Trolling motor Recamendations

I am looking to upgrade some gear on the boat. I need some suggestions on trolling motors for a 16′ lake land that is very heavy (wood deck) tricked out with all the goodies so i would like some thing that would move me pretty good a cross the river. What Name Brand would you suggest also what pound thrust that isn’t going to leave a huge hole in the wallet. thanks

Minnkota is the best overall from personal experience. They are built much heavier duty that motorguide, and the shafts dont get bent like motorguide.

A 16′ boat, I dont think you will be happy with less than 65# thrust, you also get much better run time out of a 24V system.

Fishing the river…. I agree with Dave on both thrust and the 24 volt system. You might be able to go with 55lb, but if yo can afford 65, I would do it.

It’s fairly easy to find used Minnkota powerdrives here on the site, and on ebay etc. I don’t get much running time off mine, but that is because I am using a 5 year old battery that was used as a cranking battery for my dad’s boat until it no longer had the power to crank his 150 over It’s a good running motor Although I would much rather have a trolling motor with cable steering, this thing gets the job done. I would also recommend the Maxxum. They are real nice but will leave a hole in your wallet for sure!

If you have a good used flasher you want to trade I have a Minnkota 65 lb 24 volt tiller model I don’t need anymore.KD

Thanks for the recommendations, I have heard of quiet a few problems with the foot pedal’s on the power drives so i would like to steer clear of that no pun intended . I may have to throw a post up in the fishing equipment forum when i get a little closer to that time. I will probably put the old unit up for sale and then go from there, i also need to upgrade fish finders. thanks for the advice.

KD70CHEV i would like to get a bow mount and i don’t have a flasher that i would like to get rid of, thanks though

I am a Motorguide guy. I have the Tour Edition 82lb, 24 volt and absolutely love it. It moves my 18 1/2 footer against even the strongest current and will last all day long. There are lots of rumors about lots of trolling motors, you should get great input here. The only thing I will strongly recommend is that you get a 24 volt motor, that will mean dedicating two batteries to just the trolling motor.

I suggest a Maxxum 24V 80 #

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I have heard of quiet a few problems with the foot pedal’s on the power drives so i would like to steer clear of that

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I have the wireless remote and have never used the pedal. So if you decide to get a powerdrive, get the remote control.

Electronic steering foot pedals are just prone to problems. A little bit of sand, a split shot, anything really can cause issues with the function of the pedal.. the micro-switches are touchy. I havent heard many problems from the remote control units because they arent rolling around on the floor in the dirt.

I dont have much against motorguide. I blew out the lower unit on one on my 2nd trip of a new motor,warranty tok care of it and I had no more problems… until shallow water and the lower untit bumped a log and bent the shaft. That I have a problem with. I have had both Motorguide and Minnkota trolling motors apart and I can tell you 1st hand the brushes are much heavier duty in Minnkota which suggest they will last much longer before replacement is needed.

The shaft on motorguide is where my issues come in. I dont go a season without running my lower unit into somthing, and the momentum of the boat keeps on pushing and bends the shaft every time. his would be a non issue when fishing over deep water, but its a huge issue spring crappie fishing, or catfishing around timber.

Minnkota on the other hand tends to break the little tilt release button(transom model) if you hit something that hard.. the piece cost $5 and takes just a few mintes to replace. I choose an easy/inexpensive fix over straitening a steel shaft.

I agree with derek, the boat you run is pretty heavy. I would go with 80lbs of thrust.

I smacked my bow mounted power drive into my trailer last year loading my boat ( it was a 18 hour day at that point for me, but it was plain stupid ) I ended up cracking the housing for the trolling motor turning gear box, lets say I hit it prety hard, didn’t do a ingle thing to the shaft. I picked up the part to replace it from minnkota and plenty of pointers on how to do it, last than an hour later I wa 100% good to go again, took a lickin and kept on tickin’, the shaft is a huge selling point IMHO.

Can anybody hook me up with a maxxum or a terrova in a 65-80 pound range with a 52-60in shaft for a decent price. i think this is the way i want to go willing to trade up new jiffy stealth 10″ and pay off the difference for a new one. thanks