Running Dual Or More Trolling Motors ?

[T_Dot]

SETUP:

- 1436 Alumacraft

- 150 lbs

To those who run dual or more trolling motors, what setups did you go with any why? Im looking to go with a dual or more setup pretty soon, so I would like to see what other setups I can possible go with.

I would need to power my boat, with 2 or more people and their gear. We often always run in small bodies of water, with 1 or 2 trips to a bigger body of water.

I recently tried my setup with 2 30 lbs trust minn kota motors. I found it to be a big improvement. I now would like a little more juice. The 2 30 lbs was big enough to power my setup through the biggest body of water I often go to. With a little more juice I think it would be efficient enough that I can comb that body of water with ease.

Any tips or advice?

[mercury89]

I would try a 24 volt on the transom, something a little more than the two 30's give you, then put a 12 volt bow mount on the front for fishing. Just my .02......

[T_Dot]

I would try a 24 volt on the transom, something a little more than the two 30's give you, then put a 12 volt bow mount on the front for fishing. Just my .02......

the reason why i might possibly stay with the 12 volt motors is due the fact that i already have 2 12 volt batteries.  i like having a backup battery on board my boat.  with a 24 volt system, i would have to pickup new batteries.  though i could put them together to make a 24 volt battery

[HPBB]

T_Dot

to make a 24volt or 36volt system

You add batteries. batteries are 12 volt

1 battery is 12 volt

2 batteries hook up in series is 24volts

3 batteries in series is 36volt.

If you already have two batteries hooking them up in series will make them a 24 system.

try running a 24 or 36 volt TM on the bow

I have a 14 foot starcraft that I have two 55# 12volt  Minkota TM on the bow and transom.

They push it ok, but those motors kill the batteries very quick. I have to run 3 batteries in the boat. One for the bow TM, one for the transom TM, and one to run  live well pumps, lights, & electronics.

I have a 109# 36volt bow TM for my big boat. I put it on my 14footer sometimes with the same 3 batteries hooked up in series.  It pushes the boat alot faster than the two 55# and I can run all day and still have power left.

[Gatorbassman]

It has already been said but I will say it again. A 55lb motor is at the top end of a 12volt system therefore it runs the batteries down the fastest. If you are looking for the best speed and battery efficient combo I would go with two 65lb or 70lb motors. They are on the low end of a 24volt system and will be plenty of speed for your boat and will last you all day long. You should get close to 5mph if not a little more.

[T_Dot]

A 55lb motor is at the top end of a 12volt system therefore it runs the batteries down the fastest.

roughly how long do you think this type of system would last me?  usually our days of fishing are very calm and has little to no wind.  this is due to the bodies of water we fish.  usually the size of lakes we fish are 500 acres or less.

If you are looking for the best speed and battery efficient combo I would go with two 65lb or 70lb motors. They are on the low end of a 24volt system and will be plenty of speed for your boat and will last you all day long. You should get close to 5mph if not a little more.

how much do 24 volt batteries cost, and how long do they usually last you on a single charge?  would that system be enough to navigate a 3000 acres body of water?  that is the larges body we fish, and it is only fished once every 2 months.

thanks

[T_Dot]

I have a 14 foot starcraft that I have two 55# 12volt Minkota TM on the bow and transom.

They push it ok, but those motors kill the batteries very quick. I have to run 3 batteries in the boat. One for the bow TM, one for the transom TM, and one to run live well pumps, lights, & electronics.

how long does this setup last you in one day?  this is exactly the type of setup im looking for.  how much gear and people do you usually take?  what is the best thing you found about this exact system?  if you were to change something about this system what would it be and why?

I have a 109# 36volt bow TM for my big boat. I put it on my 14footer sometimes with the same 3 batteries hooked up in series. It pushes the boat alot faster than the two 55# and I can run all day and still have power left.

hmm...  interesting.  how much faster do you think it is?  do you think it is twice as fast?  could it be that the waves and the wind conditions were different that day?

thanks

[Gatorbassman]

Amps is the measurement of energy the motor takes from the batteries.

