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What size trolling motor do I need?
Posted on 9/7/17 at 12:09 pm
Posted on 9/7/17 at 12:09 pm
I just picked up an older 21' Kenner bay boat. It's not pretty but the hull is solid. The previous owner bought it new and never put a trolling motor on it, but I plan to do a bit of fishing so I'll be getting one soon. I don't plan to ever be out in bad weather or real heavy wind. What size should I look for? I would assume at least 80 lb. thrust, but don't want to be disappointed if I can't hold steady in a moderate breeze. I'd rather not spend $2k on one of those fancy gps controlled 112 lb. motors, but if that's what I need then I'll do it. Thanks for any advice.
7
Posted on 9/7/17 at 12:10 pm to djs017
definitely a 112 lb thrust gps controlled
Posted on 9/7/17 at 12:17 pm to djs017
I would say you need a 112 lb thrust.
Posted on 9/7/17 at 12:18 pm to djs017
just for comparison I had a 72lb on a 18' skeeter. I'd look for something above an 80lb.
Posted on 9/7/17 at 12:18 pm to CypressTrout10
I have a kenner 21v with a 24v 80 pound thrust 54" shaft. The only thing I would change would be I'd get a 60" shaft. I have an ipilot and I can't imagine not having it now that I got it. it hurts writing the check but it's a real game changer.
ETA: the 54" is fine but if it's on anchor mode and we all go to the back I can see how it might come out.
ETA: the 54" is fine but if it's on anchor mode and we all go to the back I can see how it might come out.
This post was edited on 9/7/17 at 12:23 pm
Posted on 9/7/17 at 12:23 pm to bigbuckdj
The 80lb does well on that hull? I was hoping that would be enough
Posted on 9/7/17 at 12:48 pm to djs017
i have a frontier 2104 (pretty much same hull) with an 80lb motor guide Xi5 60" shaft 24V. Does great. Its enough arse to whip the boat around in any wind/wave ive been in so far. Its held me perfectly still in a solid 10mph wind and chop fishing last island. you dont need 112v
This post was edited on 9/7/17 at 12:50 pm
Posted on 9/7/17 at 12:57 pm to SeaPickle
I agree with seapickle. I have a 22' bay boat and I have a 80# thrust. Pushes my boat just fine as I'm not looking to throw a wake behind me and if it's too windy for the trolling motor to push it, I'm not trolling anyway, just sticking and moving.
Posted on 9/7/17 at 1:06 pm to magicman534
On our second 22 ft bay boat now with the Minn Kota riptide (hand controlled) 80 lb thrust, 24 volt. Never have had a lack of power and never wished we had the 112 lb model. Didn't want to haul around a third friggin heavy-azz deep cycle battery under the console.
Just my 2-cents.
Just my 2-cents.
Posted on 9/7/17 at 1:17 pm to djs017
Yes it does really well, even with a really stiff wind the anchor mode holds fine and I can troll easily.
Posted on 9/7/17 at 1:29 pm to djs017
quote:
I'd rather not spend $2k on one of those fancy gps controlled 112 lb. motors,
Do you want to spend more time fishing or trolling. If you want to fish more buy the GPS motor. It is worth every penny.
Posted on 9/7/17 at 1:48 pm to djs017
You always need bigger than you think you need, get the 112.
Posted on 9/7/17 at 2:24 pm to Major Dutch Schaefer
That hull is less than 1800lbs. 112 is way overkill. He wont be able to tell the difference between 80 and 112 in practical situations so why spend the extra money and extra battery?
now if you were telling him to get the 200hp over the 150 id be all for it
OP - we have the same boat FWIW. From what you described in the OP an 80 will be just fine. My spot lock has held me in any situation i have asked it to and never ran the batteries down to unusable power
now if you were telling him to get the 200hp over the 150 id be all for it
OP - we have the same boat FWIW. From what you described in the OP an 80 will be just fine. My spot lock has held me in any situation i have asked it to and never ran the batteries down to unusable power
This post was edited on 9/7/17 at 2:28 pm
Posted on 9/7/17 at 2:43 pm to SeaPickle
i have the rolled edge kenner which weighs less than a vision if that's what you have or seapickles frontier but I wouldn't hesitate to put the 80 pound. I hate having two trolling batteries in my boat Id really avoid three. Use your savings from not getting the extra batteries and larger trolling motor and buy one with spot lock. If minn Kota, Get the 2017s that come with the gps puck.
Posted on 9/7/17 at 2:59 pm to djs017
my rule of thumb is 5 lbs per foot of boat for fresh water and 7.5 lbs per foot of boat for marsh fishing to overcome wind and current
21ft boat needs "minimum" 100 lbs thrust but will work "ok" with an 80 lbs thrust motor but it will be underpowered for salt water fishing and you will notice its lack of power if you need to overcome the wind or current fighting you
21ft boat needs "minimum" 100 lbs thrust but will work "ok" with an 80 lbs thrust motor but it will be underpowered for salt water fishing and you will notice its lack of power if you need to overcome the wind or current fighting you
This post was edited on 9/7/17 at 3:03 pm
Posted on 9/7/17 at 3:10 pm to keakar
quote:
80 lbs thrust motor but it will be underpowered for salt water fishing and you will notice its lack of power if you need to overcome the wind or current fighting you
My spot lock says thats not true
If an 80lb TM on a hull < 1800lbs cant hold you then its probably best to pack it up and go drink at the camp. Mine has held in some stiff shite when my PP wouldnt. It holds just fine in the breakers on the surf of the islands. Would i go lower than 80lb? not a chance but 112 isnt necessary on this specific hull.
This post was edited on 9/7/17 at 3:14 pm
Posted on 9/7/17 at 3:23 pm to djs017
Anyone that says 80 lbs is not enough has not fished with one of the new Minn Kotas. 80 lbs will be plenty.
OP, do whatever it takes to buy one with spot lock. Work some extra hours, sell some crap on ebay, whore out your old lady, etc. Just do it. I have the new i-pilot link and it is worth much more than what I paid for it. They could be priced at $4k and still be worth it, especially if you fish reefs or rigs at all.
As someone else said, make sure you get the 2017 or newer version.
OP, do whatever it takes to buy one with spot lock. Work some extra hours, sell some crap on ebay, whore out your old lady, etc. Just do it. I have the new i-pilot link and it is worth much more than what I paid for it. They could be priced at $4k and still be worth it, especially if you fish reefs or rigs at all.
As someone else said, make sure you get the 2017 or newer version.
This post was edited on 9/7/17 at 3:25 pm
Posted on 9/7/17 at 4:01 pm to Buster180
Thanks for all the input. I do like the idea of the spot lock feature. It's not going to kill me to spend a little extra for a nice motor, but considering I only get a chance to fish a few weekends a year it didn't make sense to spend any more than necessary. Most of my fishing will be inland with maybe an occasional trip around Elmer's when the conditions are right.
Posted on 9/7/17 at 4:14 pm to bigbuckdj
quote:
I have an ipilot and I can't imagine not having it now that I got it. it hurts writing the check but it's a real game changer.
All of this. The I pilot is bad arse and you'll never go back after you use one.
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