What to Know When Buying a Trolling Motor

Published on: May 27, 2022
Written by Liam Jaxon / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Trolling motor is the most important part of a powerboat. Whether you have a cruising boat or a fishing boat you will need a trolling motor to propel the boat. If this is your first time choosing a boat or replacing your old trolling motor with a new one then you have to know some factors that are so important for choosing a trolling motor.

Without a good trolling motor, you can’t have the great experience of power boating. So, here I am going to tell those factors that should be look up while Choosing trolling motor for a boat.

Trolling Motor for Saltwater and Freshwater

Generally, we don’t use a freshwater boat in salt water. Boats are made differently for use in these two water conditions. Same for the trolling motor, a trolling motor that is made to use in freshwater boats can’t handle the harshness of salt water. Saltwater trolling motor has some motor safety that is required to protect the motor parts from saltwater damage.

For extra protection facilities, saltwater trolling motors are more expensive than freshwater trolling motors. But if you use a freshwater trolling motor in salt water then it will not last long. So, it would be better to spend some extra money and buy the saltwater trolling motor for saltwater boating.

Thrust Power:

The most important part of a trolling motor is the thrust. You can’t propel your boat without the proper thrust power that actually needs to your boat. The thrust power of a trolling motor usually measures in the pound.

Generally, the actual thrust power of a motor depends on the size of the boat. If we want to know what is the perfect thrust power that our boat needs then we have to calculate the boat’s weight. For calculating the thrust pound use the total weight of the boat including boat stuff and persons. Then divide the total weight of the boat by 200 pounds.

We are using the number 200 because for every 200 pounds of weight we will need 5 pounds of thrust power. After dividing the total weight by 200 pounds multiply it by 5. For better understanding do it this way 1500/200*5= 37.5 pounds. Therefore, for a total 1500 pounds weight boat we will need the thrush power that can propel the boat in 37.5 pounds.

So, here is the clear measurement of the thrust pound that we can use according to our boat’s weight. If your boat’s weight is more then you have to choose the bigger size trolling motor that has more thrust power.

Trolling Motor Battery Size:

If you are buying a trolling motor then you have to buy it considering the size and voltage of the trolling motor battery. You can’t use a 12-volt battery for a trolling motor that is made for a 24-volt battery. Though you can use two 12-volt batteries complying with one 24-volt group size. But you can’t use a 12-volt battery with a 24-volt battery for your trolling motor. So, if you are replacing a trolling motor then look into the battery power and the motor according to the battery requirement.

Trolling Motor Mount:

There are two options available for mounting a trolling motor. These are the transom and bow. If you want to use a transom-mounted trolling motor then you have to set up the mount in the front of the boat. And if you want to use Bow mounted trolling motor then you have to install the trolling motor on the back side of the boat.

Mounting a trolling motor also depend on the boat design. If your boat allows transom mounting then you can’t use the other mounting options. The same will be applied to other mounting options.

Shaft Length:

The shaft length of the trolling motor depends on the size of the boat. If you have a longer boat then you will need a longer shaft but if you have a shorter boat then you will need a shorter size shaft. You don’t need to think about shaft length if you are using an engine-mount trolling motor.

But for bow mount and transom mount lower the shaft under the water to 15 to 19 inches. Otherwise, it will not propel the boat smoothly and will make propeller noise. This noise is so unlucky if you are fishing.

So, consider these above factors before buying a trolling motor for your boat. whether you replace the motor or buy a new one make sure your trolling motor is perfect for your boat. Without the perfect trolling motor, you can’t operate the boat smoothly.

Conclusion

When buying a trolling motor, it is important to consider the size, power, and features of the motor. Additionally, the type of boat, the motor’s control system, and the type of battery should all be taken into consideration. Finally, the price of the motor should be weighed against its features and performance. By doing the necessary research and evaluating these factors, you can purchase the right trolling motor for your boat.

Read More:

• What to Look for When Buying a Trolling Motor Battery
• What Size Trolling Motor Do I Need for My Boat