best trolling motor for a sailboat

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Using a trolling motor on small boat

• Thread starter PK Harvey
• Start date Apr 28, 2021
• Forums for All Owners
• Trailer Sailors

Hi, all. After years of sailing medium-sized Hunters (sold my last of those after a move a few years ago), I'm starting in with a Classic Lido 14, as a boat I can trailer and use to teach my grandsons to handle a sail. I'll be taking the boat out on Lake Buchanan in the Texas hills. There aren't any good choices for a permanent slip for a little boat like this, so I'm going to be launching her new each time out. Here's the issue: The ramp near my property on the lake has an available dock for loading, etc., but it's in close enough quarters that it's not an option to move from the trailer to the ramp under sail. I'd like to add a small electric trolling motor just to move the boat around in the inlet where we'll be launching. I've read some advice that a small gas outboard is a better choice, but in Texas that means registering and all the paperwork for being a power boat. My plan would be to just use the trolling motor to move the boat the 50 or so feet to the dock, and then offload it before I head out on the lake. Wondering how much thrust I'd need on a trolling motor to move a roughly 350 lb. (fully rigged) boat around in those limited circumstances. Thoughts? Thanks in advance for any help.-PK  

PK Harvey said: .................... Wondering how much thrust I'd need on a trolling motor to move a roughly 350 lb. (fully rigged) boat around in those limited circumstances............... Click to expand

I am sure a trolling motor will work just fine. My concern would be with the battery when you capsize. I learned on a Lido 14 and those things are super light / stable so moving it around is no issue at all. May I ask why not just use a paddle for the 50 feet or so? Seems like a lot less cost and hassle.  

I think the problem paddling a small light boat is the you have to lean to each side to make a paddle stroke and the boat will list as a result. If the main is up the boom will swing back and forth and be annoying not to mention the rudder flopping back and forth. I tried this on my Bandit 15 and it wasn't that effective. I would consider sculling. You could fit a half circle fitting on the transom and once you get the technique down move pretty effectively for 50 feet. Off Center Harbor has some Vids posted on this subject and you get to view a few free.  

Of course you could buy an electric motor with a water proof battery like a Torqeedo. I have a 503 on my dinghy. Kayak Trolling Motor - Ultralight 403 A -Torqeedo Electric Outboard with direct drive - Travel 603 - Torqeedo  

Okay so.... one more thing to consider. Once you put a motor on it, you have to register it, display a registration number & tags and pay annual registration fees. COST and HASSLE That might be another reason to stick with human power.  

"No officer. That's not a motor. It's a blender but I don't have another way to stow it!"  

SailingLoto

I used an old transom mount minnkota and small car battery the first couple times I ever went sailing. Worked fine. I had to go 250-300 yards in and out. Zero issues. Light, easy to remove and stow. The battery was from a mid 90s civic and fit directly infront of my trolling motor. Gas was a definite upgrade for me, but you on a small boat, going such a short distance.... I think it would be ideal  

sloughsailer

When the motor on my 3000 LB Columbia 22 self destructed I installed an oarlock on the transom and got a long oar. With a little practice I was able to scull anywhere I wanted to go. One windless night I sculled 2 miles against the current without a great deal of effort. Your 14 foot dingy will scull easily.  

I used a trolling motor on my 16' AMF Sunbird for years. The 'bird was already titled so that wasn't an issue. But when I sold the 'bird and put the trolling motor onto my 8' Walker Bay, I had a Texas Game Warden give me a warning about registering the Walker Bay. I used a small AGM battery to power the trolling motor. I still have the trolling motor if you want it. Just collecting dust here at Canyon Lake.  

I used a 22 lb thrust Minnkota on a Taser to motor out of the dead air in an inlet ramp and get back across the lake if the wind died. Battery was mounted under the mid thwart and a dead-man switch. Do use a dead-man switch for any smaller boat/dingy for safety. (momentary push-on switch).  

I've used a really small trolling motor on a boat that weighed 500 lb alone. I can motor around for at least a couple hours on a lawn mower battery.  

I use an older 12-volt Minnkota 48LB thrust trolling motor on my Macgregor 26S for electric-only lakes. It pushes me at three knots in light wind. I've used it the whole day (without sailing) at times with six people on board.  

I used a 36lb thrust one summer on my SJ21, and it worked great. I would recommend an AGM battery just because of the motion, you don't want to expose the plates during discharge.  

Crazy Dave Condon

You have to ask your state if registration and/or titling is required. Virginia requires it even with a trolling motor  

George_NJ said: I use an older 12-volt Minnkota 48LB thrust trolling motor on my Macgregor 26S for electric-only lakes. It pushes me at three knots in light wind. I've used it the whole day (without sailing) at times with six people on board. Click to expand

bgstar19 said: Hey George, What size battery (amp- hours?) did you use to motor around all day on your 26S with the 48 lb thrust trolling motor? I've got a 1983 O'Day 19 with a very finicky 5 hp 2 stroke Mercury outboard that failed to start on a number of occasions as I tried to motor back to the crowded marina, making for long frustrating returns to the dock. I'm guessing that a 48 lb thrust trolling motor would work for my sailboat as well based on your experience. Click to expand

Philly2DC2LBI

New to the site, still a sailing newbie relatively as well, this is exactly the conversation I was looking for. I'm on a small, narrow inlet off Barnegat Bay in NJ, have sailed a sunfish for years but recently upgraded size-wise to a used but hardly-used Javelin. Depending on wind/current sometimes I can't tack in/out on the sunfish, so I kept a little paddle with me, but of course that's not an option for a larger boat so I have to figure out best solution. Electric trolling motor seems the best choice, but the range of options is a little overwhelming. I'm assuming I need one that's saltwater rated, but not sure about shaft length/how powerful. Cheapest seems Min-Kota, they are all on backorder for weeks (supply chain problems with the pandemic, apparently), so looking for a used one or I have to drive to a dealer. I see George's tip above on what battery to get - any tips on the battery storage/housing? Any other safety features needed with a battery on board??  

Philly2DC2LBI, I don't know what the difference is between the saltwater & fresh water motors, like if it's just the paint? If it was just the paint you could paint it yourself with some Rustoleum or the like. You would want to put the battery by the transom, the trolling motors don't like long cords. I would put some kind of grippy pad to keep it from wanting to slide and maybe a bungie cord to keep it in place for when you heel, or a more permanent battery box install. I buy used all the time, craigslist, facebook marketplace, offerup... I think I paid $75 for my 48 LB thrust troller out of season (the time for deals). Keep an eye out at garage sales & flea markets also. I paid $5 for a 12 LB troller at a Habitat For Humanity store years ago and that thing still works great on my 14' crestliner V hull boat.  

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Best Trolling Motors for 2024

Jason sealock.

• Nov 20, 2023

The product recommendations on our site are independently chosen by our editors. When you click through our links, we may earn a commission. 

If you fish out of a boat, a trolling motor might be recognized as one of the most important tools for a fisherman. It lets you move a round with a stealthy precision and get into the best position to tempt and catch big fish. Some boats only have a trolling motor as their propulsion system while others have an outboard motor and a trolling motor. The outboard moves you spot to spot while the trolling motor lets you work an area quietly as you fish. Regardless of budget, you want to get the best trolling motors you can afford for your boats.

The trolling motor market exploded in the last 5 years. Before that, there were really only two main players. Today there are nearly a dozen trolling motor or electric motor makers offering some form of electric trolling propulsion for John boats, kayaks and larger fiberglass boats. They can run you as little as $149 up to $5,000 depending on the features, power and build that matters to you.

We’ll run down a few of the best in the categories that are most important to fishermen to give you some options across multiple budgets and feature sets. And we’ll discuss some other options at the end. So lets dig into our picks for best trolling motors for 2024.

OUR PICKS FOR BEST TROLLING MOTORS FOR 2024

• Best Overall Trolling Motor: Minn Kota Ultrex Quest
• Most Dependable Motor: Garmin Force , Lowrance Ghost
• Best Value Trolling Motor : Motor Guide Tour
• Most Robust Trolling Motor : Power-Pole MOVE
• Best Kayak Trolling Motor : Minn Kota Endura 55 pound Thrust
• Best Deep Hull Trolling Motor : Garmin Force Kraken

BEST OVERALL TROLLING MOTOR

Minn kota ultrex quest.

Buy at BassPro.com   Buy at Tackle Warehouse

The original Minn Kota Ultrex set the bar for what a serious top-of-the-line trolling motor should be. It was rock solid, could handle a ton of abuse, had Spot-Lock gps anchoring capabilities had the most power in the market and had 5 decades of engineering know-how behind it. Minn Kota has always been synonymous with quality when it comes to trolling motors but now they have raised that bar again.

The new Quest trolling motors are more powerful, quieter thanks to new brushless motor designs, more sturdy and rugged to handle long, rough days on the water thanks to improved features in their builds. But they are now super efficient with power, super efficient with sound and movement with improved Spot Lock with Jog technology. I said when MInn Kota first came out with the original Spot Lock it was like I just got a fishing partner put in the boat with me. With their One Boat Network you can have total control of your boat with your trolling motor. Troll along contours, jog offer a few feet while remaining spot locked in an area and a whole lot more.

These new motors pull easily and deploy easily and the brackets feel rock solid with little to no noise. And the powerful 112 pound thrust is refined to be quieter while maintaining the power and reducing vibration.

The complete overhaul and rebuild with improved technologies makes these our top choice right now in Trolling Motors.

EDITORS NOTE: Our team has been on the water and using these trolling motors more than most folks in the nation. We have NDAs with most of the major brands so we are privy to products long before they are available to the public. We helped shoot some release materials for Minn Kota so we’ve had the trolling motors since the spring of 2023 and saw the specs and details prior to that.

• Great GPS anchor locking technology
• Very easy to quietly deploy and stow
• Very quiet operation
• Connectivity to all of your other Minn Kota and Humminbird electronics
• Incredible battery efficiency with variable speed control
• Price is steep at $3,999

MOST DEPENDABLE TROLLING MOTOR

Garmin force trolling motor.

Buy at BassPro.com   Buy at Tackle Warehouse I have run a Garmin Force on my boats for 4 years and save for one small sync problem with the first pre production model I’ve never had any down time with my Garmin Force trolling motor.

The lift assist is great and it turns the head the right direction to make sure my Livescope transducer clears my bracket and nose. The trolling motor is quiet, powerful and easy to use. The wireless pedal works every time on two small AA batteries and can be wired to your power system if you prefer. The dial and pedal are easy to use. The engineering behind this trolling motor have made it a consistent performer with no issues. The brushless motor keeps it quiet. It has a very powerful thrust and it uses almost no battery power even on long days of fishing.

The gesture steering with the remote is very cool feature. Just point your remote in a direction and the trolling motor will turn that way.

It’s very easy to setup and install. And it can be updated with improved software through the remote and your Active Captain app. You can connect it to your depth finders as well and with Power-Poles connected as well you can have a total boat control to control anchor locking, jog, course headings, anchor drag and more. It has been one of the most dependable trolling motors I’ve ever owned and I’ve owned quite a few now.

• Quiet and powerful operation
• Wireless foot pedal makes for clean install
• Responsive electric steering
• Pedal feels like cable steer with tension knob
• Lower priced that competitors of equal feature sets
• Great remote operation
• Anchor lock drives a bit too much in calm waters

Lowrance Ghost Trolling Motor

Buy at BassPro.com   Buy at Tackle Warehouse We have worked with a lot of electronics installers across the nation and one of my closest friends, runs one of the top independent marine electronics sales and service shops in the country. He told me the trolling motor he works on the least that he’s sold a lot of is the Garmin Force. The one that is a close second in needing the least repairs is the Lowrance Ghost. So it would be another solid choice for a dependable trolling motor with the other two we’ve already mentioned. 

The Ghost features a brushless motor design with a powerful 120 pounds of thrust on the 36-volt option. This trolling motor is very quiet and the mount is very sturdy. It has a nice lift assist springs and the head auto rotates for quick stow and deploy.

The power management is one of the best in the industry and you can run all day and have plenty left over because the power management is that good. Terry runs a Ghost on his boat and loves how much quiet power he has. He can jump across the cove quickly, leaving a wake behind him with just his trolling motor.

• Very strong and quiet
• Efficient brushless motor
• Competitive price in its class
• Arrow doesn’t always line up with live forward facing sonar

BEST VALUE TROLLING MOTOR

Motorguide tour trolling motor.

Buy at BassPro.com    Buy at Tackle Warehouse MotorGuide Tour trolling motors have long been synonymous with toughness and no-nonsense performance in a cable steer trolling motor. And the guys I know that swear by them have been running them for decades.

The latest versions have very tough shafts, brackets, breakaway spring busters, and components. They can take a lot of abuse and keep on plowing. They can chew through grass, bump off stumps and keep pushing you forward.

The 82-pound thrust cable drive MotorGuide Tour is a great trolling motor at a good price. It can push a lighter boat fast on 24-volts and offer no-nonsense performance in and around shallow cover. The price and quality of the build are why we voted it the best value trolling motor.

• Simple quick install
• Powerful and tough
• Can come with Universal Sonar in the head
• 24-36 Volt options
• Durable metal pedal
• Katana prop cuts up grass easily
• Priced competitively starting at $1,449
• A lot less options that newer trolling motor creations
• No remote or controlling with other electronics in boat

MOST ROBUST TROLLING MOTOR

Power-pole move zr.

Buy at BassPro.com Buy at Tackle Warehouse  

The newest player in the trolling motor market is Power-Pole and their first offering the Power-Pole MOVE. Out of the gate this trolling motor is special. Their biggest action item in designing this trolling motor was to alleviate or design it so it would be super dependable and not have the issues that are common among other trolling motors of the past.

That design process led them to do some very interesting things. First they chose titanium as the material to make the shaft. It’s lighter, longer lasting and stronger than fiberglass composite that most shafts are made out of. They also built in levels of redundancy. Their steering gears have 6 additional gearing drives. So if you sheer all the teeth some miraculous way off the gear, there are 5 more that will take its place and still allow you to steer. The shaft is rated indestructible and has a lifetime warranty on it.

Their brushless motor was built from the ground up. They used no existing parts. They literally built every part to fit in the overall design so they wouldn’t rely on any existing parts that might have been points of failure in other trolling motors. The result is a highly strong, powerful and robust trolling motor.

We found it to be the quietest of all the trolling motors and might be the most powerful although it is hard to judge power with arbitrary measurements like thrust. But to us it felt like one of the strongest in terms of power in vegetation and speed in open water.

They are so new and doing so many things new, we are hesitant to say they are the best when they don’t have decades of proven track records like some of the others. But we feel like this is going to be a very good option for years to come based on our initial testing.

We have heard a seen a couple issues with mounting but we also know Power-Pole is one of, if not the very best, in customer service. And they are very quick to adapt their designs to fix known issues. So we have no doubt they will fix any issues that come to ensure MOVE is always at the top of the list in performance and customer satisfaction.

• Titanium shaft with lifetime warranty
• Tons of power
• Quietest we’ve seen
• Cuts through vegetation
• Redundant fail safes throughout
• Price (most expensive of all trolling motors)
• Too early to know they will have proven track record with design

BEST KAYAK TROLLING MOTOR

Minn kota endura.

Buy at BassPro.com    Buy at Walmart.com

There has been an influx of trolling motor propulsion systems in the market. Some really great ways to add a motor to a kayak to expand your range and easy propulsion. A lot of the newer units come with a pretty steep price tag. The Minn Kota Endura is a super affordable options that a lot of anglers have been using to propel roto-molded scamps and other polyethylene boats. And these trolling motors are great for kayaks too.

With the addition of a trolling motor mount like the Railblaza Kayak Motor Mount you can mount this transom mount trolling motor and the whole setup will be less than $350.

The Endura has three shaft lengths from 30 to 42 inches and three pound thrust powers from 30 to 50 pounds of force. I like the 36 inch shaft and 40 or 50 pound thrust options. Easy display, twist handle operation and on your kayak with a rudder, you can just set it to straight and use your rudder to adjust course slightly.

We’ll review some other options for kayak propulsion in a separate piece.

• Price makes it most affordable option
• Easy operation
• Quiet propulsion
• Only comes in transom mount
• Requires another mount to for stability on a kayak

BEST DEEP HULL TROLLING MOTOR

Garmin force kraken.

The Force Kraken has only been on the market a few months but it’s already got anglers buzzing about some of it’s first of its kind features.

The obvious feature to start with here is shaft length. These trolling motors were made to push tall, big, deep-hull boats. They come in both saltwater and freshwater options but there are a couple of features that really impressed us.

The first feature that sets these apart is dual head GPS. This dual band GPS systems means the boat is being triangulated. The reason that matters is it means you can have an industry best precision anchor lock that singular GPS’s can’t match.

Now when you couple that dual band GPS with the added feature on Anchor Lock which is instead of the head swiveling all the time to move you back and forth it will reverse the prop. Used to the only way to back up was to turn the head and thrust, which is a big cause of why Anchor lock is always moving around on original Force trolling motor. With the new Anchor lock, it simply reverses the prop to hold you dead on your spot. This is really handy in wind and current or rough conditions.

The next feature is the cable management. The cables on your Livescope on the Kraken are routed in the shaft. So your Livescope cable goes into the shaft and comes out in a safe place to have worry free operation without a compromised electronics cable that gets pinched because it’s always in the way.

The Kraken is going to hopefully bring a lot more technology to all trolling motors in the Force line with it’s very innovative design, quiet power and rock solid durability.

• Pivot mount makes mounting easier
• More fluid operation
• Instant reverse on Anchor Lock
• Dual band GPS for super accurate GPS positioning in compromised areas
• Cable management
• Easy deployment
• Quiet power
• Only available in long shafts 63, 75 or 90

See also our recommended lithium batteries for the trolling motors .

Currently working as Senior Advisor to Wired2fish. Former COO and Publisher, Jason Sealock came to Wired2fish shortly after inception in January of 2010. Prior to that he was the Editor-in-Chief of FLW Outdoors Magazines. He worked up from Associate Editor to Photo Editor and finally Editor in Chief of three magazines FLW Bass, FLW Walleye and FLW Saltwater. He set the content direction for Wired2fish while also working directly with programmers, consultants and industry partners. Sealock has been an avid angler for the better part of 40 years and has been writing and shooting fishing and outdoors content for more than 25 years. He is an expert with fishing electronics and technologies and an accomplished angler, photographer, writer and editor. He has taught a lot of people to find fish with their electronics and has been instrumental in teaching these technologies to the masses. He's also the industry authority on new fishing tackle and has personally reviewed more than 10,000 products in his tenure. He has a 30-year background in information technologies and was a certified engineer for a time in Microsoft, Novell, Cisco, and HP. He mostly fishes for bass and panfish around the house. He has, however, caught fish in 42 of the 50 states in the US as well as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Canada and hopes to soon add Finland, Japan, Africa and Australia to his list.

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Home » Fishing Gear » Electronics » 23 Best Electric Trolling Motors for Boats, Kayaks, and Canoes in 2023

23 Best Electric Trolling Motors for Boats, Kayaks, and Canoes in 2023

Trolling motors are a great way to power a small johnboat, canoe, or kayak. Larger pedal-operated trolling motors are used extensively on bass boats and shallow ocean running boats to fish near the shore. A trolling motor allows the boat to quietly sneak into the best fishing spots.

Without a trolling motor, fishermen have to rely on drift fishing. This is a big disadvantage because the boat is simply taken in the direction of the wind and current. Sometimes the boat ends up in shallow water that is difficult to navigate out of with the large primary motor.

There are several important decisions that will have to be made when selecting a trolling motor. First deciding how much thrust will be needed to propel the vessel is important. Next how it will be mounted. The mounting option for trolling motors includes bow-mounted, transom-mounted, and primary motor mounted.  Control options for trolling motors include hand-controlled, cable steered, cable controlled, and technologically controlled.

The power supplied to the motor is delivered by electric batteries. These batteries need to have the proper voltage and current. The amount of current stored in the batteries is measured in amp-hours. The larger the battery’s capacity the longer the motor can be run without being recharged.

The voltage requirement varies based on the max thrust of the motor. Trolling motors with 55 pounds of thrust and under can use a single 12-volt battery. The second level of motors with 60-80 pounds of the thrust recommends using 24 volts requiring two batteries. For large motors with 90-112 pounds of thrust, it is recommended to have 36 volts of power requiring three batteries.

Here Are the Best Electric Trolling Motors

Transom mount trolling motors, 1. minn kota endura.

Shop Bass Pro Shops

Minn Kota has several top-selling trolling motors for pretty much every scenario and watercraft type. The Minn Kota Endura is a transom-mounted unit sporting five different thrust options which are 30, 40, 45, 50, and 55 pounds.

The shafts lengths vary based on the distance the motor is mounted in the water. The shaft length also affects the handle height. If the boat is controlled while sitting down a lower handle height is good. When controlling to motor from a standing position a taller handle height is better. Shaft lengths are 30, 36, and 42 inches. The handle of this unit is telescopic to make it longer or shorter based on the situation.

The Minn Kota composite shaft is well known for its incredible durability. It is true that it can significantly bend but it won’t break. These motors can take some abuse without having major issues.

This is an excellent trolling motor for anglers that want a basic reliable transom mount trolling motor using a single 12-volt battery. Minn Kota offers a lifetime warranty on the shaft and a two-year limited warranty on the rest of the package.

2. Minn Kota Endura Max Transom Mount Trolling Motor

Buy from Amazon

This unit is almost entirely the same as the regular Endura but comes with the Digital Maximizer system. The difference in price is roughly $50, and some of you may not need the Digital Maximizer on the Endura Max so that is why both of the trolling motors are on the list.

The Digital Maximizer is a software that automatically adjusts the power supplied to the trolling motor based on a predetermined speed. This can in theory increase your battery life by 5 times in certain situations. Trolling motors do not necessarily make the boat go faster by applying more power. The pitch of the prop limits how fast a trolling motor will go. The maximizer helps ensure the user is not running the motor faster than is needed. This is most helpful when traveling from one location to another with the trolling motor.

3. Minn Kota Riptide SC Transom Mount

The Minn Kota Riptide SC is a transom mount saltwater-rated trolling motor that is controlled with a tiller handle. Features include the indestructible composite shaft, push to test battery life indicator, quiet motor, and a 10 position bracket that adjusts with a quick-release lever. The SC  version has 5 forward speeds and three reverse speeds. The other type is continuous variable speed.

The tiller handle extends 6 inches and can tilt up to 45 degrees. The shaft has a lifetime warranty and the unit has a two-year limited manufacturer warranty.

4. Minn Kota Vantage Freshwater Trolling Motor

The Minn Kota Vantage is a powerful trolling motor that is hand steered. The motor is unique in that it can be raised and lowered automatically with the push of a button. It has the vantage mounting system which breaks away on impact which helps protect the boat and motor when striking the ground.

The trolling motor has a 4:1 articulating steering system for sharper turns with less tiller handle movement. It can also turn 180 degrees so the propeller can be used in the more efficient forward motion to travel in all directions. The Vantage can quickly be placed in back trolling mode where the motor is turned 180 degrees.

Features include a tiller handle that can extent 31 inches, digital battery life indicator, and the digital maximizer to control the boat speed more efficiently to extend battery life. It also has the Weedless Wedge 2 propeller which is very popular with anglers who bass fish in the weeds.

5. Minn Kota Traxxis Trolling Motor

The Minn Kota Traxxis unique trolling features are with its steering modes. It is a transom mount trolling motor but the direction the motor faces can be quickly changed 180 degrees to allow for back trolling. This makes the propeller and motor more efficient when back trolling.

