What # thrust for my boat?

[cgs2004]

The trolling motor that's currently mounted on my boat just isn't getting the job done very well and I'm in the market for a new one.  What pound thrust would move around a 16 foot bass boat well?  Keep in mind that I'll be fishing in Kansas were the wind routinely kicks up to 25+MPH.  I'm not too knowledgeable on all the battery stuff but the ones that's in there right now is 12V.  I'd like a trolling motor that gets the job done but doesn't eat up the battery (I've only got 1 TM battery and no charger for it).  Any inputs as to a brand are welcome too.  Thanks

[Gatorbassman]

Get a second battery and an 82# thrust, 24V TM.

[jb_from_texas]

i know most are going to say to buy a massive thrust TM.

I say get the biggest you can afford that makes sense.

Do you really need a 56+ TM for a 16 footer?  Probably not, especially if it is not fiberglass.

I just replaced my 40# with a 46#.  I wasnt really needing or looking for more thrust, rather foot control was what i wanted.

My boat is roughly 16 feet and is fiber.  Has a 75hp so it is by no means a heavy boat, but it also doesnt get blown around either that much.

It is a 12v MG.  I ran mine from 9am till 3pm this past friday in windy conditions (15-20mph) with no battery problems.

just my .02

[Flatfish]

I hear you about Ks. wind, mine is a 16' with a 40# Motor Guide and does great up to 15mph wind, but  leaves a lot to be desired over that, if I had it to do over it would be at least 60# but probally 80 + and a Variable Speed Control then you could take advantage of the calm day's.

[cravenfish]

A friend of mine just finished 2nd in a BASS weekend tourny. and won a 70# Motor Guied. He will be looking to sell it( his boat is to big for 70# ) if you are interested PM me and I'll give you his #. He may be able to get the motor sent directly to you.

[cgs2004]

PM sent

The boat is 16', fiberglass, with a 70 hp yamaha.

Thanks for the responses, keep em coming...

[ball_coach_1]

I am with the above opinion of buying as much as you can, as long as it is affordable.

I took my boat in today and am having a 65# thrust put on to replace my 55# thrust.

I HOPE I am happy with the outcome and purchase. My boat is a 17ft. fiberglass with a

115 HP motor.  Mine was fine with no wind, but I didn't like the labor and full power having to

be used as soon as the wind was 15-20 plus.  

I would have put 80+ thrust, BUT, when married and young kids, and only on the water about 25 to 30 days a year, it is hard to justify a new motor that costs $700....give me a few days and I will let you know

how the 65# thrust helps....or not.  (am going 12V to 24V)

[IneedAnewScreenName9886691]

I am in Kansas and the motor that came on my 20' was a 55lb.  I ditched it and just purchased an 80 varialbe and it has been doing the job.  Personally- In Ks, you need to at least go to a 24V system and as much thrust as you can afford - we are on the motor all day!  take the scenario you have been experiancing out of play!  

Just my .02

Hydrilla

[cgs2004]

Ok, I'm getting the sense that I should really look at going to 24V.  Like I said I am not too knowledgable about all this so stupid question time... to get 24V will I just need two 12V batteries or do they have a single 24V battery out there?

[Madhouse27]

Either BPS or Cabelas has a great deal right now on Minn Kota All Terrain 65lb thrust 24v foot controlled trolling motors. I think they were advertised at $399. That would work good on your boat without breaking the bank or compromising.  There have been a  ton of great posts on here about tm battery set ups. The short version is a 24v tm takes two 12v batteries. You hook up your pos + lead from your tm to the pos + post on battery number one. You hook up your neg - lead from your tm to the neg - post on battery number two. You then run a wire between the  neg - post on battery number one and the pos + post of battery number two. This gives you your 24 volts. Personally I find Ben to be the go to guy with any technical questions regarding anything related to electricity and batteries. He has made some fantastic posts and reponses on here. A little digging through the bass boat area threads will have you up to speed in no time.

[cgs2004]

Thanks for the info MH, I'll dig through past threads.  Any link to that Minn Kota All Terrain deal?  I looked and couldn't find it.  Thanks

[jb_from_texas]

here is a link to the 65# MK.

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=77891&hvarDept=200&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=2&hvarSubCode=1&hvarTarget=browse

if you have a bps near they usually match their on line price in the store.  this way you avoid shipping. you pay tax in the store but it as still cheaper, at least in florida it was.

i would have bought this one but i didnt want to buy another battery and more importantly i didnt have room for another batt.

this is a great deal though

[cgs2004]

Thanks jb.

