getting a new to me 20' ranger and it needs a new trolling motor. Question: It has an 82 lb thrust on it now. Is an 80 or 82lb thrust the norm or do I need a larger trolling motor ( I have seen both on the boats)? Don't want overkill but don't want to be underpowered either. Recommendations? Not looking to get into the Minn Kota vs Motor Guide debate....yet.

I went from 24vt 80lb to 36vt 101 lb and I love it. No matter if the wind gets up where as before the 24 had some trouble going against strong wind.

The bigger the better. You can always adjust the speed down.

If you can afford it go with the 36 volt system. This may require you to change to a 3 bank charger. Best investment you can make on a boat in my opinion. The wind is not your friend when it comes to trolling motors.

i put a 101 on my 19 ft and love it , strong winds you can hold on spot and still have battery at the end of the day, plus like said in other post you can always turn it down.

I would get the largest TM I could find, either MG 109 or MK 101 with 50"-52" shafts. 36v is the only way to go on these larger boats.

Bigger is better. It does however, come at a cost. You will need a location for the 3rd battery. You will also need a 3 or 4 bank charger and a place to mount that. If you do the install yourself you are probably looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of an additional $500 to go from 24V to 36V. Are you out on windy stuff A LOT ? Do you tourney fish a lot ? Those two questions would help me decide on whether I would go forward with the other necessary upgrades.

as stated above make sure you have room for another battery. if you fish river systems with alot of current i would definantly go with the 36volt. i have an 82 on my 20 foot boat and have never had a problem.

Depends on which troll motor you have now and your fishing style. Do you like to piddle around in protected coves and tie up & sit a lot or do you like to stroll crankbaits across windy points all day?? Is it a newer model MG or MK? If so it may be enough for recreational fishing. The newer TM's are much better than the older ones, easier on the batteries and the like.

However if you ever find yourself where you may have to fish for a couple of days with no easy way to charge your batteries, you will be in trouble with the 24V system. I have the MK Fortrex 101 36V system on my boat and I can fish it hard for two days before I notice a substantial loss of power.

Its not a must. It is a cost to go to 36v. you have to decide if its worth it. People have been using 80lb or less for a lot of years. But it makes life easier in the wind.

+1 go with 101# and 36 volt system. I have a Skeeter 20i with 3 trolling motor batteries and a cranker. Fish all day with no power problems.

Same here. I've got a 109 tour edition from an 80 fortrex and it is night and day difference.

Bigger is always better.....

I have a 20 foot ranger and upgraded to the 101.
82 pounder isn't enough in windy conditions in my opinion

Bigger the better