New to boating - Need recommendation on Trolling Motor and Battery Size

[myethreesuns]

Ok, new to the site and looks like a great resource. Look for some direction on a trolling motor and battery for by new boat. (This is the first boat I've ever had, and never having used a trolling motor I'm at a loss on what to get)

 

So, here is the boat, and I'll be using on small ponds/small lakes (close to shore)

 

http://www.sundolphin.com/american-12-jon/

 

I weight about 175, and will be fishing with my son who is about 120lbs or so.

 

I'm looking at either the Minn Kota Endura or the Minn Kota Endura Max, but I'm unsure of what thrust to get? (40 enough? or should I shoot for the 55?)

 

Also, I don't know much about marine batteries, so am also looking for some suggestions on what size to get? (I'd say I'll be fishing for 4-6 hours at most per day, and will have access to a charger at night to recharge the batteries. Is a 55lb overkill for this small of a boat?

 

Thanks very much!

 

[Lonnie Clemens]

Hi Mythreesuns,

 

A 40 lbs thrust would be maximum and perfect for that boat.  On the specifications it says 40 lb thrust recommended.  I have a 40 lb Minnekota.  It works perfectly on my 12 foot aluminum jon boat.  Use the group 27 deep cycle marine battery from Wal-Mart.  I wouldn't go up to the 55 lb thrust.  It may not work from what I understand.  It has something to do with the theory of water planing and the water displacement theory.  If a trolling motor is oversized it just won't go any faster.  The dolphin boat looks great!  Let us know how you like it.  It has a heavier load capacity. 

 

Thank you,

 

Lonnie

[myethreesuns]

Excellent, thanks Lonnie. I figured the 55 might be too much for the boat, so figured I could save some $$ and use towards the battery. Once I get things rigged up, I'll post some pics. Again, thanks for your help.

 

[Fishes in trees]

The rule on trolling motor power - now & forever - is that there is no such thing as too much tolling motor power.  Buy the biggest trolling motor that ou can afford that will fit in your situation.

 

I used to fish out of a 10' Water Scamp.  It fished ok with the 36 lb thrust motor that it came with.   It fished MUCH better with the 55 lb thrust variable speed Minn Kota that I later purchased.  Variable speed is much preferable to fixed speeds, IMO.

 

You are correct that the boat you've got will hold a lot of weight.  Speaking from experience, running out of electric power in a little boat isn't any fun.  Go ahead and purchase 2 of the biggest deep cycle trolling motor batteries and wire them parallel.  That will give you more running time.  When I had my little pond boat, I ran 3 batteries, just because the lake that I was fishing at the time required a couple of runs of 15 to 20 minutes or so, on constant high speed,  to get to where you wanted to fish.  Do that a couple of times and your battery is seriously depleted.   Buy a charger that will charge 2 or 3 batteries at once - that way when you upgrade to a bigger boat, you will have the on board charger already purchased.  There isn't any need to mount the on board charger in your sun dolphin, just keep it at home and hook it up when you get home

[Goldstar225]

I had no problem fishing all day with my 14' jon boat using a trolling motor with less that 45# thrust and a single 27 series deep cycle battery.

[Jig Man]

You can always run a larger tmotor on a lower speed if needed and use less electricity than having to run a less powerful one on higher speeds.

 

In the battery department go for at least a 27 series.  A 29 or 31 would be better.  The important thing to know is reserve capacity.  Get the most RC that you can find.