Brad Reid Posted January 22, 2020 Posted January 22, 2020 7 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said: Not sure why you felt the need to call me out in the first place, but in your highlighted sentence he never says "big top end speed" yet he is speaking from actual experience which to you, apparently doesn't mean much. My real world experience means I have actually been in the same boat that went from a 45 to a 70 and it made a huge difference. Again, to the OP yes a 55 would be better than a 30. Sorry, I guess I will argue semantics. JB, sorry, not trying here to be argumentative, just informative. The other poster I quoted said it cut his travel time across the lake in half. That is, by definition, a doubling of speed. Right? Isn't that what he was implying? Anyway, Minn Kota and the other TM manufacturers have it right, understand the physics involved here. I can't even imagine a situation where any TM manufacturer would NOT want to advertise a large increase in speed outcomes if they could say it with accuracy. You know they all would do so. They can't . . . so their charts reference such matters relating more to run times on charges, thrust benefits (there are some, of course). You will never read any advertising claims about meaningful top end speed improvements for a reason. We'll let it drop,, right? No harm here regardless of what someone believes or doesn't believe. And, small TMs are pretty cheap anyway. Brad 15 minutes ago, DanielG said: Here's another take on it. My boat is all electric. A catamaran pontoon. I love it. I have two batteries and two 35 lb thrust motors. Both batteries are connected to both motors. If one battery or one motor ever dies on me I've always got a backup. Using both motors doesn't increase the speed much, but I do know about the wind battles. Yes, in a stronger wind, kicking in the extra motor does make a difference. I think the prop on the motors is designed for a certain speed for moving a boat and slow trolling. If the motor hits some resistance it just draws more current to maintain it's thrust, but it doesn't go faster. A look on amazon at some minn kota props it seems that my 35 lb thrust prop also fits larger motors. Daniel, yes, not much speed increase running one or two . . . and you correctly point out where the benefits of extra thrust lie. Good real world experience. Brad Quote
Super User WRB Posted January 22, 2020 Super User Posted January 22, 2020 Why not start a new post this is nearly 13 years old. This is a question the kayak folks are better suited to respond to. Kayak is limited to battery size/weight and not nessesary to have more thrust that requires more amp draw. Tom Quote
Basstracker Posted January 22, 2020 Posted January 22, 2020 I'm new to the forum, but this is exactly why I joined. Lots of well informed guys with a passion for what they do and willing to share their knowledge with others. In short, I have an older 16' aluminum Tracker with a 35lb. bow mount Minn Kota. On a nice calm day it performs well, but when the wind and current kicks up, it leaves a lot to be desired. I also agree with buy what you can afford and you'll be glad when you do need it. Quote
Brad Reid Posted January 22, 2020 Posted January 22, 2020 7 hours ago, WRB said: Why not start a new post this is nearly 13 years old. This is a question the kayak folks are better suited to respond to. Kayak is limited to battery size/weight and not nessesary to have more thrust that requires more amp draw. Tom Ha, Tom!!! Good catch. I haven't posted in a while owing to a move, saw this topic under "View New Content" and missed its inception date. Anyway, you are so correct that this is an issue in the kayak and other small vessel worlds. For big boats, speed and crossing lakes with TMs is never a discussed issue; that's what big motor are for. For big boats, the issue with TMs usually centers on battery life. It is also the reason TMs target thrust and not speed: big boats are relatively heavy. Then, us kayakers took over the world and 3 vs 3.5 mph suddenly became a thing. We'll discuss it forever. This post proves it. Brad 1 Quote
DanielG Posted January 22, 2020 Posted January 22, 2020 32 minutes ago, Brad Reid said: Ha, Tom!!! Good catch. I haven't posted in a while owing to a move, saw this topic under "View New Content" and missed its inception date. Anyway, you are so correct that this is an issue in the kayak and other small vessel worlds. For big boats, speed and crossing lakes with TMs is never a discussed issue; that's what big motor are for. For big boats, the issue with TMs usually centers on battery life. It is also the reason TMs target thrust and not speed: big boats are relatively heavy. Then, us kayakers took over the world and 3 vs 3.5 mph suddenly became a thing. We'll discuss it forever. This post proves it. Brad My homemade catamaran is in the 2.5 mph range (according to my Garmin) A bit heavier than a Kayak but still all electric an a 4 mile lake. Quote
Brad Reid Posted January 22, 2020 Posted January 22, 2020 7 hours ago, DanielG said: My homemade catamaran is in the 2.5 mph range (according to my Garmin) A bit heavier than a Kayak but still all electric an a 4 mile lake. Daniel, yours looks a bit like my former Bluesky Boatworks 360 catamaran style "kayak." It was slow as a turtle using just its pedals for locomotion and in dire need of a TM . . . of any size !!! . . . to move around. Brad Quote
DanielG Posted January 22, 2020 Posted January 22, 2020 2 hours ago, Brad Reid said: Daniel, yours looks a bit like my former Bluesky Boatworks 360 catamaran style "kayak." It was slow as a turtle using just its pedals for locomotion and in dire need of a TM . . . of any size !!! . . . to move around. Brad Yes, It is not fast but Trolls really nicely and opens up to a blazing 2.5 mph if needed. Two pontoons with a 6'x12' deck. Two 100 amp solar power storage batteries and two 35 lb minn kotas. Complete with retractable awying, electronic steering, garmin fish finder, radio, LED lights (and some Multi color around the perimeter. Just a lot of fun to fish from. The build for it on Instructables is here. And you should see my previous one... 4 electric motors and 8 batteries and floatation was 2400 two liter soda bottles. No kidding Wanna see it too? 1 Quote
OnthePotomac Posted January 25, 2020 Posted January 25, 2020 Well, I will be different. On my Pro 175 with a 12V 43lb MG I upgraded to a 55lb digital variable speed 12V MG and a size 27 battery. Fishing the Tidal Potomac with river current, tide flow and wind and I do not need anything more to control the boat and stand on the TM all day. Summer is grass beds and that thing with the blade grinds right through it until I get to the stuff I can walk on LOL. 5-6 hours on the water and end of the day lots of battery left. Quote
Mike2288 Posted February 26, 2020 Posted February 26, 2020 I have a 16ft 1969 fiber glass boat. It had an outer motor but I took it off. Will my 50lbs thrust motor push this boat? I don’t wanna over work my trolling motor. Quote
Ratherbefishing75 Posted April 17, 2020 Posted April 17, 2020 I’ve used a 30 and a 36 pound thrust motor and I currently have a 55 on my 16 1/2 foot canoe and it moves along quite nicely loaded down with two guys and all the gear Quote
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