Trolling motors

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I’m researching electric trolling motors to use on an inflatable dinghy. Do any Tugnuts have experience with either Minn Kota or Newport Vessels transom mounted trolling motors? I’d like to hear your thoughts. I’m looking to be able to get to shore from an anchorage and short runs, not long distance exploring.

Jim F

 

[KKRCRACE]

I use a Newport Vessels 55 lb thrust 12 volt and it works fine. Not fast but does the job with small dingy and two people and about 475 pounds total. I use a 55 amp hour Mighty Max battery and It actually last for a fair amount of time. If I was doing it again I would purchase a lithium-ion battery. The Mighty Max weighs around 38 pounds and and Lithium less then half.
KKRCRACE

 

[geontemt]

We just got an electric motor, epropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus, for our dinghy. Have not used it yet but we are going out on it this weekend.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

We just got an electric motor, epropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus, for our dinghy. Have not used it yet but we are going out on it this weekend.

Used ours for the first time today. It’s pretty cool! It is a little weird not having an audible indication of throttle level. No vroom vroom.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[knotflying]

Hi Jim,
I have a Minn Kota on my fishing boat. It is a great product and they have several models. The one drawback for one with decent thrust would require a typical large battery. I would definitely go AGM of maintenance free if that is the case. With your lithium charging system maybe lithium is the way to go. When all is said and done you may be better with the Torqeedo or Epropolsion. I am very satisfied with my Torqeedo. The major drawback is battery replacement about six years later at about $600 or service, which may require shipping to them. Service is rare, but I pulled the short straw and had to have my shaft replaced.

 

[Mr Ben]

I have had several different Minn Kota on various fishing boats over the years. I currently have one on my 14 ft lund. Its a stern mount tiller type 45lbs thrust I think. I've had that one maybe 6-7 years. It has the battery saving tech that was standard back then. It will push that 14 ft lund with the big motor down. I use it for trolling. I can get 4-6 hours run time at about 50% with one group 27 WM deep cycle. Thats taking it down to about 11.5 12 v. That pushes me along around 2.5 mph dragging 3 lures. If I snag something in the river it has enough thrust to push me back up against the current and retrieve the snag. I think it make an excellent dingy motor. Shaft might be a little long. Depends on the mission I guess. I bought a 2.5 Suki gas myself. That motor is lighter than a battery. A lithium battery is probably lighter yet but more money than the motor. Check out Bass Pro or Cabelas they have all the models online and some reasonably priced battery options as well.

 

[H28]

Minn Kota is the gold standard in trolling motors, no question about it. Try and find a bass boat without one on it...

I've looked at them myself, but struggle with the separate battery vs. an all in one solution like the new generation electric outboards mentioned above.

Until I figure it out, for now I am using old fashioned oars..... .

 

[BB marine]

Both Minn Kota and MotorGuide are both good choices. I personally used Motor Guide when I owned fishing boats. My last boat to have a 12V Trolling motor was a 17 Montauk with a transom mount 12V 55lbs thrust. This at the time was the largest 12V available. It would push the Whaler at a comfortable trolling speed. Rule of thumb half power 12Volt 50lbs thrust will use about 20 amps. You should have a minimum of a group 27 deep cycle with a 100 aH capacity this would give you about 2 to 3 hours of continuous use at half power and low speed setting uses about 5 amps giving you about 10 hours leaving the battery at 40% to 50%. The average weight of this battery would be around 50 lbs to 60 lbs. The maintenance of this battery would require a full charge after each use or shortly after or the battery life will be reduced. If you are using this when cruising this is an added charging requirement. Is it doable? Yes you may be able to use your thruster battery to save on extra weight of a battery and an additional charger but that would get to be a PIA every time you want to use the dinghy. Personally I would not go this route. Add the weight of the trolling motor plus the battery weight and maintenance. I would pay a few extra dollars more and purchase a small 4 stroke Suzuki 2.5 @ 30lbs or 6hp at 54lbs same weight as the battery. Both have built in tanks. Your boat is powered by Gas so you will always have the fuel resource. The 2.5 is not much larger than a 55lbs Minn Kota so storage is about the same. Or spend a little bit more and purchase a Torqeedo or Epropolsion if you are sold on electric. I have not owned one but the folks that do are sold on them.

 

[Captmike]

I have used a torquedo for the last 10 years and have replaced the battery once. I just ordered an EP Carry (epcarry.com). Lots of youtube videos about this tender propulsion.

 

[KKRCRACE]

Back to the original question. You most likely be happy with the trolling motor and 12 volt battery providing your combo is not to big or heavy. My wife and I have been using one for three years and it has done the job with our 55 Amp Hr. Battery. I would consider a Lithium battery because of the weight. I have under $375 invested in my combo and it will move us at 4 mph. We had a small gas motor for about a week and went back to the trolling motor because my wife uses the dingy sometimes and hated the gas motor. For her the two biggest complaints were the noise and the gas motor did not have reverse like the electric motor. We had to spin the tiller 180 degrees to back up. Other then charging it requires very little. Just my two cents worth.
KKRCRACE

 

[NwRecon]

I was able to finally test my older Minn Kota 40lb thrust electric trolling motor on our 2018 R23. It is mounted in the standard spot off the swim-step. It performed better than i thought. Running up river into a moderate current I was able to to keep the bow up river and achieve 1.8 MPH forward movement by GPS. Switching to gas and setting the 200HP Yamaha into troll mode I was able to achieve 2.5 MPH by GPS. So I have a small window that I will only be able to achieve by tossing out a couple of sea anchors. The next outing I will test the drain on the thruster/windless battery after a few hours of electric trolling. I am prepared to install my brand new spare matching battery as a second thruster battery if needed. Electric is so quite and clean.

The springers are coming, four caught the other day out of 20 boats and next month should be prime.