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Posts: 42
Location: North MN | I am looking at purchasing a trolling motor for my boat. It's a light aluminum boat weighing in at 600 pounds.
I'm wondering how much thrust I should be looking for. I want enough thrust that I'll be able to keep my boat steady in windy conditions. I'm not looking to spend over $1,000 dollars.... I need a foot-pedal as well since this will be a pedestal setup. Should I be looking to buy new, used, or refurbished? What types of Minn-Kotas are the best? Thanks....
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Posts: 409
Location: Almond, WI | I've got a PowerDrive V2 70lbs on a slightly heavier boat, rarely go about 4-ish. I had a PowerDrive 50lbs on it originally which was a little light...okay on calm days but windy ones I'd be on 8+. |
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Posts: 422
| Check with a local MinnKota service center, they will sometimes have refurbished trolling motors for sale with warrantee. |
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Posts: 1023
| DO NOT BUY A 55lb THRUST!
Trust me - buy a 70 or 80 pound 24v.
54-60" shaft too.
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Posts: 1283
| I have a 55 Terrova on my 17ft bass boat(much heavier then your boat). When its really ruff you need to turn up the power but most the time its set around 4 and last for days without a recharge. |
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Posts: 1675
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | I went 80 lb Terrova and I have no issues at all. My boat is in the 800 lb range at 17' for comparison. Dad has a 55 on his 16' Lund and it is not enough when the wind is 10-15 to fish more than a few hours. We both wished his boat layout would allow a 24 volt system. |
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Posts: 668
Location: mercer wi | Spend the couple extra bucks. I have a 55# powerdrive n wish I would of spent extra for 70#. |
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Posts: 270
Location: SE WISCONSIN | I would also recommend a 24volt 70lb motor |
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Posts: 228
Location: Tinley Park, IL | Landry - 8/14/2015 11:05 PM
DO NOT BUY A 55lb THRUST!
Trust me - buy a 70 or 80 pound 24v.
54-60" shaft too.
Disagree with this.
For a 600 lb boat, a 55 lb thrust will be more than enough.
I have run a 17.5' deep V with a 55 lb Powerdrive for over 10 years and as a bassguy I run the TM nonstop. Plus, my boat is 2x as heavy as your's. About the only time I ever remember the motor not being strong enough was in some 35 mi/hr winds. |
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Posts: 1023
| A 24v hugely extends your running time.
I got by with a 12v on my 850# 2003 Fish Hawk + 300# 4 stroke. If it was windy, I struggled. If I was in heavy weeds it fouled.
The 24v rips through weeds better and easily lasts from dawn to dusk. It may "work" for Paul but a 24v would work waaaaay better.
Paul is likely correct - A 55lb will likely move a 600# boat okay. You could use two batteries for it as well. A 12v is inferior in the ways listed above though and definitely a poor choice for heavier boats than yours.
Edited by Landry 8/16/2015 9:52 AM
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Posts: 246
| When I had a 12 volt TM, I brought 2 batteries along so I had enough power to get back. Go with a 24v 70+lb motor, you won't regret it. |
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Posts: 83
Location: Des Moines Iowa | I have a 17' Lund and a 55lb. Not enough. Am looking at an 80lb |
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Posts: 211
Location: Wisconsin | My first 1750 fishhawk had a 55 pound 12 volt set up on it and my new one has an 80 pound 24 volt and i would never go back to the 55/12 system. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | I have a 55 lb on my Esox Ltd. I believe the boat weighs 800 lbs. Low to the water though so minimal sail. I have never had an issue with power. Most of the times I am running prop speed of 2.5-4.5. At top speed I can get 2.5-2.6 mph out of it. I did put two batteries in. Was able to run it on 10 speed for 5 hours straight earlier this spring while trolling for trout/salmon. |
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Posts: 323
Location: Elk River, MN | Paul S - 8/16/2015 9:26 AM
Landry - 8/14/2015 11:05 PM
DO NOT BUY A 55lb THRUST!
Trust me - buy a 70 or 80 pound 24v.
54-60" shaft too.
Disagree with this.
For a 600 lb boat, a 55 lb thrust will be more than enough.
I have run a 17.5' deep V with a 55 lb Powerdrive for over 10 years and as a bassguy I run the TM nonstop. Plus, my boat is 2x as heavy as your's. About the only time I ever remember the motor not being strong enough was in some 35 mi/hr winds.
With such a light boat you won't have a problem with whatever you find. You'll have no problem with a 50/55 12v system especially with 2 batteries. Obviously a 24v will give you even more, but I never had a problem running a 50 12v on a much heavier aluminum boat.
Shop around and see what you can find used, you've got lots of options that'll fit your boat. Just make sure you get something with autopilot.
Edited by Espy 8/4/2016 9:05 AM
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Posts: 228
Location: Tinley Park, IL | Didn't realize this was an old post and I already responded.
Edited by Paul S 8/4/2016 3:30 PM
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Posts: 22
| My 16 foot boat is maybe about 200 pounds heavier than yours but it sits fairly high in the water. I have never regretted upgrading to a 70 lb thrust TM. It cost $450 slightly used.
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Posts: 1126
Location: Minnesota. | muski_n00b - 8/11/2015 12:59 AM
I am looking at purchasing a trolling motor for my boat. It's a light aluminum boat weighing in at 600 pounds.
I'm wondering how much thrust I should be looking for. I want enough thrust that I'll be able to keep my boat steady in windy conditions. I'm not looking to spend over $1,000 dollars.... I need a foot-pedal as well since this will be a pedestal setup. Should I be looking to buy new, used, or refurbished? What types of Minn-Kotas are the best? Thanks....
A good trolling motor is one of the BEST investments you'll make on your boat. Get a good/powerful one!
Good rule to follow is "I'm too poor to buy cheap!". I use that often and it's paid off. |
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Posts: 612
| My Boat only weighs in at > 500 pounds, a small V hull at 14.5'. I do just fine with a 55 pound trolling motor. I do use a large sized group 31 battery. |
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