What type of trolling motor is better?

[blakjack23]

I have a 16 foot aluminum Lund and recently busted my transom mounted trolling motor. I am going to be purchasing a new one but I'm not sure what type is better. For this type of boat should I stick with the rear trolling motor or should I get a bow mounted one? Do the bow mounted tend to get more weeds? Are the bow mounted mainly better for bigger boats? This is my first boat so any advice would be great. Anybody have a nice cheap one for sale?

[mnbass2002]

Fisrt of all i would say Minn Kota.
now here is a couple of questions
1. what type of fishing do you nomally do?
2. are you hardcore or just go out for a few hours?
3. how much money do you want to spend?
4. what type of water do you fish river/lake?

bow mount will give you more control for fishing weedlines, docks, casting for bass/muskys/pike.
transom mount is excellent for trolling more for walleye fishing.
i would recommend 55 powerdrive for a bow and max 55t for the transom. these are the highest thrusts you can get in a 12 volt system. what i tell people you can always power down but you cant power up. what i mean is lets say you are out and its windy but the fishing is awesome now with a 40# thrust lets say you have to be at 80%-90% power you only have a few hours of battery life now if you have the 55# thrust you ony have to be at 40%-50% power you will have battery life all day. now if you buy a Minn Kota make sure you buy one with the maximizer what that is its pulses your battery rather than a staight current draw which in turn it will save battery life. Minn Kota has the weedless wedge for a prop and they are weedless i have gone thru the thickest millfoil/pads without a problem so weeds are not an issue. the transom is roughly $300 and the bow is roughly $400. Minn Kota is price protected so where ever you choose to buy it it will be the same price everywhere.
i always say buy the best right away because in the long run it will cost you more money if you buy cheap and have to upgrade all the time.

hope this helped

[This message has been edited by mnbass2002 (edited 05-28-2003).]

[blakjack23]

Thanks mnbass! That infomation helps alot. I mainly fish lakes for bass so I am usually around the weedlines and docks like you mentioned. I would say I am pretty hardcore. I Put in four hours last Friday, 10 hours on Saturday, 10 more on Sunday, and 4 Monday. As far as money goes, I would be willing to spend 3-400 if I was getting the best equipment. I'll have take a look at the ones you suggested. From the sounds of it I should go with the bow mount. I'll definitely stick with Minnkota. The one I just broke was a Minnkota 65 and worked great until I accidently jammed the handle and busted it. Thanks again for the advice!

[wastewaterguru]

Make sure you check the shaft length before getting one off of another type of boat.

I would get a 54" shaft minimum......60" preferred.

I made the mistake of undersizing mine. I have a MinnKota PD50 bow mount on my 1700 Lund Fisherman and its fine unless the wind is blowing......and isn't it always blowing in Minnesota??

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"Just a sCRAPPIE CAT, BASSking on an EYE-jerking SUNNY day, PERCHspiring to avoid PIKEological addiction."

Here....Fisheeeeeeee!!

[EBass]

Yup, Minnkota is da bomb. My buddy has the 50AT which has that big ol spring so bounces off of anything. And I mean anything as that kid plows into crap all the time. Normally he breaks everything he owns, but not that Minnkota. It's tougher than Buddy Lee.

[This message has been edited by EBass (edited 05-28-2003).]

[Fisher Dave]

I would also recommend the Minnkota. Motorguide are also very good motors BUT the shafts are junk. Anything more than a minor impact will bend the shaft .. rocks, stumps, bottom, etc.

Transom mounts will by far give you the best boat control. The downfall of transom mounts are they are terrible for casting unless you are working large flats where your hand doesnt constantly have to be on the motor. If your fishing bass or muskies .. or any type of fishing where you are primarily casting, you will want a bow mount. If you do alot of precision trolling (live bait rigs, some vertical jigging applications) at very slow speeds, the transom mount is best. Transom mounts are also best if your using them to pull lures. The transom mount is more efficient by pushing the boat vs. pulling.

In the end I guess your best having both. But in the beginning your best with something that suits your most common needs best.

[RossT]

I've been selling trolling motors for over 3 years now and highly recommend Minn Kota over Motor Guide. I've also owned 2 Auto Pilots and 3 Maxxums, not only are Minn Kota's the quietest motors available but they are also the most efficient on batteries.

On shaft length, make sure you get the correct size, I would not recommend a 60" shaft unless you are running a Warrior 2090, Ranger 620, or any other large walleye boat. A shaft that long typically is not needed and will just get in the way. However, on the flip side, be sure to get a long enough shaft so the actual prop is under water by 10-14".

One last thing, you cannot get too much power when buying a trolling motor! Get the biggest, baddest motor you can afford.

Ross

[sandman469ss]

blakjack,

I was thinking about upgrading to a new one.
I have a Maxxum 55 that's mounted on a 17 ft ranger that is 2 years old and I've never had any trouble with it. I could probably work something out with ya.
If you're interested email me at [email protected]

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Takin it easy! & if it’s easy, I’ll take it twice!

[wastewaterguru]

I just wanted to disagree with Fisher Daves comment that transom motors give you more boat control.......

By the laws of physics, common sense, and experience, it is and always will be easier to control a boat from the bow. Plus....to pull the rear end of a boat sideways will always take more power than pulling the bow.

[sandman469ss]

Not to gang up on FisherD, but I totally agree with wwg.
I've had both, & Control from the bow is much easier and more precise than from the rear.
You couldn't pay me to go back to a transom.

And I also agree with RossT about getting the biggest, but for Minnkota, the biggest are all 24 volt, which means another battery taking up space and requiring charging. 12V/55lbs of thrust is more than enough for a 16 foot aluminum, unless your using your troller to ski.

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Takin it easy! & if it’s easy, I’ll take it twice!

[Guest]

A 12 volt running off two batteries is the cat's meow. I have a Minnkota 55AP set up this way, and it is a beautiful thing.

[blakjack23]

Thanks for all the info guys. I didn't realize there was a different forum for questions like this until after I posted. You guys definitely helped out in my decision. I ended up getting a Minnkota Powerdrive 55. I love it! It took a little rigging and drilling to get it mounted on my little bow plate but I eventually got it. I have yet to get a weed stuck on the prop, even in the thickest of weeds, and I have much more boat control and power now. This troller has definitely added more fishing time to my days out on the lake. Thanks!