Bow-Mount Trolling Motor Recommendations

I've owned Minn-Kota transom mounted motors before and liked them, but have no experience with bow-mounted motors.

Anything I should be particularly cautious of?

Thanks,

Ray

Ray

RCE can speak to engine warranty, but as far as Moto Guide goes, their ain't none.

And don't ever expect to get it fixed.

RCE

I have a minnkota and it is fine. I have the 65 pound one on a lund 18 foot fishing boat. I might get the 70 or 80 next time, although I haven't needed more so far. Also make sure the shaft is long enough for your boat.

I am sorry but we do not have a listing that shows what size motor works on which boat. There are just so many different styles of boats out there that it is not possible to maintain that sort of database. I can tell you that each of our motors are designed to push around a certain amount of weight. Our 30 lbs. thrust motors will handle a total boat weight up to around 1500 lbs. Our 40 lbs. thrust motors up to around 2000 lbs. Our 55 lbs. thrust motors up to around 2700 lbs. Our 70 lbs. thrust motors up to around 3500 lbs Our 80 lbs. thrust motors up to around 4000 lbs. The 12 volt systems are up to 55 lbs. thrust. The 24 volt systems would be 70 or 80 lbs. thrust.

Seem like your 18-ft boat is very light. The total weight (1400-lb) plus two adults (360-lb), one extra battery (55-lb) for the trolling motor, and the trolling motor itself (...) will be only around 1900-lb to 2000-lb. According to the spec shown above, you will only need a trolling motor that can provide 40-lb thrust. If you want a bit more room for calculation error, you will go for a 55-lb thrust model, and that still only needs a 12-volt system.

I am under the impression that we can use the trolling motor to bring us back home in case the outboard motor dies as long as we are not that far away from the shore and the current is not strong. This means this is a good idea to get a heavy long run-time deep cycle battery. This costs more; but you only need one for the 12-volt trolling motor anyway.

My 18-ft Sea Ray center console is 2260-lb with motor, gas, equipments. Because I start with much heavier weight than yours, I will have to get a 24-volt trolling motor after adding 4 adults, trolling motor and extra batteries. This means I need _two_ 12-volt deep cycle batteries .... ~$$~

No, I haven't got a trolling motor for my boat yet (too cold for working on the boat). Therefore, I cannot give you any personal experience.

Jay Chan

The new boat is aluminum, which accounts for the lighter weight I would think. (The 24' fiberglass boat it is replacing weighed several thousand pounds -- but it got crushed somewhat when the barn in which I had it stored collapsed in a whind storm in November)

Now it is a choice on "which" bow-mount motor and whether or not I want to pay the extra $$ for a wireless-remote set up. So many decisions. But that's part of the fun.

Thanks again, ... and I didn't know that the warranty from Mercury sucked.

Ray

Did I mention that Mercury's warranty on them sucks?