A Minn Kota Maxxum Amperage specs.

55lb- Max speed Amp draw -50A

70lb- Max speed Amp draw -42A

Less amps = Longer battery life.

Just for clarification let's just say one 12v battery gives you 300 Amp hours. ( 10 Amp hours will provide 1 Amp for 10 hours.)

55lb motor draws 50A of 300 Amp hours. (12v system = 1 battery)

70lb motor draws 42A of 600 Amp hours. (24v system = 2 batteries)

How much longer will the 70 last?

55lb = 6hrs

70lb = 14.28hrs

The best person I know of to ask about that 55lb setup is Senko77 he ran two on his boat for over a year. If you send him a PM you will get your answer.

[HPBB]

T_Dot,

first off, there is not a 24 volt Battery, you use 2-12 volt in series. for a 36 volt set up you use 3-12volt Batteries

the 14 footer, this is what gear it hauls. (Tournament rigged)

14 foot starcraft V hull,

3 groupe 24 batteries

20gal livewell

full floor and front/rear casting decks

6 gal gas

15hp merc outboard

2 guys and gear for tournament day

4-6 rods each and our tackle

TMs

2 TM set up:

2 55# 12 volt minkotas. one powerdrive(bow) one transom 55#

1 TM set up:

1 Motorguide tour Digital 36volt 109# bow TM

2 55# minkota 12 volts. How long does it last?

well I have to watch and take it easy. I don't run both at the same time much, because I just burn the batteries up fast. I do sometime but not for long time. I use the transom to get to places and the bow to fish. If I need some speed to get someplace fast I'll use both. I only get about half a day out of them ,if I am on them hard ever less. I usually just craw in at the end of the day.

what's the best thing I found about this setup? Its cheeper than a 36 Volt TM, that's all

If I was to change something and why? I did, get rid of the 12 volt TMs and use the 36 volt tm. Why? its fater and last longer.

with the 36volt 109# TM I am drawing less amps on those 3 batteries than I am with the 2 12volt 55# motors. Therfore on the same batteries i can run alot longer. At the end of a 8-9hr tournament, I still have power left.

faster? I know how much faster. the 2 55# push the boat around 4 mph on the GPS(both at full power)

the 109# pulls the boat at 6mph.(full power) When I run the 109# on my 17'6" boat it pull is at 4.5 mph. The wind and wave have nothing to do with what set up is fater. In wind and wave the 109# is still faster. and the 109# can handle the wind and wave better.

but my father uses it often. It has the 2- 12 volts on it when he uses it, when I need it. I take the TM off of my big boat and put it on the 14 footer. I have the boat set up with quick disconect TM mounts so they can change easy. Also have the boat wired up so All I have to do is add two jumper wires and plug the TM in. I have 3 bank BPS charger on it(small only 5amp per bank), so its always charged, no mater if I have it in 36 or 12 volt mode.

I am not saying that mine is the best setup, or that I am an expert with TM only boats. I fish TM only lake  abot 10 time a year. so i don't spen that much time on them. I use my big boat with the 36volt Tnm most of the time anyway on those lakes. the set up I have with the 36volt tm is the best set up I have. with my gear. I run a 36volt Tm because that is what i have. If I had a 24 volt Tm I would still use it over the 2 12 volt TMs. I did have a 70#24volt Tm, but hated it and sold it. The motor was just bad. always had a problem with it. If I still had it it would be on that 14foot instead of the 2-12volt tm. the guys that run electic only boats all the time will be the experts.

[T_Dot]

Amps is the measurement of energy the motor takes from the batteries.

A Minn Kota Maxxum Amperage specs.

55lb- Max speed Amp draw -50A

70lb- Max speed Amp draw -42A

Less amps = Longer battery life.

Just for clarification let's just say one 12v battery gives you 300 Amp hours. ( 10 Amp hours will provide 1 Amp for 10 hours.)

55lb motor draws 50A of 300 Amp hours. (12v system = 1 battery)

70lb motor draws 42A of 600 Amp hours. (24v system = 2 batteries)

How much longer will the 70 last?

