What Trolling Motor would you get?

Guys,

I am new to boating, so any suggestions would be appreciated. Here is my situation. I have a new Tracker 1436 ... I sold my canoe to help pay for this.

Anyway, I have a Minn Kota 30# transom mounted trolling motor. It would push my canoe nicely, but when I tried it out on the boat it was really slow of course. Also, with the wind this past weekend I could not go more than 100 yards before being turned around.

I figure that I need a bigger trolling motor for this summer. What would you suggest ... under $350.00? Or should I keep the 30# motor? Honestly, I really don't care for speed, just need to get from Point A to Point B and back.

I need to save for a trailer, so I do not want to go overboard on a motor. Once I have a trailer, I'll look for an outboard.

Thanks
Z

Do you plan on gong with a foot controlled unit? How long before you get the outboard and trailer? If you can save the money and get the outboard fairly soon, I would go that route.

I seen on ebay trialers for $350 delivered. I dont know anything about them, But you might want to take a look.

Go to ebay and type in jon boat trailer.

I probably won't get a trailer until the fall or next spring. I spent my annual bonus on a few Thomspon Center toys.

I am not sure on having a foot controlled unit. I never had one before, so I do not know the pros and cons. I am just used to paddling a canoe when I am by myself and used the motor when I brought my kids along.

Z

I've got a Bass Pro Shops® Prowler™ T45/36 Trolling Motor, so far it works great. Watch your local store and they go on sale.

a lot of marine dealers and cabelas have factory reconditioned minn kotas. the come in a new box and when you open it the motor looks brand new in every way. in my opinion they are a bargain. the answer to your question is get the most foot pounds of thrust you can afford. atleast 40 lbs. as far as a boat trailer goes watch the bushes and the back yards. if a guy watches long enough he will run across empty boat trailers setting around. the trailer i have now cost 75 bucks for trailer. 4 bucks for new 2x4 scrap marine carpet free 22 bucks for a new light kit and about a dollars worth of grease to repack the wheel bearings. also harbor frieght has a boat trailer that would do a good job on a 1436 if you weren't trying to tow down the b.a.s.s. trail or something .

Thanks for all the advice.

I decided to sell my Minn Kota #30 motor and get another Minn Kota, but with a #55 thrust. They currently have a $60 rebate offer on the transom mounted Edura. Since the price is in my range and I'll have some cash on hand to find a used trailer.

Awesome!

im tempted by the endura 55 and $60 rebate too, let us know how you like it

I sold my MK Endura #30 and I picked up an Endura #55 at Gander Mountain.

It'll be a week or two before I can test it on the water. Somehow I broke a leaf spring on my truck and it ruptured my gas tank. I think the leaf spring was defective, but on the bright side I got a deal on the motor. I paid $239 + Tax, but I'll receive the $60 rebate and I had a $10 gift card from Gander Mountain Corp.

I'll post how well it works when I get it back on the water.

Z-Man said:

I sold my MK Endura #30 and I picked up an Endura #55 at Gander Mountain.

It'll be a week or two before I can test it on the water. Somehow I broke a leaf spring on my truck and it ruptured my gas tank. I think the leaf spring was defective, but on the bright side I got a deal on the motor. I paid $239 + Tax, but I'll receive the $60 rebate and I had a $10 gift card from Gander Mountain Corp.

I'll post how well it works when I get it back on the water.

Click to expand...

Awesome deal on the motor, Sorry about the truck!

that endura rebate action is tough to pass up
im probably going to grab a 55

Make sure you get it before 6/15/08 and that the camo motors do not apply to the rebate.

I just put the 50 lb endura on my 14' jon. Last year I used a very small minakota that was used on the stern on my canoe.
The 50lb pushes the boat much faster and it has reverse--the old one just had two speeds.
I picked up a 50 amp circuit breaker to use on it.

I know that most guys buy a bow trolling motor, but I stay by the tiller motor when I fish so I got another transom motor, plus I also have a voice controlled front model that will take me right under a tree to retrieve a hung lure. The problem with the voice controlled model, is not listening to me when the fish are biting!

Well, I tried out my 55# motor today. It was raining and windy and the motor moved the boat pretty well. I am glad that I got it. I ran it at full speed for about 1 hr before the battery began to die out. I have a 24DC6 that I got from Walmart a few years ago that I was using. I'll probably get 2 new batteries and link them together before I go out again.

bluegillfisher said:

I also have a voice controlled front model that will take me right under a tree to retrieve a hung lure. The problem with the voice controlled model, is not listening to me when the fish are biting!

Click to expand...

I used to be a voice controlled motor :lol:

I found the endura 50 on sale 199.99 plus the 60 rebate I had to get it.My 27lb was sooooooo slow lol. I heard from a guy at my work that 2 motorcycle type batteries last longer than 1 deep cycle? HMM anyone know what he is talking about? I may have misunderstood