Trolling Motor Quedtion

I have a Alamacraft 175 Pro Sport with a 150hp mercury OB on it. It has dual consoles with a full windshield. Is a Minn Kota Terrova 55lb thrust Trolling motor big enough for my boat ? Or do I really need trolling motor with 80lbs of thrust. I don’t want to go over 24 volts.

I would go with the 80 at a minimum!!

JohnBoy:

As with anything, buy as much as you can afford. More power may not be necessary all the time, but it will save wear & tear of having to use the smaller motor on a higher power more frequently. Same thing for length of shaft, get as much as you can buy!!! And IMHO, 24 volts should be plenty of power…

Mark

The bigger the better.

I have a 17 foot alumacraft navigator, tiller. For 3 years i ran a 55lb minnkota, 12 volt. For me, power was never a problem but the weak bracket would never hold in rough water when i backtrolled. Last year I switched to the 80 vector, 24 volt system and it was AWESOME! I would recommend the 80lb, but again buy what you can afford.

24 volt

I think that going with a 55lb trolling motor is only going to cost you more money in the long run. I agree going with a 24 volt system will better serve you and your boat. Your motor won’t have to work as hard and your batteries will last longer. Hence being able to stay out to fish longer.

I am only guessing, but I think going with a 60″ shaft would be the way to go as well. If you truly fish big water, you won’t be able to keep you prop in the water ALL the time, but this will certainly help.Just my .02.

Good Luck!

FDR

I have a 55lb thrust on my 16.5′ Alumacraft Magnum and it is not enough power when dealing with current or strong winds. I will be upgrading it in the new future. I would go with at least an 80lb on your boat but the bigger the better.

I had a Minnkota 80 on an 18′ glass boat for 3 years. 24 volts. I loved it.

After a few years of 24 volts, I was able to upgrade to a 36 volt/Kota 101 which you could consider overkill on an 18. Some 20’s & 21’s don’t even come with factory with a 101. The 36 volt allows me about about 3 more hours of time on the water prefishing. The 24 volt will offer you MUCH more power and longer time on the water than the 12. Especally if your in the current or wind a lot. I’d bet once you increase it you’ll never want to go back even with the extra encumbrance of a another battery.

The difference between 30% power on a 24/Kota 80 vs 30% thrust on a 36/101 almost knocked me in the water the first few times on the water.

Finally, I think the props on the 80s are about $15-$20 more than the 55lb thrust models. Might not seem like a lot but when you add it to any charger upgrade you might consider & $80 for another battery.. It all adds up.

I have a 50 lb thrust on my 17 ft Lund Tyee with a full windshield. It is very weak on the river. Calm days on the lake are fine but if the wind picks up even that is shady. I just ordered a new terrova 80 with iPilot to replace it. If you can afford more lbs get em.

Go with the 24v and 60″ shaft length. Much better for that boat. A 55# is too small.