Major question about Trolling motor!!!help

[john 07]

I live near a 250 acre lake about 5 minutes from my house. For the past 9 years i have been using my 12 foot row boat. Since its not that big of a lake, i was thinking about getting trolling motor to get around the lake, as well as some rowing. i was looking at couple minn kota tolling motors, but i dont know what to get. i also understand that i must get a deep cycle battery as well as a trickle charger. Which motor do you guys think i need. I usually fish for 4-6 hours. i dont really understand the pound thrust. I think its 28 pound thrust, 40, 50 an so on. please help me out. thanks all!!

EDIT: Do you guys think i need to get a minn kota with a Maximizer? Or do you guys it will be fine without one?? if I were to get one without one, how long would it last in the lake?

[Gatorbassman]

First of all welcome to the site. You have found the best site on the net to get your questions answered and to learn about bass fishing.

There are several of us, including myself that fish fairly large electric only lakes so we have boats that are designed and rigged up with several high power trolling motors. But for what you are doing you sould only need between a 30 and 40 pound thrust trolling motor. Anything larger that runs off of only one battery will wear the battery down in no time. You are right about the charger and battery.

[Craw]

Get yourself a 36lb thrust transom mounted Minn Kota. You will love it. I have one as a spare and it's been great. I've had it for over 10yrs. It will really push your 12' row boat well.

[john 07]

How much do you guys think its would be if i got 40lb transom trolling motor, deepcycle battery that will last 6 hours on water, battery charger,  battery conector and other misc products?? Also, how do you take care of these motors in the winter when im not fishing?? thanks

[burleytog]

$200 for the motor

$80 for the biggest Group 29 deep cycle that Wal Mart has

$60 for a Schumacher SpeedCharge smart charger

$15 for a battery box (helps when moving battery)

$400 should have you set.

[Nick_Barr]

add on a solar panel battery maintainer to maximize your time on the water. You can pick them up at any auto store for $15-20

[Pond Hopper]

I am kind of intrigued by this solar panel idea.  Can you give me a little more info on how much room it takes up as I just bought a little 10 foot plastic bass buggy and normally fish all day.  Anything I can do at a reasonable price to have juice longer is in the budget.  Thanks in advance.

Corey

[john 07]

solar panel?? more info plz!!

[Way2slow]

Solar panel to maximize time on the water!!!! If the thing was the size of your boat, it would give you some additional run time.   For $20, it might charge your cell phone if you left in on it most of the day and it had direct sun.

Figure even at 15 amps, which is a fairly slow speed on the TM, that's about 200 watt's your TM is using.   What's your solar panel, maybe 15 watts and would be lucky to get that for $20, just don't see that much more runtime in that.  

[NJfishinGuy]

go wallmart you can get a 35lb thrust minn kota for $99 bucks ive been useing mine for like 3years and it works great. also u can get a everstart wallmart battery 115amp hours for like 60 bucks is what i got and its goin on 4 years now also still working good, usually id fish from about 4am till like 2pm and not have it hardlly loose any power i aso have a 12' flat bottom john boat with 2 people in the boat.  atey i rigged a foot pedal on the front but thats another story

[john 07]

^^ walmart sells minn kotas?? How you get a 35lb thrust for 99 bucks??

[NJfishinGuy]

http://www.walmart.com/search/browse-ng.do?ic=20_0&ref=125872.125909

yup 99 bucks, i dunno if they still have em i dont see them on there website anymore but they did when i got mine, they do have a motor guide for 97 bucks same power in this link.

heres a 30lb from dicks

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1194954&cp=2367824.2291514.2291523.2291550&pg=2&parentPage=family&searchId=17374084791

[burleytog]

^^ walmart sells minn kotas?? How you get a 35lb thrust for 99 bucks??

My local WM stocks the Minn Kota Endura 36 lb. thrust transom mount for $199.

[NJfishinGuy]

hey guys i made a mistake sorry, i got a 30lb for 99 bucks i thought it was a 36 for some reason but looked at it and realized its not.

[Guest avid]

I think based on the factors you have mentioned, anything from 28lbs on up would be fine.  At 4-6 hours on the water, with a group 27 battery you won't need  a maximizer.

The only thing that would change this equation is wind.  

I happen to use a 14' canoe with stablizers that probably wieghs less than your jonboat but I use a 55lb thrust MK with maximizer for 2 reasons

First, I never know when I'm going to want to stay out on the water for an extended period.

and Second.  And this is a MAJOR factor.  If your area is anything like mine (SE Florida) than the wind is definitly a factor.  Except for early morning or late night there is always a breeze, often as high as 15 -20 mph.  My area is also known for fierce storms that blow up, literally from nowhere.  When I need to get back to the ramp, I want the power and reserve battery capacity to get there no matter what.  Remember, you can't out fit for boat for typical conditions.  You MUST outfit it for the worst conditions.  

Now maybe because your lake is small you can skimp a little on this, but 250 acres is big enough to find yourself in some trouble.  If you stick to 4-6 hour mark, you should be ok but beyond that.................

[bipr8]

TM= $150.00 (30-40#'s should be fine)

Walmart battery= $60.00

Charger= $50.00

That is really all you need.  If it is windy, you may not make it 6 hours.  Bring 1 oar with you (or both is you have the room) for emergencies and stumps.

I doubt I would get the Maximizer UNLESS you plan on going to the other end of that 250 acre lake a lot.

[john 07]

GOod info guys! thanks. Ive been going to the local bass shop to research on whats available. By the way how long would a motor with a maximizer go for before it dies out, compared to one without one??

[burleytog]

I don't know about the maximizer, but I've been on the water for 8 or 9 hours, windy conditions, with my 30 lb. thrust TM.  Battery was depleted to 72% capacity.

That is with a light boat and load.  I'm doubt I'll be able to get the same performance out of my new boat and motor (also 30 lb. thrust).

[kurtis]

My friend has a 12 ft row boat also,he uses a 40lb thrust minn kota and a yellow wallmart battery. He is able to use it all day and even run his lights. just make sure the battery is fully charged.

[john 07]

My friend has a 12 ft row boat also,he uses a 40lb thrust minn kota and a yellow wallmart battery. He is able to use it all day and even run his lights. just make sure the battery is fully charged.

Is your friend using a everstart Deep cycle marine battery?? what kind of charger is he using

??

[kurtis]

An automatic deepcycle charger from walmart. He keeps it on 2 amp.