What trolling motor should I put on my Trophy 205

[Boosey]

I'm rigging a new Alumacraft Trophy 205 and am wondering what trolling motor I should put on it. Would a Minn Kota 24V 80# 60" shaft Terrova ipilot move that 20+' boat and stay in the water with waves on Leech Lake. I see Cabelas has a 72" version. Is that overkill? Should I go 112# 36V? Is anyone running a similar boat that can comment to help me please. Much Appreciated.

[CaptainMusky]

The length of the boat will definitely negatively impact a short shaft trolling motor in big waves. I don't have your boat but I have a 185 tournament sport that's 18'11". I used a 54" shaft for nearly 4 years and 95% of the time it was fine. Fished mille lacs, vermilion, low in some sizeable waves too. But you have a healthy foot more length and added weight. I really think you should got 36 volt. The longer shaft wouldn't be a bad idea but not sure its necessary. The trophy does have a higher freeboard but that's all in the back so the front should be similar to mine. I now have a 60" motor guide 80# and that baby moves my boat up over 3.5mph. The new new xi5 are sweet motors give em a look too.

[Kyhl]

I have a 60" on a Tourney 175. I wouldn't want anything shorter and don't know that I would want anything longer but you probably have a lot more room in the bow for storage when it's up.

Good to hear about the Motor Guide. I only get 2.7mph out of my 70# Minnkota on the 175. So it's only used for casting, jigging, and rigging. It's not fast enough for trolling.

I would think an 80# would be bare minimum for a 205 and would probably opt for a 101# has a happy medium and go bigger if possible and money was available.

[delcecchi]

I have a 60" on a Tourney 175. I wouldn't want anything shorter and don't know that I would want anything longer but you probably have a lot more room in the bow for storage when it's up.

Good to hear about the Motor Guide. I only get 2.7mph out of my 70# Minnkota on the 175. So it's only used for casting, jigging, and rigging. It's not fast enough for trolling.

I would think an 80# would be bare minimum for a 205 and would probably opt for a 101# has a happy medium and go bigger if possible and money was available.

My big motor trolls at around 2.5 mph. I use the electric for trolling up to like 1.8 or so. If I wanted to troll in between I would put the bow mount down or trim the big motor up.

[Kyhl]

Del, I have Merc's Troll Control through the Merc Smart Monitor. The motor trolls down to 2.5mph

It would be nice to not put hours on the main motor when trolling four hours at a time. I doubt the trolling motor will run hours a day either when running at 10. Maybe it's time to invest in a kicker.

[Boosey]

Thanks for the input guys. After doing some more research I opted for the 80#, 60" It will be used mostly for positioning, and trolling at speeds 2 mph or less. Anything faster for trolling will be the kicker motor. This should cover all the bases.

[delcecchi]

Del, I have Merc's Troll Control through the Merc Smart Monitor. The motor trolls down to 2.5mph

It would be nice to not put hours on the main motor when trolling four hours at a time. I doubt the trolling motor will run hours a day either when running at 10. Maybe it's time to invest in a kicker.

Kickers are nice for that kind of thing. I don't think trolling for 4 hours at a reasonable speed is within the capability of an electric, unless you have room for like 4 golf cart batteries.

I don't troll for hours at a time (and I have a kicker) so no problem. I can use whatever seems like a good idea.

[Northlander]

I would go as big as you have room for and can afford. The 80# will be good on most days but in big winds you will like the 36 volt better.

I have a 80# on a 17' Lund Explorer and there are days I wish I had a 36 volt system.