Trolling motor advice

[Conclusion]

I'm purchasing a used Lund fury 1600ss and want to add a trolling motor. I'm trying to decide between the 12v 55lb terrova and the 24v 80lb. I know the boat will be fine with the 55lb but wondering if it'll be worth it going to the 24v for the extra run time. If I purchase the 12v I'll likely put it on the 100ah Dakota lithium and if I get the 24v I'll rig two 54ah Dakota lithiums. Looking for opinions between the two and how their run time might compare. Thanks.

[gim]

I would tend to think that the 12v 55lb thrust one would suffice for a boat like that.  Its not a heavy boat.  It may also be dependent on how long you generally fish, if you fish in river current, and if there is a decent chop on the water.  All of those factors require more thrust and battery power.

 

That being said, no one ever said "I wish I didn't have this much power" when it comes to stuff like this.

[AmmoGuy]

If you don't mind buying lithiums, and/or you have the extra space and don't mind the weight, ALWAYS go 24V. 

 

In my 16' Xpress, I currently run a 55lb because I don't want the weight of a third wet cell, and don't want to spend the money on lithiums. The 55 pulls the boat around fine unless it's pretty windy, then I always wish I had more umph. In good conditions, I can run the 55 off one 29 size 122ah battery for most of the day. 

[A-Jay]

80 lb and 24 volts = doing it right the first time.

Be that guy.

#noregrets

A-Jay

 

[BassNJake]

I've got a 16 foot crestliner 

I used to run a 36V 101 and have to replace the circuit board

so now I'm running a 55 and it's wimpy

I'm running 2 AGM's in parallel so I've got plenty of juice

Trying to head into a 10 mph wind and you dont have enough power

I'm just stuck treading water

[Big Rick]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

80 lb and 24 volts = doing it right the first time.

Be that guy.

#noregrets

A-Jay

 

And if you REALLY want to do it right, go ULTREX. You'll never regret it. I sure haven't. 

[Conclusion]

Thanks for the responses and advice. I'd like something that I can actually troll with around 2mph if possible for a good chunk of the day instead of using the outboard. I'd definitely like to do it right the first time as a-jay said, sounds like the 24v is the way to go.

[Bruce424]

i have a 16 foot crestliner storm. first thing i did was switch out the trolling motor and got lithium batteries for 24 volt 82lb thrust?best thing ive done to the boat. 

[WRB]

Whatever you decide get Spot Lock and 24V.

Tom

 

[Big Hands]

I have a 16' Tracker Grizzly MVX (1648 jon boat with a floor and F & R casting deck) with a 40 hp four stroke Merc) and run a 65 lb Minn Kota Edge 24v. I run it on two Group 27 Duracell AGM deep cycle batteries, with 12v tapping off of one of them for starting the outboard and running two fish finders. 

 

I had a 45 lb Edge 12v running a single Group 29 deep cycle (pull start 15 hp outboard) on a 14' Valco previous to this current rig.

 

I much prefer the 24v trolling motor on the current rig and I can run all day. 

On my 19' Ranger with a 200 hp Merc BITD, I ran with only two Trojan 6v golf cart batteries for starting and running the Merc Thruster (with a mind numbing 42 lb of thrust) with no problems. It was rigged new that way by North Hollywood Marine by a guy on their pro-staff deal that got his new boat rigged that way every year.

 

I know you'll hear that you should have a separate starting battery that isn't deep cycle, but I have not had any issues with just deep cycles. My little 40 hp four stroke takes about a whole two seconds at most to start and I carry a small jump starter just in case. 

 

I'd rather invest in other electronics than litihum batteries if I have to pick one or the other. But, I'm not going to lie and say I wouldn't like to have lithium batteries and a 24v or 36v trolling motor with spot lock. 

[Tennessee Boy]

I’m a firm believer that money spent an a good trolling motor is money well spent.  

[Jig Man]

AJ and Tom have offered sound advice.  A 24 will give you more power with less amps drawn and less heat generated.  It should have more than double the run time of a 12v.

[NYBasser]

I definitely would go with a 24v system over a 12v. I used to run a 12V 46lb thrust motorguide on a tracker 185 and the battery would only last roughly 4 hours or so. Switched to a 24V minn kota and the run time more than doubled.

[schplurg]

Lithium batteries are dropping in price. I don't think I'd consider lead acid for a trolling motor anymore.

[Yakalong]

24v always go with the bigger when it comes to motors. You can always slow it down but you can't speed up under powered motors. 

[Woody B]

I believe my Tracker Classic XL is around the same size and the Lund mentioned.  I've got a 55 pound trolling motor (powerdrive with pro-nav gps).  It would quickly eat the 88 amp hour Interstate that came in my boat.  I've got a 125 amp hour lithium now.  I fished 12 + hours last Saturday with both of my grandsons (15 and 17) in the boat.  It was windy.  My trolling motor battery was at 56% at the end of the day.   The 55 pound motor will propel the boat to over 3 mph.   It wouldn't hurt to have 24 volts, but I don't think it's necessary.  

[gim]

On 4/21/2022 at 6:39 PM, schplurg said:

Lithium batteries are dropping in price. I don't think I'd consider lead acid for a trolling motor anymore.

They need to come down significantly before I will consider them.

[DaubsNU1]

Rather have it and not need is...vs. needing it and not having it!

 

Go Big!!

[TOXIC]

Not to derail the topic and he did mention it …..

How many on here actually use their trolling motor to troll?  It’s not my style of fishing and I have been on my TM pedal most of the day in wind and current but I have never used it to troll.  I know Minn Kota made a troller that attached to the foot of the big motor but I thought guys who trolled normally used small kicker motors?