It also has a 4:1 articulating steering system where 45 degrees of motion of the tiller handle moves the motor 180 degrees. Other features include the digital maximizer, an indestructible composite shaft that is strong and flexible, and a tilt extending tiller handle. It can be stored and deployed using one hand. This unit comes with a 3-year limited manufacturer warranty.

6. Watersnake with Kayak Bracket Trolling Motor

The watersnake trolling motor is specifically designed for kayaks. It comes in two configurations a transom mount or a kayak side mount.  The two-blade propeller is a weedless design so it will work well when fishing in thick cover. This trolling motor is designed with fishing in mind.

Key features include its lightweight, high-low power switch, forward-reverse switch, and mounting design that will work with most kayaks. There is an Intex Mount Kit that will also allow this trolling motor to be used on small inflatable boats.

7. Goplus Electric Trolling Motor

The Goplus is a transom mount tiller controlled electric trolling motor. This is a basic trolling motor and would be good to use on a small Jon boat, kayak, or inflatable boat.

It has a 10 position bracket to lift and lower the motor into different angled positions. The shaft depth can also be adjusted with a clamp which is nice when going into really shallow water. There is also a 10 point LED battery life indicator. The head of the motor is made with aluminum which can increase the life of the unit.

8. Newport Vessels Kayak Series Trolling Motor

The Newport Vessels Kayak series is a short trolling motor that is built for Kayaks.  It is available in either 36-pound or 55-pound thrust options and comes with a 24-inch fiberglass shaft. The shaft length is to short for most boats but can work with inflated boats.

This is purpose-built for kayaks, is economically friendly, and easily propels a kayak with tons of gear. The motor is equipped with anti-corrosion coatings and seals making it resistant to saltwater.

The motor encasement and internals are all crafted from lightweight aluminum and stainless steel. This unit is to be mounted on the rear (transom) of the kayak. It comes with an adjustable handle height and works work most kayak sizes. The motor also comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

9. Newport Vessels Mossy Oak Trolling Motor

These Newport Vessels trolling motor comes in Mossy Oak camo or black. Power options are 40 pounds or 55 pounds. Both sizes are powered with a single 12-volt deep cycle battery.

Features include a 30-degree adjustable handle in the vertical direction, a LED battery life indicator, and saltwater rated equipment. This is a transom mount trolling motor with a tilt-adjust mounting bracket. The battery cable is 4 feet in length. A 50 AMP circuit breaker is included and should be installed to help protect against electrical damage.

Bow Mount Trolling Motors

10. motorguide x3 bow mount hand control trolling motor.

This Motor Guide X3 is a bow mount trolling motor with a tiller to control position and speed. Some anglers prefer to use a tiller over a foot pedal or wireless remote. While this is less common it is an effective way to control the boat.

Features include a composite shaft with a lifetime warranty, extendable tiller handle, new mount design, composite locking pins, and quiet 3-blade Machete propeller.

11. Minn Kota Riptide Maxxum Saltwater Trolling Motor with Latch

This is the Minn Kota Maxxum Riptide saltwater trolling motor with latch. It is a bow mount trolling motor that is controlled with a tiller handle. The latch and door make the motor easily removable. It is placed on a Bowguard 360 mount which allows the motor to break free if it runs aground.

This is a Riptide model which means that it is saltwater rated with coated aluminum for corrosion resistance. The digital maximizer helps adjust the motor power to level for a given speed which helps maximize battery life. There is a button to press to display battery life. The depth of the motor can quickly be changed with the quick lock cam depth adjuster.

12. Minn Kota Maxxum Bow Mount Trolling Motor

The Minn Kota Maxxum is a bow mount freshwater trolling motor. This is the freshwater version of the Riptide Maxxum and comes in a shorter 42-inch shaft length option and has a weedless wedge 2 propeller. The unit can come in the cable food pedal control configuration or the tiller hand-control configuration.

It is mounted on the Bowguard 360 which breaks away if it runs into the ground. After breaking away the unit will automatically reset. The mounting bracket also makes it easy to remove the trolling motor. Features include the digital maximizer, illuminated directional indicator, anodized aluminum mount, and a push to test battery indicator.

13. Minn Kota Edge Bow Mount Trolling Motor

The Minn Kota Edge is a reasonably priced bow mountable trolling motor. It also comes in two styles, a foot-controlled model and a hand-controlled model. The foot control model is more popular as this leaves both hands free to fish.

The foot control cord is roughly 4 feet in length. It has a latch and door design that makes the motor easy to remove which is often important. The hand control model has a tilt tiller for easy control even when standing. This trolling motor comes with a two-year limited manufacturer warranty and the composite shaft has a lifetime warranty.

14. MotorGuide X3 Bow Mount Trolling Motor

The MotorGuide X3 is a bow mount trolling motor with foot control. It comes equipped with the MotorGuide Proprietary Variable Ratio Steering (VRS) system. This is widely known as one of the most accurate foot-controlled systems in units priced under a thousand bucks.

The entire unit is constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum and uses stainless-steel hardware, making it fairly corrosion resistant and ready to plunge into saltwater. The X3 was built with sound reduction in mind. They utilized composite bushings and locking pins to ensure quiet operation the entire unit is easy to use.

15. Motorguide Tour Pro Trolling Motor

The Motorguide Tour Pro is a powerful freshwater trolling motor commonly used on bass fishing boats. It is the only trolling motor that has the GPS anchor feature with a foot pedal cable steer design. The GPS can connect to most fishing finders.

It has a 3 blade weedless prop that is 30 percent more efficient than older version propellers. The 360-degree breakaway mount helps protect the motor when running to the ground. Other features include Zero-G lift-assist, pinpoint with anchor lock, heading lock, and cruise control.

16. Motorguide Xi3 Wireless Trolling Motor

The Motorguide Xi3 comes in black which is the freshwater version and white which is the saltwater version. There are three options to choose from, standard, standard plus GPS, and standard plus GPS with sonar.

All of these units are controlled using a wireless remote control. A wireless foot control pedal is available for the unit but is not included. Features include an efficient quiet motor, GPS to allow a position to be held, a secure step lever for easy deployment, and digital power management to allow the batteries to last longer. The sonar can be integrated with most popular fishfinder brands such as Lowrance and Simrad.

17. Motorguide Xi5 Wireless Saltwater Trolling Motor

The Motorguide Xi5 is a trolling motor with wireless operation. It can come with or without GPS. A built-in 83/200 kHz sonar is included and can interface with select Lowrance, Simrad, and Mercury VesselView fish finders.

Key features include Pinpoint GPS, saltwater rated components, high-efficiency electronics, wireless handheld remote control, and digital power management for longer battery life. A wireless foot control pedal is available for this unit but does not come included.

18. Minn Kota Riptide Powerdrive Bow Mount Trolling Motor

The Riptide Powerdrive and the Riptide Terrova are very similar in appearance and functionality, but the Terrova is a more expensive and polished product.

The Powerdrive does come equipped with the I-Pilot feature, which is powered by GPS and enables many powerful functions such as spot-lock, autopilot, and is controllable by the I-Pilot handheld remote. Now, the Powerdrive does not allow the use of both a foot pedal and the remote simultaneously, that functionality is reserved for the more expensive Terrova model.

The Powerdrive is deployed by hand, without the use of the Minn Kota deploy assist. If you are not using the I-Pilot function with the remote, you will have to operate the trolling motor by hand. There is no foot pedal integration with the Powerdrive model. This is when many people spend the extra money and get the Terrova model.

The I-Pilot system also allows co-pilot with the use of BlueTooth integration on your smartphone. This allows the driver to make quick and easy adjustments from their phone.

The spot-lock holds a position and is accurate up to 3 feet. It calculates position using GPS and can even account for most wind and wave conditions.

Both Riptide modules are specifically designed for saltwater use. Riptide signifies that the unit is anti-corrosive and suitable for saltwater implementation. If the Minn Kota unit you are looking at doesn’t say it is a Riptide model, it will not come with the proper anti-corrosive coatings.

19. Minn Kota Riptide Terrova Bow Mount Trolling Motor

This Riptide Terrova trolling motor has the same basic functionalities as the Powerdrive with the added features of a foot pedal and lifts assist. This is the Riptide version of the Terrova, which is the version purpose-built for saltwater use and is anti-corrosive.

Another difference here between the Powerdrive and the Terrova is its thrust and shaft options. With the Terrova, the max thrust is 80 pounds compared to 70 pounds with the power drive. The Terrova also has 60 and 72-inch shaft length options.

If your watercraft is on the heavier side or you want the lift-assist feature or you want to control with your feet the Terrova is a better option than the Powerdrive. Both options are great and both have their place based on user needs. If money is not an factor, check out the Minn Kota Ultrex, as it is even more powerful than both of these units and offers some advanced control features.

20. Minn Kota Ultrex I-Pilot Bow Mount Trolling Motor

The Minn Kota Ultrex is widely reviewed and praised by many professional fishermen.  It comes with a foot pedal and some of the most advanced control mechanisms on any trolling motor to date.

Key features include the lift assist, large easy to read LCD display, remote control, spot-lock, steering lock, and the most sensitive foot-pad ever found on a trolling motor. It is so sensitive that some people actually complain about it at first as it takes some time to get used to how smooth and easy it is to use!

The I-Pilot feature utilizes GPS functionality for its co-pilot and spot-lock features. It will also record your travels and automatically position your boat within a 3-foot radius. Spot-Lock can also be adjusted in any direction by 5’, allowing easy incremental adjustments.

I-Pilot will also report battery life and estimated time remaining based on real-time data from usage, conditions, etc. Of course, the Ultrex also comes equipped with the Minn Kota Digital Maximizer, which has proven capabilities of increasing battery life up to 5 times compared to units without this feature.

The I-Pilot also has smartphone integration, allowing full access to its controls in the palm of your hand. Some people even use this when taking the boat off the trailer.

Lastly, the Universal Sonar 2 feature is a handy method of mounting a transducer by allowing you to completely conceal the wiring of pretty much any transducer you choose to implement.

21. Aquos Haswing Cayman Bow Mount Motor

The Aquos Haswing Cayman is a bow-mounted trolling motor. It comes standard with rechargeable wireless remote control. A wired foot pedal is optional and it has a digital display. There is also a quick-release mount that can add a padlock to prevent people from stealing the motor. Color options are white or black which are both saltwater rated.

This motor can be used on boats that are 18 feet or smaller and weigh up to 2750 pounds. The wireless remote can control the motor up to around 150 feet. Features include an LED battery meter, encapsulated electronics, depth collar to adjust the depth, motor fin, and 360-degree steering.

22. Minnkota E-drive Primary Electric Motor

Minnkota E-drive is set up to act as a primary electric motor. This is a great motor option for fishing boats and pontoon boats on electric-only lakes. The E-drive can push a full-size pontoon boat about 5 miles per hour. It can run for about 2 hours on a full charge. Much longer than two hours at slower speeds.

The motor is rigged with outboard cable linkage to be able to steer from the driver’s seat. It has an electric throttle with forward, reverse, and neutral. The motor can be raised and lowered using the push-button tilt. On the throttle unit, there is a real-time gauge that shows the engine power level and battery life.

The motor is connected with a bolt-on transom mount and has a breakaway system that helps protect the motor in the event it runs into the ground. It has a stainless steel prop with a shear pin that can protect the prop if it hits the ground.

23. Torqeedo Travel 1003 Electric Outboard Motor

The Torqeedo Travel 1003 is an electric outboard motor that can be used on sailboats, dingings, and inflatable boats. This motor is rated for boats between 1000 pounds to 3000 pounds. The weight of the motor is 19.6-20.0 pounds, with the batteries the weight is 29.5-30.9 pounds.

A battery does come included with the trolling motor. It is 915Wh and 29.6 Volts. The battery takes about 15 hours to charge. It lasts about 17 hours at 1.25 miles per hour, 6 hours at 2 miles per hour, and 55 minutes at 3 miles per hour. Its potential range is increased at slower speeds in most conditions.

A charger is included with the motor. Lead deep cycle batteries do not work with Torqeedo motors. There is an onboard computer integrated with GPS that will display the battery charge status, range, and speed information. A magnetic stop key is located on top of the unit in the event of and emergency requiring the unit to be stopped immediately.

Electric Trolling Motors

Electric trolling motors are very useful when fishing in shallow water for fish like bass, crappie , and tarpon . Trolling motors are not actually used to troll lures but rather to get into shallow locations quietly and without risking hitting the bottom with the main motor.

Trolling motors are comprised primarily of four basic components. The shaft, the motor, the propeller, and the battery. Each of these has many subsets that will cause variations in the way the trolling motor is utilized and how it will perform. Understanding each of them and choosing a conglomerate of the four that are built for your boat size and your needs is important when shopping for a trolling motor.

A trolling motor is an all-in-one removable unit encompassing a small motor attached to a prop at the end of a shaft. These motors are designed to offer the operator advanced control and precision over their watercraft. Many people use them for fishing in instances of navigating small watercraft without a primary source of power or navigating boats more precisely through difficult obstacles.

For example, one may have an outboard motor attached to their boat, but to fire that up and use it to maneuver around closely packed trees in the water may result in scaring the fish away. It may also cause a few more bumps and rubs against the trees than you would like. Using a trolling motor in this situation keeps the noise level significantly lower than what your full-size motor would produce. At the same time, it allows you to navigate in smaller more precise increments around the trees in the area.

Trolling Motors Applications

Another great example of utilizing a trolling motor is on watercraft which does not have the capabilities of using a traditional motor and prop system. Watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, rowboats, etc will benefit greatly from the use of a trolling motor. Most of us love fishing and therefore would rather use our time and energy on the actual act of fishing itself instead of rowing all day to fish good spots. Using a trolling motor makes it easy to navigate these watercraft.

Many people also keep a trolling motor retracted on their watercraft as a backup option in case their primary source of power becomes damaged or fails. Being stuck in the middle of a lake with a failing motor is never fun, but coming prepared with a trolling motor ensures you get back to the dock safely and timely. Since trolling motors are fairly light, highly durable, and don’t take up much space, it’s rather easy to come prepared with one as an emergency backup.

Another major advantage of using a trolling motor is in situations where wake or gas combustion motors are prohibited. So long as you’re using an electric powered trolling motor, most places will allow this over the use of a gas-powered motor, giving you more options in where you can fish.

Mounting Positions and Configurations

Before we get started on the specific components you should plan for, let’s figure out where we’re sticking our trolling motors. Where you choose to mount your trolling motor will usually depend on your method and type of fishing, your boat construction, and mounting availability.

Furthermore, there are a few more aspects to mention about mounting that you need to consider. Not all mounts are created equally and you generally get what you pay for. Many of the most popular brands of trolling motors will come with a mounting package alongside the trolling motor itself.

Mounts can range in quality and features. For example, some mounts are pretty much permanent installations where your trolling motor would sit in that position and would remain there regardless of using your boat or not. Other mounts offer release mechanisms that allow you to turn a few knobs to release the trolling motor. This allows you to store it somewhere else. Having it in a locked garage helps so someone does not come along and steal your trolling motor off your boat when it is in storage or docked.

Quick-release models usually use a lever locking system that allows you to quickly attach and detach the trolling motor. These are especially useful as backup units like we talked about before, where you may not use your trolling motor every time you take the boat out, but you want the option to do so if the need arises and you need to quickly deploy the motor without the hassle of installation.

Primarily, there are three main sections of the boat you can utilize a trolling motor:

Mounting your trolling motor to the front, or the bow of the boat is widely agreed upon as the top option for control and precision in movements. This allows the trolling motor to pull the boat instead of pushing it, giving you greater control over how the boat handles wake, waves, currents, etc. Mounting a trolling motor in this fashion typically requires a mount fastened to the front of the boat with some kind of bolt-on bracket.

Bow mounting works best on watercraft that have open bows such as most sail-boats, Jon boats, skiffs, fishing boats, etc. Obviously, if you have a bow that isn’t easily accessible, bow mounting wouldn’t be a good idea. Most trolling motors would require you to manually engage them, deploy them, and perhaps even control them by being near them.

The transom, otherwise known as the rear portion of your watercraft is an excellent place to mount a trolling motor. For some people, this may be the only option you have. These are best used on small watercraft, like a canoe, dinghies, or single-person boats. You get pretty general control that you would expect from a traditional motor with much less noise and power. These are also mounted using a bracket that would attach to the exterior of your watercraft using brackets.

Transom mounting should work for pretty much everyone that has a little extra space on the rear of their watercraft. Furthermore, this is an excellent option for boaters looking for an auxiliary or emergency backup operation.

Primary Motor Mount Trolling Motors

In this configuration, your trolling motor would be mounted to the cavitation plate on the outboard or inboard motor. These likely won’t be retractable or deployable, meaning they are always in the water ready to use. This results in more drag on the boat overall, even when not in use. A huge advantage of this mounting configuration is the fact that your trolling motor package won’t take up any valuable deck space. This is especially handy if you take multiple people boating and fishing with you or you have a small craft with lots of gear.

Obviously, this isn’t an option on watercraft that does not have a primary motor, such as a canoe, paddleboat, or a traditional sailboat. Furthermore, if gas mileage is something you like to consider, then you have to understand that adding more drag coefficient to your boat will reduce your gas mileage slightly. These are typically mounting types that do not allow for quick release mechanisms, thus meaning your trolling motor is essentially a permanent addition to your watercraft, not easily removed.

Control Configuration

Back in the day, using a traditional trolling motor meant holding on to a little paddle or handle and sitting right next to where the trolling motor is mounted, ensuring it stays put and steering it accordingly. Nowadays, we get some options that are rather handy and much friendlier!

Primarily, there are three control configurations you can choose from:

Hand Controlled Trolling Motors

First is the traditional “old fashion” hand controlled method. You will be grasping a tiller handle to control the movement, depth, and steering of your trolling motor. Many people like these despite more technologically advanced units being available for their easy-to-use controllability, simple setup, deployability, and overall cost-effectiveness.

Using this method, however, means your hands will always be occupied. This means you can’t work on your fishing setups, take selfies on the lake, or anything else, as you’ll be driving the unit with your hands. Also, you have to sit or stand right next to the trolling motor and have to be in the rear of the watercraft.

Cable Steer Trolling Motors

These are trolling motors that utilize a cable attached to a foot pedal to allow the steering and power output to be controlled by the user without the need to manually control the motor itself. These were the cream of the crop for many years, especially among Bass fisherman who needed a hands-free solution and an easy way to utilize the precise movements of their trolling motors.

Cable Controlled Trolling Motors

Despite being a bit outdated, it still offers several advantages. First off, many fishermen enjoy the quicker and more precise movement over electronic controlled units. Since the motor’s controls are directly tied to the cable, any movement in the foot on the pedal results in immediate results without delay. Second, electronically controlled units utilize a series of servos to control the motor, which means additional electronic noise and more moving parts to service and maintain.

Technologically Controlled Trolling Motors

Finally, technologically controlled trolling motors  are considered the leading edge in the world of trolling motors. These basically work by using electrical impulses, both wired and wireless, to communicate your needs with the motor. These offer the most flexibility by allowing you to walk around and control your trolling motor from anywhere in the boat. The top brands typically give you both an electronically controlled foot pedal and a wireless remote, which can easily be hung around your neck with a lanyard, giving you control over the motor no matter what you’re doing or where you’re at.

Furthermore, these units are now coming equipped with tons of technological advancements such as autopiloting, GPS auto-positioning, circling patterns, jogging, etc. The higher-end models even allow you to plot a course and allow the unit to automatically make adjustments and continue on the course without any further human interaction. Some trolling motors can be used with onboard systems such as navigation computers, advanced fish finders, chart plotters, and even your mobile device!

Many anglers feel that the delay in response between their interaction, whether via the electronic foot pedal or the remote control, is significant enough to warrant sticking to a cable controlled unit. Furthermore, these units require electronic servos that generally make some kind of unnatural electronic sound and may require more maintenance than other units.

Thrust Requirements

Choosing a trolling motor that has enough power for your watercraft is one of the most important buying decisions. Simply put, if you buy a trolling motor that lacks the power to move your boat, you’ll blow your money on something that won’t be effective. On the flip side, if you overcompensate, you’ll needlessly spend extra money on additional power that you don’t need.

As a very rough general rule, you could abide by the 2 pounds of thrust for every 100 pounds that your watercraft weighs. Weight is tricky, though, as your boat likely won’t weigh the same at all times. You can’t just use the weight number in your boat’s manual. This is because your gear, personnel, food, fish that you catch, fuel, etc will all factor in against the capabilities of your trolling motor. Many people make the mistake of preparing for the weight of their boat but forget to compensate for additional people and gear, which quickly adds up. If the average person weighs roughly 200 pounds, that’s an additional 4 pounds of thrust per person.

The NADA boat directory  details the weight of thousands of different boats. Check it out if you’re unsure of how much your boat weighs.

Aside from just weight, there are many other factors that may result in diminished performance, warranting a more powerful unit. If the boat is used in areas with strong current or strong winds that would be a reason to get a more powerful motor.

If you want to know the horsepower for comparison or curiosity, a fairly general idea is that 75 pounds of thrust equals up to roughly 1 horsepower.

Voltage Requirements

Simply put, you need to power your trolling motor and that power is measured in voltage. Trolling motors use one or more 12-volt deep cycle batteries. The trolling motor battery page has more information about selecting the best deep cycle battery.

The thrust output of the trolling motor and will generally fall into one of three categories:

55 pounds of thrust or less can be used on a single 12-volt battery.

60- 80 pounds of thrust generally required 24 volts of output, requiring two batteries.

90-112 pounds of thrust usually requires 36 volts of output, requiring at least 3 batteries.

These are rough estimates and as electrical systems and trolling motor become more efficient these figures may change. The trolling motors owners manual will tell you what you need. Always check the owner’s manual for the voltage requirement before supplying power to the motor.

Shaft Length Requirements

Shaft length varies across models and some models may even be adjustable or rely on different mounting procedures. Either way, you’ll want the center of your motor submerged roughly 12 inches to get the most out of the motor. An industry standard is 42 inches, but this may not work for everyone.

A shaft length guide created by Minn Kota is useful when selecting shaft length. Optimum lengths will vary based on your mounting area, type of trolling motor, watercraft size, etc. Using the guide in the link above will likely be better than a general piece of advice.

Saltwater vs Freshwater Trolling Motor Models

Some may argue there is no difference here, and they would be kind of right in most situations. In theory, so long as you have enough thrust for the weight of your boat and the conditions, your trolling motor should suffice in either salt or freshwater.

There is a caveat to this and that is durability over time. We know salt is incredibly corrosive and you have to safeguard your gear against it far more than you would in freshwater. Trolling motor manufacturers are well aware of this and built them accordingly. Trolling motors rated for saltwater comes with much better build materials to protect from corrosion and have thicker seals to ensure durability, usually at a greater cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big of trolling motor do I need?

The size of the trolling motor that is needed depends on the weight and drag of the boat. Larger heavier boats need larger trolling motors. The power of a trolling motor is given in terms of trust power. Common thrust power ranges are 30, 40, 45, 50, 55, 80, 112, or 150 pounds of thrust. One horsepower is about 75 pounds of thrust for comparison.

Trolling motors do not go faster if you get a larger motor for a small boat. The speed and pitch of the prop will only move the boat so fast. Most trolling motors under 55-pounds of thrust can be run on a single 12-volt deep cycle marine battery. In fact, it better to get a smaller motor for light boats because the battery will last longer. The rough rule is you want 2 pounds of thrust for every 100 pounds on the boat. So a 30-pound thrust motor works for the boat, equipment, and crew up to 600 pounds.

