I am finally picking up my pontoon today and wanted to get a trolling motor at the same time. Anybody know where to get the best deal on a Minn Kota? Is there a certain size I should get?
tuber
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Just make sure that you register it before going out with the motor on board -- it's required in Utah.
I wouldn't think you'd need a big powerful one, just a basic one will tow around a pontoon boat no problem.
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I just did a lot of researching before buying a trolling motor for my boat. I found that cabelas.com or basspro.com will have the best advertised price, but then you have to pay shipping. So just print off the page and take it to Sportsman's and they'll match it.
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I USE A 36LBS THRUST MIN KOTA WITH THE EXTENDED HANDLE WORKS GREAT. BUT YOU WILL NEED A GOOD BATTERY I USE A TROJAN SCS225 RUNS ALL DAY LONG THEY ARE HEAVY BUT THATS WHAT YOU NEED IF YOU WANT TO BE ON THE WATER ALL DAY AND BE SAFE AND NOT HAVE TO ROW IN
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Hey Mike,
How much did you get your motor for?
tuber
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I BOUGHT MINE USED FROM FISH1ON BUT I THINK THEY RUN AROUND 136.00ISH AT SPORTSMANS THE BATTERY IS THE KILLER THEY ARE 110.00 AT SPORTSMANS BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY
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I just have a minn kota 28 or 30 lb motor. They're about 90 from sportsman's or wally world. I also have a regular deep cycle battery from walmart, and it was about $50. I haven't run out of juice yet.
Mike's set up sounds pretty nice.
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Mateo,
Is the 30lb give you plenty of power? Or would it be worth going to a 36lb. I am not little guy, so I want to be sure I am ok. Thanks
tuber
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Mateo,
Is the 30lb give you plenty of power? Or would it be worth going to a 36lb. I am not little guy, so I want to be sure I am ok. Thanks
tuber [/reply]
I've go a 36lb on my 14' aluminum boat, I'm 200lbs and the 36lb motor will move my boat plenty fast with me and my kids in it. I would think the 30lb would be plenty for a pontoon.
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This is from Cabelas web site, it talks about selecting the correct size of motor.
"The size and weight of your boat translates into your need for power (thrust) and endurance. The basic rule of thumb for determining the amount of thrust you need is five pounds of thrust for every 200 pounds of weight. Don't forget to include the weight of your boat's contents in the calculation. To be sure that you have enough power, take the boat's estimated weight and add in its maximum weight capacity. A boat that weighs 1,500 pounds, and has a maximum weight capacity of 1,200 pounds would need a motor with 67.5 pounds of thrust. (1,500 lbs. + 1,200 lbs. รท 200 = 13.5 x 5= 67.5)"
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Hey Tyler I have a 30 lb Minn-kota and it pushes my rear around plenty good. I'm not as big as you but I'm alot more portly than the last time you and I hooked up.
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I have always been curious how much my boat weighs. Does anyone know an easy place to get a boat and trailer weighed in the SLC area?
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WELL 36LBS THRUST DOES PUSH ME AROUND VERY WELL. I ALWAYS BELEIVE IN A LITTLE MORE POWER!!!! IT IS NICE WHEN YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH WIND AND WAVES. TO BE ABLE TO MOVE A LITTLE FASTER TO GET OFF THE LAKE. PLUS THEY REALLY ARE NOT THAT MUCH MORE FOR THE POWER YOU WILL GET. AS FOR THE BATTERY I FELL THE SAME I WOULD HATE TO RUN MY BATTERY TO LOW. REMEMBERING WHEN VOLTAGE DROPS YOUR AMPS GO UP AND YOUR MOTOR DOESN'T TURN AS FAST AND WORKS THEM MORE TO THE POINT OF WORRING ABOUT BURNING THEM UP. SOUNDS LIKE MATEO HAS BEEN LUCKY I JUST THINK IT IS CHEAPER IN THE LONG HAUL TO BE PREPARED.
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I have really enjoyed haveing a trolling motor on my pontoon. I use a 47lb thrust minkota that I picked up with two batteries from one of the other fishermen on this site,
jed
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Tuber, I'm 6'1", 250lbs. On speed 5 it'll push me about 2.5 mph, according to my gps. I usually spend most of my time on 2 or 3, trolling, and the motor's not on all the time. I believe at full thrust, it's supposed to draw 30 amps, but I rarely use full thrust for long.
I don't think you can have too much power, but if you're looking at saving money, I'd figure out what you need, and go from there.
As far as batteries go, you get what you pay for, to some extent. I make sure I charge it up before every trip, and I try to keep an eye on how much power I'm using for how long. I've never actually measured how much current I use, but I'll probably do that this year, just for peace of mind.
Last year at strawberry, I used that motor and battery setup to pull mine and my wife's toons, tied together, around soldier creek. We stayed out for a few hours, then went back to shore, and never had any problems.
Total invested in my motor and battery is about 140 brand new.
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I use a 28lb M K on my 9' pontoon,with a 100 amp hour battery.With too big a motor the bow tends to ride to high because of the extra weight.Maybe with a bigger pontoon thats won't happen
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I think a 30 would be tons of power for a one man pontoon. I don't think the Cabelas calculation was intended for a boat that's primary source of power is an electric troller. I'm guessing that is for a boat that you use the electric solely for trolling.
I got a 38 lb thrust Minn Kota at Costco for around $130. That's the only place I have seen the 38. Every place else is a 36. Probably not enough difference to even notice, though. Actually, come to think of it....mine was only $99 there as it was their last one they were going to carry for the year (they stop selling them early in the season every year).
I got a 30 that came with the toon I got last year but I'm yet to take the dang thing out so I can't tell you how it does.
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I've used both 46 and 30lbs thrust, I like the 30 better, less weight and all the power I need. When I'm troling I'm in first gear,1-1.5mph (gps) depending on witch way the wind is blowing.
The best prices I found were at sportsmans.
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when I was at hooked fishing tackle they had some 30 lbs thrust min kota's for 99.00 just a heads up
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Always buy more than you think you need.
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