need help picking the right trolling motor

[BIGcarpy50]

I am in the process of restoring a 16foot alum starcraft open bow. I need to start thinking of a bow mount trolling motor. I am wondering what size thrust i need......i fish mostly lakes so i need it to keep me on weed beds and navigate around islands. Also i sometimes use it in an inlet creek that is my honey hole. Any help is apreciated. i am thinking a 40# would do fine but thats alot of money not to be sure.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: need help picking the right trolling motor

you need atleast 40 lb. also spend the money and get the wireless remote controls. i will never go back the a tiller or foot controlled motor. i have a Motor Guide W 45.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: need help picking the right trolling motor

My 2 cents. Speaking from my personal experience, $ spent on an undersized trolling motor is wasted $ IMHO. I ran a 36# power drive on my 14' low profile skiff (for similar use) and found it to be just "OK" . It stayed stowed when the wind kicked up though as it struggled and ate up the battery FAST. Your boat is light and has a pretty significant profile to the wind. So while a 30-36# will move it OK of flat calm days, a 40-45# should be considered bare minimum for average conditions. If you find yourself fishing in 15K winds , you'll want 50-55. If in doubt, stick a cheap transom mount on the boat till you can save some $ for what you need.
FWIW, I'm also currently rigging a 16' aluminim ( Mirrocraft 1615) for myself. I chose a 55# bow mount ( Minn Kota Riptide RT-55 SC) and will power it with the largest DC battery I can stuff into the storage compartment (likely a 30 series.) I chose the tiller stear because I preffer it for my fishing style but that's personal choice. I can tell you that tiller steer and 5 vs infinate speed can save you some big $ if things are tight. Paid $240 for mine but admittedly it was part of an incentive package from the seller.
(Ebay has some good finds if your patient)

hth

 

[John_S]

Re: need help picking the right trolling motor

I have a w45 on a 14' alum starcraft. It does well, but given your larger boat, I'd say 55 minimum.

http://joefish.homestead.com/TMTDmount.html

Compare your boat to: http://www.canadalake.org/Starcraftii.html

 

[jtexas]

Re: need help picking the right trolling motor

Agree 100% with wee hooker, ran a 36lb motorguide on my 15' glass tri-hull, it's fine until the wind picks up. I'm using a 46lb now, the extra 10 makes a huge difference, it's just about right.

When it's windy, the weight of the boat isn't what matters -- it's the freeboard. More of the boat out of the water means the wind can push you around more.

"Adjustable speed" (e.g. 5 speeds) is way cheaper than "variable speed", the downside being it drains the battery faster.

If fish more standing rather than sitting the tiller might be the way to go -- but once you go foot control you'll never go back.