The other size that matters on a trolling motor is the shaft length. For trolling motors to work properly the propeller needs to be 12 inches or more into the water. Kayaks and small boats are low to the water and need shorter shaft lengths. The bow of a boat is typically higher from the water than the transom and therefore needs longer shaft lengths as well.

How fast will a 55 pound thrust trolling motor go?

Most trolling motor’s tops speed is around 5 miles per hour. So a 55-pound trolling motor can move a boat that weighs up to 2,250 pounds at 5 miles per hour at full throttle. This is a rough estimate based on calm conditions and no current. Wind and current can greatly affect the speed a boat can go with a trolling motor.

How fast will a 112 pound thrust trolling motor go?

A trolling motor’s top speed is typically only 5 miles per hour even with a large 112 thrust pound motor. This is because the rotation speed of the prop and pitch of the prop is what determines the speed. A special prop could be designed to allow for faster speeds with lighter boats. A 112-pound thrust motor can move a boat that weighs up to 6500 pounds at a speed of 5 miles per hour. This assumes the wind and current are negligible.

How deep should a trolling motor be in the water?

The trolling motor should be in the water about 1 foot. Most trolling motors have long shaft lengths that can be adjusted up in case the motor need to be set deeper or more shallow in the water. The transom of a boat sits closer to the water so the overall shaft length can be much shorter. Typical transom mount shaft lengths are 24-52 inches.

The bow of the boat sits further from the water so the shaft length needs to be longer. Typically bow mount shaft lengths are 36-72 inches. Most trolling motors are used in calm conditions but in wavy conditions, it better to set a bow mount trolling motor deeper in the water. This helps prevent the propeller from exiting the water as the boat moves up and down in the waves.

Which is better MotorGuide or Minn Kota?

Minn Kota and MotorGuide are both top trolling motor brands. Motor guide trolling motors tend to only have the basic features and are found at a slightly lower price point. Minn Kota tends to be the industry standard and has advanced features like wireless control, GPS navigation, GPS position hold, and transducers mounted within the motors. MotorGuide does offer similar features in some of its models. It is best to compare similar models for price and performance and either way the motor should be of good quality. Both companies typically offer a two-year limited warranty on the product.

How many pounds of thrust is 1 horsepower?

Pounds of thrust and horsepower are not a direct equivalent unit. Pounds of thrust is a static measurement while horsepower is a unit of power or force times velocity at a constant velocity. However, at the typical operating conditions of a trolling motor 1 horsepower is about 75-pounds of thrust.

What is the most powerful 12-volt trolling motor?

The most powerful trolling motor that runs on 12-volts is a 55-pound thrust motor. A size 80 which is the next size up requires 24 volts of power. It is not good to run a trolling motor with less voltage than it is rated for. This is because it will not output the expected thrust level and might not even work at all. Make sure you provide the required voltage level for the size of the trolling motor being used.

What’s the difference between Xi3 and Xi5?

The Xi3 and Xi5 are both bow-mounted MotorGuide trolling motors that can be controlled wirelessly by hand with remote control. The first difference is that Xi5 is saltwater rated and the Xi3 is freshwater rated. The other difference is that the Xi5 has a larger mounting bracket and a heaver stronger transmission. Some people like the lighter Xi3 as it is not known for having any problems with the light transmission. Lastly, the Xi5 has the option of using a wired or wireless foot pedal.

What’s the difference between 12-volt and 24-volt trolling motors?

The main difference between a 12 volt and a 24 volt trolling motor is the size of the boat that the motor can push. A 12-volt trolling motor can be as large as a 55-pound thrust motor which can move a boat that weighs about 2,250 pounds. A 24-volt trolling motor is typically an 80-pound thrust motor that can move a boat that weighs up to 4,000 pounds. Both size trolling motors will move the boat at a max speed of around 5 miles per hour.

How long will a 12v battery run a trolling motor?

A trolling motor battery is a deep cycle marine battery that typically holds between 35 amp hours and 124 amp-hours. To determine how long the battery will last depends on the amp draw from the motor. This varies based on the trolling motor size and power level it is being operated at.

A 30-pound thrust motor draws about 30 amp-hours at full throttle. This means that it will last between 1 hour and 4 hours depending on the size of the battery. A 55-pound thrust trolling motor draws about 40 amp-hours at full throttle. Therefore it will last between 50 minutes and 3 hours depending on the size of the battery. At half throttle, the battery will last about twice as long.

I have fished a 6-hour bass fishing tournament with a 30-pound thrust trolling motor with two 55 amp hour batteries in an electric-only lake in a small Jon boat. It was enough battery power for the entire tournament because most of the time when fishing the trolling motor is off or only at partial throttle. On windy days though the trolling motors battery usage will go up significantly.

Captain Cody has worked on charter fishing boats in the Florida Keys, Virgin Islands, and Alaska. Growing up in Pennsylvania Cody has also done extensive freshwater fishing including bass fishing tournaments. Cody strives to provide detailed information about the best fishing gear and tactics to help both novice and experienced anglers have a more productive and enjoyable time on the water. Cody also has a background in aerospace engineering and neuroscience but really only takes pride in being good at one thing and that is fishing!

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Best trolling motors: 8 electric outboard alternatives

• Howard Walker
• April 21, 2022

We pick out 8 of the best trolling motors that have enough electric power to punch an incoming tide without breaking the bank

So you’re looking for an electric outboard to whizz your RIB around the harbour. Who wouldn’t want a fancy Torqeedo to hang off your transom? But at £1,450 and up, chances are it’s not in the budget. A solid alternative, however, is the trusty trolling motor at a fraction of the cost. With prices starting at under £100, the best trolling motors are lightweight, dependable, and if you pay a bit extra, extremely well-built.

We’ve tested some of these models against the Torqueedo (and ePropulsion) electric outboard in our thorough electric outboard motor test and, though they don’t offer quite the same level of functionality, many do pretty well comparatively.

But which one to buy? With more than 40 or more on offer, and with tongue-twisting brand names like Fayelong and Flyhero, U-BCOO and Caroute, sorting out the good from the bad and the ugly, can be a challenge. Remember, many of the motors you’ll see advertised will be aimed at fisher-folk looking to slowly sneak-up on a snook, rather than punch an incoming tide. Power here is important.

And talking of power, know that when it comes to trolling motors, they’re rated in pounds of thrust, not horsepower. They can start off as low as 18 pounds, but load-up your RIB with crew and supplies and you’ll be going nowhere fast. Go for at least 45 pounds of thrust – 55 is better – and you’ll have power in reserve when you need it.

Also, when looking at prices, remember you’re going to need to add-in the cost of a 12-volt battery. Unlike that fancy Torqeedo with its snap-on battery pack, trollers need a separate battery for juice. Budget between £80 and £120 for a good one. And we recommend nothing less than a 105 amp-hour deep-cycle marine battery to give you the range you’ll want. Sorry, that Halfords cheapo won’t cut it.

You’ll also want a trolling motor that’s designed for saltwater rather than fresh, and with a transom mount rather than one at the bow. So which electric trolling motors should be on your wishlist?

Best trolling motors available right now

Minn Kota Riptide 45 SC trolling motor

It’s hard to beat this rugged, reliable troller from the company that essentially invented the trolling motor, and has been building them since 1934. Available in sizes from a 45-pound version with a 91cm shaft, to a muscular 112-pounder, our favourite is still the entry-level Riptide 45 SC, packing 45 pounds of thrust.

With five forward speeds and three in reverse, a 15cm telescoping tiller, indestructible, guaranteed-for-life composite shaft, and full two-year warranty it’s a great balance between performance and value. A icy-cool white finish too. We also like the clever Digital Maximiser tech that helps extend battery power.

Buy it now on Amazon Buy it now on eBay (UK) Buy it now on eBay (US)

With each product is a ‘Buy it now’ link. If you click on this then we may receive a small amount of money from the retailer when you purchase the item. This doesn’t affect the amount you pay.

Newport Vessels X-Series 55 trolling motor

This California-based company’s electric troller delivers a 55-pound punch yet tips the scales at a lightweight 10.4kg. For us, what sets it apart is its 30-degree tilting tiller handle – it also extends by 15cm – as well as its large three-blade prop and, our favourite, the 10-point LED battery meter.

It’s also got a durable composite shaft and five forward and three reverse speeds. The company reckons that powering an eight-foot RIB, the 55 would give a top speed of 4mph, depending on weight in the boat. The X-Series is also fully saltwater-resistant and comes with a two-year warranty. Another plus; that 25cm diameter three-blade prop is made of tough fibreglass-reinforced nylon rather than cheap plastic.

Buy it now on Amazon Buy it now on eBay

Bison Neraus 55 trolling motor

The best-selling electric trolling motor on Amazon UK right now, the US-built Bison Neraus 55 is all about value. At £189.99 with a free spare prop thrown-in for good measure, the price is hard to beat, especially as it’s designed for saltwater. And it has all the typical trolling motor goodies, like a composite shaft and transom bracket, an LED battery level indicator, five forward and three reverse speeds, plus a two-year warranty with Bison’s UK service centre.

Despite the value price, there’s no shortage of 5-star reviews on Amazon UK praising the solid performance and silent running. Of course, if you need more oomph, there’s always the 68-pound version.

Motorguide R3 Digital 55 trolling motor

MotorGuide is part of US-based Brunswick Corporation – they own Mercury Marine – and have been engineering trolling motors for over half a century. Their big focus is on developing trollers for serious fishing machines and have a tight relationship with Lowrance, integrating hi-tech sonar transducers and chartplotter technology into trolling motors. Serious stuff.

For more humble applications, like pushing RIBs and dinks, they have the high-quality, transom-mounted R3 and R5 digital saltwater series. Yes, they’re pricey, but they’re built using aluminium alloy and stainless steel topped off with a three-coat corrosion protection process. We like the R3 55-pound thruster with a 91cm shaft, which at around £280 is still excellent value.

Haswing Osapian 55 trolling motor

Best cheap trolling motor

Up and coming Chinese trolling motor maker Haswing offers everything from a £119 30-pound thruster to a Torqeedo-rivalling lithium-ion-juiced outboard for a hefty £1,240.

For value hunters, we like the simple delights of the Osapian 55 costing around £147. Weighing only 8.2kg, it packs a 55-pound punch, features five forward and three reverse gears, and offers a five-level LED battery indicator.

The cast aluminium drive shaft won’t be as durable as composite versions, and the plastic head cover is definitely on the flimsy side. But there’s a sturdy fin at the base of the motor to protect the prop and the tiller extends up to 35cm and angles up nicely. For the money, it’s hard to beat.

Watersnake Venom SXW trolling motor

Call it the quiet thunder from Down Under. This Aussie-made saltwater troller from Dandenong, Victoria, comes with a choice of 34, 44 and 54-pound thrust motors and 66, 76 or 91cm shafts. All run on separate 12-volt battery power and operate with five forward and three reverse speeds.

There’s plenty of tough composites in their construction – including the shaft – and refrigerator-white paint. We’d go for the torquey, yet super-quiet 54-pound Venom with its three-bladed prop, telescopic tiller and digital volt meter on the head cover. A fair dinkum price at around £317.

EP Carry trolling motor

Most trolling motors tend to look the same, right? The same lozenge-shaped head, skinny shaft, underwater pod with a prop on the end, and wires leading down to a separate lead-acid battery. The US-made EP Carry shakes things up by looking more like a traditional outboard, with a traditional cover and long steering tiller.

Yes, there’s still a separate battery, but here it’s a lithium-ion pack in a soft case weighing just 2.9kg. The motor and battery combined tip the scales at just 9.5kg. Plug in its fast charger and it’ll re-juice the battery in less than five hours. According to makers PropEle, it can easily push something like a three-metre Walker Bay RIB at over 3.5 knots. Right now, it’s only available in the US at $1,600 – roughly £1,220 – though they’ll happily ship one over.

Buy it now on electricpaddle.com

Torqeedo Travel 1003 trolling motor

Yes, it’s pricey at £1,449 and up, but to power your RIB with the least fuss this German-made Torqeedo Travel 1003 is still the Gold Standard of electric outboards. With 68 pounds of thrust – that’s roughly equivalent to a 3hp petrol outboard – it’ll push a decent-sized RIB at around five knots at full throttle. Throttle back to three knots and it should run for three and a half hours on a charge.

And it’s such a lovely piece of design with its built-in high-performance lithium-ion battery pack and distinctive grey and orange colour scheme. The base version comes with a 530Wh battery, though for around £250 extra you can get the bigger 915Wh battery pack for extra range.

Buy it now on BHG Marine Buy it now on Force 4

Don’t miss our electric outboard motor and trolling motor test .

• Pontoon Boats
• Personal Watercraft
• nauticalknowhow
• Nautical Knots
• Tools and Calculators

Ranking The Best Trolling Motors On The Market

Black Haswing 12V Bow Mount Trolling Motor

Garmin Force Foot Steer Trolling Motor

Watersnake ASP Salt Water Transom Mount Trolling Motor

A trolling motor is an indispensable piece of equipment for anglers of all stripes. They’re the perfect tool for gently moving from one point to another in a precise and controlled manner, without disturbing the water and scaring away the fish.

If you’re not familiar with the purpose of a trolling motor, they are small and compact self-contained electric motors that can be mounted to the bow or stern of a boat. They’re not designed to provide outrageous thrust and performance, but just enough propulsion to move a boat through the water in a quiet and discreet manner that won’t worry the wildlife.

But which one do you need?

There are so many different products on the market that you’re literally spoilt for choice. However, making the wrong decision could make or break a fishing trip. A motor that runs too loudly will leave your keep nets empty. A motor without enough thrust will leave you stranded at the dock. The wrong shaft length will see you catching a whole load of spray and not a lot of fish.

Different vessels require different motors, with different mounts and different properties. No online guide is going to magically pick out the best trolling motor for your needs, but we’re hoping to point you in the right direction so that you can find the best motor for your boat. Here are our top choices.

Minn Kota Endura C2 55 Transom Mount Trolling Motor

This stealthy motor from Minn Kota is one of the best trolling motors in the business. The Endura C2 series is ideal for those looking for adequate power that’s delivered in a discreet and quiet manner. While it’s available with different thrust levels, we think a thrust level of 55 is a great choice for a wide variety of freshwater boaters.

Take note of the freshwater designation, because this 12-volt transom-mounted motor is for freshwater only. It features a 36-inch long shaft, a power prop for a little extra power when you’re pushing through obstacles, with a practical and easy to operate telescopic handle and tiller.

The tilt-twist tiller offers easy speed control and steering, with 5 forward speeds and 3 reverse speeds on offer.

It scores high on the energy-efficiency chart too, with some boaters recording up to 8 hours of constant use before their battery began to die. Cool quiet power is the buzzword for this product.

Lastly, there’s the mount. This Minn Kota trolling motor has an easy to use mount which can be attached in a number of different positions for easy installation. It also features a lift and rotate level lock bracket, making for easy backtrolling at a moment’s notice.

• Buy on Amazon   →
• $149.99 Bass Pro   →
• Buy on Walmart   →
• 12-Volt freshwater trolling motor available with multiple thrust ratings
• Tough composite shaft which won’t rust or corrode
• Equipped with a Weedless Wedge 2 power prop
• Very quiet and energy efficient

Newport Vessels L-Series Transom Mount Electric Trolling Motor For Saltwater

Newport Vessels is a brand name that you can really trust when it comes to marine equipment. This particular trolling motor is a great choice for those looking for a top-quality motor that’s designed to handle saltwater.  It has a big price tag, but it’s made with high-grade materials and components, and since it’s designed for use in the ocean, the extra expense buys you much needed peace of mind.

It’s available in two thrust outputs, 62 lbs and 86 lbs, both suited for different conditions. The largest size is a rather high-powered motor that offers big performance in a quiet package, allowing you to stealthily move through the water, even against strong currents and high winds.

Both sizes feature a 40 inch fiberglass composite shaft that’s almost unbreakable and totally rust and corrosion resistant. The shaft and prop are operated by a telescopic handled tiller which provides confident steering and ultimate control. 8 speeds are available to choose from, with 5 forward speeds, and 3 reverse.

One of the nicest features about this trolling motor is the battery meter. 10 LEDs measure your battery level, indicating how much power you have left, ensuring that you won’t be left drifting without power in the ocean. Two 12 volt cycle batteries are required to power this motor, or a 24 volt trolling motor marine battery.

Finally, Newport Vessels proudly assert their confidence in their products by giving each of their motors a 2 year warranty.

• $269.00 Walmart   →
• Heavy duty saltwater trolling motor
• 10 point LED battery meter function
• Tough aluminum and stainless steel components
• 2 year manufacturer’s warranty

Haswing USA is a company with an excellent reputation for manufacturing high-quality motors. This particular model is designed for both freshwater and saltwater activities, offers 55 lbs of thrust, and is suitable for boats weighing up to 2750 lbs. It’s quiet, compact, and energy efficient, but it also has some surprising features that make it an excellent choice for dedicated fishermen.

The most impressive feature of this small motor is the wireless remote control capabilities. A small handheld device allows you to conveniently control the motor on your boat from a distance of up to 164 ft! This means you can steer and control the power of your vessel from land, or without taking your hands off of your fishing rod.

Cruise control features allow you to have hassle free navigation while you concentrate on fishing, with easy adjustments and corrections to the speed being as simple as the push of a button. Naturally, you might have to manually adjust your heading every now and again, but that’s hardly an inconvenience.

Steering is as easy as turning a handle, and you can easily put your boat into reverse by turning the handle a full 180 degrees. The 54 inch shaft is made from stainless steel with other corrosion resistant materials, all wrapped in a compact and collapsible package that makes it easy to remove or install on another vessel in seconds.

It’s an expensive option, but for those who want a hassle-free experience, the extra money is a solid investment.

$669.00 Amazon  →

• Handheld wireless motor control
• Compatible with both freshwater and saltwater activities
• 12V motor with excellent energy efficiency
• Ships with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty

Motorguide X3 Foot Control Trolling Motor

The X3 motor from Motorguide is an advanced motor which offers top performance, energy efficiency, and ultimate durability for anglers looking for the best bang for buck ratio. It’s not a cheap motor by any stretch of the imagination, but it offers great performance in return for your investment.

It’s a quite motor that will glide you across the water without scaring away the wildlife, whilst simultaneously delivering plenty of thrust, nimble steering, and a modest speed. It’s rated for 55 lb of thrust with the power delivered through 5 selectable power settings via a 45 inch composite shaft. It can be used in freshwater and saltwater, and has 180-degree steering for reverse operation.

One of the most exciting features of this motor is the foot control operation. It has a heel/toe design for maximum control, and it features a built in direction indicator. There’s also a dual cable steering system, and variable ratio steering, which makes for sharp and confident steering, and better positioning of your boat.

All of the components of this motor are high quality, with stainless steel bushings, aluminum mounts, and rust resistant fixings making it a truly exceptional motor for the price. It’s also easy to install and set up too, with easy hookup to all 12 volt power systems.

• Buy on Bass Pro   →
• Responsive foot-control with heel/toe operation
• 55 lbs of thrust
• Variable Ratio Steering for precision positioning
• High quality components that can be used in saltwater and freshwater

This Garmin trolling motor is one of the most sophisticated motors out there. It also has a premium price tag too. However, if you’re serious about fishing, this is the king of motors, with more special features than you’d know what to do with. This powerful trolling motor offers huge power, up to 120 lbs if it’s set up for 36 volts, making it one of the most powerful trolling motors for sale that still retains quiet operation.

As trolling motors go, this one has all of the bells and whistles. It boasts a wireless GPS chartplotter with full connectivity, allowing you to navigate with ease, put your boat on autopilot, or keep it locked in position while you concentrate on fishing. There’s also a CHIRP sonar with high-definition imagery to help you find and locate ideal fishing grounds, without the motor noise distorting the results.

It does draw more power than most though, since it operates at either 36 volts or 24 volts, depending on how long you want to fish for and what force you require. 24 volts will give you 86 lbs of thrust, while 36 volts will deliver up to 120 lbs. Using either voltage is fine, since the brushless motor is smooth and remarkably energy efficient, you can be sure that it won’t drain your batteries in seconds.

The most impressive feature of this motor is the wireless foot pedal, which feels and operates like a regular cable-steered foot control, but without the hassle of wires and with the added freedom of wireless technology. It also comes with a handheld remote control for easy point and go steering. Perfect for hassle-free navigation!

• $3549.99 Bass Pro   →
• $3549.99 Walmart   →
• 57 inch shaft
• Ideal for both saltwater and freshwater
• Wireless steering and motor control
• Integrated GPS and fish finder technology

Minn Kota Terrova iPilot Trolling Motor

If you like the features from the Garmin model above but don’t feel like spending so much money, then the Minn Kota Terrova bow mount trolling motor is a more affordable alternative. It’s still a pricey product, since it offers top quality performance, but it sacrifices some of the finer details to make it a little more wallet friendly.

Boasting 80 lbs of thrust using a 24 volt battery, this motor comes equipped with a multi-function foot pedal with two steering options: heel/toe pedal and left/right steering buttons. It features a sophisticated easy-to-deploy ramp mechanism that gently slides the motor into the water, and it comes with a Lift-Assist function for spring-loaded stowing assistance too.

The iPilot function is one of the most interesting functions of this motor. It uses GPS to locate your favorite fishing spots, record your speed and heading, and allows for a touchscreen remote control function, with full compatibility with a Hummingbird fish finder device.

Even without the Hummingbird fish finder, it has its own fish finding technology, with a built-in Universal Sonar 2 device and a protected transducer that won’t be affected by your motor’s noise and vibration.

This is a great motor that’s primarily designed for freshwater and for bow-mounted fun, and it’s ideally suited for a number of applications. It’s available with three different shaft lengths: 45 inch, 60 inch, and 7 inch.

• Weedless Wedge 2 power prop
• Useful Spot-Lock function
• Sophisticated iPilot trolling motor
• Three shaft lengths available

GoPlus Electric Trolling Motor For Freshwater

This is another budget option. It’s from GoPlus, which isn’t one of the biggest names in the industry, but the brand does make some quality budget-friendly marine equipment, so don’t discount it. It might not have the weight of a big name behind it, but it helps to keep the costs down.

GoPlus’s no-nonsense trolling motor is available in three maximum thrust outputs: 46 lbs, 55 lbs, and 86 lbs. Naturally, the bigger your vessel, the bigger thrust you’ll require but if you’re looking for a kayak or canoe trolling motor, the smallest size will do just fine. Each size features 8 selectable speeds, including 5 forward speeds and 2 reverse options.

The power is controlled via a 6” telescopic adjustable handle and tiller, which controls a fiberglass composite shaft, delivering power to a three-blade propeller. The motor features a reinforced Nylon bracket for mounting. The rest of the components are made out of durable aluminum.

A 10 point LED battery indicator allows you to keep a close eye on your power consumption, stopping you from straying too far away from the shore if your battery looks like it’s on the way out. Talking of which, this motor requires a 24 volt battery to operate.

Though it advertises itself as compatible and competent in both saltwater and freshwater, we would recommend that you mainly use this one in freshwater.

 Amazon  →

• Reinforced Nylon mounting bracket
• 8 selectable drive speeds (5 forward/3 reverse)
• 10 point LED battery level indicator
• Three thrust options for different vessel sizes

While the GoPlus model above is best suited to freshwater, if you’re looking for a budget-option for saltwater trolling, then we would recommend the Watersnake APS trolling motor. It’s lightweight, easy to mount, offers enough power, and comes with a cheap price tag. It’s the perfect small boat or kayak trolling motor.

