Printable View
Hey guys, I need some advice from folks with experience! I have a 18ft G3 w/90 yamaha and trolling motor has went bad and need to buy one. The boat is wired for 12v and has 46lb TM that will not pull good if current is strong! I am wondering if 12v 55lb is big enough or do I need to go up to 70lb 24v? The only problem with 24v is the boat has no where to put batteries except in floor up front!
Another 9#'s of thrust isn't going to jerk that boat around if 46#'s isn't doing it for ya. There just isn't much ooomph in that amount of thrust. Sounds like 24 volts and a battery box is in the future. At least 70#. 80# is better! ;)
You'll be happy with the 24v 70 lb thrust...Not that much more money and worth every penny!!!
I have a 17 foot G-3 V170-T. It's the deep V model which requires more umpt to push it. I have the 55# AP motor on it, and it's adequate, but in strong winds or current could use more power. I too have no place for another battery, so for now I just live with the motor I have. Going from a 46# to a 55# is almost 20% more power, if your boat is a Mod-V or flat bottom it may get you by. I get 2 mph with my 55# with no wind or current.
I have a 16ft modified V with a Minn Kota Terrova 55lb. It is adequate, but just adequate. I wish I would have gone the 24 volt route. If you can figure out how to get the second battery installed go that way. You won't regret it.
24v all the way! I have a 70# on my 18' polarkraft. Have never had an issue, or ran out of juice. MO power is always better.
I remember when my old Sigma 14 was King of the Lake...:)
Minn kota recommends you take the weight of the hull of the boat and add the weight of the max. allowed contents (motor, occupants, tackle, accessories, etc.)...devide this by 200 , then multiply by 5 to get the lbs thrust you need.
I checked this against my boat which is currently using a 36 lb. thrust TM and the numbers say almost 40 (which would actually be a bit better on windy days). So I think it's pretty close. Hope this helps.:)