Just to compare, I was looking at how high a 12V TM will go and about the highest I found was 55 pound thrust for a 12V.  Say I got the 55 # thrust/12V trolling motor, do you guys think that its battery life would get through a windy day fishing or would you recommend I buy another battery regardless (and therefore just get the 65 # thrust linked to above)?

[jb_from_texas]

54# MG seems to be the largest 12v.  MK looks to be 55# for 12v.

In regards to battery life for 12v...I'm not the person to answer.  Ben seems to have all the battery answers.

In regards to charging while running big motor...again Ben needs to weigh in here but my guess is it wouldnt be a charger, it would be the way you tie the cranking batt and TM batts together.  With that said i dont think it's worth it.

I would rather see you buy what you need batt wise and charge with an onboard or nice portable charger when parked at home.  Whatever you decide, charging your batts (cranking and TM) when returning home is critical.  A good onboard charger is really convienent and will prolong batt life.

[senile1]

Either BPS or Cabelas has a great deal right now on Minn Kota All Terrain 65lb thrust 24v foot controlled trolling motors. I think they were advertised at $399. That would work good on your boat without breaking the bank or compromising.

I fish in a 15' 6" Starcraft with a 70 horse Johnson.  My trolling motor is the one mentioned in the quote above.  I fish Smithville Lake in Missouri alot which catches the wind much like the Kansas lakes just across the border.  This motor is great and is hard to beat for the price.  When winds reach 25mph, it slows me down when going into the wind, but not enough to be disappointed.  If fishing windy lakes, I'd go with at least 60 - 65 lbs of thrust.  

[cravenfish]

cgs, check your PM. I sent you the info!

[cgs2004]

Thanks guys!

[scbassin]

To expand on what Madhouse27 said. Go to an auto parts store & get a battery cable with a lug on each end to hook the pos. of one battery to the neg. of the other.

[sodaksker]

cgs,

I bought a 21 ft fiberglass boat 2300 lbs not including the 225 merc, and it came with a 24v 70# thrust motorguide on it.  It  just was not enough to pull my boat around in the river current of 5 mph.  This spring I bought an 80# thrust minn kota maxxum 24v.  In my opinion, I can't tell the difference between the two, and on certain days I might say the motor guide did  a better job.  In retrospect, I should have gotten the 36v 101# thrust.  They were less expensive than the 80#'s.  It does not hurt to have a little extra power, but it does hurt wehn I don't have enough.  I would get a little more than what you think you need.

[ernel]

I had a 1980 16 foot Skeeter with a 150 Johnson. I put the 65AT t/m on it and had no problems with lack of power. A 24 volt sytem will last longer under windy conditions because of the amp draw.

The more voltage you have, the less amps are required to do the same amount of work. The less amps you draw, the longer your batteries will last throughout the day. Not to mention, if you can run on a mid setting as opposed to wide open, you will keep your charge longer also.

I now have the same 65AT t/m mounted my Javelin 389TE. It is just shy of 19ft with a 150 Johnny. The t/m does strain a little at the end of the day now, but it still gets the job done.

[flechero]

I think you definitely want a 24v.  As for thrust, all I can tell you is that my boat is fairly heavy, 19' Champion w/ 175 and I also carry way too much crap around.  I replaced my old TM with a MK 65# great white w/ the "4wd" mount.  It pulls pretty good, even in the central texas wind.  If I need to go faster than that, I use the outboard anyway.  

I liked my MG better but it was only 50# and was a shade light for my boat.  

I think you are getting into more money than you need to if you buy a 36v or even a real big 24v... I can't imaging you needing more than 65# on a 16' boat, even if you have high sides that catch a lot of wind.  Although if you can get a deal on the 70# tourney prize, I'd probably jump on that.

[cgs2004]

I like the sound of the 24V with around a 65 # thrust TM. Now the problem is making room for another battery! It will most likely require a minor shift in the fuel tank  They don't happen to make a battery that is a few inches thinner than the normal bettery width do they?  (The shorter length, not the length that runs from + to -)

[Tucson]

The general rule is 2lbs of thrust for every 100lbs of vessel.  Be sure to include the weight of fuel, people on board, fishing equipment etc.