It has noticeably less power than many others on this list, but when it comes to trolling, power isn’t everything. It has enough grunt to propel you forward at a reasonable speed but not so much that it will scare away the fish. 24 lbs of thrust are on offer from this 12 volt motor.

The actual motor drives the propeller via a 24 inch shaft, with all parts and components manufactured from stainless steel, durable plastics, and coated with anti-corrosive paint, which makes it ideal for saltwater, freshwater, and brackish water applications. It boasts a low speed and high speed function, with a forward and reverse switch. The motor is controlled using the fixed tiller.

It’s lightweight, with an overall weight of just 6.7 lbs, and can easily be mounted and stowed without any hassle.

Lastly, it comes with a one year warranty that covers customers against manufacturer defects. It’s not a comprehensive warranty, but it’s quite generous considering the low price of the item.

• $104.40 Walmart   →
• Low overall weight of just 6.7 lbs
• Stainless steel components
• Selectable high and low speed controls
• 1 year warranty against manufacturer defects

A Comprehensive Trolling Motor Buying Guide

Unfortunately, you can’t just buy the first trolling motor for sale. They are designed for different purposes and for different vessel-types, so you have to do a little bit of research before hitting the buy button. Here are the most important things you should keep in mind before investing in a new motor.

Where Are You Operating?

Freshwater trolling motors are oftentimes cheaper than their saltwater brethren. This is because freshwater isn’t particularly damaging to components. However, freshwater motors are often equipped with special propellers that can cut through weeds, which is a feature many saltwater models lack. Using a freshwater motor in the ocean is not at all recommended.

Saltwater motors are built to withstand the harmful effects of salt water. The high salt content in sea water can cause rust and corrosion to built up and harm your motor, particularly around the shaft. Saltwater motors are generally a little more powerful too, since they have to battle against the ocean rather than against calmer waters. Saltwater trolling motors can be used in freshwater if required.

Where Are You Mounting The Motor?

Now that you’ve worked out where you’ll be using your boat, you now need to work out where you’d mount a motor on your vessel. 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.

These motors don’t mount onto engines, but the cavitation plate that you’d usually mount and outboard or inboard motor to. The benefit of this location is that it keeps your deck clear, and the motor doesn’t have to be stowed away or deployed for use.

What Size Trolling Motor Do You Need?

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. Here’s what you need to know.

“Thrust” is the word used to describe how much power a motor has. In the US, we measure thrust in pounds. Naturally, the heavier your boat is, the more thrust you’ll need to help it move through the water.

It’s generally accepted that you require at least 2 lbs of thrust per 100 lbs of overall weight. We say “overall” because that figure should also include your gear and passengers’ weight too, and not just your boat’s weight.

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.

Next, there’s the voltage. 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. In short, you’ll need one battery for every 12 volts that a motor demands.

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 100 lbs will usually require 36 volts, using three 12 volt batteries. But always follow the manufacturer’s advice for the best results.

Shaft Length

Lastly, another crucial motor feature to take into account is the shaft length. The wrong shaft length won’t do you any favors. If a shaft is too short, the propeller won’t be submerged enough to provide propulsion. If a shaft is too long for the waters you’re exploring, it could hit the bottom and damage the propeller.

Different mounting locations require different shaft lengths; however, it’s recommended that the actual motor section (with the propeller) sits at least 12 inches below the waterline. Fortunately, there are plenty of guidelines out there about determining the proper shaft length .

Operation Type

After you’ve worked out what type of motor, mount, and power you require, then the fun can really begin. 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 Steer

Cable-operated devices are mostly governed by a foot pedal. These pedals control cables that deliver instructions to the motor. They generally feature heel/toe operation for controlling forward power, most also have left and right steering capabilities too. Foot pedal cable steering devices are great for those who like a hands-free experience.

Electric Steer

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.

These options are generally more expensive though.

Advanced Features

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 . They’re not necessary for the casual kayaker’s trip up and down the river, but if you’re heading out into deeper water, or out into the ocean, having some kind of GPS feature is a wise idea. 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.

Autopilot and cruise control options are quite useful if you’re planning on a longer journey. Not having to keep all of your attention on steering and controlling the power leaves you free to do other things, such as get your gear in order, keep an eye on the conditions, or just relax while you’re on the water. 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 Finder Sonar

Fish finders are very similar to GPS devices, but they also have the advantage of underwater sonar. Using transducer attachments, these devices can send multiple sonar pulses through the water, detecting fish and underwater topography, giving you a crystal-clear indication of what’s underneath your hull. Fish finders are must-have devices for fishermen.

Connectivity & Compatibility

While some motors have Wifi connectivity, we mainly mean connectivity in the sense that it’s a motor that can connect with other marine-based devices. 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.

Other Things To Consider

Stowage & deployment.

Since trolling motors need to be deployed, it’s worth looking at how easy it is to get them into the water. 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. It’s not of massive importance, but it’s a good idea to keep this in mind.

Portability

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!

Parts Supply

Making sure that there’s an easily accessible supply of spare parts for your motor is another important thing to take into account. 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.

Throwing away a perfectly good motor because you can’t find a replacement propeller would be a real shame, and a real waste of money too. Always read the reviews and comments sections online for existing customer’s experiences of a brands parts supply and customer service.

In Summary: What’s The Best Trolling Motor?

There’s no one-size-fits-all trolling motor that will please everyone. What works perfectly for one kind of fisherman using a certain type of boat will be completely wrong for another. But as long as you follow our buying guide, read other reviews, and do your research, then you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your needs. However, if you need a bit more inspiration, there are a few stand-out products that we feel like we need to highlight. Here’s our best of the best :

The best trolling motor for boaters on a budget would be the Watersnake ASP Salt Water Transom Mount trolling motor. It’s ideal for a wide range of activities and boat types, and it has a very low price tag. It’s light, easy to transport, and simple to install. Though it lacks in advanced features, it’s great for hassle-free trolling, and it even comes with a one year warranty. Perfect for trolling on a budget.

At the other end of the scale, we’d have to choose the Garmin Force Foot Steer motor as out premium pick. It’s pricey, but you get a lot for your money. Not only do you get a very powerful but quiet and discreet motor, you also get a whole suite of advanced Garmin electronics, including GPS, a fish finder, and remote control capabilities. It’s expensive, but it’s a serious piece of equipment.

Lastly, if we had to pick our favorite, a best trolling motor overall, then we’d choose the Black Haswing 12V Bow Mount trolling motor. It’s a small and compact 12 volt motor that produces up to 55 lbs of thrust. It features a range of exciting features, including wireless control, cruise control, saltwater and freshwater compatibility, and a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty. The price is very reasonable too—it’s not a budget product, but it’s not overpriced either. It’s our favorite product overall.

Joe Appleton is an outdoor enthusiast who loves everything from bushcraft and hiking to wild camping and boating. If he’s not out in the woods, you’ll find him out on the water.

Categories : Reviews

Doug Prebble on August 24, 2021

Thanks Joe but if you actually spend a summer running a Motor Guide, you would probably write a different report. I have the Motorguide X3 Foot Control Trolling Motor.I bought it because many years ago I had one on my bassboat as a tournament fisherman. It was bulletproof, never gave us a problem over a thousand hours of use. So I bought a new one -70 lb thrust 24V. It’s nowhere near as powerful as my old 50 lb thrust on a heavier boat. With less than 30 hours of use the foot pedal mechanism broke. I’m still waiting for a part after I ordered June 28. The press-fit washer holds the tracking wheels for the wire. Blew off. I ended up tapping one of them and putting a lock-nut on it so I could use it. The other wheel I drilled the shaft and put a cotter-pin through it to stop it from popping out. Today after about recreational summer’s use, the rope to pull it up out of the water broke. This motor is made as cheaply as it could possibly be made. It pale’s in comparison to the earlier product I used to use. What a sad testimony to today’s manufacturing. Thanks for listening, Doug.

Brian D Shaffer on November 7, 2021

Welcome to my world. I bought a brand new flats boat 6 months ago. It came outfitted with a Motor Guide X5. After a couple uses, the depth control collar broke. Of course it broke, it was a cheap plastic part with a molded nut retaining hex. The screw for the collar was steel, not stainless, so of course it rusted. I made a new one out of 316 stainless, that problem is solved. Next, it wouldn’t power up, I jiggled the power cord to make it work. Next, it would randomly start running while in the off position. I could be running the boat, trailering it, or just have it sitting on the trailer. Now it has 2 speeds, wide open or unplugged. It’s a wild goose chase trying to find someone to fix it. I had low expectations when I got the Motor Guide, but it didn’t even live up to my low expectations. Trash product!

Rolland Keller on November 3, 2021

Thanks Joe for your guide is a lot of help understanding trolling motors. I have a 14ft Jon boat and 16ft pontoon and a 800 acre lake. I don’t need all the bells, I need it to work now I have a better understanding what I’m looking for. Thanks Rolland

Dalton Bourne on August 29, 2022

This Minn Kota spot lock trolling motor is amazing. I have piloted a link this comes with a spot lock amazing. It comes with a remote control so that after you dock your boat in the water it will stay in place with a spot lock. You can go park your truck and trailer come back and the boat will come to you with this amazing remote

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9 Best Spot Lock Trolling Motors (2023 Buyer’s Guide)

UPDATED 03 NOVEMBER 2023

by  Eric Bartlett

This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Spot lock has revolutionized the world of recreational fishing ever since bass pro Ott Defoe won the Bass Elite Series Tournament 2016 in La Crosse with a Minn Kota Ultrex.

Table of Contents

But if you’re thinking about getting a trolling motor with spot lock, it’s essential to know what to look for in the top performing trolling motors currently available, and how to choose the right one. 

My team and I tested the best trolling motors with spot lock on the market, and evaluated them based on their thrust, voltage, sonar compatibility and overall performance.

From our testing, here are our picks for the best spot lock trolling motors in 2023:

• Best overall : Lowrance Ghost
• Best budget option : Minn Kota PowerDrive
• Best runner up : Garmin Force
• Best value for money : Minn Kota Ultrex
• Best freshwater option : MotorGuide Xi5
• Best saltwater option : Minn Kota Riptide Terrova
• Best runner up budget option : Haswing Cayman
• Best option for kayak : MotorGuide Xi3 (36″)

What is the best spot lock trolling motor in 2023?

The table above compares the most important specs and features of the best spot lock trolling motors in 2023.

My team and I tested 7 of these trolling motors on our own boats, and for the remaining 2 we surveyed other boat owners to get their most important insights for you.

Now let’s dive into the details, and take a closer look at each of these trolling motors.

Lowrance Ghost

Our verdict: The Lowrance Ghost is the best spot-lock trolling motor overall

When the Lowrance Ghost came out in 2019, it challenged the market dominating position of the Minn Kota Ultrex, which had been the industry gold standard until then.

So what’s so good about the Ghost? In short, it can do everything the Ultrex can, but in addition brings a whole set of new capabilities to the table.

First of all, the Ghost comes with a brushless motor, making it a lot quieter (which explains its name), as well as stronger and more efficient. In case you’ve ever tried a brushless drill, you’ll understand what I mean.

With a brushless motor, most of the power is transferred directly to turning the prop, since there is less internal resistance.

This makes the Ghost more efficient in open water, and when we put it to the test, it also had extra power when driving through weeds.

The Ghost can be used either with a 24V or 36V battery system, making it more versatile in terms of power supply than other trolling motors.

This means that you can adjust the thrust of the Ghost simply by changing the voltage of the battery (24V generates 97 lb thrust, and 36V generates 120 lb thrust). 

With 120 lb thrust, the Ghost also has the highest thrust rating of all motors we tested, making it more reliable than all other trolling motors, and is capable of holding spot lock position accurately with a fully loaded boat, even in strong wind or current.

Another great feature of the Ghost is that it gives you the ability to program two custom buttons on its foot pedal, which you can use for anything you want (for example, for creating waypoints, or for controlling your shallow water anchors).

Also the button for engaging the prop can be quickly moved from side to side, making it easier to switch over from a Minnkota or PowerGuide pedal.

And finally, the Ghost comes with a standard Lowrance HDI transducer, which can be replaced with a more powerful 3-in-1 active imaging transducer .

The latter comes with CHIRP in the regular 2D sonar, but not in the down scan and side scan imaging sonar. Also, unlike the Garmin Force, it doesn’t have a 1200 kilohertz UHD frequency.

• Brushless motor design
• Cable management system
• 360 degree breakaway mount
• Gas shock lift assist feature on the mount
• Dual 24V/36V voltage compatibility

Minn Kota PowerDrive

Our verdict: The Minn Kota PowerDrive is the best spot lock trolling motor on a budget

Minn Kota have been industry leaders ever since they invented the first electric trolling motor in 1934.

And while the PowerDrive is one of the most affordable models on the market, it still comes with the characteristic high end quality of a Minn Kota trolling motor . 

You can choose between 55 lb or 70 lb thrust, which should be strong enough for small bass boats (though I highly recommend calculating how much thrust you need based on the fully loaded weight of your boat).

Out of the various models that we tested, the PowerDrive is a bare bones option that comes without any additional frills (such as a transducer, foot pedal, heading sensor , or jog). But the great thing about this is that it gives you access to basic GPS anchor functionality at a very affordable price.

And while the PowerDrive doesn’t have a foot pedal, it does come with an i-Pilot remote, allowing you to control your trolling motor from anywhere on the boat, and it also provides basic autopilot functionality.

Depending on your preference, you can also control the i-Pilot from your smartphone with a mobile app (available for both iOS and Android). And just like all Minn Kota models, the composite shaft comes with a lifetime warranty. 

• i-Pilot GPS
• Weedless prop
• Deploy-assist lever

Garmin Force

Our verdict: The Garmin Force is the runner up best spot lock trolling motor

The Force was released in 2019, and is Garmin’s first trolling motor. Just like the Lowrance Ghost, one of its main distinguishing features is its brushless motor, which makes it quieter, stronger, and more energy efficient than regular  trolling motors .

The brushless motor technology sets both the Force and the Ghost well apart from their competitors.

Also, just like the Ghost, the Force can be used with either a 24V or a 36V battery. If you use it with a 24V battery, this generates 80 lb thrust, while using it with a 36V battery generates 100 lb thrust.

The foot pedal of the Garmin Force is wireless, and can be used to control its GPS anchor functionality with a quick tap of the foot.

It runs on two AA batteries, though you can also opt to use the power cable that comes in the box to hook it up to your boat’s battery. The latter option is the better choice if you fish a lot. 

Based on our testing, one of the strengths of the Force is that it comes with a high quality built-in transducer, giving you access to high end Garmin sonar imaging – including high wide CHIRP, ClearVu (Garmin’s version of down imaging), and SideVu (side imaging).

The transducer not only includes 455/800 kilohertz frequencies, but also the 1200 UHD frequency, which makes its sonar capabilities significantly more powerful than any of its competitors.

However, keep in mind that if you want to make full use of the transducer (including UHD imaging), you need to connect it with one of two compatible Garmin units: either the Echomap Ultra, or GPSMAP 8600, which both support direct connect UHD sonar.

Finally, another great thing about the Force is that it can network via Bluetooth with other Garmin electronics, which makes it a lot easier to work with, since there is no need for NMEA 2000 networks or ethernet cables. 

• Scissor mount with cable management system
• Indicator panel on mount with prop status,  battery  status, and GPS status

Minn Kota Ultrex

Our verdict: The Minn Kota Ultrex is the best spot-lock trolling motor considering value for money

When it first came out in 2017, the Ultrex immediately set the industry standard as the best of its kind at the time, and has remained a favorite among bass anglers since then.

A lot of this popularity is due to the fact that this spot lock trolling motor comes with the new and improved Minn Kota i-Pilot system, which has highly accurate anchor lock functionality.

In addition to its accuracy, the Ultrex also comes with jog functionality, which sets it apart from many other brands. This functionality enables you to move your boat 5 feet in any direction from an existing GPS position, which is extremely useful for systematically dissecting any fish-holding location (such as a drop off, point, brush pile, etc.).

With either 80 or 100 lb thrust, the Ultrex is significantly stronger than the PowerDrive, which makes it more suitable for mid to large sized bass boats. But again, make sure to calculate the right amount of thrust that you need by referring to the table at the bottom of this article. 

From our testing, another great thing about the Ultrex is that it feels like a cable steer motor (and in fact comes with a foot pedal with wire cable).

This effect is achieved with a power steering functionality that combines the best of cable steer and electric steer motors. You can use heel/toe steering to steer the motor with your foot, without having to stop fishing. 

If you get the Ultrex with a built-in universal transducer, this can be used with any fish finder brand. But on the downside, this only has a 83/200 kilohertz transducer, which is relatively limited in terms of its sonar capabilities.

However, if you get the Ultrex with a MEGA DI or SI transducer, this gives you access to much higher quality sonar imaging, but these transducers only work with Humminbird fish finders.

Also, if you want to network the Ultrex with your Humminbird electronics, you need to get it with i-Pilot link, since the regular i-Pilot doesn’t support that.

In summary, while the Ultrex isn’t quite as advanced as the Lowrance Ghost and the Garmin Force in terms of its motor technology, it still provides everything that most anglers need, and comes at a significantly lower cost than its high end competitors. Bottom line: for us, the Ultrex is the best value for money.

• Cable steer/electric steer hybrid
• Heading sensor
• Spot lock jog
• Built-in transducer

MotorGuide Xi5

Our verdict: The MotorGuide Xi5 is the best spot lock trolling motor for freshwater

The Xi5 wireless GPS model is an excellent choice for any freshwater anglers who want to get access to advanced GPS functionalities, but without paying the high end price needed to get an Ultrex, Ghost, or Force.

With its Pinpoint GPS system, the MotorGuide provides the same level of accuracy as Minn Kota’s  trolling motors , but at a lower cost.

In addition to this, it also provides ‘jog’ functionality, which allows you to move your boat a few feet in any direction from a GPS position, which is great for systematically covering a fishing location.

It comes with a wireless electric steer foot pedal plus remote control, enabling you to control your motor from anywhere on the boat. It’s 3 blade prop is more weedless than regular 2 blade props, which means you probably won’t need a separate weedless prop.

The composite shaft of this spot lock trolling motor is highly durable, and comes with a lifetime warranty (which is also similar to Minnkota models).

During our testing, we found that one of the biggest advantages of the Xi5 is that its built-in transducer is compatible with Lowrance, Humminbird and Garmin fish finder units (though it only provides basic 2D sonar). 

• 3 blade prop
• Built-in transducer compatible with all sonar brands

Minn Kota Riptide Terrova

Our verdict: The Minn Kota Riptide Terrova is the best spot-lock trolling motor for saltwater 

If you’re looking for a good saltwater trolling motor, then the Riptide Terrova is an excellent choice.

This spot lock trolling motor comes with up to 112 lb thrust, and a maximum shaft length of 87 inches, which is exactly what you need to keep an ocean going vessel steady in the current or wind. And by the way, the extra long shaft length makes this a good option for use on a pontoon. 

Personally, I’ve been using a 112lb thrust Riptide Terrova for years on my 30 foot Ocean Master, and it can accurately hold the position even in a 25 mph wind. This enables me to position my boat effortlessly over a wreck or reef, and also comes in handy when fishing close to rocks. 

And just like the Ultrex, the Riptide Terrova comes with i-Pilot and a Heading Sensor, which is necessary for jog functionality, enabling you to move 5 feet in any direction from a GPS position. This is great when you are following a school of fish, and notice them moving in a specific direction with your fish finder.

If you get the Riptide Terrova with i-Pilot Link, that also enables you to network your i-Pilot with other Humminbird devices on your boat, which is nice if you want to use your mapping device to direct the autopilot of the trolling motor.

You can also program the i-Pilot to take you to previously saved waypoints, or to retrace a saved track.

• i-Pilot Link networks with Humminbird devices
• Digital Maximizer
• Mobile app compatible
• Composite shaft with lifetime warranty

Haswing Cayman GPS

Our verdict: The Haswing Cayman GPS is the runner up best gps lock trolling motor on a budget

Next to the Minn Kota PowerDrive, the Haswing Cayman GPS is the  most affordable spot lock trolling motor  on this list. However, unless you get the short 48” shaft, it’ll cost you about 100 to 200 dollars more than the PowerDrive.

Also, unlike the Minn Kota, which is made in the USA, the Haswing Cayman is built in China. While this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s lower quality, I thought you should know that before you buy. 

One advantage that the Cayman has over the PowerDrive is that it comes with a wireless foot pedal, as well as a remote control. In addition to that you can also download an app called the Helmsman App, which you can use to save GPS waypoints, and saved routes.

In other words, you can set the autopilot to take you along a saved route with the Cayman GPS, which you can’t do with the PowerDrive. Other models that offer this feature cost considerably more.

Another nice feature of this spot-lock trolling motor is that the shaft length is adjustable, so you can shorten it down if you want to use the  motor on a smaller boat , rubber boat, or kayak. Finally, it works both in freshwater and saltwater, which is especially nice if you like to do both.

• Helmsman mapping app
• Wireless foot pedal

MotorGuide Xi3 For Kayak (36”)

Our verdict: The MotorGuide Xi3 is the best spot lock trolling motor for kayak

If you’re specifically looking for a model that you can use on a kayak, then  MotorGuide  has the best option for you, with the Xi3 with a 36” shaft.

They created this version of the Xi3 specifically for kayak anglers, to allow for the shallow draught and low deck height of kayaks. 

But be aware that the Xi3 for kayak comes in two different versions, one with GPS, and one without (the price difference being about $460).

However, if you get the this spot lock trolling motor without GPS, you can still retrofit it with GPS functionality afterwards, by using the Pinpoint GPS kit that MotorGuide sells separately.

After extensively testing it, we found that with 55 lb thrust the MotorGuide Xi3 has plenty of power for a kayak, and can hold a GPS position accurately even in relatively strong wind or current. This is especially nice when trying to stay on top of schools of fish.

Remote control

• 36” shaft length
• Pinpoint GPS

How does spot lock work on a trolling motor?

Spot lock uses GPS signaling to control the autopilot of a trolling motor  to maintain boat position in a radius of 3 to 6 feet from a specific GPS position.

The algorithm compares the current set of GPS coordinates of the actual location with the desired location, and if there is a difference between them, it activates the trolling motor to take it back to the original location.

What trolling motors have spot lock?

Below is a list of the trolling motor brands and models that currently have  spot lock functionality  (as of early 2023):

• Riptide PowerDrive
• Riptide Ulterra
• Riptide Terrova
• HD GPS Anchor Trolling Motor

Keep in mind that many of these spot lock trolling motors come in several different variations, some of which have a spot lock feature, and some don’t, so make sure to check this before you buy.

In addition, it’s possible to retrofit some Minn Kota and PowerGuide trolling motors  with spot lock functionality  after you purchase them, by using a kit specifically designed for this purpose.

But once again – this isn’t possible with every model, so you need to check it before buying.

What trolling motor has the best spot lock?

Until 2016, MotorGuide was the industry leader in terms of having the best spot lock trolling motors. But in late 2016 Minn Kota came out with the brand new Ultrex, which included a new generation of i-Pilot, and this has much higher accuracy than before.

When Minn Kota tested their Ultrex side by side with that of MotorGuide in 2017, their reinvented i-Pilot was significantly more accurate than that of the competition, managing to keep a boat within 3 to 6 feet of its GPS position, while the MotorGuide drifted 10 to 16 feet away from its GPS position (see the video below).

However, since 2017 all major trolling motor manufacturers have greatly improved their spot lock quality, which has enabled them to catch up with Minn Kota’s i-Pilot. 

