Electrict Trolling Motor Suggestions

[Tyler Holm]

I have a 14' Crestliner V-haul aluminum boat. It has 4 bench seats. Completely empty it probably weights 80pounds. I have a have a 5hp Johnson gas motor that will push it about 8mph with just myself in the boat and about 5mph with myself and another adult.

I’d like to be able to take this boat on the local reservoirs around Rochester as well as take it down streams like the Zumbro River. I’d also like the ability to quietly troll around shallow areas of the backwaters without firing up the noisy gas motor.

What type of trolling motor could you recommend? I’d like to keep it 12volt so to avoid the weight and hassle of 2 batteries. I’m thinking transom mount would be the best option, but I think I could potentially run a bow mount if I had too.

For a transom mount, what length of shaft should I look at? I’m thinking I could get by with a fairly short shaft..30”-36” What brands have proven themselves?

How much thrust is necessary would push 2 (potentially 3) grown men around a reservoir. What would be necessary to battle a river like the Zumbro, Root, or Cannon?

[Chris Haley]

For that boat, I would go with a transom mount Minn Kota Endura in a 50lb thrust and 42" shaft. Price new:$199.00

The reason being with a block of wood to protect the boat, you could even rig it up off the bow and adjust the tilt to straighten it out. This would be why you would want the extra inches of length.

The 50lbs of thrust will handle that boat in any current also. You could get away with a 36lb thrust if only fishing lakes, but in a river or stream you want more power.

[Scarecrow22]

Tyler -

Sounds like we are similar in our fishing habits. I have a 14ft. aluminum rowboat that I completely modified with a platform floor, storage, etc. I run a 40lb thrust MinnKota bow mount (12V) and it has worked extremely well for my needs. Bow vs. transom really depends on where you intend to spend your time. I like to fish from the platform in front so the foot controlled bow mount makes sense. If you are sitting in the back for the bulk of the time, the transom may be the better option. I have always felt pulling the boat along gave me better control once I stopped over-steering.

I picked mine up as a reconditioned at Cabela's last year. Significant savings and never had a problem. Just my $0.02 worth.

[Slyster]

Hey Scarecrow.. I have a 14' boat that I totally modified as well.. storage etc.. I'd love to see what you did! email (address below in sig) me and we can perhaps exchange some pix. I live in Maplewood. Where do you go out fishing?

Oh.. to pitch in.. I have a Maxxum 55# 36" shaft.. works great! Hours and hours on a single charge. Never ran out on a single day. Can get to around 3mph.. replaced my old 30# Endura.. that just didn't do it especially if there was any winds.

[Scarecrow22]

Sly -

Not to take this too far off track, but mine is a 1956 Ted Williams model. A friend gave it to me when they bought a pontoon. He didn't even recognize it two years later.

I will see what pictures I have on disc. If nothing else, I will grab the digital and take some.

I like to hit a wide variety of small lakes on the East side of the cities and the Croix out of Hudson. Would be willing to expand my horizons...

[Tyler Holm]

Thanks guys, I can't wait to get that thing bought and installed. The wife hates these high gas prices and it was pretty easy to sell her on the fact that this new electric motor will eliminate my boat gas expense as I plan on it basically replacing my gas motor.

Any other suggestions... I need to buy a battery as well, and a battery case, and a battery charger. Any gotchas or pointers? Brands that work better than others? Am I forgetting anything. I have ZERO electronics in my boat right now (besides my vexilar), and I need to buy everything to mount, run, power, and charge an electric trolling motor.

[Bobby Bass]

NAPA has a 105 amp battery for 65.00 just bought one a week ago been running it hard all week. battery case you can get at walmart or K mart if they are still in stock and buy your self a dual deep cycle / reg battery charger. That way you can use it on your car/truck battery if needed. Buy the biggest trolling motor you can afford. When you run into some head wind or get back in the slop you will be glad that you did. Also the bigger motors and a good battery will actually allow you to troll with your trolling motor.

[Tyler Holm]

All,

Thanks for the help and info. I recently purchased the 55# Endora w/36" shaft, 12volt system. I got the biggest deep cycle battery that Gander Mountain Sold.

I paid $209.00 - 10% (took the display model since it was the last one they had). I'm glad I got the 55# and not anything less. It pushes my boat at a pretty decent pace with 2 adults.