55lb = 6hrs

70lb = 14.28hrs

The best person I know of to ask about that 55lb setup is Senko77 he ran two on his boat for over a year. If you send him a PM you will get your answer.

great thanks for the quick math lesson on how to calc running times.  this will help me select a good motor for my trips.  on average, i fish about 8 hours.

on occasion i fish parts of the day, and throughout the night

[T_Dot]

T_Dot,

first off, there is not a 24 volt Battery, you use 2-12 volt in series. for a 36 volt set up you use 3-12volt Batteries

oh i didnt know that. now i know

the 14 footer, this is what gear it hauls. (Tournament rigged)

14 foot starcraft V hull,

3 groupe 24 batteries

20gal livewell

full floor and front/rear casting decks

6 gal gas

15hp merc outboard

2 guys and gear for tournament day

4-6 rods each and our tackle

sounds like everything i carry minus the gass and the engine.

TMs

2 TM set up:

2 55# 12 volt minkotas. one powerdrive(bow) one transom 55#

1 TM set up:

1 Motorguide tour Digital 36volt 109# bow TM

do you think its possible to run dual 109#s off of only 3 batteries?

2 55# minkota 12 volts. How long does it last?

well I have to watch and take it easy. I don't run both at the same time much, because I just burn the batteries up fast. I do sometime but not for long time. I use the transom to get to places and the bow to fish. If I need some speed to get someplace fast I'll use both. I only get about half a day out of them ,if I am on them hard ever less. I usually just craw in at the end of the day.

do you carry the same amount of gear as stated above, or do you downsize when you only use TMs?

T_Dot,

first off, there is not a 24 volt Battery, you use 2-12 volt in series. for a 36 volt set up you use 3-12volt Batteries

oh i didnt know that. now i know

the 14 footer, this is what gear it hauls. (Tournament rigged)

14 foot starcraft V hull,

3 groupe 24 batteries

20gal livewell

full floor and front/rear casting decks

6 gal gas

15hp merc outboard

2 guys and gear for tournament day

4-6 rods each and our tackle

sounds like everything i carry minus the gass and the engine.

TMs

2 TM set up:

2 55# 12 volt minkotas. one powerdrive(bow) one transom 55#

1 TM set up:

1 Motorguide tour Digital 36volt 109# bow TM

how do these setups compare? which is faster or better for you?

2 55# minkota 12 volts. How long does it last?

well I have to watch and take it easy. I don't run both at the same time much, because I just burn the batteries up fast. I do sometime but not for long time. I use the transom to get to places and the bow to fish. If I need some speed to get someplace fast I'll use both. I only get about half a day out of them ,if I am on them hard ever less. I usually just craw in at the end of the day.

how many batteries do you use for this setup? do you carry the same amount of gear as stated above, or do you downsize when you only use TMs?

what's the best thing I found about this setup? Its cheeper than a 36 Volt TM, that's all

If I was to change something and why? I did, get rid of the 12 volt TMs and use the 36 volt tm. Why? its fater and last longer.

with the 36volt 109# TM I am drawing less amps on those 3 batteries than I am with the 2 12volt 55# motors. Therfore on the same batteries i can run alot longer. At the end of a 8-9hr tournament, I still have power left.

faster? I know how much faster. the 2 55# push the boat around 4 mph on the GPS(both at full power)

the 109# pulls the boat at 6mph.(full power) When I run the 109# on my 17'6" boat it pull is at 4.5 mph. The wind and wave have nothing to do with what set up is fater. In wind and wave the 109# is still faster. and the 109# can handle the wind and wave better.

but my father uses it often. It has the 2- 12 volts on it when he uses it, when I need it. I take the TM off of my big boat and put it on the 14 footer. I have the boat set up with quick disconect TM mounts so they can change easy. Also have the boat wired up so All I have to do is add two jumper wires and plug the TM in. I have 3 bank BPS charger on it(small only 5amp per bank), so its always charged, no mater if I have it in 36 or 12 volt mode.

