upgrade 24V to 26V TM

[Hot Rod]

I'm thinking of upgrading the 65lbs 24V TM on my 18.5' Stratos to a 100 lbs 36V TM since I fish some lakes I can't crank the outboard due to HP restrictions.  

Would this be overkill on that size boat?  (I'm concerned more here about the extra weight of a bigger TM and and extra battery/charger than too much TM power)

Would it be better just to upgrade to a 80lbs 24V TM or would the extra 15lbs of thrust not be worth the cash.

Any insight/experience in this would be great.

Thanks.

[HPBB]

I run a 109# MG on my 17'6" boat and there is never to much power. I know that the 109# 36 volt & 82# 24volt Tm are the same weigh the same only wieght differance is the extra battery. If you have room for it I would say get the bigger motor. The weight of a 3 bank charger is only a pound or two more than a 2 bank.

When I was buying mine the 109 was only about $50-$100 more than the 82 and I thought that if I didn't get the 109 I would be always wanting it.

Just remember you are not only getting 15 more pounds of power, but your getting more running time with the 36 volt TM. I know If can't charge my batteries,  I can go two days in a tournament with out chargeing the batteries and still have a lot of power left. and that is using the TM all day both days.

I always say " Buy the biggest TM you can afford" if you can afford the 36volt and you have the room for the extra battery. I would say yes get. If you don't you might always be wanting more

[Jig Man]

Either the 36v or strongest 24v should do the job for you.  When I was rigging my boat I opted to upgrade to the 82# 24v instead of the 36v because of battery storage and the on board charger banks.  

I added 3" to the shaft so I have a 45" instead of a 42".  I can rip on high and hold into wind and waves till they come over the bow.  The extra 3" make quite a difference in performance.

[Hot Rod]

Hey thanks for the insight/info guys.  That helps alot.

I never thought about the longer run time on the 36V system for tourney's and multi day fishing trips.  That would be very helpful if I was camping in an area without electricity (which I plan to do).

I think I read somwhere else that the 80lbs+ TMs have a switch that turns the power up slowly at the start instead of going from a dead stop to full throttle in an instant.  Is that true for all the bigger TM's or just one brand?

I have to be real careful now because if I have the TM on high and it is turned 90 degrees to the boat it gives such a sudden jolt it nearly throw's you out of the bow.  Usually I remember to check first but sometimes I don't and...