In fact, when we tested the Ultrex, Ghost, and Force side by side earlier this year, we found that they all three spot lock trolling motors have similar accuracy, managing to keep a boat within 3 to 5 feet from the original GPS coordinates.

It’s important to keep in mind that when checking spot lock accuracy, it’s essential to set up and calibrate your whole setup correctly, and you also need to choose the right amount of thrust for your boat. If you make a mistake, or skip a step in this process, you can easily end up with lower accuracy.

How to choose the best spot-lock trolling motor

When deciding on which spot-lock trolling motor to buy, it’s important to consider the key features and specs that will affect how well it performs for your specific purposes.

I highly recommend diving into the details and figuring all of this out before your buying decision, since that will save you a lot of headache later on.

So here are the most important factors to consider before buying the best spot lock trolling motor:

When buying a trolling motor, it’s essential to  choose a model with the right amount of thrust for your boat . If you choose an underpowered motor, it won’t be able to keep the GPS position accurately in strong wind or current, and if you choose an overpowered motor, it will tend to overshoot the mark when it moves your boat back to a GPS position.

Also, make sure to use the fully loaded weight of your boat when calculating the amount of thrust you’ll need. If you’re not sure how much your boat weighs, you can look it up on the  NADA directory .

As a rule of thumb, aim for a minimum of 2 pounds thrust for every 100 pounds of fully loaded boat weight, and if you’re expecting a lot of wind or current where you fish, factor in about 20 to 30% extra thrust.

The voltage requirement of a trolling motor is closely linked to its thrust, with higher voltages required for higher thrust. For most spot lock trolling motors you’ll need to decide in advance what thrust and voltage rating you need, and won’t be able to change that afterwards.

The exceptions to this are the Lowrance Ghost and Garmin Force, which both come with a variable voltage motor that can be used either with a 24 volt or 36 volt battery system.

The really nice thing about the variable voltage motors is that they not only make you more flexible in terms of what battery you can use, but they also allow you to easily adjust the thrust of the motor by changing from a 24V to 36V battery, or vice versa. 

Finally, also adjust voltage according to how long you usually spend on the water. If you like to fish from dusk till dawn, a 36V battery is the best choice, as it will outlast a 24V battery. In addition to this, you may also want to look into recharging devices that allow you to keep your motor running no matter what the voltage.

Shaft length

It’s essential to choose the right shaft length for your boat size. If it’s too short, the prop won’t be properly submerged (especially in choppy water), and if it’s too long, the prop will tend to churn up mud in shallow water. 

Ideally, you should aim for the shaft to be at least 12 inches submerged in the water, and hence the total shaft length you need to choose is determined by your boat’s deck height above water (i.e. the distance between the top of the bow and the waterline). 

Here are the recommended shaft lengths for different bow heights:

Keep in mind that most bass boats require a relatively short shaft length between 45 and 55 inches, while larger boats (especially ocean going vessels), require longer shaft lengths up to 87 inches. And if you want to use the trolling motor in a kayak, then 24 to 36 inches is best for you.

GPS navigation

Most trolling motors reviewed above offer additional GPS navigation functionalities that require networking with a mapping device. Some of the most useful ones include autopilot navigation to a specific waypoint, retracing a saved track, or following a lake contour line at a specific depth.

Since most of these autopilot functionalities require networking with an external mapping device, you need to keep that in mind when choosing the right model for your purposes.

For example, if you’ve already got your boat set up with Humminbird electronics, it makes sense to get a Minn Kota, since that is designed to integrate with Humminbird devices.

In a case like that, it may not make sense to get a Lowrance Ghost or Garmin Force, which are incompatible with Humminbird units. However, this doesn’t apply if you plan to use the trolling motor independently, without networking it with your other electronics. 

A special case in this category is jog functionality, which is available on Minn Kota and PowerGuide models.

This feature allows you to move your boat 5 feet in any direction from your GPS coordinates, and this is extremely useful when you want to systematically cover a whole area while fishing.

And if you want to use the Minn Kota jog functionality specifically, you’ll need to choose a Minn Kota model with i-Pilot  plus heading sensor , which is necessary for jog functionality.

The foot pedal is more important than most people think before buying a trolling motor. It’s important that it enables you to effortlessly control your GPS navigation and other functionalities merely by tapping the pedal or one of its side buttons. 

Some foot pedals have side buttons that are hard to reach because they are located below the pedal on the side of the recessed tray.

In my opinion, the best pedal comes with the Lowrance Ghost, since all of the buttons are on the top part of the pedal, and so really easy to reach with your foot. 

Another great thing about the Ghost foot pedal is that it includes two programmable buttons that you can use for any of your favorite features.

For example, you can use a programmable button to create waypoints without having to pause your fishing, which is really nice when you’re preparing for a bass tournament.

Or you could use it to control your shallow water anchors, again without having to stop fishing.

In addition to a foot pedal, most trolling motors come with a remote control, which enables you to control your motor from anywhere on your boat.

While most anglers prefer having this option, some don’t really use the remote control.

In case you belong in this latter category, the Lowrance Ghost might be a good choice for you, since you can get it without the remote control, which helps to get the price down a little. 

Transducer quality

Since many trolling motors now come with built-in  transducers , you also need to consider the quality of the transducer you’re getting. The model in question is the Garmin Force, which comes with a high quality Garmin transducer with CHIRP, SideVu, and ClearVu sonar capabilities, and covering three frequencies (455/800 khz, as well as 1200 UHD). 

Most other  kinds of trolling motors  come with much more basic transducers that only support 2D sonar, and come with only two frequencies.

However, in some cases you can choose a model with a more advanced transducer when you buy, or you can upgrade the transducer at a later time.

For example, the Ultrex can be purchased either with a basic universal transducer, or with a more advanced MEGA SI/Di transducer. And the Ghost has the option of replacing the standard hdi transducer with a 3-in-1 active imaging transducer.

Sonar compatibility

Sonar compatibility is extremely important to consider when buying a trolling motor, unless you don’t want to make use of the built-in transducer that comes with high end models nowadays. 

This issue is especially important if you already have your boat full of one brand of sonar electronics, such as Lowrance, Garmin, or Humminbird.

In that case it’s often a good idea to choose a trolling motor that is compatible with your existing setup. 

The main exception to this is the MotorGuide Xi5, which is compatible with any sonar brand. 

Networking ability

As already mentioned, most trolling motors reviewed above are designed to be networked with other boat electronics, but usually they are only compatible with devices produced by the same company, which you need to keep in mind when choosing one.

Also, if you do get a brand that is compatible with your existing boat electronics, you still need to check the details of what it takes to network them with each other.

The Garmin Force is the easiest in this regard, since it supports wireless connection via Bluetooth, which makes networking the Force with existing Garmin electronics incredibly easy.

Minn Kota, on the other hand, is more complicated when it comes to networking. If you want to network the Ultrex with a Humminbird fish finder, you need to have i-Pilot Link, while the regular i-Pilot doesn’t work for this.

You also need to use an ethernet cable plus adapter to network them, since Humminbird uses different ethernet connections on their various devices.

Also, if you want to network more than one Humminbird unit with your motor, you’ll need an ethernet switch with multiple ports, plus additional cable and adapter.

Ease of getting replacement parts

When buying a high quality motor, you can expect it to have a long lifetime, and because of this it’s always a good idea to check how easy it is to replace or upgrade parts and accessories of your motor.

The model that really shines in this category is the Garmin Force, since it’s very easy to replace most of the parts yourself in case they get damaged, or if you want to upgrade them. For example, you can easily get a weedless prop, new handling cable, replacement skeg, etc..

Bow mount vs transom mount

While trolling motors can be mounted on either the bow or the transom, in the case of  spot lock trolling motors  you’ll probably want to choose a bow mount model.

The reason for this is that when holding a specific GPS position, a bow mount model tends to point your bow into the wind, which is usually more convenient for fishing. If mounted on the transom, however, it would tend to point your stern into the wind, which is much less convenient for fishing.

This wraps up our review on the best gps anchor lock trolling motor.

Ott Defoe attributed his victory in 2016 at La Crosseto to the fact that the GPS anchor lock of his Ultrex allowed him to fish at a fishing spot close to a spillway without having to pay attention to boat control.

This illustrates the unique ability of a GPS anchor can hold your boat in position accurately, while you’re free to focus on other things.

Hopefully you’ve found the right trolling motor for your purposes, which will help you to put lots of fish in the boat.

Gear and methods used for testing the best spot lock trolling motors

For consistent testing results, we ran all of the trolling motors described above on the bow of a Ranger Z520R bass boat. We tested each model for its ability to keep a spot lock in 15 to 20 mph wind, as well as its ease of deployment and general ease of use. We also tested each model in heavy grass to make sure it can perform well under rigorous conditions.

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Trolling Motors For Pontoon Boats: A Buyer’s Guide

Investing in a trolling motor for your pontoon boat can drastically improve your ability to catch and keep fish. Making the appropriate choice in a trolling motor isn’t difficult, but there are a few crucial things to be aware of before parting with your money.

We’ll start by choosing a trolling motor brand, then a model, and finally installation and other options.

Step 1: Decide on a brand

Take a step back and consider your options before making a brand selection. Boaters, in my experience, have a propensity to base their selections on one or two encounters with a brand or what they’ve heard from other anglers.

If you currently own a fish finder, this element may influence your choice of brand. (I covered this in my pontoon fish finder buyer’s guide .) Manufacturers of trolling motors and fish finders frequently collaborate to make their products interoperable. If you’re buying a more modern trolling motor with GPS, this can be a huge benefit.

If you buy a trolling motor with GPS, your fish finder can plot plots for the trolling motor, and you can manage it using an on-fish finder control panel, which is useful when strolling about the boat.

If you have a Lowrance fish finder that can connect to a trolling motor, you’ll want to go with a Motor Guide trolling motor.

Motor Guide and MinnKota are competitors that keep a close eye on each other. When one company introduces a new product, the others are likely to follow suit and improve. So don’t expect a cool feature on one brand to be unique just because you read about it.

Step 2: Decide on a model

Mount location.

The first step in determining the trolling motor model you want is to figure out where you’ll put it. Bow, transom (rear), or engine mount are the three basic alternatives. Each has advantages and disadvantages, but if you plan on performing any true trolling (dragging your bait across the lake with the force of the machine), a bow mount trolling motor is the way to go.

Many anglers have trolling engines, but they never really troll (drag baits around the lake). If you fish for bass, for example, you will almost certainly never troll but will want a trolling motor to make precise changes to the boat without the engine noise that scares fish away.

With a bow positioned trolling motor, I’ve always found it much easier to handle the boat. After all, pulling a rope is easier than pushing it. Many fisherman, on the other hand, prefer the ease of an engine-mounted trolling motor.

Because many pontoon boats lack a front lip around the fence on the front of the deck, installing a trolling motor on one might be difficult. This implies that the trolling motor cannot be installed without changing the front gate. This prompts some pontoon boat owners to opt for an engine mount for ease of installation, but I believe it is well worth the effort to put on the bow.

Length of Shaft

You’ll need to choose a shaft length when selecting a trolling motor model at the store. It’s not difficult to make the appropriate decision on most boats. It’s a little more difficult in a pontoon boat because of the high deck. Fortunately, I’ve written a comprehensive guide on choosing the right trolling motor shaft length for pontoons. The article covers everything, but if you’re reading this on your phone in line at Cabela’s, you’ll probably want a trolling motor shaft that’s 60 inches (152.4 centimeters) long.

Trolling Motor Thrust for Pontoon Boats

Don’t scrimp on the electricity. It’s the most common way you come to regret buying a trolling motor. Because pontoon boats are huge and lack the hydrodynamics of a V-hull boat, I recommend traveling as fast as you can.

The usual method for determining how much thrust you require is to divide the overall weight of your boat in pounds by 100. Then divide the result by two to get the final result. So a normal 22′ pontoon boat filled with gas, gear, and a couple of passengers will weigh roughly 3,000 pounds, requiring a 60-pound thrust trolling motor according to the calculation.

Because of the hydrodynamics, I believe the “rule of thumb” estimate above isn’t appropriate for most pontoon boats. Most boat owners would be better with a trolling motor with a thrust of 65, 70, or even 80 pounds. You’ll be trolling like a king with a 24v or 26v (2 or 3 battery) setup.

If you’re going to spend the money on the ever-popular Motor Guide Xi5, you should also know that MinnKota now manufactures trolling motors with comparable functionality and some intriguing technical modifications. If you’re considering the Xi5, you should also consider the MinnKota Terrova with iPilot. The iPilot system is rather impressive.

What I appreciate about the Terrova and Xi5 is that they come with a lanyard-mounted remote control that allows you to operate the trolling motor from wherever on the boat. You may also use the controls on the motor or, if compatible, the controls on your fish finder to regulate the motor. Awesome!

Resources That Can Help

If you believe you might want to go with a Motor Guide trolling motor, I strongly advise you to use their trolling motor wizard. After you answer a few questions, it will tell you which motor is best for your pontoon. It’s worth looking through to see if they have any recommendations, but the wizard only has one recommendation—and it’s not the one I want.

Trolling Motors for Pontoon Boats

Each of these trolling motors meets the criteria I specified earlier: an 80-pound thrust, a 60-inch shaft, and a Lowrance or Humminbird fish finder GPS system.

My Personal Pick for a Trolling Motor for a Pontoon

Check Latest Price

I chose this MinnKota Terrova after much investigation ( Check Price on Amazon ). It works seamlessly with my Humminbird fish finder, provides the power I require for trolling in my 22′ pontoon boat, and has the GPS and wireless control that I want. It’s essential for me to be able to handle a huge pontoon boat from anyplace, therefore it’s ideal. I particularly appreciate that, unlike the MotorGuide Xi5, the remote includes an LCD screen that shows specifics of what’s going on with the motor.

Step 3: Select Mounting and Accessory Options

The trolling motor, unlike your boat’s engine, is battery-powered and does not require running to recharge. This means you’ll have to charge the batteries before each journey at home. To connect the charger, we’ll need a few attachments, as well as some optional accessories.

As long as you purchase the correct sort of battery, the battery question boils down to how much you want to pay and which brand you want. A deep cycle battery is the sort of battery you’ll need for a trolling motor. A deep cycle battery is designed for prolonged battery drains that may frequently completely drain the battery.

You’d exhaust your pontoon boat’s main engine battery if you used it to power your trolling motor, and you’d be unable to start the engine. If you buy a marine starting battery instead of a deep cycle battery, the battery’s lifetime will be affected, and you won’t get as much usage out of each charge on a trolling motor.

In terms of battery brand, this is a matter of personal taste. Optima Blue Top is one of the most well-known and well-liked alternatives ( Check Price on Amazon ). It’s a good starting and deep cycle battery, but after reading a lot of unfavorable reviews on Amazon, I decided to go with something else.

My Personal Pick for a Marine Deep Cycle Battery

I prefer an AGM battery, such as this Vmaxtanks Marine AGM SLA Deep Cycle Battery, because it does not contain replacement water ( Available on Amazon ).

There’s a lot more to selecting a battery for your pontoon’s trolling motor. If you’re interested in learning more, check out this buyer’s guide .

You might also be asking if a regular vehicle battery can be used on your pontoon. Even while many boaters do it without issue, the answer is probably no .

You’ll need two or perhaps three batteries because pontoon boats aren’t as hydrodynamic as conventional boats.

Because you have to climb up on the pontoon each time you want to move the charger to a second or third battery for your trolling motor system, charging the batteries on your pontoon might be a bit more of a pain.

Make sure it’s rated for marine usage, has enough connections for the amount of batteries you’ll be using, and comes with a “smart” charger to extend the battery’s life. Going cheap on a charger is a certain way to end up spending twice as much on fresh batteries in the future.

If you want two batteries, I’d recommend the NOCO Genius On-Board Battery Charger (available on Amazon) .

Grab this Minn Kota On-Board Digital Charger for three batteries on your ‘toon (Available on Amazon) .

I've been a boater my whole life and learned to love boats and the water. Pontoon Spot was started because I wanted to share what I'm learning with other people who are interested in boating. I want to help others enjoy boating as much as I do. The blog is designed to do just that: share what I'm learning about boats and help others learn more about them, too.

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Electric Sailboat Motor: Range, Cost, Best Kits for Conversion

Today, owning a completely green sailboat has been made possible with electric sailboat motors.

Imagine cruising with the silence of an electric sailboat motor and the ease of use with a simple press on the start button. What’s better is there are no exhaust fumes at all with significantly less maintenance.

It’s so appealing that a lot of sailing liveaboards have made their electric sailboat motor conversion.

However, some sailors are still on the fence, worrying about the range and price of the electric sailboat motor.

If you are one of them, you are in the right place!

This post will guide you through every aspect you need to know about electric sailboat motors to help you make an informed decision.

Besides, you will get professional insights on how to make the electric sailboat motor conversion for your own boat and learn the best electric sailboat motors (with honest reviews).

Table of contents:

• Electric Sailboat Motors: Confusion Explained

Electric Sailboat Motor or Combustion Motor

• Electric Yacht Motor Conversion: Two Solutions
• How to Size an Electric Sailboat Motor

Best Electric Sailboat Motors (with Reviews)

Electric Sailboat Motor: Confusion Explained

Can you go cruising with an electric sailboat motor? Can you put an electric motor on a sailboat? Are there any limitations?

Whether electric sailboat motors are a good fit for your boat is not a YES or NO question. Here we will explain your top worries with statistics and facts. That way, you can make a wise decision according to your situation.

You may hear some complaints about the batteries and range of the electric propulsion.

However, their experience may not suit electric sailboat motors.

In fact, even small electric engines work pretty well in many sailboats. That’s because most of the time, the wind can power the boat, and the motor is just used for docking or in rare times when there is no wind.

Therefore, it makes more sense to learn electric sailboat motor performance in real-world applications.

Here is a test report of a 3 HP electric sailboat motor on an RS21 racing sailboat:

As you can see, the small electric sailboat motor can run at 5.5 mph top speed for one hour continuously.

And there is a big difference in terms of range vs speed for electric sailboat motors:

If you lower the speed, the range and runtime can be greatly extended. The slower you go, the further you’ll get. For example, if you cut your speed in half, the electric sailboat motor can last 7 hours and go 20 miles within one charge.

That’s pretty sufficient if you use the electric yacht motor mostly for docking or as an auxiliary engine.

Faster top speed (and more range) is available with higher power electric sailboat motors depending on your specific requirements. Contact a specialist to design your electric sailboat motor solutions.

Also, don’t forget to get the electric sailboat motor with regeneration (See recommendations below).

That’s to say, when there is a lot of wind and you’re moving rapidly via your sails, they regenerate and store electric power on the batteries to keep you moving at other times. Solar recharging is also a plus.

Essentially, the range depends on how many batteries you have, so it’s not a limitation of electric sailboat motors but energy and batteries.

If you are still worried, you can offset this by getting a diesel generator, which is more efficient than a diesel engine. And it is a range extender when you need it, but for 90% of your motoring that you don’t need the range, you can rely on the electric sailboat motor.

Some of you might be concerned about the extra weight of the batteries.

In fact, an electric sailboat motor with lithium batteries weighs less than a diesel engine, particularly if you include the fuel weight.

If you want a lightweight electric sailboat motor solution, make sure you get one with LiFePO4 batteries . Compared with other marine batteries, they are more compact in design with much less weight and higher energy density.

Some more advanced electric motors for small sailboats (such as Spirit 1.0 Evo) feature an integrated lightweight battery. So you don’t need to worry about the complex wiring to hook it up or extra space to store the battery.

This is a huge plus if you want to use the electric sailboat motor on a tender or dinghy.

Here is also a chart that collects the weight of some popular electric sailboat motors for your reference:

For many people, another big problem with electric sailboat motors is the cost.

It’s true that a gasoline outboard with similar power is a lot cheaper to buy. However, the electric sailboat motor eventually wins in long-term operating cost. That’s especially the case if you are going to do a lot of motoring.

Electric sailboat motors save on fuel and maintenance costs, which can build up to a large amount over time.

Here is a chart that compares the cost of a 3HP electric sailboat motor (coming with a built-in battery) with its combustion counterpart:

That’s to say, you will cover the price difference for electric yacht motors eventually as long as you use it long enough. Click to check the details of the calculation .

What makes the electric sailboat motor even more worthwhile is it saves you a lot of hassles, especially for sailors who only use the engine in and out of the harbor. Dealing with the maintenance of the gas outboard for a 10 minute motor out of and into the harbor is disproportionate and painful.

*The higher horsepower electric sailboat motor may be different in terms of the cost calculation. Check out the outboard motor pricelist by HP for more information.

As you may have already noticed, electric propulsion has already been widely used in the marine industry:

It’s quiet while motoring, clean to handle, environmentally friendly, with less maintenance and operation costs.

The electric sailboat motors are easier to use with dramatically fewer moving parts to break and no worries about being a diesel mechanic to deal with the hard pulling start. You can have it always on, so it is ready whenever you need it.

And it makes even more sense in sailing applications:

You don’t really need to motor much if your plan is to actually sail. If you are completely becalmed, you will probably just need to motor at 2 knots to keep making way, which is easy for electric sailboat motors.

If you mostly use the motor to get into and out of the harbor, the electric sailboat motor also works great for you.

You can always charge up at the dock, motor out of the marina (or even motor to your sailing area or race start), then hoist the sails and when you’re through, the batteries are charged again.

The electric sailboat motor is also useful as a backup (kicker) motor in case your system goes down. That’s why you can see people pushing a lot of big boats with small electric motors. (Click to learn more information about kicker motors .)

Personally, it’s really nice to have an electric auxiliary in the boat – no smelly, messy diesel and motor oil to deal with, a much simpler system with less maintenance, and much, much quieter operation.

However, powerboats tend to have much higher requirements in terms of both power output and runtime. In that case, an electric sailboat motor can be hard to satisfy your needs.

How Do You Size an Electric Motor for a Sailboat?

As a rule of thumb, you will need approximately 1 HP per 550 lb of the displacement of your boat.

Generally speaking, a 3 HP electric sailboat motor can push a sailboat up to 25 ft and a 9.9 HP motor is sufficient for a 30 ft sailboat to motor at a satisfying speed.

However, bear in mind the horsepower you need always depends on your needs and applications.

It’s better to check the data from real-world tests to decide whether the electric sailboat motor is suitable for your specific needs.

For example, the 9.9 HP electric sailboat motor Navy 6.0 allows you to go at 6.9 mph (11.1 kph) on a 30 ft sailboat, and the range can be extended to 46.4 miles if you decrease your speed to 2.9 mph (4.6 kph).

Click to see more test reports with other electric motor and sailboat combinations, and find the electric sailboat motor that suits you best.

If you are still not sure about the size of the electric sailboat motor for you, feel free to leave us a comment and we will get back to you ASAP with professional suggestions.

Electric Sailboat Motor Conversion

Basically, there are two ways for you to convert your sailboat to a clean and quiet electric drive system:

You can either convert your current vessel to electric or buy an engineless yacht and install an electric sailboat motor on your own.

#1. Repower Your Sailboat with Electric Motor

If you decide to replace the diesel engine with an electric motor, you will need to do a lot of preparations:

The DIY approach requires an electric sailboat motor kit (including motor and controller), batteries, a good level of mechanical ability and basic electrical knowledge, as well as some common tools such as a voltmeter.

You will need to take the old engine out for the new electric sailboat motor installation. It’s not an easy task that involves removing the engine mounts and the drive shaft (dealing with the numerous hoses and cables), taking out the engine, exhaust system, fuel tank, and its attendant tubes, etc.