I am not saying that mine is the best setup, or that I am an expert with TM only boats. I fish TM only lake abot 10 time a year. so i don't spen that much time on them. I use my big boat with the 36volt Tnm most of the time anyway on those lakes. the set up I have with the 36volt tm is the best set up I have. with my gear. I run a 36volt Tm because that is what i have. If I had a 24 volt Tm I would still use it over the 2 12 volt TMs. I did have a 70#24volt Tm, but hated it and sold it. The motor was just bad. always had a problem with it. If I still had it it would be on that 14foot instead of the 2-12volt tm. the guys that run electic only boats all the time will be the experts.

thanks for all the tips

[HPBB]

T_Dot I answered all those questions in my second post.

I carry the same gear eighter way.

the 36volt is better, in my opion

I guess you could hook up two 36volt tm to 3 batteries, but that would be a big draw on those batteries

[T_Dot]

T_Dot I answered all those questions in my second post.

I carry the same gear eighter way.

the 36volt is better, in my opion

I guess you could hook up two 36volt tm to 3 batteries, but that would be a big draw on those batteries

yea i reread you post, and found most of my answers there.

the only reason why i would want to keep it down to three batteries, is due to the weight capacity of the boat.  also a lighter boat would help things move a little easier on the water.

i would only be running both trolling motors when i run from spot to spot

[HPBB]

T_DOt ,

your talking about putting two 109# motorguides on one small jon boat. That would fly, and would be fun. I would love to try that. But have you priced a 109# yet? Your looking at $1,000 and over per motor. thats over $2,000 in just motors. You have also asked about floatation, and keeping it to 3 batteries to keep wieght down. If your up to spending money  that amount of money on motors, maybe you should look into getting abigger boat that can handle more weight and gear, or if the water you fish are not TM only lakes you might want to look into a small outboard. You can pick up a 9.9-25hp used for under $1,500 get a nice 24volt TM for $500 and you at the same price as two 36volts and can run faster and longer with the outboards. And if you get one that is electric start, it can help to charge your battieres while your out on the water.

I run a 36 volt motorguide tour, I love the motor best I have ever used, and I would not want to pay anothet $1000 for another motor. that is why I take it off of one boat to use on the other.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

And for the $$, YOU WON'T GAIN VERY MUCH MORE SPEED, YOU'LL JUST PUSH MORE WATER.  Your boat only wants to go about 5 mph before it needs a whole new power supply to put it on plane.  Anywhere in between really isn't faster.

If you get between 5-6 mph, you're flying.

[fishbear]

I run twin 50s on the back of my 14ft. jon.  Each one is wired to its own battery.  I can fish all day, and still have juice to get back to the ramp.  I am also running a 50 on the bow, it and the depth finder are hooked to one battery.... it lasts all day as well.   Now, that being said, tomorrow the boat goes out for the first time since adding the flooring and decking......  We shall see, although I am not going to be out there long, as cold as it is supposed to be here in Ga.....  wind chills down in the low teens or single digits   winds 15-25 mph.... not my kind of day to be out on Varner,,,,, but I want to see what my boat will handle like in 1. choppy water, and 2. how much the added weight is gonna affect it.

[T_Dot]

T_DOt ,

your talking about putting two 109# motorguides on one small jon boat. That would fly, and would be fun. I would love to try that. But have you priced a 109# yet? Your looking at $1,000 and over per motor. thats over $2,000 in just motors.

i have priced the 100+# motors, and i dont mind spending the money. after all i started looking at 2 55#s, and from everyones input, it just wont do the job.

You have also asked about floatation, and keeping it to 3 batteries to keep wieght down. If your up to spending money that amount of money on motors, maybe you should look into getting abigger boat that can handle more weight and gear, or if the water you fish are not TM only lakes you might want to look into a small outboard.

currently the boat is a car topper, and i can move it from any vehicle, and to all my friends vehicles too. i would like to keep it that way until i can find a suitable truck / suv with a trailer package. then i might upgrade to a bigger boat and everything else.

this is my first boat, and i can pretty much handle it myself. anything bigger might be too much for me right now.

most of the bodies of water we fish are TM only lakes. plus the smell of gas makes me sick, and can ruin a day of fishing for me.

