but not more battery capacity.

Which one will run longer is sort of tricky. The 24 volt develops more thrust with less amperage because of the higher voltage,but in the end you have to pay the piper.There are no free rides,it takes a specific amount of power to push your boat at a specific condition. The 24 generally speaking gets the extra time on the water by virtue of its ability to generate thrust more efficiently with the larger prop thereby being able to do the same work at a lower power setting and thus saving battery power.

If you can afford the more powerful motor by all means buy it. I believe most can be run at 12 volts to which is the best of both worlds. And of course variable speed adds another dimension to find just the right power level.

If you can't get the 55lb and go fishing. You figure out how to work around the limitations.

Keeping the weight down on board and your profile lower to the water helps in the wind.

You want a 250 hp 6 cylinder in that truck or a 350 hp v8? Sort of similar in comparison I think.

24V would definitely be more beneficial whether 70# or 80# Thrust. I have the Minn Kota Power Drive V2 with Auto Pilot 70# Thrust 24 Volt trolling motor. I can pretty much troll all day with no problem as long as I am not trolling into the wind. I have a 19 ft Sylvan that I fish out of.

Sold my 16 ft aluminum boat and let my powerdrive v2 (55#) go with it after negotiating. At the time I figured I wouldn't need it on a bigger boat. But hey, when I get a new boat I get to upgrade my trolling motor! Just trying to figure what I need. Had a 18 ft fiberglass in the past, but didn't use it for fishing, so wasn't sure how to proceed.

On my 17 Wareagle with 2 group 27's and the 55 I'm good for about 4 hrs cranking little longer long lining if the wind isn't blowing. Get the 24 80 and you won't regret it. Wish I had.

I have a 17.5 Aluma Craft, Competitor a big heavy boat, I use the 55# Motor guide and 2 battery's. I don't troll fast pulling crank baits, but I can fish a windy big lake all day long trolling or longlining, no problem. My 2cents worth. There is nothing wrong with going bigger.

Get the biggest and most powerful motor you can afford. You will never regret getting the 24 volt model. I fish out of a 19 ft champion walleye boat that is deap and heavy and I can fish 2 days longlinning in moderate wind with no problems. The new 24 volt motors are only 24 volt and cannot be switched to 12 volt like the older motors.

I think you would be better off in the long run to get the 24 volt. You might as well do it right and since you are doing it right the trolling motor is just as important. I have an Minn Kota Ipilot and that is the best thing I ever bought when I upgraded to it when I bought my new boat. It has a wireless remote which makes trolling easy. I have never had it so good. I can help my wife with the fish she catches and her fishing poles and still steer the boat from the back. The Ipilot has a maximizer built into it and I can troll for at least two days from daylight to dark without recharging even with the wind blowing hard. My boat is a Triton TR18 SE. It is 18.6 foot fiberglass. I struggled with my first trolling motor a Motorguide 12v in my Fisher alum boat. It wore me out when the wind was blowing. The Ipilot you just point in the direction you want to go and you are good. It has a lot of other features that are nice. Out of all the things I have on my boat it is the best thing by far except my wife. LOL. Good luck.

I HAVE A TERROVA I-PILOT 24 VOLT 80 POUND THRUST ON MY RANGER ANGLER 1760. BEST MONEY I HAVE EVER SPENT ON FISHING!!!!!!!! IT CAME WITH A 12 VOLT 55 POUND THRUST AND IT WORKED FINE BUT THE 24 VOLT IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST WAY TO GO.