Proper Minn Kota Size For 12'6" Porta-Bote?

[new2BC4bass]

I am considering a Minn Kota electric trolling motor for my boat.  Most often there will be at least 2 people in it and occasionally 4.  More than I'd like, but my daughter loves to fish.  Her boys want to be with her.....so 4 people.  Research showed I should be using a 30-36 pound thrust motor for this length boat.  However, I don't know what weight was used to figure pounds of thrust per boat length.

 

From the little I've read today, it seems i want a variable speed digital motor.  I was wondering if the Endura Max 40 or 45 would be suitable?

 

Would really rather have a gas motor, but 2 of the lakes I frequently fish are electric motor only.  Both are small enough that i can row without much trouble if I did go with a gas motor.  However, being 65 and having 4 people in the boat slows headway more than it would have 35 years ago. 

 

Problem (for me) with an electric motor is needing 2 batteries, charger, wires in the way, etc.  Also I imagine the electric motor and battery are going to weight more than a 5 HP gas motor with a half gallon of spare gas on board.  Then, maybe not.  Downside of the gas motor is the much higher initial expense.  Upside is faster boat, no batteries to take care of, no wires to catch rods and line on, could better fish some lakes.

 

I'm still liking the idea of a gas motor.  Any pertinent thoughts on either propulsion method?

 

[Comfortably Numb]

Get the highest thrust 12v motor you can. I think they go up to like 52# thrust. Get one of the largest deep cycles you can. Try that and see if you like how long it runs. Add another battery if neccesary. Even with a gas motor you will still need a battery.and probably a trolling motor too

[Fishes in trees]

4 people in a twelve and a half foot boat?  Even little people, good luck with that.  That little boat will be crowded.  Wear your life jackets.  Be ultra careful about casting and hooks and stuff like that.  Other posters advice on trolling motors is right on.  If you are staying 12 volt, go with the 55 lb thrust Minn Kota.  It doesn't weigh all that much more and it is powerful.  I used to have one on a 10' pond boat I owned.

[j.bruno]

Get a 55lb Bass Pro Prowler.  They shred!

[new2BC4bass]

Thanks, guys.  I'll look at the 55# thrust motor.  Yeah, 4 is a crowd.  I make sure we are legal.  Four doesn't happen often.  Fishing sucks where I fish so the boys quickly lost interest and don't go often.  When they do, we normally fish from shore.  Weekends that they are with their father is when I usually take the boat out with my daughter.