poor trolling motor performance

[CheapboatKev]

Took my 14 foot tinny out Sunday.
Used my 42# MK trolling motor I bought off CL.
Never used a elect TM before, so did not know what to expect.
By myself, 260 lbs..in boat 300 lbs..maybe 50 lbs of marine battery..

Barely pushed me along, maybe less than 1 mph IF that?

I thought my battery was fully charged...I will have it tested.
Any idea on what I should have expected?

 

[mike64]

Re: poor trolling motor performance

I have a 50# transom mounted trolling motor on a 16' glass runabout that weighs about 1000 lbs. I weigh just under 200. It pushes my boat around nicely, as long as there's not a lot of wind or chop. So I would think a 42# motor should move you fine, at less than 1/2 my weight. Maybe it is your battery.

 

[John_S]

Re: poor trolling motor performance

If that was without wind or current, I'd say something is wrong. You should be able to get 4-6mph.

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: poor trolling motor performance

I looked at 12 MKPD trolling motors used in my area and every one either had a bad control board or worn out foot control...or both, some guys even claimed they worked but didn't want me to test it with jumper cables in the driveway because they knew the board was cooked.

If your battery is fully charged I suggest you try a new foot control before it blows the speed control board, seems like a common scenario that the foot control wears out which takes out the speed control. If you take apart the foot pedal you will see how cheaply they are made, if they get wet inside they are essentially junk after since the plastic membrane covering the speed control slide cracks very quickly.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: poor trolling motor performance

Thanks..

4Jaw...
Its a transom mount..hand tiller. I am guessing the battery wasnt 100% and heck, probably needs some DI water..
It's on Craigs list, aint gonna mess with the Edison Motor..lol
I'm picking up a 7.5 hp ob tomorrow! YEAH!

 

[Philip_G]

Re: poor trolling motor performance

I have a 14' tinny with a floor and some seats in it, so probably a little heavier than you, I'm comparable size. I carry 2 big deep cycle batteries, fishing gear etc.

on a MK 50lb on speed 4 I run about 1.7 MPH on speed 5 I run about 2.4 MPH.
if I hook up a second MK 30lb I can run about 3.4 or 3.5 MPH.

does any of this help? probably not...
fwiw I run 2 walmart 105 or so batteries tied together and can only run them about 2.5 hours between 4 and 5th "gear"