I’m looking to get a trolling motor for a 21 foot bay boat.Its set up for a12v .Would a 54 thrust be enough for it?The boat weighs about 2500 loaded.
No, not even close. You need at least 80lb 24v or a 101lb 36v would be even better. The 80lb thrust would probably not do too well in a strong current.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
You are wasting your time and money on any thing less than 24 V 80 # and salt water type the Minn Kota is hard to beat! Just bought an I pilot, Its the best thing since a fluke anchor!
if it’s setup for 12v, it’s probably setup for 12/24/36V. What year is the boat?
btw, minn kota is having a rebate on the ipilot models. And they have a new 112lb thrust model.
I have a 19ft bay boat and have been tossing the idea of bumping to a 36v because the currents can rip around here.
Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
What they said.
I have a 21 foot bay boat with an 80# Min Kota - pushes the boat just fine. I did buy the 62" model, the extension makes a difference. a 54# will not cut it.
It’s a 2014 and I’m not sure but I thought it was just set up for 12v.I’ll check
I have a 20 foot boat with a 101 lb thrust Minn Kota. you might get by with the 80lb but go for the 101 if you can. You do not want to be under powered.
Only problem with 36 volts is the weight. It really depends on how much, and what you are using it for.
Only problem with 36 volts is the weight. It really depends on how much, and what you are using it for.
24v system 80# fine…If you got lots of cash, go with 36v system. Check out BOEmarine.com Ask Jim about it. They have numerous motors with warranties for almost half the price! They have been refurbished, but are good to go. Also, all the digital stuff is great, but keep in mind that it is more fragile. If you can keep things simple by just using a tiller style, you’ll get a tougher, more durable motor with a longer run time for a lot less money.
“The problem that infuriates you the most is the one you are meant to solve.”
X2 on all this info. I will add an 80 lb. thrust motor will pull it fine, but the length of time is a question. You will have to run it on 50% or higher for a boat that size, and in my experience, you will get about a 4-6 hour run time (depending on battery type) without running the batteries down. If you will have days where you will be running the TM all day, I recommend the 36V models.
quote:
Originally posted by Got2Go24v system 80# fine…If you got lots of cash, go with 36v system. Check out BOEmarine.com Ask Jim about it. They have numerous motors with warranties for almost half the price! They have been refurbished, but are good to go. Also, all the digital stuff is great, but keep in mind that it is more fragile. If you can keep things simple by just using a tiller style, you’ll get a tougher, more durable motor with a longer run time for a lot less money.
“The problem that infuriates you the most is the one you are meant to solve.”
all the new trolling motors use a simple 2 wire system
doesn’t matter if its 12-24-36 volt.
you determine the voltage by your battery wiring.
2 batteries in series gives you 24 volts
a 24 volt 80# minn kota would work perfectly
with 2 group 27 deep cycle batteries, you shouldn’t have any problem with an average day of fishing.
if you can swing the extra cash, the I-Pilot is worth every penny.
Thanks for the advice.I will probably go 80 24v
Make sure you get the right length shaft, I think Its better to go longer!
Minn Kota is doing a rebate on TM’s with preinstalled iPilot.
It’s a dollar per lb of thrust.
I just ordered the 112 ipilot.
Rebate is good until June or July.
Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
Hope this will help some. 80# will probably work, but I’d get the 36V with upwards of 100# on a boat that size, especially if you plan to ever fish in any current to speak of (which I like to do). I wouldn’t worry about battery weight on a 21’ bay boat. Under-powering it would be a bigger concern for me. You want to be able to maintain the proper boat position when working a school without being overtaken by current.
I’d personally get a tiller model, but if you do, make sure the shaft length is right (get the 60 or 62, depending on the brand). It will help save your back and other frustrations. No offense to any AP or digital fans, but I absolutely hate the auto-pilots and the digital foot-control models. Way too slow on steering for me. I can whip the boat around faster and better with the tiller. I like a fast steering response and no gizmos to mess with. Foot control can also throw you in the water if you stand while fishing, which is obviously not good, especially if you occasionally fish alone.
As for brand, I currently have both Motor Guide and Minn Kota on two different boats and have had a couple of Kotas and several MG’s in the past (along with some Johnsons and others). Both the Kotas and the MG’s have plusses and minuses. The Minn Kota (Riptide) I have has a nicer look with a more elegant hoist/mount thingie than my Motor Guide (Great White), but the latter has a noticeably quieter motor and requires less water without modifications (which probably won’t matter too much on a 21’ bay boat). The MG also has a simpler, lower-profile mount with a quick detach for just the motor itself, while my Kota requires that I remove the whole motor with the hoist/mount from the dog bone. I also know the MG’s easy to work on because I replaced the guts in mine myself with cheap parts off the internet. You may be able to do the same with a Minn Kota. I haven’t had to yet (the MK is much newer than the MG, and I haven’t abused it as much). The Minn Kota fits better on my skiff because of layo