3.5 HP Outboard from 55# Trolling: is this a worthwhile imporvement

[a_gunslinger]

Im not going to bring up the how many #'s of thurst = 1 HP debate ;^) At least not directly. I have an opportunity to get a 2013 mercery 3.5 hp at a really good price. Right now I have a 55# Minn Kota on a small 14 foot Vlowe fishing boat pushing a couple people.

I believe the 3.5 HP is a little more muscle but enough to warrant a switch?

 

[NYBo]

Re: 3.5 HP Outboard from 55# Trolling: is this a worthwhile imporvement

That's a hard one to answer. You will almost undoubtedly go a little faster with the gasser, although I doubt it would get you on plane with the load you mentioned. But you could probably reach hull speed, which would be roughly 5.6 MPH (based on the standard calculation with 13' length at waterline). The Minn Kota gives you 3 or 4 MPH, at best. That's just the way electric trolling motors are designed

There are other potential benefits to have a gas motor. How about no worries about a drained battery stranding you?

Only you can weigh all the variables, though.

 

[64osby]

Re: 3.5 HP Outboard from 55# Trolling: is this a worthwhile imporvement

I think having both would be the best solution.



Looks to be an unresolved question to give a definitive answer.
how many lbs of thrust is equal to 1 hp? - Boat Design Forums

 

[roscoe]

Re: 3.5 HP Outboard from 55# Trolling: is this a worthwhile imporvement

a bow mount troller will pull the boat better than a transom mounted troller or 3.5

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: 3.5 HP Outboard from 55# Trolling: is this a worthwhile imporvement

I would keep them both, they have specific situations that one is better than the other, and with both of them you have back up in case one goes out.

 

[colbyt]

Re: 3.5 HP Outboard from 55# Trolling: is this a worthwhile imporvement

My TM is only 30 pounds. The 3.5 HP OB @ 50% throttle moves the 14/48 boat much faster and that is with 600 pounds of people. Haven't really got to go WOT yet. I plan to take the GPS next time and try to get a miles per hour. I know the length of the lake and my current guess is about 3- 4 miles per hour at 50% throttle.

You start running a TM at the highest speed and your battery isn't going to last very long. A liter of gas will take you farther than a class 27 battery.

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: 3.5 HP Outboard from 55# Trolling: is this a worthwhile imporvement

My 12ft V-Hull has a 30# MK on the front and a 5.5HP Johnson on the back. The difference (small speed wise) only matters into the wind where the outboard will perform better.

I can troll 8 hours on speed 5 with my tm on a cheap car battery and have yet to run the battery down.

 

[JimS123]

Re: 3.5 HP Outboard from 55# Trolling: is this a worthwhile imporvement

The definition of "trolling" has been confounded in recent years. I have yet to see anyone "troll" with an electric "trolling motor". All they do it move about the shoreline in and out to get from one spot to another or keep off the rocks while drifting.

If your definition of "trolling" is to drive the boat in one direction with one or more lines out the back of the boat, then the 3.5 will shine over the electric. If you merely move about while casting, then the electric is for you.

I personally do both, so that's why I have both.

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: 3.5 HP Outboard from 55# Trolling: is this a worthwhile imporvement

I don't know why anyone would troll with a gasser and make all that noise but i have seen them do it. On the 38 acre lake we hit normally i rarely use the outboard at all

 

[a_gunslinger]

Re: 3.5 HP Outboard from 55# Trolling: is this a worthwhile imporvement

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies! All of them helpful. I guess what I would like (over my current 55# Minn Kota) is double the speed with less risk and worry of battery draining. 3.5 HP gasser just might not be enough I think.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 3.5 HP Outboard from 55# Trolling: is this a worthwhile imporvement

There will be a huge difference performance in between the two, the electric won?t even come close to the 3.5.

I have many motors and my 80# 24V electric won?t move any of my boats as fast as my 3,3 Merc will, it?s not even close.

People also think that trolling means the type of fishing ?they do? not many types trolling they have never done and know nothing about. I use my bow mount for some types of fishing (trolling too), my 8HP kicker for others, and then my main motor in some situations, there is no one right motor.