Remember to balance the boat to avoid listing during the electric sailboat motor conversion.

Then in with the new electric sailboat motor. The installation process can be straightforward if you choose the electric sailboat motor kit wisely (See steps below). Furthermore, you can set up solar charging for your electric sailboat motor with solar panels and charger.

Many sailors have recorded their electric sailboat motor conversion process and experience. Be sure to check them out to get some inspiration. For example, Ed Phillips has documented everything which can serve as a guide for newbies to get started.

Mind you there can be a whole heap that can go wrong in designing and maintaining the electric sailboat motor systems. You really need to be totally on top of it if you want decent performance or reliability.

If you are not that technically inclined, it’s better to talk to a specialist first to discuss your plan for a smooth electric sailboat motor conversion.

#2. Install an Electric Motor in a Sailboat

If you own an enginless sailboat, the electric sailboat motor conversion is much easier for you.

All you need to do is to find a reliable electric sailboat motor and install it in simple steps. The whole process can be easily done, even for beginners. Here we take the popular 6 HP electric sailboat motor Navy 3.0 as an example to show you the installation process:

• Step 1 : Rotate the clamps or use the screws to fix the outboard onto the sailboat.
• Step 2: Mount the steering system in the proper position.
• Step 3: Install the tiller on the electric sailboat motor.
• Step 4: Connect the batteries to the electric sailboat motor system.

Click to check the video tutorial that guides you through each step of the installation.

If you are worried about aesthetic issues and want higher horsepower options, an electric inboard motor can be a better suit for your sailboat. If you prefer an inboard motor for your sailboat, contact our OEM team to get an electric propulsion solution tailored to your needs.

Note : You might find some electric trolling motors rated by #s of thrust on the market. Actually, those electric trolling motors for sailboats can only provide limited speed and range. If you are heading into the wind, the trolling motors for sailboats are definitely not an ideal solution.

Once you’ve evaluated if electric sailboat motors are right for you, there are a lot of options for electric systems.

Here are some popular electric sailboat motors with positive reviews from customers worldwide. Fast charger is available for all the models recommended to reduce your charging stress.

#1. 3 HP Spirit 1.0 Evo

If you are looking for an electric motor for a small sailboat, be sure to check out the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Evo. It’s suitable for large daysailers or small cruising sailboats under 25 ft.

With the Spirit 1.0 Evo electric sailboat motor, you can go 5.5 mph (8.8 kph) at top speed on the 21 ft RS21 sailing boat, or troll for 20 hours continuously at 2.2 mph (3.5 kph) according to our test .

This electric sailboat motor with regeneration allows you to recover energy from the prop while under sail. It will start to generate power automatically when the sailing speed reaches 2 knots.

As an electric auxiliary sailboat motor, it can also be easily installed on your tender boats or yacht dinghies since it’s portable and easy to transport (with a lightweight integrated battery).

Features You Will Love:

• Come with the industry-first hydrogeneration capability
• Direct-drive technology makes it maintenance-free
• Portable with a 1276Wh large integrated lithium battery for long range
• Safety wristband keeps you safe in case of MOB
• Digital operation keeps you informed of the battery status

Spirit 1.0 Evo Electric Sailboat Motor Reviews:

“Great weekend with my 17′ sailboat powered by the Spirit Evo. This is great. Quiet and reliable. Went at 3/4 throttle for about 1.5hrs when taking it back to boat ramp.” – Robert Taylor

“Very happy with our Spirit Plus. Pushing our Kolibri 560 a 750 Kg sailboat, with ease. Doing about 5.8 km/h at 500W.” – Frank van Asten

#2. 6HP/9.9 HP Navy Evo Series

If you want a little more juice on the electric sailboat motor, check out the ePropulsion Navy Series. It offers 6 HP and 9.9 HP models for your selection and it provides sufficient power for sailboats up to 30 ft.

According to our test , the 6 HP electric motor Navy 3.0 can push the Catalina 25 sailboat (25 ft) at 6 mph (9.6 kph) top speed, while the Olga 33 sailboat (33 ft) can go at 7.5 mph (12 kph) with the 9.9 HP Navy 6.0 motor.

The Navy series electric sailboat motor also comes with regeneration features which can be recharged with hydrogeneration, wind turbine, and solar panel.

• Four controls to fit your sailboat installation and your boating style
• Accompany LiFePO4 batteries (need separate purchase) are more energy efficient
• Digital display offers real-time monitoring of the power and battery
• Magnetic kill switch and safety wristband keep you safe on the boat
• Electric start saves you trouble pulling the cord to start

Navy Series Electric Sailboat Motor Reviews:

“I have a Navy 3.0 with E80 on a Catalina 25 sailboat. It is working well. Currently I am using about 4% battery to go in/out of the marina by boat.” – Aaron Young

“Just finished my 8 weeks sailing journey in the Baltic Sea. The two Navy 3 outboards provide enough power for my 33ft catamaran. The 400W solar panels provided enough energy for engines and all other energy consumed on board with 2-6 persons. The two Navy Batteries provide power for engines and all other on-board electric devices. I never had to use shore power, so totally self-sufficient electric system.” – Martin Hildebrand

Recent Posts

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electric trolling motors for small sailboats?

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i recently purchased a san juan 21, 7'' beam, weighs 1250 lbs. i am considering powering it with electric trolling motor(s), the kind typically used by fishermen for keeping quiet. naturally, this is not a permanent arrangement. i intend to install a small gas outboard in a short while, but need a quick power fix to move the boat and get me around in the meantime. has anyone tried this before? will the engines produce enough power to get me through the water? i have access to some really cheap electric motors, which is why i am even considering this. any guidance would be most appreciated.  

I have powered a 18'' daysailer with a 1.2hp outboard. It worked OK. There was a guy that powered a 25'' sailboat with a simular motor. He moved slow. Unfortunately the trolling motors are rated in pounds of thrust and the small outboards in horsepower. In short I think that it would work in light winds to move you a short distance in and out of the dock. I''ve seen some bass boats moving along at several knots with their trolling motors.  

The sailing school I went to allowed you to charter their school boats, Tanzer 22s, for day sails. They had 12 boats or so, but only three outboards. If you didn''t get there early, you had to get towed out and back. So I pulled a trolling motor off of my small aluminum fishing boat (35-pounds of thrust) and brought it with me for the Tanzer. Got me out away from the dock and out on the water, and back with no problem. In later years I used it on a Catalina 22 with similar results. You didn''t move fast, but even in a blow you could make forward progress. They make 55-pound thrust saltwater motors and I was considering one of those to replace an old Johnson 9.9 that was a bit finicky. Was motoring out next to a J-24 that had one of them, and the guy was moving along very smartly, much faster than I did with the smaller motor. The 55-pound thrust motor is used with a 12-volt deep cycle battery. If you rig up a 24-volt system, you can get electric motors that have much higher thrust. These would be more than enough for a small sailboat.  

I power my Express 27 (2450#) with a Honda 2HP. The motor only weighs 28lbs and burns 1qt/hr. In protected waters, I can motor at about 5-6 knots, and it''s never failed to start.  

Quite a while back I owned a Holder 20 that I think weighs about the same as your San Juan. I used an old Sears trolling motor and a marine battery as an auxiliary. It worked fine. I eventually moved up to a 2 HP Honda outboard, and that worked even better. Gerhard  

I currently use a walmart bought 50lb thrust electric to push my 18Ft trimaran around. works great, very quiet no fumes and just needs an occasional battery charge. A friend has alos used one to push his Oday 20'' as well. Stan  

I have a 22' US Yacht and I want to go down from an 8HP 2 stroke to a 2HP Honda 4 stroke and I'm wondering if it will help at all when the winds pick up and I decide to try and head into the wind to lower my sails. 8 and 9.9 HP motors are just too heavy and that's what I've been using for over 10 years. I like everything about Hondas little 2 except I know I'm loosing a lot of power and my only concern is what happens in a heavy storm?  

I was on a capri 22 with a 2 hp honda on the Delaware river which has a strong current, it did "ok", not a world beater. If I was in any coastal conditions, I would like a bigger motor, perhaps a 3.5 hp ?  

Thank you. Looks like the Tohatsu you have is the 2 stroke and that they do not make anymore. They do have a 4 stroke though and their prices look better than Honda and Yamaha. ]  

I use a 30 pound pushpower trolley (probably the smallest) on my inflatable dinghy. The consumption is about 230 watt. I use two 80 amp batteries. One in the dinghy, the other on board the ship for charging. One charge last for 4 hours use. For charging I use a 2,5 KW gas-generator. If were not that I also need to use the generator for a whole lot of other charging purposes, like charging the batteries for use with refrigerator, TV, computers etc. I would probably spend more gasoline, make more noyce charging the batteries for the dinghy than i would using a small 5 -6 HP two-stroke for propulsion. I believe you need to make an input/output calculation of the charge/use of current. It is the charging capacity that will define the distance of "the point of no return".  

I had one on my Siren, a 36lb thrust motor attached to a group 24 battery. It worked just fine, pushed the boat at 3.5mph.  

I thought this thread had something to do with electric motor propulsion? Howard  

I'm interested in electric trolling motor too I have a 25' fixed keel Quarter Tonner weighing 1600 kg and am seriouly considering using a 80 lb thrust 24V trolling motor. These motors have up to 1140 Watt motors, direct drive without gearbox losses so would probably equate to about 2 HP (1500 Watts, less gearing losses). Would only be used for moving around pens and getting in and out of Yacht Club marina. I intend to eventually replace my 6HP Volvo in-board with a 5KW electric, but that will take time. I'd be interested in others using these great little motors for larger yachts.  

Where I sail is a nature preserve and no gas engines are allowed. On my Elan 19 I have a 550W Minkota E55. This is the most powerful 12V trolling Minkota there is but it's still only about 2/3 of a HP. I flat water I can get 2.5 knots but it will not punch into more than a force 3 headwind. I only use it to get back if becalmed. There are boats with several kW electric motors but these are hugely expensive. Unless you are on a lake or very sheltered waters with never any current, forget it. Buy a gas O/B.  

Thanks For that feedback. Very informative and valuable.  

I am not a huge fan of electric motors, but a 17' Siren in our marina has been slippig in and out of the harbour this season with a Minn Kota trolling motor on the transom, and I was looking for a new propulsion system for our small dinghy, so I decided to try electric, for a couple of reasons: 1. Our dinghy is LIGHT. TOO light. ie, tippy. In fact, too tippy to safely load into from the dock, as our dock is 3 feet above the floor of the dinghy. So I figured the added ballast of a group 27 battery would help, and I liked the fact that the battery ballast was movable to make allowances for payload. 2. Ergonomically, our boat was too small to start our 2 stroke OB. The pull was too long, and you ran out of boat before you ran out of rope. When you did get the OB started, with no neutral, you better make sure you are pointed in the right direction. So, this wekend we strapped a Minn Kota 24 lb. thrust trolling motor on the transom, and SWMBO took it for a test drive. The results were mixed. When it ran, it ran well, and powered the dinghy along respectably.... BUT, our marina has a big issue with weeds... and so does our trolling motor. On the shakedown cruise, my wife repeatedly had to clear the prop, as it simply did not have enough "oomph" to get rid of the wad of weeds that it collected. Maybe a "weedless" prop will help. We plan to install one next weekend. On the upside, , SWMBO did like the quiet, the fact that the motor had a reverse, and the added stability provided by the group 27 ballast. I like the light weight of the motor and the fact that we don't have to carry an additional tank of fuel. The downside is that that ballast also cut into available legroom, which reduces the usability of the boat as a 2 person conveyance. The verdict? The jury is still out. With a little dinghy frame redesign work, we might be able to make the battery stow a little better, and with a new prop weeds may not be an issue. I'll report back with an update next week.  

Minn kotas RT202/em The Minn kota RT202/em can be used at variable voltage and will deliver a fine force behind your boat. The RT160/em and the 101 should be exceptional power. These are salt water trawlers and the prices are in line or as much as half in line with gas motors. And to top it all off ad a folding prop and your good to go. Specifications for Minn Kota's saltwater Engine Mount motors: Model Motor Configuration Maximum Thrust Volts/Max. Amp Draw Recommended Boat Length MSRP RT202/EM Dual 202 36/98 22' - 26' $1499.99 RT160/EM Dual 160 24/116 20' - 24' $999.99 RT101/EM Single 101 36/49 18' - 22' $899.99 RT80/EM Single 80 24/58 16' - 20' $799.99 RT55/EM Single 55 12/50 14' - 18' $599.99 Also search youtube for minn kota and electric boats These guys sell a 20hp kit that will work as an inboard replacement or outboard. They also have an electric outboard. Electric Motorsport :: Marine Thats 20 horsies inboard for 1400.00 think about it.  

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What Are the Best Trolling Motors for 2022?

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Minn Kota Terrova Bow Mount Bluetooth Trolling Motor With I-Pilot Link US2

Motorguide x3 foot-controlled bow mount trolling motor, minn kota endura c2 transom mount trolling motor with lever lock bracket, minn kota endura max transom-mount trolling motor, lowrance ghost freshwater trolling motor, garmin force freshwater trolling motor, motorguide tour pro bow-mount trolling motor with pinpoint gps, minn kota maxxum bow mount trolling motor, a history of trolling motors, power (pounds of thrust): depends on the size and style of your boat, can you use a trolling motor on a kayak, how much does a new trolling motor cost: what are you willing to spend.

So, you’re looking for the best trolling motors on the market, right? Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place.

Throughout this lengthy article, you will find details on how to find the right trolling motor for you particular boat size, fishing needs, and budget. To streamline the process, however, we are going to provide links to some of these motors right out of the gates so you can explore them on your own:

Some of the Best Trolling Motors for 2022

As mentioned above, choosing the best trolling motor for your boat requires some research and planning. Below, you will find a variety of options, however, that will likely make your search easier.

Key Features

• Blue-Tooth Connectivity
• I-Pilot with large LED screen
• Cruise Control
• Push-to-test Battery Meter

Shaft Lengths Available

Power Options Available

• 12v (55 pounds)
• 24v (80 pounds)
• 36v (112 pounds)

This is the most advanced and modern Terrova out today and it comes with some pretty impressive equipment inside and out. The Bluetooth capability in this unit really ups the game while being extremely user friendly. You are able to download the i-Pilot app on iOS and Android for recent updates on your smartphone.

You can record and playback paths you’ve made throughout the day or use the cruise control to put yourself over a previous hotspot with the i-Track feature. The spot lock feature takes the worry of having to drop an anchor each time you stop to fish stationary, literally with a press of the spot lock button either on the unit itself or the remote control it will keep you in the same spot even in some rougher water.

The wireless touch screen remote lets you roam the boat freely without having to use the pedal at the bow. The Minn Kota Terrova i-Pilot Link US2 has all the features an avid angler is looking for without breaking the bank.

Additional features include:

• Lift-Assist
• One-Step Stow with Deploy Lever
• Quiet/Powerful Operation
• Digital Maximizer
• Manufacturer’s 2-year limited warranty

• Variable ratio steering
• Two-blade weedless prop
• User-friendly
• Affordable for casual anglers
• 24v (65 pounds)

With the X3 Foot-Controlled Bow Mount Trolling Motor, MotorGuide has engineered an excellent, low-to-mid-range trolling motor. For anglers who are looking for an affordable model that offers control, precision, and quiet navigation, the X3 is a certainly worth considering.

This model is equipped with Proprietary Variable Ratio steering, which gives anglers incredible control when steering. With models available with both 45 and 55 pounds-per-thrust, it is a suitable model for boats in the 2,100-2,700 pound range.

• Steering and control precision
• Proprietary Variable Ratio steering
• Remains quiet when moving through the water
• Height adjustment and removal are simplified
• Offers five different speeds for advanced operation
• Durable and reliable
• A two-year warrant is provided by the manufacturer

Loaded with features but not with a high price tag, the transom-mounted Minn Kota Endura C2 is an excellent option for the casual angler with a smaller, lighter fishing boat. With 36 pounds of thrust, the Endura C2 is effective for powering boats in the 1,200-1,800 pound range.

Durable for its price, the shaft on the Endura is “stronger than steel,” making this a great (and affordable) trolling motor option for anglers looking to maneuver around a variety of obstacles.

• Adjustable, ergonomic steering control
• Composite shaft that is close to indestructible
• Mounting bracket with durable level lock
• Battery meter built in to the motor

• Telescopic Handling
• Variable Speed Control
• Integrated Push-to-test Batter Meter
• Very affordable and perfect for smaller boats and kayaks
• 12v (40, 45, 50, and 55 pounds)

A higher-end model when compared to the Endura C2, Minn Kota’s Endura Max Transom-Mount Trolling Motor is still a very affordable option for anglers who want a reliable product from a reputable brand.

Available in 40, 45, and 55 pounds-per-thrust option, the cost will adjust accordingly. That said, this upgraded Endura model will provide steering and control for boats in the 1,800-2,700 pound range.

The motor also makes use of Minn Kota’s Digital Maximizer technology, which allows it to run up to five times longer than many other batteries on the market.

• Ultra-reliable
• Very high price tag justified by incredible reputation
• Precision steering
• User-friendly despite a plethora of features
• 24v (97 pounds)
• 36v (120 pounds)

The Lowrance Ghost trolling motor is the most quiet trolling motor on the market and still packs a punch. With its new age brushless motor and propulsion technology the ghost gives the user the most thrust and longest run time out of any other trolling motor out there. This unit can be controlled not only from the bow foot pedal but also the Lowrance HDS LIVE, HDS Carbon and the Elite Ti2(not included).

The 360 degree breakaway mount will automatically realign itself if you come into contact with structure below while moving. This trolling motor has the consumer in mind due to its high compatibility with almost all boat set ups.

• Quietest trolling motor in its class
• Programmable foot pedal
• 60% longer run time without charging
• 25% more thrust
• Precise Anchoring
• Battery level indicator
• 360 degree breakaway mount
• Works with 24V and 36V Systems
• Compatible with most boat set ups
• Integrated Stabilizer Bar

• Ultra-powerful
• High efficiency
• Precision anchor locking

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• 36v (80-100 pounds)

The Garmin Force Freshwater Trolling Motor holds the best-in-class title for trolling motors. With a company as reputable and experiences as Garmin, it comes as no surprise. Powerful, efficient and extremely quiet make the Force very appealing. This model includes high-wide CHIRP traditional sonar plus built in Ultra High- Definition sonar that gives you crisp imaging. Some other great features are a remote control foot pedal and full-color remote control which allows the user to navigate with simple point and go gesturing. This trolling motor is compatible with multiple different Garmin fish finders, as well as the popular Garmin Panoptix Livescope Transducer System .

• Quiet steering and operation
• Wireless foot pedal
• Handheld Remote
• High-Wide CHIRP Traditional plus Ultra-High Definition ClearVu and SideVu
• Garmin claims that this is the most powerful trolling motor in its class

• High-performance trolling motor with lower price point than the Garmin Force or Lowrance Ghost
• 360 breakaway system protects the device against potential breaks or damage
• 24v (82 pounds)
• 36v (109 pounds)

MotorGuide Tour Pro delivers a very reliable and easy to use product. Compatible with Lowrance , Garmin and Humminbird fish finder products, it is the only trolling motor that provides the industry’s only true cable steer with GPS anchor.

The Bulldog Locking System allows the user to stow and deploy the unit swiftly. The prop on the Tour Pro also beats out the rest in its class by providing more power and 30% more efficiency.

Being the most connected trolling motor on the market, while also remaining lightweight and versatile, makes the Motorguide Tour Pro Bow-Mount a no-brainer when looking for a new trolling motor.

• Only true cable steer with a GPS anchor
• Lightweight design
• High efficiency prop
• Connects to traditional and high definition sonar
• Bulldog latching system

The Maxxum Trolling Motor by Minn Kota holds the title of being the strongest bow-mount in the world. The 360 breakaway feature ensures safety and durability if it hits and object while in use. It will automatically readjust to its original path. The weedless wedge pushes away weeds while not compromising power.

While the Maxxum doesn’t come equipped with some of the advanced technology found in some higher-end trolling motors, it will serve as a functional and effective mid-range trolling motor for both casual and competitive anglers.

• Indestructible composite shaft
• The strongest bow mount system in the world
• Streamlined foot pedal
• Weedless prop pushes away weeds while delivering constant power
• Provides up to 5-times longer run time on a single charge

Growing up, I was always curious about trolling motors. While fishing on a fairly small lake in Ohio, all of our boats (both pontoons and fishing boats) were limited to a 9.9 HP motor. While I enjoying flying down the lake (or at least moving as quickly as we could with a fairly small engine), we spent a lot of our time on the water trolling. This was a great way to land some nice muskie, walleye, saugeye, etc.

What surprised me, though, is that we hardly ever used our trolling motor when we trolled for fish…

As a child, I was always confused by trolling motors and considered them a strange and elusive technology — Why did people use trolling motors? What benefit did they serve? Were trolling motors worth having? Some of the other anglers had older models, but I never really saw anyone using them.

In more recent years, however, I realized just how versatile and practical these motors really are. There is a good reason that savvy anglers have been using them for well over a century.

In the mid-1890s, Scientific American posted an article highlighting an early, battery-powered model that functioned similarly to an electric oar.

In the mid-1930s, however, an inventor named O.G. Schmidt developed the first true electric trolling motor. By adding a shaft and propeller to a starter motor from a Ford Model A, he was able to create the predecessor of the modern trolling motor.

Of note is that Schmidt’s company was located on the border of Minnesota and North Dakota, hence the name Minn Kota — more on that later.

Over the years, trolling motors have come in both hand-controlled and foot-controlled options. They are also used for both traditional trolling (often mounted to the transom of a boat) and as an auxiliary steering motor focused on precision (often mounted on the bow).

Newer models tend to be electric whereas some older motors run on gas.

What Size Trolling Motor Do You Need?

Now, the big question you might be asking is, “ what is the best trolling motor for my boat? “

The answer, as always, is: it depends …

When choosing the best trolling motor for your particular boat and targeted species, there are several factors that should be considered to determine the best trolling motor for your boat, what batteries you need for your trolling motor, and how to use your trolling motor.

While most people think of gas-powered, outboard motors (which are classified by their horsepower), electric trolling motors are classified by their pounds per thrust .

This measurement, combined with the motor’s voltage (12-volt, 24 volts, and 36 volt), will determine how quickly and precisely your boat will move through the water.

That said, you want to make sure you choose the right trolling motor for your boat’s length and weight. As a general rule, you will need roughly 2 lbs. of thrust for every 100 lbs. of the boat’s weight. That said, adding a bit more thrust than the minimum is not at a bad idea. Conversely, you do not need to throw a powerful trolling motor with 100 lbs. of thrust on a 12-foot John boat.

* It is important to remember that the boat weight also includes all passengers, equipment, etc.

To simplify the process, the chart below suggests the minimum pounds of thrust per pound of boat weight .

By choosing the proper thrust for your boat’s length and weight, you will be able to maintain a steady cruising speed and navigational course.

For more advanced trolling motors, you will also be able to spot-lock, which avoids the use anchors in most cases. For anglers fishing for crappie and sensitive species, this can be a real blessing it limits the risk of possibly scaring the fish away.

This answer, fortunately, is far more straight-forward: yes, you can absolutely equip your kayak with a trolling motor!

Now, keep this in mind: even for a higher-level craft, you probably won’t be throwing a Garmin Force or Minn Kota Terrova on the front. These are some of the most popular and powerful trolling motors on the market, but they will also be more powerful than your kayak needs.

