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i see lots of posts from time to time about variable speed trolling motors. is it that important? does it control your speed that much better? does it work better than a 5 speed trolling motor? is there that much difference between speeds? i guess i always thought that if you wanted to go slower then you go down a number. if you wanted to go faster then turn it up a number?
I can tell you this...I have a Motor Guide on my pontoon with 5 speeds. On the very lowest speed its will run about 1.0 to 1.2 mph. That is a little to fast for me, with the variable you can control the speed and keep it down to .5 or less. I just bought a Minn Kota Power Drive...hadn't had time to put it on yet...but that was my reasons.
depends on how you fish. If you only use your boat to get from one fishing spot to another, a 5 speed is OK. But if you like to slowly move the boat, whether for positioning or trolling or pushing corks or whatever, then a variable speed will let you find just the right amount of control.
In one of my boats I have a 5 speed and even the lowest speed is too fast. A drift sock still doesn't slow it down enough. A variable speed would let me crawl along as fast or slow as I want.
I just bought a Motor Guide Dgital 75# thrust trolling motor. I can't wait to get it on and try it out!
Well said..;)Quote:
Originally Posted by wasabi
Lots of reasons for variable speed and only one for 5 speed and that is price.
If trolling you have to control speed, and i never seemed to get just the right speed with a 5 speed tm. If easing up on a stump or laydown you want to control speed and noise if you approach with the steady hum of an always on motor vs the vibration on then off will spook some of the fish. and my maximizer lasts much longer on one charge than my old 5 speed tm. roughly the same thrust.
I have a Minn Kota Power Driver with Auto Pilot. I love the variable speed because I can choose my own speed. Yes, I think variable speed it important because when the fish get picky, speed can mean everything. I just dial in the speed I want.
got to have one if you troll. How else you going to get that magic .7mph number?
I ain't got one on my Job boat. It got a 5 speed Motorguide. I drag a 5 gallon bucket if need to go slow. Works fine. Cheap too.
I might convert ones of these days.
I have an old 5 speed OMC 12/24 on my 17' deep V fiberglass bass boat and have never had a problem getting it slow enough for my spider rigging type fishing, don't know how it would work on a flat bottom alum jon. That said my next TM will be a MK variable speed whenever this motor goes out. I have to say the OMC has been the best TM I ever had. So easy to steer, deploy and stow. Don't know how many ropes I have had to replace.
I'd love to have a variable speed trolling motor, it's just too bad how expensive they are. Having bought a 997 a year ago, it'll be a while before I make another large purchase for my boat. Like most, my transom mounted trolling motor will only go as slow as 1.0-1.2 mph, so to slow it down even more I will tilt the motor as much as needed to get the speed I want.
Boat control is the most important thing in fishing. A variable speed trolling is very important. I have a 101 lb 36v Minn Kota Maxxum. It is a must!!! The first thing I tell people when they are setting up a boat is they must have a variable speed TM. Speed is very important.
A big advantage of the variable speed motors is power consumption. A 5-speed motor uses a speed coil to control motor speed. They use full power at all settings, with the extra being given off as heat. The variable pulses the power on and off rapidly to control the motor speed. This can increase battery life quite a bit at any speed lower than 100%.
I agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by CatFan
The only problem with PWM vs speed coils is that the Variable has a much higher failure rate. MHO
This can be verified by any repair shop.
Not sure I believe the part about it drawing the same amount of power at all speeds. I can drain my battery a hell of a lot faster on high speed compared to when I troll on low speed. I have the MK Endura 30/30" TM. All I need for a 14' aluminum shallow V boat.
I could see where too big of a trolling motor would move the boat too fast. Kind of like sticking a V8 in a Cavalier. Bigger isn't always better.
I have a Motorguide Brute 5 speed and run it on 24v all time. I can get as slow as I want or fast enough to move across the lake without cranking the big motor. I find the motor to be more efficient on 24v, and the batteries discharge equally. I have a Dual Pro Extreme charger which charges your trolling batteries while running down the lake. You would be surprised at the additional charge this charger gives through your big motor alternator. Yeah, I know, ask me what time it is and I will tell you how to build a wristwatch!