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| Looking for any advice on this series from Minnkota. Went to a local dealer, told him of my boat length, weight, motor weight etc. He said I wouldn't need anything stronger. It uses a 12v system. Has that Maximizer system. He said that a bow mount uses less juice than a transom mount, and that the deeper the prop is in the water, the less energy it uses. Is this salesman bs?? I don't know a thing about this so help me out here.....pleeeease! Thanks, Bruce. |
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Posts: 7083
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | What is your boat width and length? |
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| Boat is a 16 foot aluminum, 75" beam, weighs 310 lbs. Have a 105 lb 15hp Honda on the back. If both of us are in the boat, weight of boat, motor, fishermen etc. would be around 850 lbs. |
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Posts: 147
Location: WI - Land of small muskies and big jawbones | 40lbs might be enough for that boat but if it were me I would go with more lbs of thrust than that. If you need to stay with a 12v system I'm pretty sure MK makes one around 50lbs or so of thrust. |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Here's a " for what it's worth".
One of my boats is a welded hull Alumacraft model "Waterfowl 16", I have a 25hp four stroke Yami on the back. Suspect my loaded weight ratio is very similar to yours.
I have a 36 pound transom mount MK 12 volt and a bow mount power drive that is 40lb thrust 12v. Both have more than enough power to move that boat just fine.
Bear in mind I only use this boat fishing small river systems or smaller lakes. It's primary use is for waterfowl hunting and I remove the trolling motors for that purpose. But when I have used it with the trolling motors the lower thrust 12volt work just fine.
Good luck |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | I have talked to a lot of pros and people in the business on this and the advice that kept coming up was the lb. thrust that is recommended by the manufacturer is good but from everyone that I have talked to about this is to always go one model up to not only give you enough power but also if you are out on the lake and you have high winds that extra power will come in handy. For example, our boat we could get away with 65# of thrust easily, but I opted to go with the 74# maxxum that can really move me around for those days I'm out for 14 hours straight! Look at it this way, it's better to be overprepared than unprepared. The worst thing that can happen on the water is to be underpowered and not be able to go where you want when you want because you don't have the equipment to do so. But that's my opinion.
Edited by Merckid 10/19/2006 11:12 AM
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| I would agree go one size bigger...go with something like a 50lb or so and that will be plenty...40 may be enough for 99% of the time but I would think for a few extra bucks you can jump up one size.
Also, check with your local minn kota dealer about getting a 'reconditioned' one...they get them right from minn kota and come with full warranties and look brand new! you can save about 30% off retail of a 'new' one... |
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| Thanks for all the replies. Cabelas offers some 50's whereas the local dealer goes to a 55. Saw in the brochure that a 17 footer is the max for a 40PD. Dealer said it was more than enough. I doubt I will keep the 30 transom on the boat at all. Thanks again. |
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