Also, consider the dimensions of your kayak. You aren’t taking a deep-V Lund on the water, and even with all your gear, your kayak is likely to weigh well below 1,000 pounds.

With that in mind, stick to shorter shafts with around 50 pounds of thrust or below. If you plan on taking your kayak into salt water or onto the Great Lakes, you may want a bit more power. For most freshwater situations, however, a lighter model should suffice.

Fishing is definitely not a cheap endeavor — or, at least not for folks who are looking at an article on buying the best trolling motors. On any given year, the average angler in the United States spends close to one thousand dollars on fishing gear and accessories. That average is definitely skewed by those of us who routinely spend several thousand (or more) during that time frame.

For proof of this, consider a 2019 walleye tournament on Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, where the average angler spent roughly $1,400 during the event .

The Minn Kota Terrova listed above, with three marina batteries (totaling 36 volts), i-Pilot remote, and 112 pounds of thrust would retail for close to $4,000. This is a more expensive and involved model than most anglers would need but is considerably less expensive than some have paid or will pay for their particular models.

When it comes to purchasing the best trolling motor for our boats, at least in most cases, the high cost of fishing continues to rise.

Fortunately, for anglers looking for a simple, smaller, serviceable, cost-efficient trolling motor to pair with a lighter, shorter bass boat (say, in the 14-16 foot range), there are some very affordable models on the market, like the Minn Kota Endura C2 Trolling Motor with Battery Meter .

For those with heavier or longer fishing boats, however, the cost will inevitably go up. Adding features (like GPS, bluetooth, and autopilot capabilities), however, could run you several thousand dollars.

If you plan to take your fishing to the next level and want to pair a Garmin Livescope with your trolling motor — the Garmin Force Freshwater Trolling Motor is a popular choice — then you are looking at a considerable investment.

Before spending thousands of dollars, however, make sure to do your research. Determine what type of trolling motor is best for your boat, your species of choice, and the bodies of water you are fishing on a regular basis.

Christian Schultz serves as Field Coordinator for Premier Angler. He is a two-time Ohio Huskie Muskie Club Junior Angler of the Year and frequents numerous fishing, hiking, and camping destinations in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania throughout the year.

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Best Boat Trolling Motor Features for Saltwater Fishing

• By Ric Burnley
• August 21, 2024

The trolling motor was invented in 1934, but the first saltwater models didn’t hit the water until a decade ago. Why did it take almost 90 years for the trolling motor to reach coastal anglers? Durability. Combining saltwater, metal and electricity is a recipe for corrosion-forming electrolysis. Freshwater trolling motors died in salt and early saltwater models struggled to survive. 

The latest generation of saltwater trolling motors feature durable components and smart design to thrive in the harsh marine environment. Leading the way, Garmin’s Force Kraken trolling motor is built with tough components and advanced features for the ultimate in boat control to catch more fish.

What Is a Trolling Motor for Saltwater Fishing?

The first trolling motors were small electric kickers that attached to the stern of a jon boat. Bass anglers quickly realized the advantage of mounting an electric motor on the bow to silently maneuver the boat while fishing. Before long, a trolling motor was standard equipment on a bass sled. But the technology has been slow to reach saltwater. 

A trolling motor is a small electric motor on a long shaft powered by large, rechargeable batteries. The shaft is mounted on the boat to hold the motor below the water. Using a hand control, remote control or foot pedal, I direct the motor to position the boat with more accuracy than possible with a gas outboard. With a trolling motor, I can silently troll for skittish fish, sneak into shallow water, patrol an area, maneuver handsfree and hold my boat in one position while I fish. 

Trolling Motor Innovations

Modern trolling motors have some amazing features. The most significant advancement is connecting the trolling motor to a GPS network. With the satellite location information, I can program my trolling motor to follow a course, repeat a course, return to a location, jog at a low speed, and more. When I push the anchor lock button, the GPS manipulates the trolling motor so my boat stays in one position. 

Manufacturers have focused on durability and power improvements to bring the technology to saltwater anglers. To survive salt and sand that plagues coastal fishing equipment, saltwater trolling motors like Garmin’s Force Kraken use corrosion-resistant materials, redundant systems, and sealed electronics. 

The next challenge was generating power to pull a large saltwater fishing boat in strong current and wind. To produce enough torque to move heavy boats, the best saltwater trolling motors use brushless motors that draw less electricity and create more power. Garmin’s Force Kraken can produce up to 100 foot pounds of thrust with a shaft length up to 90 inches to run boats up to 35 feet long.

With the invention of forward-facing and 360 sonar, the trolling motor has become a convenient place to mount the sonar transducer. Attaching the transducer to the motor head, I can turn the transducer to direct the signal at potential targets while watching the return on a multi-function display.

Speaking of the fish finder display, Garmin’s Force Kraken trolling motor uses wireless connection to integrate with Garmin’s electronics systems. I control the Kraken with a handheld remote control, wireless foot pedal, smartphone or smartwatch. Combining these user-friendly features with a durable electric motor large and powerful enough to fish offshore and inshore, Garmin’s Force Kraken is a perfect example of the capabilities of modern saltwater trolling motors.

8 Top Saltwater Fishing Electric Trolling Motor Features 

Adding GPS control and forward-facing sonar completely changed the trolling motor game. The small electric motors are now a boat control and fish-finding weapon. With the Garmin Force Kraken and other modern trolling motors, I program routes, hold my boat in one place, search fish in every direction and fish all day without worrying about battery power. Today’s trolling motors have a long list of features aimed at making fishing easier and more fun.

Anchor Deployment Capabilities

Without a doubt, the Garmin Force Kraken’s virtual anchor is its most valuable feature. I push a button on the remote and the trolling motor works to hold the boat in place. Garmin’s Force Kraken uses a two band GPS for pinpoint accuracy and lightning fast steering response. 

Most trolling motors spin the motor 360 degrees to move the boat forward and backward. Instead of turning the whole motor, The Force Kraken uses a reverse gear which creates less turbulence and responds quicker saving time and energy. In swift current and strong wind, the Force Kraken controls my boat without missing a beat. 

Garmin LiveScope Compatibility

In addition to advanced boat control capabilities, Garmin’s Force Kraken and other top-end trolling motors offer me a place to mount my forward facing sonar transducer. Forward-facing and 360 sonar allow me to see fish and structure in every direction below the water. The transducer turns 360 degrees to search for fish and structure up to 200 feet from the boat. 

Some anglers mount the transducer to the end of a pole that is attached to a bracket on the side of the boat. Garmin’s Force Kraken allows me to mount the LiveScope transducer on the motor. To direct the sonar signal, I turn the trolling motor in the direction I’m searching. I route the transducer cable through the trolling motor shaft for a clean install and less chance of damaging the cord.

Battery Performance

Battery performance is a trolling motor’s Achilles heel. The electric motor runs on large batteries with limited capacity. Sealed lead-acid marine batteries are the standard; lithium batteries are lighter and more durable with longer battery life. 

To extend the battery life, Garmin’s Force Kraken’s brushless motor conserves energy and produces more power than a brushed motor. Also, the efficient propeller and reverse gear reduce the motor’s work load. Running off 36 volts (that’s three 12 volt batteries), the Kraken will produce 100 pounds of thrust for hours of fishing. 

User-Friendly Remote and Foot Pedal Control

A trolling motor is all about boat control, so controlling the motor is key to catching more fish. Garmin’s Force Kraken offers a floating, wireless remote control, a wireless foot pedal or integration with a smartphone or smartwatch. I can even operate the motor with my fish finder display. 

The best trolling motor remotes have large, intuitive buttons and a small LED display of motor information. To operate the motor while I’m casting my fishing rod, a wireless foot pedal promotes hands-free fishing. 

If the wireless systems fail, I can still control the motor with my phone. A few basic features, like anchor lock, are accessible on the base of the motor. When I’m searching for fish, I use the foot-pedal to cast and retrieve while covering water. 

The handheld remote gives me quick access to anchor lock and other programming features. To unlock the motor’s full potential, I use the app and wireless connection to my fish finder to program routes and make precise location adjustments.

When the current is ripping and the wind is whipping, a trolling motor struggles to control a big boat. Garmin Force Kraken has a Turbo Mode that increases the power and torque for short periods when I need it most. Kicking the motor into Turbo Mode helps me limit power usage by saving maximum speed for the toughest motoring conditions. 

Minimal Prop Wash and Obstruction Quick Reverse

A trolling motor quietly maneuvers the boat while I’m fishing. To prevent spooking the fish, Garmin’s Force Kraken combines an optimized propeller and silent operation. The propeller creates minimal bubbles and no cavitation and the shaft turns smoothly. When the boat is in anchor lock mode, the propeller spins forward and reverse instead of the shaft constantly spinning to keep the boat in one place.

Pivot Style Mount

Most saltwater boats don’t have a wide open deck in the bow like a bass boat. Garmin’s Force Kraken uses a small pivot style mount to secure the motor with a minimal footprint. 

When I arrive to the fishing grounds, I rotate the shaft to unlock the release and then slide and pivot the motor head into the water. The pivot mount is easy to remove from the boat and requires less space in the bow, so it fits more saltwater boats. 

Composite Shaft

A long shaft on a large saltwater boat takes a lot of abuse. In rough seas, the powerful motor wants to bend and break the shaft. Saltwater trolling motors have an indestructible and corrosion resistant composite shaft. The best saltwater trolling motors, like Garmin’s Force Kraken, have a shaft that includes a conduit to route a fish finder transducer cable.

The final choice is choosing the shaft length. The trolling motor’s composite shaft reaches from the bow to below the water. Measure the distance and choose a shaft length that will keep the motor below the water in rough seas. An easy-to-use online tutorial makes it easy to build a total boat system. 

Garmin’s Force Kraken is available in four sizes, from 48 inches to 90 inches, to cover boats from 18 feet to 35 feet long. The price at Bass Pro Shops depends on the shaft length, with a 48-inch model going for $3799.99 to $4299.99 for the 90-inch motor.

Alternatives to the Garmin Force Kraken

It’s a good time to be in the market for a trolling motor. The most advanced technology is now available for saltwater trolling motors with up to 115-pounds of thrust and a 100-inch shaft. And the latest motors are finally winning the battle against corrosion with space-age materials and design. The race is on to create the most advanced trolling motor that is easiest to use. All this is great news for saltwater anglers looking to add a trolling motor to their boat.

Heavy Duty: Power-Pole Move PV

Power-Pole’s primary objective when they designed their first trolling motor was durability. They satisfied that objective with a bulletproof brushless motor, reinforced propeller, titanium shaft and redundant systems. 

The Move PV is part of Power-Pole’s total boat control system to link with their shallow-water anchors to stop and propel the boat with one remote. Of course, the Move includes all the advanced GPS features expected of a top-of-the-line trolling motor.

Price: $5599.99 – 72”

Budget Friendly: MotorGuide Xi5

MotorGuide’s Xi5 is a classic saltwater trolling motor that provides advanced features at a great value. I control the Xi5 with a handheld remote or wireless foot pedal. The trolling motor integrates with Lowrance, Simrad and Mercury Marine electronics. A pin-point accurate GPS allows me to jog the boat, follow a course and lock the boat in position. The Xi5 has been around for years, a testament to its durable composite shaft, sealed electronics and corrosion-resistant coatings.

Price: $2549.99 – 72”

Big Boats: Minn Kota Riptide Instinct Quest

Minn Kota started the trolling motor game and stays ahead of the competition with the largest and most powerful trolling motors. With shafts up to 100 inches and 115 foot-pounds of thrust, the Riptide Instinct Quest motor is appropriate for boats over 35 feet long. Minn Kota’s Riptide Instinct Quest includes a brushless motor , GPS control, electronics integration and power-saving features expected in a premium trolling motor for saltwater. 

Price: $4699.99 – 72”

Elevate Your Fishing With Advanced Trolling Motor Features

Trolling motors for saltwater are more powerful and durable than ever before. I use my trolling motor to troll, power drift, fish structure and silently search for fish. Trolling motors may be new to saltwater fishing, but the advanced boat-control features make me wonder how I ever lived without a trolling motor on my saltwater boat.

What is the difference between a trolling motor and an outboard motor?

A trolling motor is a small electric motor used to maneuver the boat while fishing. A gas-powered outboard quickly propels the boat to and from the fishing grounds. The trolling motor is less powerful and slower, but the motor spins 360 degrees so I can turn the boat quickly and accurately without the noise and commotion of a gas engine. I use my gas motor to travel to my fishing spot, then I turn off the outboard and drop the trolling motor into the water. With the small electric motor, I precisely position the boat to cast or jig more accurately. 

How do I know what size trolling motor I need?

Each trolling motor manufacturer has online tutorials and guides for choosing and fitting a trolling motor to any boat. The rule of thumb is a longer and heavier boat requires more thrust and a longer shaft.

How fast can a troll motor go?

A trolling motor isn’t designed for speed. However, a trolling motor must have enough power and torque to control the boat in adverse weather and water conditions. Garmin’s Force Kraken has a special Turbo Mode that boosts power when the going gets rough. It also uses a silent and responsive steering unit and a unique reverse gear to improve boat control and save battery power.

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How to Choose the Right Trolling Motor for Your Boat

Importance of Thrust to Move Through the Water

Trolling motors, or electric motors, use battery power in order to propel a boat. The amount of power or strength needed to move through the water is described as "pounds of thrust." This power rating is common to all motors on the market, and is one of the most important aspects to consider when selecting the right unit to match your craft. With insufficient power behind you, working your boat through wind, high waves or weedy conditions can be all but impossible.

Tip: Watch Video: Get to know Minn Kota i-Pilot and change the way you fish .

The minimum thrust chart on the right details the minimum amount of thrust required depending on the size of your craft.

Click here for a larger view of the thrust required for your boat length chart .

This chart is meant to convey "normal fishing conditions." If you answered "yes" to any of the previous questions I posed, moving up to the next level of thrust is highly recommended. If your boat, gear, and passengers are extremely heavy, going to a motor with even more thrust would be your best bet.

Many professionals believe that the best rule of thumb is to buy the biggest motor you can afford, all within reason of course. (A big, overpowering motor can also offer disadvantages if it literally "dwarfs" the size of your boat.) Choose wisely and weigh all of the variables. Running a motor that is under rated for your craft can only lead to misery and headaches when venturing out on the water.

Tip: 5 Ways to Make a Trolling Motor Last

Trolling Motor Voltage & Batteries

Electric trolling motors come in three separate power systems: 12, 24 or 36 volts. To make it easier to understand, a 12-volt trolling motor is run off of one 12-volt deep cycle marine battery . In order for a 24-volt motor to work, it must be run off of two separate batteries, and a 36-volt version requires three.

A 12-volt trolling motor is the most inexpensive and easiest to run. It does, however, lack the staying power and thrust that the other two provide. A 24- or 36-volt system will allow the angler to fish longer periods out on the water, as they draw lower amps while providing increased thrust for more power.

If your boat is 16-foot or smaller, a high-thrust 12-volt model will be adequate for the conditions that you will face. If your boat is any longer, moving up to a 24- or 36-volt system is the only way to go for hassle-free boating.

Be certain not to scrimp and save on the batteries. Buying a high quality, deep-cycle marine battery (some are designed specifically for electric motors) will ensure that you are receiving the maximum power and longevity that is on the market. This will provide piece of mind in case you ever find yourself stranded out on the lake, nursing an overheated or blown outboard motor that just won't fire up!

Which to Choose, Bow or Transom Trolling Motor?

There are two kinds of trolling motors available: a bow mount trolling motor (installed at the front of the boat), and a transom mount trolling motor (manufactured for the back). In order to install a bow mount, you must have sufficient room up front, as well as a mounting bracket or plate to affix the housing. You must also have a flat bottom platform to fish from in order to make the set-up feasible.

A transom motor simply clamps onto the stern of the boat and will work with any style of craft.

A bow-mounted motor will provide superior maneuverability and better control, allowing the angler to fish easier and more efficiently. (This increase in maneuvering ability is due to the fact that bow-mounts "pull" your boat through the water, in comparison to a transom "pushing".) If your boat is 14-foot or larger and can accommodate a bow-mount, most certainly go that route. You won't regret it.

For small boats, dinghies and canoes, a transom mount would be the best choice. These motors work great for general positioning and trolling application — exactly what they were designed for. Whatever you decide, owning any kind of trolling motor is definitely better than not.

Do you Choose a Hand or Foot Control Trolling Motor?

If you decide to purchase a bow mount motor, the next decision to make is whether to operate it by hand or foot. Although both have their merits, trying each version and finding which is most comfortable to use is probably your best bet. The following chart outlines some advantages and disadvantages for both:

Click here for a larger view of the chart showing trolling motor type advantages and disadvantages .

My personal preference is for the foot-control model, as this allows me to have a completely hands-free fishing experience. Some will argue that the hand control outweighs the merits of the foot. Taking the time to talk to different users of both models will enable you to figure out which is best for you.

Whatever version of motor you choose, both will require practice on the water in order to become comfortable with them. Once you do, however, the possibilities are endless.

What Type of Trolling Motor Shaft Length is Right?

Shaft length is important for optimum control of your boat. If the shaft chosen is too short, the prop may not be sufficiently submerged during rough or adverse conditions. If it is too long, shallow water operation may pose a continuous problem. Finding the appropriate length for the size of craft you own will ensure safe and carefree boating.

The shaft length is dictated by the height of the bow or stern. Deep V boats will require a longer shaft, whereas the shortest length will adequately serve canoes.

Trolling Motor Features You Should Consider

Technology is expanding in the land of the trolling motor, and new features and wrinkles become available annually. Here are a few that are worth checking out:

Built-In Battery Gauge — Some models of trolling motors have battery gauges built in to the housing or head of the unit. This gauge will allow an angler to quickly and easily check how much power is left in the battery itself, making it a no-brainer for estimating fishing time left or when to clamp the charger on.

Digital Displays — High-end models are now coming standard with digital screens, complete with readouts of speed and depth. Although these motors come at a price, the technology is certain to put you on more fish.

Self-Directional Motors — An interesting feature, in that it allows total hand and foot-free operation, and will follow shorelines or depth contours on its very own using GPS coordinates. It will even steer you in a straight line when the winds are howling!

Tip: Self-directional trolling motors allow anglers more time to fish.

iPilot and Smart Remote Control Trolling Motors — Another interesting feature, in that you're using real-time GPS controlled from your mobile phone or RC unit.

Tip: A popular and highly rated by customers self-directional motor is the Minn Kota Ultrex Bow Mount Trolling Motor with i-Pilot US2 found at Bass Pro Shops here.

Watch Video: Get to know Minn Kota i-Pilot and change the way you fish.

Here are a few more things to look for when making your final decision:

• Composite or stainless steel shaft will endure shock and stand up to abuse much better than weaker metals.  
• Make sure the prop is weedless, and that replacement blades are available for your specific model.  
• Ensure that the mount is heavy duty and strong. The less plastic parts it has, the better.  
• If you plan on using the foot-control pedal from anywhere in the boat, make sure the cable is sufficient in length for the size of your craft.

Trolling motors add a completely new dimension to fishing. Perfecting boat control, fishing inaccessible areas and maintaining a silent approach will ensure added enjoyment and more fish for the angler willing to experiment. Shop around, take each style for a test drive and pay attention to detail — banner days on the lake await you.

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5+ Best Trolling Motors of 2024

• By EL Forestal
• April 21, 2024

When it comes to the world of fishing and boating, a reliable trolling motor is an indispensable tool.

A trolling motor is essentially a self-contained unit with an electric motor, a propeller, and controls, and is affixed to an angler’s boat at either the bow or stern.

These motors are designed to offer superior control over your boat while also being incredibly quiet, ensuring that you don’t scare away any potential catches.

Quick Glance of The Best Trolling Motors in The Market

Best Overall

#1. Minn Kota Terrova

#2. Minn Kota Ultrex

Best Budget

#3. MotorGuide R5

How We Picked the Best Trolling Motors

A great deal of research went into picking the best trolling motors of 2023. We considered various factors, such as motor size, technology, steering style, and customer reviews. Here are some of the factors we looked into:

The size of the motor is a critical factor in determining the efficiency and performance of a trolling motor. Larger motors often provide more power, making them ideal for larger boats or harsh conditions. Conversely, smaller motors are more suited for smaller boats and calmer waters.

We also took into account the technology incorporated into these motors. Modern trolling motors come equipped with a variety of features, such as GPS-based navigation, digital displays, and wireless remote control, all designed to enhance the user experience.

Steering Style

Steering style is another factor we considered. There are mainly three types of steering styles: hand control, foot control, and remote control. The right style depends on the angler’s preference and the type of fishing.

Best Trolling Motors: Reviews & Recommendations

Best remote control: minn kota terrova.

• Stow/Deploy Lever: Press this lever on the mount and fall-away ramps will effortlessly slide your trolling motor into the water. And when you’re ready to move, Auto Park helps the motor stow effortlessly by orienting the lower unit to the perfect stow position automatically.

Product Description

The Minn Kota Terrova stands out as the best remote control trolling motor of 2024. This versatile and innovative motor is designed for anglers who prioritize control, power, and convenience.

It’s not just about the remote control feature; the Minn Kota Terrova also boasts an array of impressive features that set it apart from the competition.

Key Features

• i-Pilot GPS System: This system allows for automatic boat control and includes features like spot-lock, record a track, and more.
• Auto Stow/Deploy: This feature allows the motor to be lowered into and raised from the water with the push of a button.
• Universal Sonar 2: This integrated sonar provides water temperature sensing and dual-beam technology for an expanded view and better bottom detail.
• Digital Maximizer: This feature provides up to five times longer run time on a single battery charge.
• Weedless Wedge 2 Prop: Features swept-back, flared blades for unrelenting, reliable prop performance.

Best for Bass Fishing: Minn Kota Ultrex

• 45″ Shaft, 36v, 112 lbs Thrust
• Universal Sonar 2: Keeps your transducer and wiring completely concealed and protected, running everything through the trolling motor’s shaft, with shielded connectors

The Minn Kota Ultrex is our top pick for bass fishing. This trolling motor combines the ruggedness and durability of a traditional trolling motor with the cutting-edge features of a modern motor.

It’s designed to offer precision control, quiet operation, and the power needed to navigate through tough waters – all critical aspects when bass fishing.

• i-Pilot Link Integrated GPS Trolling System: This system allows the angler to control the speed and steering from a remote or a virtual anchor.
• Spot-Lock with Jog: This feature allows anglers to hold their boat in the same spot, making it easier to stay on the fish.
• Power Steering: The responsive power steering gives the ultimate in comfort, control, and responsiveness.
• AutoPilot™ : This feature automatically navigates your boat in any direction you choose.
• Indestructible Composite Shaft: Guaranteed for life, this shaft can flex on impact and won’t break, kink or corrode.

Best Transom Mount: MotorGuide R5

• Classic twist-tiller operation equipped with the 3-blade Machete propeller
• Digital Power Management technology extends battery life up to 5 times for longer running between charges

The MotorGuide R5 transom mount trolling motor is a champion in its category. Designed for small to medium-sized boats, this motor provides excellent performance and durability. Its robust build ensures it can withstand harsh marine conditions, while its advanced technology ensures smooth and easy operation.

• Variable Speed Control: This feature allows precise speed adjustment for optimal control.
• Digital Power Management Technology: This technology extends battery life up to five times to keep anglers on the water longer.
• Rugged Construction: The R5 is built to last with a stainless steel shaft and durable materials resistant to corrosion and impact.
• Quick-Lock Cam Depth Adjuster: This makes depth adjustment simple and fast.
• Twist-Tiller Operation: This control option puts you in command with its ultra-responsive steering.

