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| I'm considering buying a used trolling motor on eBay for our muskie trips to Canada where we usually rent boats. I was wondering what the minimum amount of thrust is that I should need to push around a rental.
Boats are aluminum, maybe 16 ft., with 25 HP outboards. Figure in a couple of overweight guys and WAY too many tackle boxes, rods, etc.
Looks like I should be able to pick up a 17 lb. thrust Minn Kota for around $50.
Sound like enough?
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Posts: 20281
Location: oswego, il | 17 is not enough in a wind. If it's calm ok. You need a 36. The minnkota 36 is not that much money, bass pro has them cheap. |
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Posts: 585
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland | I agree with Todd, 17 lbs. is not enough. It also depends on how much you want to spend on what you get. A 12 volt Minnkota motor with 36 pounds is fine and very affordarble for what you want. Also consider the shaft length - you will need something that will fit different sizes of boat transoms. You want the Endura or Turbo models (both have two year warranties) if you fish the average amount of time as most people. Also purchase the largest Marine deep-cycle battery to fit your needs.
If you fish a lot, go to the Maxxims (three year warranty). They cost twice as much but last longer due to efficiency and will run a lot longer on the same battery used for the other motors.
You also might look around for a factory reconditioned 50lb. Minnkota. They are usually on sale in the Spring and run less than $150. I think they come with a one year warrant.
Repairs: Usually, Enduras & Turbos (unless you can fix them yourself) are not worth fixing if they break. The Maxxims are. Parts are available for all of them.
Edited by muskiekid 2/24/2003 4:47 AM
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Posts: 1438
| I agree with both Todd and Kid. 17lb will not be big enough with any type of wind. I have a 36lb bow mount on my 14' aluminum (25hp motor, way too much stuff and only 1 fat guy) and it will not hold me in any moderate to heavy wind. I'll be upgrading to 50lb this year and hopefully that will take care of it.
I would say 36lb is absolute bare minimum. As far as trolling motors go, it's always better to have more power than you figure you will ever need.
Scott
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| True or false...a larger trolling motor will use less battery juice; I've always heard this but never knew for sure.... |
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Posts: 7123
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Sponger,
I have found that as I have progressed from 30lb up to my now 50lb trolling motor that the larger TMs use less juice. With a smaller TM, you are more often forced to run it at a higher power, which seems to use more juice.
Slamr |
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Location: Illinois-Indiana | venture,
You will be better off getting the highest thrust that you can, when you get into the wind you will regret a smaller motor.
Either way 17 will "NO WAY" be enough motor for you.
Good luck! |
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Location: Lake Chautauqua & Latham, New York, USA | Where and who do I contact for a $150 factory rebuilt model? Or is it the factory itself? Any Website contacts? My 18 yr old Minnkota is on its "last legs"...
thanx,
[email protected] |
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Posts: 585
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland | A friend of mine has one and was very satisfied with it. You wouldn't know the difference between it and a new one when purchased. Even comes in a Minnkotta box.
I know Galyan's sells them each EARLY spring in the $129 to $149 range. If you don't have a store near you, they may sell them via the net. They do have a website and you can find it by running a search on "Galyans." FYI: from what I've noticed, you've got to get one early in the spring because they usually only carry a few. Once they are gone, there are no more ordered until the next year. I believe they also can order one for you if you ask.
Another source for you is to find out who the factory repair representative (fixes them under warranty of either Johnson or Minnkota) is in your area. These fellas on occasion have them for sale.
I don'tknow if Minnkota sells direct or not. They do have a website. |
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