Best Trolling Motor

[flyboy]

I have ordered a new boat and decided to go with a 24v 80lb thrust motor. I decided on a make so let's not discuss that, instead I would like feedback on the 80 vs. the 101 thrust. In the past I have had 12v and 12/24v motors and I think everyone knows how those performed. My last boat had the 80lb 24v motor and I was always amazed how it ate weeds and would move my boat to the point if I cranked it up to 75 lb of thrust I had to make sure of my footing lest I get cold and wet. I decided to go with the 80 on the new boat because I think the performance is more than adequate and I wanted to reduce the weight and maintenance of another battery. I feel like I have thought this through but I can still change if I want so I thought I would seek input from the forum.

[Long Mike]

The old fisherman's adage is to buy the most thrust that you can afford. I could afford a 100, but opted for the 80 Minn Kota. I haven't been disappointed in the least.

[Jig Man]

I've been dragging around a 21' for a long time with a 45" TE 82. When it can't do the job, I don't need to be out there.

[Sfritr]

I am also in the market for a new TM. Currently, I have a 54lb thrust on an 18 ft boat. I think my boat would leave a rooster tail if I had 80lb of thrust.

However, go big or go home. At some point you will wish you had more power

[Al Wolbach]

I believe 80 lbs is more than enough unless you fish lakes that are very weedy or fish in a lot of current. I have not needed more on my 20' Champion. The additional expense with batteries, chargers and trolling motor are not worth it to me, not to mention weight.............Al

I just noticed you are from Florida, I might reconsider..............

[scbassin]

On my last boat(Ranger 185vs) I had a Minn Kota 74lb thrust. It worked just fine. My new boat is a Ranger Z-21 with a Minn Kota 101lb thrust it also works just fine. This boat is much heavier. It has a 10" hyd jackplate, power pole,carries more fuel, live wells are bigger & a heavier engine. I fish on Santee Cooper in SC so wind is some what of a factor also. I don't think I would be happy with an 80lb thrust on this boat. You did not mention what size boat you were getting so I compared my last 2 to give you an idea. Hope it helps.

[flyboy]

The reason I started this thread is I have been fishing my 20i with a Fortrex 80 for two years in a lot of different conditions except strong current and have not had any problems at all. I fish my buddie's Z21 that has a Minn Kota 101 and I feel my trolling motor does as well as his and mine is quieter. I can run my motor on 25-30 lbs. of thrust and do great until the wind starts howling. It even handles grass and most weeds on the low setting--I even went across about a half mile of solid hydrilla on Okeechobee once but that did require all it had. I like to cut weight as much as possible since I carry way too much tackle so it sounds like there is no legitimate reason to go to the 101. I am going from the 20i to the FX 21.

[Bass_Fanatic]

Sounds like your happy with your 80lb Fortrex...stick with it, its plenty for that boat. I have only been in a few situations were I "needed" a 101lb and I probably should have been at home in all of em. Toledo Bend can get pretty nasty with a 35 mph wind lol.

[scrutch]

Sounds like your happy with your 80lb Fortrex...stick with it, its plenty for that boat. I have only been in a few situations were I "needed" a 101lb and I probably should have been at home in all of em. Toledo Bend can get pretty nasty with a 35 mph wind lol.

I was also looking to buy an 80lb TM for my 18' Cobra when a heckuva deal came by on a MK101 Terrova iPilot. I think it's a little overkill, but I also fish in heavy river current, and on a lot of electric only lakes. I may never need 101lbs of thrust, but, God forbid, if I ever do, I'm covered.

[flyboy]

One last point nobody has raised. I have fished for three days and was unable to charge the batteries. On the third day I noticed that the batteries were a little weak but still did the job. For those of you who have the 36v systems, do the three batteries last noticeably longer without a charge?

[South FLA]

One last point nobody has raised. I have fished for three days and was unable to charge the batteries. On the third day I noticed that the batteries were a little weak but still did the job. For those of you who have the 36v systems, do the three batteries last noticeably longer without a charge?

36v systems draw less amps than 24v systems, therefore if you run similar setups a 36v trolling motor will draw less amps over an equal amount of time, thus longer battery life. I have a Ranger 185vs Intracoastal with a Minn Kota Maxxum 74 and it does a good job overall, but there are MANY times especially in Florida where weeds are a factor where I wish I had the extra power of the 36v system. If you have the space in your boat for a 36v system I would go ahead and do it.

If you are concerned about weight go with Optima Blue Tops, which are lighter than AGM or traditional wet cell batteries, make sure you have them tested before leaving the store though, heard some horror stories about them being dead from factory. You can also offset some of the weight issues caused by batteries, by using a portable instead of an onboard charger, or modifying your onboard charger to use as an off boat portable. Some of the guys on the tour use Lester (http://www.lesterelectrical.com/products/index.htm) portable chargers to save additional weight and just charge their batteries on the portable.

So if you go with 3 Optima Blue Top Group D27M @ 53.8lbs each and subtract the weight of your on board 3 bank charger, lets assume about 15lbs. Than you have a total weight of about 146.4lbs, that is about equal to the weight of 2 typical AGM or Wet Cell batteries (60lbs each) with an on-board charger of about 135lbs.

[scrutch]

I just got back from my first very windy day (20-25 mph winds) using the new Terrova 101 with iPilot. If I had it to do over again, I'd buy... a Terrova 101 with iPilot. WOW! I'm going on record saying that you cannot have too much TM thrust! That extra power to spare is absolutely awesome.

I tooled right over to my waypoint, hit the spotlock upwind of the waypoint marking structure I wanted to fish and BAM! The boat didn't move off that spot! I didn't realize what a luxury that was until I actually used it. I would have NEVER been able to fish that spot with my old TM.

I LOVE this TM.

[gar-tracker]

I just found out my 101 is shot, I got about 10 years out of it so I ordered a new one. I fish Florida grassy lakes and the 101 is a must.

If you have the room for the battery's and the boats over 18 I would advise the 101.

[flyboy]

I just got back from my first very windy day (20-25 mph winds) using the new Terrova 101 with iPilot. If I had it to do over again, I'd buy... a Terrova 101 with iPilot. WOW! I'm going on record saying that you cannot have too much TM thrust! That extra power to spare is absolutely awesome.

I tooled right over to my waypoint, hit the spotlock upwind of the waypoint marking structure I wanted to fish and BAM! The boat didn't move off that spot! I didn't realize what a luxury that was until I actually used it. I would have NEVER been able to fish that spot with my old TM.

I LOVE this TM.

Hey Scrutch

Your situation is one where I think I would have the trolling motor you have. Fishing in current for long periods where the trolling motor has to be on for long a duration has to be tough on the operator and especially tough on the batteries. I fish a lot of heavy grass that is also tough on the trolling motor but in recent years I have been poling in those situations for stealth. I am amazed how much closer I can get to a bed with the pole versus the trolling motor. Poling is a lot of work but it pays off. I used to do a lot of flats fishing in the Keys so the poling sorta comes naturally. The stealth required while stalking a Permit or Bonefish pays off with bass also.