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Can a trolling motor be too big on small boat?
#11563572
04/25/16 01:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 563
texasAUtiger
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 563 |
I have a 14' wood boat (like a jon boat) that I power with a 2.5 hp gas motor and it does very well getting from point a to point b. However, I want to add a trolling motor so I can maneuver around some areas without spoiling the fish. I'd guess the boat weighs maybe 1000 pounds fully loaded with me in it. I am look at a Minn Kota Endura (c2 or max, haven't decided yet).
I was looking at a 40lb thrust or 55 lb thrust. Both are 12v of course. The price difference is like $60 so who cares. I just didn't know if there was a downside to getting the bigger one and running it on lower speed.
Also, do you think one good deep cycle marine battery is enough? I want to be able to stay out all day and will be running a small fish finder. I would be using the gas motor to do longer distance driving.
Thanks for your input.
Ranger z21 Mercury 250 ProXS
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Re: Can a trolling motor be too big on small boat?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#11563645
04/25/16 01:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 45,505
Mudshark
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 45,505 |
One battery will be more than enough for either trolling motor. Bigger is better unless you are trying to keep the weight down. I say this from experience, you will be just fine on the lower settings and it will run all day like that. When there is a little wind, it's great to be able to hold that little boat where you want it with that trolling motor. It's also fun to throw a wake with it while chasing schooling sand bass.
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Re: Can a trolling motor be too big on small boat?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#11563918
04/25/16 03:44 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214
Cast
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214 |
Put a solar battery tender on the battery.
Cast I have a short attention spa
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Re: Can a trolling motor be too big on small boat?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#11580946
05/03/16 08:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 144
mitchmoore01
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 144 |
I don't think you can have too powerful of a trolling motor. The more powerful the motor, the less it works to move your boat. So your battery will last longer if you have a bigger. Like mud shark said, "bigger is better unless you are trying to keep the weight down."
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Re: Can a trolling motor be too big on small boat?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#11581696
05/04/16 02:23 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 466
plasma800
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 466 |
run the small fish finder on a separate small 12v battery, like the kind you put in a solar gate.
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Re: Can a trolling motor be too big on small boat?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#11585185
05/05/16 06:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 423
cove_crawler
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 423 |
You might be surprised that there isn't that much difference between a 40 and a 55. I know I was. With that being said, I would go 55.
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Re: Can a trolling motor be too big on small boat?
[Re: texasAUtiger]
#11603698
05/15/16 11:42 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 25,752
elcoyote, esq.
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 25,752 |
No such thing as too much trolling motor. I had a MK101 36v in my old 17' stratos. It would pull that boat around at 4.5 mph.
Team wolfs I had to perform. It took a minute to get it all in my mouth and another five to swallow it all.
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Re: Can a trolling motor be too big on small boat?
[Re: elcoyote, esq.]
#11603742
05/15/16 12:51 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,413
TCK73
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,413 |
Get the bigger one. The only time that I have seen a trolling motor too big for the boat is when you have IPilot or Pinpoint. Too much motor on a small boat will make it wander more. I first noticed this when a friend of mine put a 112lb Terrova on a 14' aluminum boat for both primary power and trolling motor power. When it went to correct for position, it would sling that boat around like a rag doll and go too far past and then do it again in the wrong direction. It will dump your on your butt if you are not ready.
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