Today was so windy that my Xi5 trolling motor could not hold my pontoon against the wind after 3 hours fishing. First time. Pontoon with the top up catches a lot of wind. Must have been at least 25 and gusty to more. Really hit my batteries hard.

We did catch 50-60 Crappie with 10 nice keepers.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better, forecast is S @ 10 MPH until noon.

I bought a pontoon and find the same thing. On real windy days I take the top down since it is like a kite with the top up. It's a box on water with the top down but that's better than a kite.

Did the trolling motor fail or the batteries fail? It sounds like the trolling motor was doing its job and it ran out of juice. Do you have the 24v or 36v unit?

I have the 36V 105 lb Xi5 and found the extra voltage and battery key to its extended operation.

A bit calmer today, Ernest, hopefully you and your fishing buddy hit several limits of all fish and a limit each of keepers!

Rudy

Was it operating outside of its capabilities? Definitely interested in answers on this, as I am in the market for an Xi5.

It doesn't quite have enough power for sustained 25 mph winds. Especially not with the Safari prop that it comes with.

I assume it has 105lb thrust? With a boat that size and wind that strong, I guess your options are crank up the big motor or attempt to throw out a few anchors.

I have the 80# 24V model. Turns out one of my batteries was wearing out (4 years old). Replaced it today. Should fix the problem. Putting the top down in high wind is also a good idea (or going home).

What prop is better?

2 blade prop will use less battery
3 blade prop will take a bigger bite. Better for a larger boat but will use more battery

Another way of looking at it:

2 blade prop will have more thrust and a 3 blade prop will be more weedless....

I would try a Metal Machete, if it fits.

Recommended only for 36V motors

Here is one that reads well...

MOTORGUIDE MACHETE III BLACK 3 BLADE PROP KIT 3.5"
Model: MGA089B

Application: Speed & Efficiency

MotorGuide's standard propeller common on many of the production motors. The tapered hub design, by Mercury Propellers, makes this prop extremely fast with excellent overall efficiency. Its weedless performance is very good and it performs on a wide range of motors, including 12, 24 and 36-volt models. (Includes prop, prop pin and prop nut)

I am waiting on Kipawa to make a prop that is compatible with the Xi5.

Thanks for all the input guys! Especially adding in the prop talk, gives me a little more to think about.

Ernest,
If you bought all your batteries at the same time and they are 4yrs old. If 1 failed, I'd replace the other 1 also.
I know it is costly, but will save you from the other battery failure that is sure to come

I have the same motor on my pontoon. Bought two new batteries in July. Worked great until Labor Day. Couldn't figure out why the XI5 would not run and finally discovered one of the batteries were bad. Had been working great. Of course, I thought the motor or remote was messed up. Couldn't believe a two month old battery had already went bad on me. Anyway, heck of a morning worrying about the new motor. Got the battery replaced. Always carry your battery meter with you. Some bad batteries will show to take a charge, then go down as soon as you take them off the charger. Says that in my charger trouble-shooting guide. Mine was doing just this. My 2 sense cents since.