Is 40 LB thrust enough?

[GoReds]

Would a 40 LB thrust trolling motor be enough for my 14 ft. jon boat (with 9.9 HP motor), or should I save and buy the 55 LB thrust tolling motor?  I'm looking at the Minn Kota Traxxis and trying to decide it the extra $100 for the 55 LB is worth it.  I appreciate anyone's input.

[Calcutta]

If you fish in a lake most of the time 40 lb. is plenty. If you fish in the rivers much you will definitely be happier with the 55 lb. A 40 will struggle to pull you upstream.

[done]

Hey GoReds, can you throw some info about where you typically fish?  I have used 10 lbs on my 1436 (w 8 hp 4 stroke)on ponds, worked fine. On Lake Wylie, not so fine. If I was in a current, would be useless.

For me, that would really be the deciding factor. In my situation I think a 40 lb would be fine for my ride, but it all depends where you go.

[GoReds]

I fish Old Hickory Lake, Percy Priest, and occasionally Dale Hollow (all in Tennessee).  When I'm out I stay away from the channel and fish back in the creeks.

[done]

I would think 40 lb would be fine. Obviously, if you can get a stronger motor, you would not regret it.

Given what my 10 lb thrust motor did for my boat, if I had 4 times that thrust, I would not be replacing it. there really is no current on Lake Wylie, and the kind of wind, and waves that would make a 40 lb not work would be something I wold not take my jon out in anyway.

[Wayne P.]

When it comes to pounds of thrust or horse power for boat motors, there is no such thing as "enough". For electric, it's the max you can afford and for gas motors, it's the max rating of the boat or max allowed on restricted bodies of water. Anything less than maximum is a compromise.

[Grey Wolf]

The more the better.

[fishfordollars]

Never enough. Remember that when you end up upgrading in a few months.

[surfer]

it depends on how important the $100 is to you, but you will be happier with the 55lb

[done]

Reminds me of the discussion that I had with my CEO a few months ago.

He asked me how I felt about my compensation package. My response..."Well I think I am paid well but I would be a lier if I told you I did not want to make more.".

Got him laughing good.

To their points, i have never heard anyone open a thread on here about how their trolling motor sucks because it had too much power. LOL.

It is all about what you can settle for. Personally though dude, IF you plan on having the boat and the motor for a long while, I would wait a little and get a stronger one. If you really cannot afford the extra $100, then you will probably be content with the 40 lber, IMO.

[Raul]

Would a 40 LB thrust trolling motor be enough for my 14 ft. jon boat (with 9.9 HP motor),

NO.

40 lbs is barely enough, I 've got a 12 ft jonboat/6.5 hp/36 lbs TM, everything is fine until the wind begins to blow  > ....... should have purchased at least 50 lbs.  :-/

[NHfroggin]

Is it transom or bow mount? i have a 40 thrust on the bow and unless there is extreme winds it pulls my boat along with no problem at all, i have left my gas motor at home and just went all day with the 40# and it worked awesome.

[Dean]

Raul nailed it. You must factor in the wind, meaning you can never have enough thrust. It is better to have more, than to have not enough.

[done]

Would a 40 LB thrust trolling motor be enough for my 14 ft. jon boat (with 9.9 HP motor),

NO.

40 lbs is barely enough, I 've got a 12 ft jonboat/6.5 hp/36 lbs TM, everything is fine until the wind begins to blow > ....... should have purchased at least 50 lbs. :-/

Hey raul, how much wind you talking about where you started having problems? I know with my 10 lbs a butterfly running perpendicular to me would cause some issues (actually 5 mph winds would start issues, 10 would seal my fate).

Just curious, I actually managed ot get my hands on a 50 lb thrust motor for free, which I should have shortly. Curious as to any issues I may have.

[Raul]

You don 't need much wind when you are on a jonboat to experience manueverability and wind drift issues, I tell you this for your own good.

My boat even though a 12 ft is a Mexican built jonboat with thicker and heavier aluminum than most jonboats I 've seen in the states ( my 12 ft weights about the same than a 14 fter ) and it still drifts fast with a little wind ( around 5 MPH ) the windier it gets the more thrust you need, get into the 10 MPH and with 40 lbs in that boat you 'll drift like a kite.

Two things are certain with TMs:

1.- You can never have "too much" thrust

2.- The shaft is never "too long".

Bassmaster6 says: "unless there is extreme winds it pulls my boat along with no problem at all"

He never been around my home lake when there 's "extreme" wind and the waves hit the 3-4 ft mark . When I say "I should have purchased at least a 50 pounder" I know what I 'm talking about.

There 's also a point to take in consideration, the smaller your TM the more battery you wear because you 'll have to run on a higher speed for more time to maintain your position or to manuever to contrarest the effect of the wind drift, higher speed ----> your battery runs out of juice a lot faster, I 've juiced out my TM battery more than once when it gets windy and the fun has to end earlier cuz we ran out of battery. >

Also, I recommend you get an extension arm for your TM, normally the extension handle in the TM is not long enough and it always points in the same direction ( straight ahead ), try a day of manuevering the TM  you standing up and having to lean down to grab the handle and you 'll know what back pain at the end of the day is all about.

I puchased an extension arm called Stiff Arm ( I found it at Academy Sports ), it clamps down on the TM shaft just below the head of the TM and you can lift or lower the arm so you can reach it easily, cost a few bucks and it 's one of those things that makes your life a lot easier, best money ever spend.  

[GoReds]

I appreciate everyone's input.  I've decided to go with the 55LB.  Thanks for the info Raul.  One of the appealing features of the Minn Kota Traxxis is that the handle tilts up 45 degrees and extends out to 16 inches.

[jig]

I fish in a little 10 ft jon boat that I have a 46 lb transom motorguide on and thats not enough when its windy.

[done]

Good stuff raul. I have been considering if I need the extension arm for mine. I usually do about 50/50 sitting standing. You are right it would be MUCH easier if I did not have to bend over or sit down for the TM.

[bass or bass ?]

I live in Phoenix Arizona and we get some pretty strong wind on our lakes. I have a 16' fiberglass boat with 80 hp motor and a 50# thrust Minn-Kota Edge motor that has absolutely no trouble pulling me around under any conditions. Just my two cents.     Happy fishing.

~B.A.S.S.~N.A.F.C.~BoatU.S.~N.R.A.~A.M.A.~

[Catt]

My theory on selecting trolling motors:

1. You can never have "too much" thrust

2. The shaft is never "too long".

[Calcutta]

I live in Phoenix Arizona and we get some pretty strong wind on our lakes. I have a 16' fiberglass boat with 80 hp motor and a 50# thrust Minn-Kota Edge motor that has absolutely no trouble pulling me around under any conditions. Just my two cents. Happy fishing.

~B.A.S.S.~N.A.F.C.~BoatU.S.~N.R.A.~A.M.A.~

I have the same 50# minn kota on the front of  my 176 tracker and Ive never been disappointed with it.It is plenty strong enough for the river current and winds I encounter.