Small trolling motor

[Ralph Wiggum]

Hey guys,

Mom and I are looking for a father's day gift for my dad, and I suggested a trolling motor. He likes to fish, but not spend money. Anyways, a lot of his fishing is done from a 14 foot boat with a ten horse motor. What would you suggest for this application?

[Fisher Dave]

If it is a bare-bones .. bench seat aluminum boat, he should be find with the basic 30# thrust transom mount. If you think he is going to troll lures around a lot(more than 2 hours at near max thrust), or use it on electric motor only lakes.. something in the 40# class might be more in line.

[Ralph Wiggum]

It is a bare-bones, bench seat boat. I think it'd be used mostly for manuevering while casting. The 10-horse is good for trolling. Who makes the best trolling motor for the money?

[Fisher Dave]

Minnkota.. there is no comparison... I learned that from the tech's at motor clinic recently.

30# should be all you need... It will also give you good speed control at lower(casting) speeds... The more powerful motors can be difficult to find that *right speed*... they tend to get the tin can boats cruising in a hurry.

The best speed control is with the Maximizer models(infinate speed control).. but they are spendy. If the boat has a primary outboard, there is no reason for an excessively powerful trolling motor(casting purposes) unless a person is casting in tidal waves.

[Surface Tension]

Once you plant an electric on the back of that boat along with a battery your going to find out how bad its going to hurt your hole shot and top end. Although a lot more expensive, a bow mount with battery situated in the bow is the way to go.

At the very least mount the battery in the bow and use a transom mount electric.