trolling motors?

I have a 17 1/2' deep-v and upgraded from a 30# 12v to a 71# 24v and absolutely hated every minute that motor was on my boat. Besides being just too fast, it seemed pretty had on batteries as well. I sold that motor and bought a 55# digital. Yeah, there are some days I could uses more but I'm glad I made the switch back to 12V. I still use 2 batteries and the digital has less draw so it works well for me.
One advantage to 12v is if my main battery dies, I can pull one of my TM batteries and just keep fishing.
I have done this twice.

My 1860 Triton has a Minn Kota Maxxum Pro 80# 24v, it's variable speed. I can slow it down to nothing or blast off. Trolling motors are like hot rod cars, you can't have too much power.

I havent noticed any real difficulties in batt. life. I carry a spare battery "just in case", but have never had to swap over, even after 6-8 hours of fishin
tom

What do ya'll think about motorguide? I found a 55lb motorguide bow mount that is wireless.

I owned a MotorGuide once, it was ok. Now I have a Minn Kota and like it way better than the MotorGuide.

I've had both MG and MK. I currently own a Motorguide 55# digital. Mine is a foot control. Would I buy it again? Yes.
I feel you can't go wrong with either brand. They both have there followers.
Look for the features you want. in the price range you can afford. Then get out fishing.

as long as ur not wanting an ipilot or the autopilot features,the motorguide would be fine.i use two batteries for my 12volt 55 powerdrive ,don`t need the extra battery until summer when i troll cranks.i had them wired in parrall but one battery kept pulling the other down,so now i have installed some quickdisconnects and just switch from one two the other when one dies.

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Originally Posted by blueball

as long as ur not wanting an ipilot or the autopilot features,the motorguide would be fine.i use two batteries for my 12volt 55 powerdrive ,don`t need the extra battery until summer when i troll cranks.i had them wired in parrall but one battery kept pulling the other down,so now i have installed some quickdisconnects and just switch from one two the other when one dies.

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Jamie, I have thought a lot about it and I'm going to go with minnkota 55lb power drive. That way I can upgrade like your talking about. We had nice 8point walk in front of my wife's car Wednesday night, he was chasing a doe.:) Thanks,Lynn

Thank you all for the help!:)

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Originally Posted by majflyboy

I know you said you want to stay with 12 volt, but if space for an additional battery is available do the 24 volt. I have a Tracker 175 pro crappie that came with a MG 46lb that I replaced with a Terrova, 80lb US2, i-pilot, 24 volt and I wouldn't consider trying to fish without it now. I fish alone and pull cranks mostly.

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I would second that choice of TM for your boat. You could do without the US2 to save a few bucks but that's up to you. Aluminum boats can be a genuine pain to control in the wind as I'm sure you already know. The new PD motors are better than the pd40 I had a few years ago. With that motor it will be more accurate and more hands off than any other motor out here once you learn how to use it. And what they're saying about the bigger, the better is spot on. Better too big and not used than needed and not there.