Best for Kayaks: Newport Vessels Kayak Series

• 24V Brushless Motor: The 1.8hp equivalent Direct Drive motor provides quiet and efficient power delivery without the use of internal gears, powering you along at up to 5 knots!.
• Aluminum Motor Mount: The 4 bolt motor mount attaches directly to PowerPole ready fishing kayaks, and can be installed on other kayaks using a drill,.

The Newport Vessels Kayak Series is the top choice for kayakers. It’s designed specifically for kayak use, with features that make it easy to install and operate. This trolling motor is known for its lightweight design, quiet operation, and great performance. It’s a reliable companion whether you’re out fishing or just cruising on the water.

• Saltwater Compatible Hardware: The hardware is corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for both freshwater and saltwater use.
• Extra Long Cable: The 5.5 foot battery cables allow for versatile battery placement.
• 8 Speeds: The motor offers 5 forward speeds and 3 reverse speeds.
• Lightweight Design: Weighing only 23 lbs, this motor is easy to carry and maneuver.
• Adjustable Depth Collar: The depth of the trolling motor can be easily adjusted using the quick release depth collar.

Best Budget: MotorGuide R3-30

• Tough aluminum 7-position mount gives you greater flexibility and adaptability

The MotorGuide R3-30 stands out as the best budget trolling motor. Despite its affordable price, this motor doesn’t compromise on quality or performance. It’s designed to deliver reliable and efficient performance in both freshwater and saltwater. Plus, it’s easy to install and use, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced anglers alike.

• 5 Forward/2 Reverse Speeds: This provides good control over your boat’s movement.
• Twist-Tiller Controls: The ergonomic extending handle puts control at your fingertips.
• Durable Construction: The motor is built with an aluminum alloy construction with a rugged powder coat finish.
• Stainless Steel Shaft: The shaft is strong and durable, adding to the overall longevity of the motor.
• Quiet, Smooth Operation: The motor operates quietly and smoothly, ensuring you don’t scare away fish.

What to Consider When Choosing a Trolling Motor

When selecting a trolling motor, there are several factors to consider. The type of fishing you plan to do, the size and weight of your boat, and how often you’ll be using the motor are all important considerations. Here’s a closer look at some of these factors:

How you plan to use the trolling motor will significantly impact the type of motor you need. For instance, if you’re planning on using the trolling motor for propulsion on a small boat or kayak, a smaller, less powerful motor will suffice. However, if you’re using the motor as a primary source of propulsion on a larger boat, or in areas with strong winds or currents, you’ll need a larger, more powerful motor.

Bass Fishing

If you’re using the trolling motor for bass fishing, there are a few additional factors to consider. Bass boats typically require a bow-mounted motor. These motors offer better control and maneuverability compared to transom-mounted motors. Additionally, bass fishing often requires quick, precise movements, so a motor with a high thrust level and responsive control system is essential.

For kayaks, the main considerations are weight and size. A lightweight, compact motor is ideal as it won’t weigh down the kayak or take up too much space. Also, consider the mounting system. Some kayaks have built-in motor mounts, while others may require a separate mounting system. Lastly, a motor with variable speed settings can be beneficial for kayaking to allow for precise control over speed and direction.

Q: What is the most powerful trolling motor?

A: Based on my findings from various sources, the most powerful trolling motors currently on the market are the Lowrance Ghost and Garmin Force, both offering 120 lbs of thrust.

However, Minn Kota has also introduced a trolling motor with 112 pounds of thrust, making it one of the most powerful options available.

Q: Will saltwater ruin a freshwater trolling motor?

A: Yes, using a freshwater trolling motor in saltwater can cause corrosion and damage to the motor. It’s recommended to use a trolling motor specifically designed for saltwater use, like the Minn Kota Riptide Ulterra or Motorguide Xi3 Saltwater. These units have corrosion-resistant materials that can withstand the harsh saltwater environment.

Q: How long will a trolling motor battery last?

A: The duration of a trolling motor battery depends on its capacity (measured in Ampere Hours) and the speed at which you run the motor.

For instance, a motor running at high speed will drain the battery faster than when running at low speed. An average trolling motor battery can last between 6-8 hours when used at medium speed.

Q: What is the most thrust you can get on a 12 volt trolling motor?

A: Most 12-volt trolling motors can deliver between 30 to 55 pounds of thrust. The exact amount of thrust will depend on the specific model and brand of the trolling motor.

Q: Who makes the best freshwater trolling motor?

A: The brand Minn Kota is often recognized for making some of the best freshwater trolling motors. Models such as the Minn Kota Ultrex and Terrova are highly rated by anglers. 1

Q: How long will a 55 lb thrust trolling motor run?

A: This depends on the battery’s capacity and the speed at which you run the motor. On average, a 55 lb thrust motor running at maximum speed could last around 2-3 hours on a fully charged battery. However, at lower speeds, the runtime would be significantly longer.

Q: How fast will a 100 lb thrust trolling motor go?

A: The speed of a boat powered by a 100 lb thrust trolling motor depends on various factors, including the boat’s weight and hull design. However, on average, such a motor might propel a small boat at speeds up to 5-6 mph.

Q: How fast will a 62 lb thrust trolling motor go?

A: Similar to the previous question, the speed achieved with a 62 lb thrust trolling motor will depend on several factors. Generally, a motor of this size might provide a top speed of around 3-4 mph for a small boat.

Q: How much weight can a 30 lb trolling motor pull?

A: As a rule of thumb, you need at least 2 lbs of thrust for every 100 lbs of fully-loaded boat weight (people and gear included). So, a 30 lb thrust motor would be suitable for a boat, fully loaded, weighing up to 1500 lbs.

Q: What size trolling motor do I need for a 20 foot boat?

A: For a 20-foot boat, you’d typically need a trolling motor with at least 70-80 lbs of thrust. This ensures that you have enough power to handle currents, wind, and other conditions that may affect your boat’s movement.

The Best Trolling Motors: Final Thoughts

Selecting the best trolling motor largely comes down to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for advanced features like GPS systems and remote control, a motor specifically designed for kayaks, or an affordable yet reliable option, there’s a trolling motor out there for you.

The Minn Kota Terrova stands out as the best remote control option due to its impressive range of features and exceptional performance. For bass fishing, the Minn Kota Ultrex is a clear winner with its precision control and robust build.

If you’re a kayak enthusiast, the Newport Vessels Kayak Series offers a compact yet powerful solution tailored to your needs.

And for those on a budget, the MotorGuide R3-30 offers excellent value for money without compromising on essential features.

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Best Trolling Motors For Pontoon Boats

Last Updated by

Jacob Collier

February 1, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• You should determine the size of the motor and thrust you need before purchasing
• Most pontoon owners use bow-mounted trolling motors.
• Determine the shaft length you will need to navigate water near your home.

‍ You’ve bought a pontoon boat that will be great for fishing, but you need a trolling motor. What are the best trolling motors for pontoon boats?

The best trolling motors for pontoon boats are listed below, with details about why we love them.

Minn Kota Edge Freshwater Cable-Steer Bow-Mount

Motorguide xi3 freshwater.

• Garmin G-Force

Haswing Cayman

• Minn Kota Terrova

With the popularity of pontoons growing on American waterways, more and more families are taking their pontoon boats to their favorite fishing holes. Many owners have found that while the outboard motor will get them to the right spot, they need a trolling motor to help move the boat into the shallows, where the fish love to hide. But what are the best trolling motors for pontoons? The last thing you want is to purchase a typical trolling motor just to find that it isn’t enough to move your pontoon anywhere. This article will discuss the best trolling motors and why you should consider purchasing them.

Table of contents

‍ What are the Best Trolling Motors?

Several manufacturers make trolling motors for pontoon boats. Here are some units you can purchase for the best trolling motor.

Minn Kota trolling motors have been around for a while, and this fresh-water bow mount trolling motor is one of the more capable of the bunch. It is made with virtually indestructible composite materials, has strong prop rotation, and very quiet operation.

Made from anti-corrosion materials, the Minn Kota will stand up to even the roughest tests. At a 52 “ shaft, 70 lbs of thrust, and 24 v - this power prop has more than enough power to move even larger pontoon boats in and out of the thickest reed beds. (There is also a 45 “ model available).

One of the best features of this trolling motor is the latch and door bracket, which can make stowing it away relatively easy. At only 78 lbs, the troller clamps to the gate or rail, and a cable powers the unit, with a specially designed foot pedal for motor control. You can adjust speed power by tapping a heel or toe. There is variable speed control (five speeds).

The Edge has a two-year warranty and has no tech options, so you will need to buy a fish finder if you want one. This unit is a simple trolling motor that does what you want and lasts forever.

• Rugged composite materials
• Five different speeds
• Strong prop motion
• Easy mount with locking latch and door bracket
• No as many add-ons as other trolling motors.

For more information, check out the manufacturer’s website .

To see TODAY’S PRICE, see the Amazon website .

This is a moderately priced trolling motor with GPS and wireless controls. This freshwater motor mounts very easily with a quick-release locking lever. The mounting The prop is 40 % quieter than other competitors, and the corrosion-sealed housing prevents water from ruining the components. The composite shaft extends down 54 inches (although 48 and 60 inches are also available). The three-blade Machete prop is powerful enough to pull even the most moderately sized pontoons.

The Xi3 is a bow-mounted unit with high-tech capability which means that the trolling motor can be operated anywhere on the boat.  In addition, a digital display provides helpful information, including PinPoint GPS, a battery meter, speed, and other functions. The Xi3 comes in various lengths, but this one cost between 1,000 - 1,300 dollars.

• Wireless remote control
• Wide, clear digital display
• Can adjust propulsions speed
• Strong Machette prop
• Easy mount with foot-step locking bracket
• Bow mounted only.

To see TODAY’S PRICE, see the Amazon website.

Garmin Force® Trolling Motor

This freshwater trolling motor is the most expensive at $3500, which is the bad news. The good news is that this little power plant does it all. This luxury trolling motor won the ICast Award in 2019 for the best product and the DAME award for marine design the same year. As far as bow mount trolling motors go, this beauty is the king of them all, bound to please pontoon boat owners everywhere.

Controlled by a wireless remote and/or separate foot pedal controls, the motor is powerful enough to move a pontoon boat much larger than you might expect. The Force comes with a 50” shaft, 24v or 36 v, and delivers 80 - 100 lbs of trolling motor thrust. The battery life is much longer than other trolling brands, capable of moving the boat for an entire afternoon if needed.

The Garmin remote is water-resistant (and it floats), programmable, and capable of handling a variety of commands. (This system is so advanced that all you have to do is point the remote in the direction you want to go. Then sit back while the boat obeys your commands). You can integrate the Force with Garmin MFD (multifunction devices), including active sonar, Chartplotter, or other Nav systems.

The battery life is much longer than other trolling brands. The setup and removal are easy activities with dual gas springs and can be stowed efficiently for times you don’t need it. The motor is durable and efficient, quiet as any on the market. Once installed, you will be amazed at everything this system can do.

• Gesture controls
• Integrated with MFDs
• Long battery life
• Easy mount with foot-controlled gas springs
• Three-year warranty - lifetime on shaft
• Probably more than most boat owners need.
• Expensive, but most owners love it.

For more information, check out the manufacturer’s website.

The bow-mounted trolling motor ranks on our top list because of how quiet it is. The unit is wireless and works with a remote, foot pedals, smartphone, or iPad. GPS navigation is built in, which allows you to tag certain fishing spots or program routes. The possibilities are endless.

The freshwater bow mount is quite capable and easy to mount. Various options are available, but we like the 12v - 54-inch shaft that produces 55 lbs of trolling motor thrust. (Most fishing pontoons under 22 ‘ should find the thrust pounds adequate for motoring around the coves near your favorite fishing hole).

One of the best features is the break-away safety cord that disconnects and shuts the trolling motor off in an emergency. The unit has an LED battery meter of power levels and route life.

• Quiet electric motor
• Integrated with MFDs, remote, and watch
• Break away safety override cord
• Easy mount with foot pedal controls
• Adaptable for saltwater applications
• Made in China
• 2-year warranty is good, but not long enough.

Minn Kota Terrova 112

One of the best trolling motors on the market for freshwater applications is this trolling motor from Minn Kota. This unit is an effective motor with a long battery life. Its flared propeller design will eliminate weed-whacking by not being bogged down in tall reed pools. The Terrova has GPS i-Pilot that can record paths, track routes, and store information.

The unit is controlled through a wireless remote or footpad with steering buttons on the right and left. The motor offers 80 lbs of thrust, which is more than most boaters need. The 60-inch shaft is deep enough to handle almost any shallows (other options are available). The Terrova’s anchor lock system will keep the boat centered as you fish, so you can spend more time baiting your kid’s hooks. (Any Dad knows spending time with the kids is much more critical than trolling). Setup and storage are easy, and you can hook it up in less than a minute. User reviews for the Terrova have been very positive, and this Minnesota company is one of the most trusted names in trolling motor brands.

• Longest battery life
• Integrated with i-Pilot GP
• Easy mount with remote controls
• Weedless prop keeps it from getting tangled
• Made in Minnesota
• 2-year warranty is standard, but we wish it were longer.

What is a Trolling Motor?

A trolling motor is a smaller portable electric motor fastened to the edge of a pontoon boat. This motor consists of three primary components; a small propeller connected to a shaft, which is then hooked to an electric motor. Trolling motors allow boat owners to navigate to areas of water where an outboard motor might not be viable. Since trolling motors have smaller propellers, they make less noise than an outboard motor, which makes them ideal for getting closer to areas where fish tend to congregate.

Trolling motors can also help keep a boat stationary in a current spot without deploying an anchor. Many owners use them with GPS fish finders to help make the fishing experience more enjoyable.

Are there Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Trolling Motor?

Before you plop down your hard-earned money on a trolling motor, you must figure out a few things.

Mount Position

One of the first things to determine is the location of where you plan to mount the motor. Pontoon owners have various options; aft on the transom, bow, or an engine mount.

A bow mount is the most common type of trolling motor in use today. A trolling motor fastened in this location makes it easier for front fishing partners to control the slight, subtle movements needed when fishing for freshwater game fish like bass, catfish, and bluegill. Some pontoon manufacturers include these types of motors in their fishing packages as available accessories.

Some pontoon owners prefer a transom-mounted trolling motor because it is easier to install and less expensive. Transom mounts do not allow the same steering capability as a front-mounted unit.

An engine-mounted trolling motor is convenient because it attaches to your outboard motor and connects directly to the battery. Still, it tends to be more expensive than other trolling motors.

Trolling Motor Shaft Size and Thrust Power

The size of an electric trolling motor and the length of the shaft that extends into the water depends on how large your pontoon is.

Normally, engines are rated by the number of horse power they produce, but trolling motors are different. These smaller motors are categorized by thrust. A good general rule of thumb is for every 100 lbs your boat weighs  - you need around 2 pounds of thrust on the trolling motor. Refer to the chart below for guidance about what size trolling matter might work best for your situation.

In addition, because they are electric, the output that they produce is measured in volts. A smaller voltage trolling motor will have less power and thrust that a larger one.  Most pontoon owners choose a trolling motor with between 40 - 70 lbs of thrust.

Shaft Length

A trolling motor will not do any good if it cannot reach the water.  The best way to know how long the shaft needs to be is to measure from the mounting plate to the water and add two more feet (24 inches). Refer to the shaft length chart below.

Depending on your budget, there are several enhancements that you can have with a trolling motor. Many manufacturers include GPS fish finders, speed and directional prompts, and even trolling motors controlled by a remote control or iPad instead of a foot pedal. While some of these additions are expensive, you should decide which options are essential before you head to a dealer to purchase an electric trolling motor.

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Born into a family of sailing enthusiasts, words like “ballast” and “jibing” were often a part of dinner conversations. These days Jacob sails a Hallberg-Rassy 44, having covered almost 6000 NM. While he’s made several voyages, his favorite one is the trip from California to Hawaii as it was his first fully independent voyage.

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What Are the Best Trolling Motor Batteries for Your Needs?

• By Elliott Stark
• August 21, 2024

Whether you fish freshwater or salt, inshore or off, or are powered by paddle or engine, trolling motors open many doors. Pairing your trolling motor with the right battery is the first step to unlocking these benefits. 

Getting it right ultimately means more fishing, less hassle and years of performance. Here’s our take on the best trolling motor batteries, no matter the need or circumstance.

Quicklook: 7 Top Trolling Motor Batteries

• Best lithium trolling motor battery : Dakota Lithium 36V 110Ah
• Best deep cycle trolling motor battery : Relion RB24V100 Lithium Iron Phosphate Deep Cycle Battery, 24V, 100Ah
• Best AGM trolling motor battery : Bass Pro Shops Power Series Deep-Cycle AGM Marine Battery
• Best trolling motor battery for 80 lb thrust: LiTime 24V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery
• Best kayak trolling motor battery: Dakota Lithium 12V54Ah 
• Best 12v trolling motor battery: Relion Group 31 RB100 Lithium Iron Phosphate Deep Cycle Battery, 12V, 100Ah
• Best trolling motor battery on a budget: Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery

Best Trolling Motor Battery Options

Determining the best troll motor battery for you means choosing between power, size, shelf life and budget. Fortunately, these days there are good trolling motor batteries for every person and type of boat and budget. 

Dakota Lithium 36V 110Ah

The Dakota Lithium 36V 110Ah is a beast. It’s large enough to power trolling motors all day, delivering the thrust you need to fish hard. Delivering 200% of the power of traditional batteries, it weighs half as much, charges up to five times faster and can last up to eight times as long as other types of trolling motor batteries. 

Best for: Lithium batteries

• 11-year warranty
• Delivers full power throughout its charge, as opposed to other battery types that deliver less power as their charge decreases
• With 36 volts, this battery provides lots of power output for a long time 

Disadvantages :

• Relatively expensive
• Its large footprint makes it less than ideal for smaller boats 

Price: $2,299.99

Relion RB24V100 Lithium Iron Phosphate Deep Cycle Battery, 24V, 100Ah

Relion’s RB24V100 Lithium Iron Phosphate Deep Cycle Battery combines the benefits of a lithium trolling motor battery with the deep cycle battery’s long-lasting power. At 24 volts, it’s a great option for boat owners who lean heavy on the trolling motor. 

Best for: Deep cycle batteries

• Weighs 50-60% less than equivalent batteries of other types
• Provides up to 10 times the lifespan of lead-acid batteries 
• Rated to deliver 80% of stated charge, even after 2,000 cycles
• Low maintenance 
• It’s a lithium battery and it’s not cheap.
• 24 volts is a sweet spot for some boaters, but it’s not as small as a 12 volt or as powerful as a 36 volt.

Price: $1,224.99

Bass Pro Shops Power Series Deep-Cycle AGM Marine Battery

Available in three sizes, the Bass Pro Shops Power Series Deep-Cycle AGM Marine Battery delivers battery life, power, and on-the-water performance. It provides two operational modes: starting/cranking and deep-cycle. AGM batteries are a great choice for trolling motors. 

Best for: AGM batteries

• Warrantied for up to three years
• Ample reserve capacity 
• Available in three sizes

Disadvantages : Heavier than comparable lithium batteries

Price: $174.99-$229.99

LiTime 24V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery

In the world of trolling motors, thrust is a function of voltage. 12 volt batteries, depending on their amp hour rating, generally provide between about 20 and 70 pounds of thrust. Offering 80 pounds of thrust, the LiTime 24V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium is a great choice for those needing a bit more out of their trolling motor batteries.

Best for: 80 pounds of thrust

• Lightweight and more portable than you might imagine
• High quality construction with automotive grade components
• Rapid charging

Disadvantages : Measuring 21 inches across, you won’t be able to squeeze this battery into cramped compartments. 

Price: $445.19

Dakota Lithium 12V54Ah

When you’re packing a trolling motor battery for your kayak, you need reliable performance in a compact, lightweight footprint. The Dakota Lithium 12V54Ah has this covered. Measuring roughly 8 inches by 9 inches by 5 inches, it’s tailor made for kayak fishing. 

Best for: Kayaks

• Charger included
• Long lasting 

Disadvantages : It’s a lithium battery , and is priced as such. 

Price: $399.99

Relion Group 31 RB100 

The Relion Group 31 RB100 Lithium Iron Phosphate Deep Cycle Battery is a great option for anyone seeking a classic 12v trolling motor battery. Delivering an impressive combination of power and durability in a relatively compact footprint, it’s a lighter weight alternative to other forms of 12v batteries. 

Best for: 12v trolling motor battery

• Maintenance free
• Offers all of the benefits of a lithium battery
• More powerful than equivalent batteries of other type

Disadvantages : More expensive than other 12v battery options

Price: $629.99

Goldenmate 12V 100Ah

The Goldenmate 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Lithium Battery packs all the benefits of lithium trolling motor batteries into a price that’s affordable for many anglers. Featuring a long lifespan with low maintenance requirements, it offers stable, consistent power to your trolling motor. 

Best for: A trolling motor battery on a budget

• Up to 10 times the lifespan of other types of trolling motor batteries
• High and low temperature protections that prevent battery damage in extreme conditions
• Easy to recharge and maintain

Disadvantages : Weighing in at 55 pounds, this battery won’t be your lightest option. 

Price: $186.97

Assessing Your Marine Battery for Trolling Motor Options

The right trolling motor battery for you depends on a variety of factors, like your budget and the type of boat you own. 

• Capacity and voltage : A great first step to narrow down your choices is to check the manual of your trolling motor for battery specs. Generally speaking, the larger and heavier your boat, and the bigger your trolling motor, the more power you will need. 
• Weight and size : You’ll want batteries that can fit in the spaces on your boat, and are light enough to move if needed. 
• Lifespan and maintenance : Lithium batteries last a long time and require less maintenance, but are typically more expensive than alternatives. AGM batteries provide great performance with a lower price. Other types of batteries may be cheaper, but require more maintenance. 
• Cost and value : A higher-quality battery may cost more upfront, but can offer more reliability and runtime, and require fewer replacements over time. The cheapest options don’t necessarily offer the greatest value overall.
• Charging time and convenience: Batteries with shorter charging times may get you out on the water faster, but the convenience may come at the cost of capacity. Find out whether the ones you’re considering are compatible with onboard chargers or solar panels if you want the option to extend your trips.
• Safety and environmental concerns: Robust safety features protect you from hazards like overheating and acid leaks. Environmentally friendly lithium-ion and AGM batteries reduce the risk of pollution and align with eco-conscious boating practices.

Choose Wisely to Meet Your Needs

Modern trolling motor batteries have come a long way over the last decade, both in terms of performance and longevity. Incorporating their benefits into your setup can help you catch more fish, and make your time on the water more carefree. 

Given the wide variety of marine batteries now on the market, the task of narrowing down the options may seem overwhelming. From our perspective, you can’t go wrong with any of the recommendations on this list.

What is the longest lasting battery for a trolling motor?

Lithium-ion batteries generally offer the longest lifespan and runtime for trolling motors. They can last 10 years or more with proper care, and can go longer between charges than traditional lead-acid batteries.

What size battery for a 30 thrust trolling motor?

Depending on composition and make up, 12 volt batteries are rated to provide 30 pounds of thrust.

How long will a 12V 100Ah battery last on a trolling motor?

A 12V 100Ah battery typically lasts from four to eight hours on a trolling motor, depending on factors like motor thrust, speed, and water conditions. At lower speeds or with intermittent use, the battery may last closer to eight hours, while operating continuously at high speeds will considerably reduce your runtime.

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