Trolling motor suggestions?

[badbob]

Hello, first I want to thank everyone for help with the post "Towing with a Ford Explorer" I really appreciate it.

I got the boat and now I need to get a new trolling motor. The boat is a 16' Bass Tracker. I am not sure how many lb thrust to get? I would like to get by as cheap as possiable?.........thanks!

[Olebiker]

I have a 17' Bass Tracker Tournament TX with a 55# Minn Kota.  It is plenty of power, but I would recommend that you choose a trolling motor with variable speed rather than the five speed.  There is too big of a gap between the "4" and "5" selection.

[IneedAnewScreenName9886691]

Should be able to find a 55lb for under $500

Either MK or MG your choice.

Don't forget batteries/installation/insulators

Congrats on the new boat! oh yea.........get ready to-............................

[move]Bust Out Another Thousand :-/ ;D[/move]

[HPBB]

get as much thrust as you can afford.

one suggestion, I know you want to keep the $$ low, but do not skimp on your TM. It is the one part of your boat you use more than anything. getting a good TM was the best thing I ever did. If you buy a small, cheep motor you will not enjoy running it.it will not push the boat in curret, wind or get out of the weeds  If you go with a 12 volt sysytem, a 45#-55# should work just fine. if you go 24 the a 70 is great, but that is more $$. you also have to decide if you want cable steer?, or a power steer? what motor is on it now? I know the new ones have a 45#MG, its ok, but I like alot more power.

[Raul]

Get the most pounds of thrust you can afford.

[GobbleDog]

I used to own a 16' bass tracker... they aren't too heavy and don't require as much thrust as bigger boats.

30 lbs will move it around ok in calm water, but it can't fight a strong breeze.  45-50 lbs is probably all the power you'll ever need.  70-80 lb motors and you can pull a skier.

[badbob]

Hi, thanks for the suggestions , right now it has a Mariner trolling motor

the fellow I got the boat from said it is the originla that came on the boat.

Thanks

[Tpayneful]

Go to www.minnkotamotors.com, click products and click Select-A-Motor.  Plug in the information about your boat and it will tell you what they suggest is right for your boat.  Try it on 12V and 24V.

[Starcraft01]

what is the differenc between power steer and cable steer?

[Madhouse27]

Perhaps I'm a bit old school but I prefer a cable steer set up. The cable is directly connected to the pedal and is moved by either toeing or heeling the pedal. It's a very simple system. It's fixable if there is ever a problem and the turning of the motor is instantaneous and quiet. With this system both the pedal itself and the covered cable running from the pedal to the motor tend to be larger and require a bit more up and down foot action than a power type. The power steer variety consists of a small turning motor on the trolling motor that is electronically controlled by the pedal. Because all you are sending is electricity through the cable, the cable itself is much smaller in diameter than the other style. Also the pedals tend to be flatter and don't require such an exaggerated foot motion to control. This style may be a bit more user friendly and less of a workout on the foot and leg but in my opinion has a couple of drawbacks. First is that the tm can only turn as fast as the electronic turning motor is designed to go. If you are in a pickle (wind/rocks/avoiding something etc) and need to move NOW there's no doubt that you can turn the trolling motor faster with a cable steer. The other thing that may or not be a big deal is the sound the motor makes as it is adjusting your direction. It's like a buzz sound every time you steer. Some are quieter than others but over the course of a days fishing hearing the bzzzt a couple hundred times can get a little old. I'd recommend a 24 volt (two batteries in a series) with a minimum of 55lbs thrust. An aluminum boat is light and big thrust might seem like overkill, but when you are out in the wind a light boat has to fight much harder. I like Minn Kota but that's like a Ford/Chevy thing. Get the brand that you feel good about.

[MemphisFisherman]

Perhaps I'm a bit old school but I prefer a cable steer set up. The cable is directly connected to the pedal and is moved by either  toeing or heeling the pedal. It's a very simple system. It's fixable if there is ever a problem and the turning of the motor is instantaneous and quiet. With this system both the pedal itself and the covered cable running from the pedal to the motor tend to be larger and require a bit more up and down foot action than a power type. The power steer variety consists of a small turning motor on the trolling motor that is electronically controlled by the pedal. Because all you are sending is electricity through the cable, the cable itself is much smaller in diameter than the other style. Also the pedals tend to be flatter and don't require such an exaggerated foot motion to control. This style may be a bit more user friendly and less of a workout on the foot and leg but in my opinion has a couple of drawbacks. First is that the tm can only turn as fast as the electronic turning motor is designed to go. If you are in a pickle (wind/rocks/avoiding something etc) and need to move NOW there's no doubt that you can turn the trolling motor faster with a cable steer. The other thing that may or not be a big deal is the sound the motor makes as it is adjusting your direction. It's like a buzz sound every time you steer. Some are quieter than others but over the course of a days fishing hearing the bzzzt a couple hundred times can get a little old. I'd recommend a 24 volt (two batteries in a series) with a minimum of 55lbs thrust. An aluminum boat is light and big thrust might seem like overkill, but when you are out in the wind a light boat has to fight much harder. I like Minn Kota but that's like a Ford/Chevy thing. Get the brand that you feel good about.

x2, and if you are looking at cheaper model's, well this is just my personal feeling...Motorguide SUCKS's, the cheap ones have tiny little brackets on it that look like they can snap at any moment, get yourself a decent Minnkota or find an old used Johnson OMC.

[badbob]

Thanks for all the help! I bought a Minn Kota Edge Bow Mount 50lb thrust . I wanted to get a variable speed but I just could not swing it . I wanted to get another battery for the trolling motor seperate from the starting battery ( like everyone suggested) I am going out tommorrow for the first time........Can't wait! again thanks to everyone for the help!

All the best, Bob