ZB85 Posted April 4, 2015 Posted April 4, 2015 What lbs thrust trolling motor would you guys recommend for a 17' aluminum bass boat with a 40hp motor? I'm on a budget and right now I'm looking at getting a minn kota power drive v2 50lbs thrust. Will that be sufficient for my boat? Right now I have a 40lbs thrust but wondering if I need to upgrade. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted April 4, 2015 Super User Posted April 4, 2015 If the #40 works then why spend money on a new one? Especially if you're on a budget. I have a powerdrive V2. It's nice but it has foot pedal issues that are sporadic. Stops working and you have to take it apart and clean it. Quote
tin boat Posted April 4, 2015 Posted April 4, 2015 I have a 17' aluminum rig with a 60hp and an 8hp kicker, 2 batteries and 12 gallons of fuel, I get by fine with a 45lb minnkota edge. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 4, 2015 Super User Posted April 4, 2015 10lbs of thrust will be barely noticeable if at all. You won't notice a real increase unless you jumped to a 70 0r 80 and now you're talking 24v. In addition to what rippin lips said, if you were to get a V2 it would most definitely have to be the ipilot version. There are chronic issues with the foot pedals on the motors Quote
ZB85 Posted April 4, 2015 Author Posted April 4, 2015 Sometimes I need a voice of reasoning to stop me from spending money for stuff I don't really need lol 1 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 4, 2015 Super User Posted April 4, 2015 Sometimes I need a voice of reasoning to stop me from spending money for stuff I don't really need lol The only thing a boat "needs" is the ability to float If you're not going to go 24v and the motor runs I would spend the money on something else 1 Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted April 4, 2015 Super User Posted April 4, 2015 10lbs of thrust will be barely noticeable if at all. You won't notice a real increase unless you jumped to a 70 0r 80 and now you're talking 24v. In addition to what rippin lips said, if you were to get a V2 it would most definitely have to be the ipilot version. There are chronic issues with the foot pedals on the motors That was my plan but I learned once I add the ipilot head that the foot pedal isn't even able to be used. I'd have to control it from the remote. Kinda hard to fish with a remote in one hand. Quote
desmobob Posted April 4, 2015 Posted April 4, 2015 My Tracker Pro170 (17' aluminum with 40HP Merc four-stroke) came with a 45lb thrust Minn-Kota and I was concerned I would have to upgrade right away. After fishing one season with it, it hasn't entered my mind. Tight lines, Bob Quote
Super User tomustang Posted April 4, 2015 Super User Posted April 4, 2015 That was my plan but I learned once I add the ipilot head that the foot pedal isn't even able to be used. I'd have to control it from the remote. Kinda hard to fish with a remote in one hand. Who said it was hard? I can pitch docks just as fast as a pedal guy. Dont know what model you have but i still have my pedal on board just in case the remote dies, its not inoperable Quote
Dogmatic Posted April 4, 2015 Posted April 4, 2015 IMHO,Like others said, save your money. When the time comes, and you have the money then upgrade. I believe 55 lb is about as high as you can go with a 12v system, and that extra poundage isn't worth it(unless you find something cheap on CL or somewhere else), so wait until you can "go big", and switch to a 24v system and get a 70+lb motor. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted April 4, 2015 Super User Posted April 4, 2015 Who said it was hard? I can pitch docks just as fast as a pedal guy. Dont know what model you have but i still have my pedal on board just in case the remote dies, its not inoperable I have the non ipilot model and was told by MK that I can add the head but the foot pedal becomes unusable. With a rod in one hand and the other on the handle that doesn't leave one to operate the remote. I can't make direction changes while working down a bank using a crank or something that takes both hands. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted April 4, 2015 Super User Posted April 4, 2015 I have the non ipilot model and was told by MK that I can add the head but the foot pedal becomes unusable. With a rod in one hand and the other on the handle that doesn't leave one to operate the remote. I can't make direction changes while working down a bank using a crank or something that takes both hands. The foot pedal is only usable once you upgrade to the Terrova. I've been using ipilot since it's *** on both the V2 and Terrova and now the Link which has a great big remote. No problems fishing here. I can operate the hand control from memory and I keep it latched to a belt loop so I'm not holding it 24/7. It's really not all that difficult Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted April 5, 2015 Super User Posted April 5, 2015 If you're upgrading from 40 to 50, I'd say save your money and upgrade to a 24v 80# in a few years. Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted April 5, 2015 Super User Posted April 5, 2015 I have several opinions on this subject. First, you can never have too much trolling motor power. Second, buy what you can afford. In your case, I'd upgrade to a 24 volt when I could afford it - the 8- lb thrust Maxxum or Fortrex would make a huge difference in your ability to position your boat while fishing. It isn't just that you can go faster, you can hold better in the wind, your batteries will last longer and also, a variable speed motor lets you go slower when necessary than a standard 5 speed trolling motor. If you are going to upgrade from a 12 volt to 24 volt trolling motor, make sure that your wiring harness in the boat can handle it. Quote
Bill Poch Posted April 6, 2015 Posted April 6, 2015 Sometimes I need a voice of reasoning to stop me from spending money for stuff I don't really need lol I have one of those, I call her my wife. 2 Quote
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