Saltwater trolling motors can be used in freshwater if required. Some motors are designed for specific mounting locations, offering better performance mounted in one place than they would in another. Here are the different mounting areas available. The bow—the front of the boat, for landlubbers—is a popular mounting position. These motors are often attached using a bolt-on bracket, with propellers that pull your boat through the water.
Some say that bow-mounted motors offer greater control. The transom area of your boat is the back section.
Transom mounted trolling motors attach using a clamp-on bracket, and they often feature hand-operated tiller controls. This location offers easy positions and steering, in a convenient and simple package. One of the most confusing things about buying a new motor is working out what size motor you need. Generally, there are three important things to factor into your search: the amount of thrust your vessel requires, how many volts you need to power it, and the length of the shaft needed to provide adequate propulsion through the water.
In the US, we measure thrust in pounds. More thrust is better, since it can help you in trickier conditions with strong winds and currents, but more thrust often causes bigger disturbances in the water, which could frighten away fish. Unsurprisingly, voltage is always measured in volts. The voltage indicates how much electrical power a motor will require. A 12 volt motor will require a 12 volt battery. A 24 volt motor will demand two 12 volt batteries.
Generally speaking, motors providing under 55 lbs of thrust will require a single 12 volt battery. From 60 lbs to 80 lbs, 24 volts, using two 12 volt batteries will be required.
Thrust greater than lbs will usually require 36 volts, using three 12 volt batteries. Lastly, another crucial motor feature to take into account is the shaft length. Fortunately, there are plenty of guidelines out there about determining the proper shaft length. Now you can start looking at the details. One aspect that many boaters really like to take their time to consider is the operation types available. Do you want a good old-fashioned hand tiller?
A hands-free foot pedal? Or something really modern, with wireless remote control? Steering with a hand operated tiller is the most traditional method of steering a boat and controlling a motor. Most tiller controls feature a telescopic handle for easy, precise steering with excellent maneuverability.
They do require yours hands though, which can be a pain if you prefer to keep your hands on your fishing rod at all times! Cable-operated devices are mostly governed by a foot pedal.
These pedals control cables that deliver instructions to the motor. Foot pedal cable steering devices are great for those who like a hands-free experience. At the more expensive end of the scale you can find electronically controlled steering options. The most basic of these have wireless remote control steering, often via a touchscreen or handheld device. More advanced options use GPS technology and other compatible devices to utilize autopilot systems that use satellite technology to take you to your destination, or hold you in place over your favorite fishing spots.
Like the electronic steering, trolling motors can be incredibly technologically advanced. For those who really want to have the best of the best, here are some top-level advanced features that are on offer. Marine GPS devices are indispensable to serious boaters. GPS devices can help you locate your favorite fishing spots easily, and point you in the right direction if you get lost.
Some can even contact help in an emergency too. Many devices also have Spot-Lock features, which keeps your vessel locked in place, using the motor to reposition the vessel if the current tries to pull your boat away.
Fish finders are very similar to GPS devices, but they also have the advantage of underwater sonar. Fish finders are must-have devices for fishermen.
Some brands, such as Garmin, offer full compatibility with most of their product range. So, it would be possible to connect a trolling motor with a fish finder, for example. Some motors connect with GPS devices, and others can connect with some phone apps. If technology and connectivity is your thing, these features are worth looking out for. Some have spring-loaded features to make deployment easy, as well as making the motor a breeze to pull up and stow.
Many modern motors even have power-assisted functions and pedal-operation to do the job for you. If you have multiple boats, or like to use a kayak in a certain lake, another canoe in your favorite river, and like to use a pontoon boat for coastal fishing , then you might be better off buying one trolling motor that you can use for all three.
Look out for compact motors that are easy to transport—this could save you a lot of money in the long run! Larger, reputable brands often sell higher priced items, but they also usually have excellent customer service with access to a huge parts network. Unknown brands can sell quality devices for cheaper, but if something goes wrong or a part needs replacing, you might be left with few practical options.
What works perfectly for one kind of fisherman using a certain type of boat will be completely wrong for another. However, if you need a bit more inspiration, there are a few stand-out products that we feel like we need to highlight. Perfect for trolling on a budget. For a rough shaft length estimate for bow motors, measure the distance from the top of your bow to the waterline and add about 18 inches. Where you usually fish will also play a role in determining which motor is best for you.
Do you fish in fresh or salt water? Are you on a large body of water or a small pond? If you typically fish in small lakes with very little current, you can usually get away with buying a motor with the minimum thrust. However, if you tend to fish in bodies of water with fast moving currents, you will want to get a motor that exceeds the minimum level of thrust recommended for your boat type.
Skip to content. Many trolling motors now feature autopilot and route storage capabilities to guide you through your most productive routes. With Bluetooth connectivity, you can control these features from your phone or from an included remote control. Unfortunately, our services and products are not available at your location. West Advisor Articles. Fresh vs. Saltwater Saltwater motors are protected against corrosion and have better seals on the mechanical and electrical components.
Shaft Length The standard shaft length is 42". Thrust Trolling motors are rated in pounds of thrust. The Right Size Bigger is almost always better. Power Consumption Think about the size of your boat, how much battery capacity you can safely install to satisfy the energy demands of a trolling motor, and whether or not you will be able to charge the batteries when underway.
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