Couple of questions regarding trolling motor thrust?

[TobyfromMO]

1st...Has anyone ever experienced or know of performance differences from two equally rated trolling motors from different manufactures? Relatively speaking, if I was purchasing a new motor today which will out perform the other, a Motorguide rated at 54 lb/12V or a Minkota rated at 55lb/12V?

2nd...if two motors are rated at equal thrust are there any benefits, i.e. power or battery life, if using a 24V system over a 12V system or vice versa?

I?ve got a 1991 model OMC (Johnson) 12/24 trolling motor on my boat. Supposedly, this motor is rated at approximately 50 lbs at 24v and approximately 25 lbs at 12v. I?ve been told OMC rated thrust different and this trolling will outperform any motor with a similar rating from current production options, i.e Motorguide or Minkota. I?m not sure if this is true but what I do know is this motor is not nearly strong enough for my boat at 12V and I don?t have the room nor the desire to maintain a 24V setup unless the benefits far outweigh 12V. Before I go spend my money on a new 50+ lb, 12V setup I thought I should ask a few questions.

[TobyfromMO]

Can I get a moderator to delete this worthless relpy? Preferably not that jackass from the Feral Hog or Musky forum.

[Hellbender]

I wish I could help you, but I can only offer that the rating is with the provided prop. Design can affect power consumption, so I would E-Mail the companies and ask for power consumption.

[Rafe Hollister]

Maybe if you'd lose a few dozen pounds, all this concern over the thrust of a trolling motor would become trivial.

[Warmouth]

25lbs of thrust aint gonna cut it imo. Go with the 24v system, and step up into the technology of the 1990's.

How is more thrust going to hurt you, compared to not enough?

[TobyfromMO]

MOC, Rafe Both of you skinny bald pricks can STFU.

Dave: I agree, more power wouldn't hurt. My choice is to either operate my current motor at 24V or buy a new 12V setup at 50+ lbs of thrust. Just trying to weigh the pros vs. cons before I spend dollars on a new motor or f-up my boat modifing my battery compartment to handle two batteries for the 24V system, not to mention the cost and hassle of maintaining two batteries. Spending the money would be the easiest approach but a few guys have suggested my 24V OMC would outperform similar 12V options from Minkota or Motorguide, as well as, be more efficient on betteries. They claim a 24V setup has less draw on batteries. Not sure if any of that is true.

[Warmouth]

It's true. I run 2 batteries for the t-motor and accesories, and one as a designated starter/outboard battery. I charge my starter battery more than the other two, although I use the t-motor for a lot longer, time wise.

[TobyfromMO]

Does your motor not have a built-in alternator to keep your starter battery charged at all times? All of my accessories are powered from the starter battery and only the trolling motor would be on the deep cycle battery(s). Do you charge all your batteries separately? Seems like that would be a pain in the . The only negatives of using my existing motor would be the need to invest $100 in another battery, modify my battery compartment to hold two batteries then the upkeep of two batteries vs. just buying a new 55 lb 12V motor for about $400 - $450 and being done with it.

[Tigerhaze]

There was a good post on this in the walleye forum, when all the walleye dudes were here. I'll see if I can find it.

[Triton X2]

Okay Toby, I would possibly ask you if you were getting enough power from your OMC product, such as fishing in the wind. If you have a 12-24 now why wont you have enough space to put 3 batteries into the back compartment. I can tell you there is not much diference between a motor guide or a minn kota in performance...I have a MK, since the bracketing is much stronger than the MG. You may want to check into buying a 2 bank charger, that way you wont have to take out the batteries....Now the cost factor may be a problem. new 24 volt is kind of pricy but if you fish a lot you be pleased with it...If you dont go out onto large lakes, such as LofO, a 12 volt will probably do the trick....You also didnt say how heavy your boat was, but seeing it had a 12-24 on it, it may be fairly have large... Oh one other thing, make sure you are getting a marine model...There used to be a reason for the increase in price....They have made a lot of advancements in Tmotors over the years...Didnt mean to be so long winded.

[TwoTigers]

I noticed that 12 V motors pound thrust capability increased during the past years. I have a 45 pound thrust 24 V system and I honestly don't know if I could find a 24V motor with that pound thrust anymore. However, even if I did replace my motor with a 12 volt model, I would still wire 2 batteries to it (parallel configuration I think(?)) to insure a long running time. I second the opinion on getting a bank charger. I like mine and I got a BassPro model 3 bank charger for not a whole lot of money.

[RB]

Toby, without knowing what kind of boat you have it is a little hard to answer, also the kind of fishing you do. I had a 40 lb. Minnkota on my old boat which was a 16 and it did fine. I now have a 50lb Motorguide on my Tracker and it seems to do the job. Both are 12v and the Tracker has an onboard charging system that runs off the engine for both batteries and built in charger for both with shorepower. The heavier thrust motors will give you more performance and i would personally go with the largest you can afford but not until the OMC shoots craps. If those morons post like this on the trout board their azzez would get moderated. Don't pay attention to them, they don't know how to fish and shoot sammich deer. davet, you kind of shined on this one, good job.

[TobyfromMO]

Thanks for the feedback guys: The boat is not that heavy, it's a custom rigged aluminum bass boat, 1852 Weldbuilt with 40hp Jet so I?m fairly confident current OMC on 24V or a new 50+ lb on 12V would be more than enough. 80% of my fishing is bass fishing on rivers so I have to contend with current, as well as, mother nature. The other 20% is on Clearwater Lake where we troll for crappie. This is constant trolling.

I only have room for two batteries in the back. Along with the starter battery I could add one additional battery in the back. However, IMO wiring the TM from ?front to back? would be a pain and the additional weight in the rear wouldn?t help me because I often have to take off/get on plane in 18? or less of water without sucking debris into the jet. On the flip side, I can fit two batteries in the front but, like you said, it would almost require an onboard charger because it would be heck getting them out. I add up the costs of additional batteries and chargers and this is why I wonder if I shouldn?t just pay a little more and get a new 55lb 12V Minkota.

The previous owner told me he fought the same dilemma and ended just setting second battery right out on the floor boat. In the mean time I will probably do this but I would never be happy with a ?jerry rig? for a permanent solution.

[Warmouth]

We've been going at this backwards.

Describe the length and style of your boat. More of a flat bottom, deep V, etc.?

If you have a light boat and don't have to fight wind on big water, then the 12V may totally suit your needs.

I have a heavy fiberglass fish & ski type boat, and it takes some doing to keep it safe when fishing the windward shore of a big Res.

BTW-I used to fish the crap out of Clearwater lake. Terrific crappie fishing 7+yrs ago.

[RB]

My old boat was a home rigged 16' aluminum and the 40lb MinnKota was plenty. With your boat either of the 50lb motors would work well. I like the Minnk controls better than my motorguide.