You can pick up a 9.9-25hp used for under $1,500 get a nice 24volt TM for $500 and you at the same price as two 36volts and can run faster and longer with the outboards. And if you get one that is electric start, it can help to charge your battieres while your out on the water.

i looked up getting an outboard, but that also means getting a gas tank, getting a storing fuel... which all in all is another added expense i dont want to take on. i mean all the lakes we often fish are pretty small, and i managed to use 1 30# trust on them, and it worked fine. though i find its rather sluggish for the new and bigger boat.

I run a 36 volt motorguide tour, I love the motor best I have ever used, and I would not want to pay anothet $1000 for another motor. that is why I take it off of one boat to use on the other.

thanks for the tip, thats the type of motor i might pickup

[T_Dot]

And for the $$, YOU WON'T GAIN VERY MUCH MORE SPEED, YOU'LL JUST PUSH MORE WATER. Your boat only wants to go about 5 mph before it needs a whole new power supply to put it on plane. Anywhere in between really isn't faster.

If you get between 5-6 mph, you're flying.

sorry you lost me there...  care to explain a little more?

what do you mean i wont gain much more speed?  on which motor were you refering too?

what do you mean i might need a whole new power supply?

thanks

[T_Dot]

I run twin 50s on the back of my 14ft. jon. Each one is wired to its own battery. I can fish all day, and still have juice to get back to the ramp. I am also running a 50 on the bow, it and the depth finder are hooked to one battery.... it lasts all day as well. Now, that being said, tomorrow the boat goes out for the first time since adding the flooring and decking...... We shall see, although I am not going to be out there long, as cold as it is supposed to be here in Ga..... wind chills down in the low teens or single digits winds 15-25 mph.... not my kind of day to be out on Varner,,,,, but I want to see what my boat will handle like in 1. choppy water, and 2. how much the added weight is gonna affect it.

please post up more info once you get the boat back into the water?

what type of 14ft jon boat do you have, so i can see if it is similar to mine.  also what types of waters do you fish, and how many people / gear to do you carry?

i still might consider this option

thanks

[fishbear]

I will post some pics tomorrow... right now, i fish by myself mostly, 2 tackle boxes, 5 or 6 rods and reels, a cooler, and 3 batteries and 3 trolling motors....the boat is a 14 ft. Fisher.  I have fished 2 people out of it, and it does not seem to affect the batteries or the speed.  I am a big guy, and since I ride in front, it seems to be like Fluke has said, it runs better, front heavy.... I do not get near the performance out of it, if I am sitting in the back of the boat.

[snapperd1]

I run 2 50 lb minn kotas on my 16 foot grumman bass boat, but i power them off of 4 6 volt golfcart batteries.  I have the batteries hooked together in series to make two 12 volt batteries and then have them hooked together in parrellel to make on 12 volt.  I have plenty of power for the two motors.

TD

[striperone]

TD's the man! On an electric only boat, and if you can carry the weight (?) His setup is the best way to go...

Every displacement hull, bass boats, jon boats etc. has a theoretical hull speed. In order to go faster then this theoretical speed you would need enough horsepower to be able to lift the boat up on plane. If you calculate this most boats equal about 5 to 6mph.

Here in Maryland where there is mostly Electric Only lakes, this theoretical speed is exceeded by most that run the Electric outboards such as a Ray etc. We have displacement hulls that will run almost 10mph with fishing gear...

Scottie Too Hottie

[T_Dot]

Normally a non-planing, displacement, hull is restricted in its maximum speed by a formula related to its overall length

hspd = sq root[lvl] * 1.34

, where HSPD (in knots) is maximum hull speed, and LWL is the hull length in feet at waterline. This speed is maximised when the boat sits between the bow and stern waves, with no intervening self-caused waves along its length.