I have a 1996 Century Center Console 1860 (18.5ft) fiberglass boat with a 115 outboard. I currently have a Minn Kota Maximum 70lb trolling motor on it (24V). I bought the trolling motor used and have had some issues with the wiring. Sometimes it will go dead on you and you have to pop the head with your hand and it turns back on. The problem I have is while on the open water with a 10mph wind I have to run the motor on 4 and 5 to gain any ground. Any wind around 15mph and you can forget getting anywhere. Do I have a bad trolling motor or do I need to up grade to a bigger motor?

Thanks in Advance

I have a 21.5 ft runabaout. I have a 75lb thrust trolling motor on my boat. My boat, dry is 2900 pounds. My trolling motor will move my big ole boat with no problems - even in the wind.
I am no expert but I would say your tm should cause your boat to fly around the lake. I don't see that you would need a bigger motor.

I agree, I would think that for a 18.5 boat with a 24v 70lb TM that should be fine.

Of course I'm sure you've cleaned all the connections (including the plug (male/female), verfified the batteries are good, and using the standard (heavy wiring that came with the Century).

I guess you could take it to All Star (214) 320-1673 http://www.fishingworld.com/AllStarElectronics/Default.tmpl

Pull the top cover and you will most likly see the problem, then replace the bad wire connection in the cover.

The motor has enough nominal thrust. Take the prop off and look for fishing line around the prop shaft,put a new prop pin in while you are there. What kind of shape is the prop in? Tilt the big motor up and don't buy a used trolling motor next time.

I have an old 18 1/2' Champion with a 40lb MG and it moves me around ok till it starts whitecapping. I would definatly pull the prop and check the wiring from the batteries to the unit

I have a Kenner 19VX CC with a 54 LB MG that pulls the boat pretty good. Any cc is going to be harder to control in the wind due to the gunwhale height and the console they both act as "sails" in the lightest breeze. Do all the things said by the previous posters but don't expect your CC to handle like a bass boat using a TM in a breeze, it's a trade-off for the dry ride in a CC.

Sounds like you might have some water in the lower unit. That's why you have to hit it. That should be plenty of motor for that boat.

better to have more and not need it than to have less and need it

It has a new prop. No line around the prop. Next step is the wiring. The old TM was a 12V so I'm thinking I may not have thick enough wiring to the batteries. Also I only paid $75.00 for the motor so even if i had to sink a few $100.00 in it I figured it would be worth it..