Electric Trolling Motor Buyer’s Guide

We all know that fishing is a game of stealth, being in the right place at the right time, effortlessly and as quietly as possible. It means getting the right electric trolling motor for your boat so that you can approach effortlessly and without a lot of noise.

An electric trolling motor uses battery power to propel the vessel forward so thrust, size, noise and power are all important. The length and weight of your boat is important when deciding what motor to buy.

The voltage and battery power is important as well, as these motors come in three separate powers – 12, 24 and 36 volts. A 12-volt motor is run off a 12-volt marine battery, while two batteries are needed for 24 volts and so on.

A 12-volt electric trolling motor is the most inexpensive and easiest to run while it is generally regarded that a 24 or 36 volt system allow longer periods on the water as they draw lower amps while providing increased thrust for more power.

According to manufacturers, a 26-foot boat or smaller will work well with a 12-volt motor. Just make sure the battery powering the motor is a high quality marine unit.

Another consideration is whether you need a bow mount motor to be fixed at the front or a transom mount motor designed to be mounted at the back. For a transom model you need to have sufficient room as a mounting bracket or plate. You also need to have a flat bottom platform to fish from in order to make the set-up feasible.

Experts say that a bow mounted electric trolling motor offers better maneuverability and better control because this kind of motor pulls the boat through the motor rather than pushing it.

A transom trolling motor simply clamps onto the stern of the boat and will work with any style of craft. These motors work great for general positioning and trolling applications.

Goplus Transom Mount Electric Trolling Motor

The Goplus electric trolling motor is designed especially for small to medium sized boats, including tenders, inflatables, canoes and kayaks with brackets for use in fresh water and salt water.

Its six-inch telescoping adjustable handle means that this motor can be controlled easily and it has five forward speeds and three reverse speeds, putting control at your fingertips.

According to the manufacturer, the unique design of the three blade propeller ensures smooth movement even through underwater grass and marsh while its reinforced nylon bracket gives good ablation resistance and good stability.

The Goplus has a 10-point LED battery indicator, which helps protect the battery and it is convenient to see how much electricity is left. Meanwhile, this model’s fiberglass composite shaft ensures high tensile strength and good corrosion resistance. In addition, a durable aluminum head increases the service life of the motor.

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Cloud Mountain Electric Trolling Motor

The Cloud Mountain eight-speed electric trolling motor is recommended for use in fresh and salt water and for fishing boats, dinghies, inflatables and kayaks. It is transom mounted with an adjustable handle.

A durable aluminium head increases the service life of the motor and a reinforced nylon bracket means that this motor is strong, resistant and stable.

It has eight speeds, five forward and three reverse with fingertip control. It’s 28-inch shaft is more suitable for sitting and its high tensile strength and corrosion resistance means that it allows for proper depth placement in all water conditions.

A battery indicator protects the batteries, and it is convenient to observe how much electricity is left.

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Motorguide Xi5 Wireless Electric Trolling Motor

The Motorguide Xi5 is a wireless electric trolling motor designed for salt water boating that comes with a wireless handheld remote control that is described by the manufacturer as offering precise steering from anywhere on the boat.

This motor has fully protected electronics as the model has been designed with specially formulated coatings and sealed lower units. It also has a composite shaft that bends but won’t break and is backed with a lifetime warranty.

In this model new digital technology features have been introduced with the aim of providing durable, cooler-running power electronics that are 50% more efficient. They also capture and store energy that is typically lost as heat. This improved efficiency means longer run time and fewer battery charges.

An improved low profile mount is available and the base uses anodized aluminum to prevent corrosion. The hardware components are stainless steel throughout, including the linkage that’s built to be extra tough.

The manufacturer says that this motor has a unique steering transmission that delivers dependable, quiet, precise performance. Ball bearings reduce friction and wear, custom seals keep water and dust out, and there is an extra-rigid shaft support tube.

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Minn Kota Riptide 80 SF Electric Trolling Motor

Sometimes simple is what is needed and the Minn Kota RT SF Riptide electric trolling motor is a bow-mounted version designed for saltwater use with fewer moving parts and is described as giving a stealthy and quitter performance.

It also features tighter tolerances, advanced corrosion protection, and a revolutionary new Mono-Arm with is an anodized aluminum structural beam that operates with no metal to metal contact and 75% less torsion. A single hinge point and rear pivot bearing with 20% more surface area delivers less wear, longer life, and quieter operation than traditional motor mounts, according to the manufacturer.

The technology used in this motor includes a counter-tension stabiliser (CTS) that uses an integrated spring that applies force whether the motor is stowed or deployed. On the water this means that you have a motor with no play, no give, reduced steering torque, and silent operation.

There is a lift-assist design which aims to cut the weight of stow and enable it to deploy in half, making it as easy as lifting you’re a car’s tailgate. It features a stainless steel, nitrogen-charged gas spring to get you in and out of the water with ease.

When it comes to adjusting for different water depths it has a quick lock cam depth adjuster which makes this maneuver simple while locking in tight to keep the motor in place.

There is a push to test battery checker with an easy to read gauge and a digital maximiser which controls and optimizes power to extend the motor’s battery life and reduce damaging heat. The manufacturer says this allows you to stay on the water up to five times longer on a single charge.

This motor also has a weedless wedge propeller designed to push weeds away and take on the thick water conditions without battery draining chopping and hacking. To achieve this it has swept-back, flared blades for unrelenting, reliable prop performance.

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Minn Kota PowerDrive 70 Electric Trolling Motor

Advanced auto pilot means that the Minn Kota PowerDrive 70 electric trolling motor automatically controls the boat with GPS-powered precision. That is thanks to the Bluetooth-enabled i-Pilot remote that keeps you locked on a heading.

The handheld i-Pilot remote has a large LCD screen for easy of reading and there is instant feedback, including access to advanced settings such as Spot-Lock that stores productive spots so you can easily return

Cruise control lets you set the ideal speed for bait presentation and it can be set in 0.1 mph increments. The CoPilot also gives you wireless control over speed and steering from anywhere on the boat.

When it comes to power, that manufacturer says that this model’s digital maximizer delivers up to five times as much life out of the battery than a conventional motor by ensuring only the amount of power needed is being drawn.

It also deploys and stows with a simple lever that gets you in and out of the water quickly and easily while the push to test battery meter lets you check on battery life with the simple press of a button.

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