thanks for the replies. I will take the KaBoat out with the old TM and gauge how fast it goes and then figure out if dropping the cash on the 80lb thrust and batteries will make much of a difference.

1. I’d like to go slow enough to troll effectively and fast enough to move with “decent speed” maybe 4-5 mph. Basically feel like it’s not too sluggish.
2. I could but I’ve found the 2.5-5 hp gas outboards are a lot more expensive than a TM. They mostly all have terrible user reviews. So am looking at a bigger trolling motor instead.
3. Im in Denver – mostly 150 acre to 2500 acre lakes.
4. I have a soft top Jeep now, so there’s no easy way to get a hard structure boat to the lake without a trailer and I don’t have the space for that. With the KaBoat it weight 78 lbs and I can just put throw it in the back of the Jeep and inflate at the lake.

Thanks for the info on the aftermarket prop. I’ve got no probs with battery dying but it’s one of the big ones. So would like to get one or two of the smaller ones.

Thanks SD! Im asking for opinions/experiences on if-it’s worth it to upgrade from the 45 pound thrust motor to the 80 pound thrust. I’ve read some articles that say the larger pounds thrust won’t matter for speed but I find it hard to believe. I’m looking for more (reasonable) speed and safety if I hit high winds/waves on a small-mid sized lake.

Appreciate the replies. Very helpful!

Thanks. So I’ve read an article that says more thrust won’t translate to more speed. I’d think it would. It sounds like your experience is that the higher thrust would make a difference then! Cool.

I saw that I could by two much smaller 12vs and they’d prob be a combined size and weight as my current large 12v battery.

I’m new to this. Are you saying that using 12v battery With a 24v motor wouldn’t work? I was told it would by a battery plus employee. Just lower output and reduced time. But I don’t know.