Troll, Troll, Troll Your Boat!
May 01 '01
The Bottom Line Trolling motors are a great convenience. But there are some things to consider before buying one. Do your research, you'll be glad you did.
It's a beautiful day and you want to do some fishing. After a long week of work, you don't have the energy to spend rowing your boat/canoe (nor does your buddy). You have three choices: 1.) stay home and wish that you were fishing 2.) go fishing from the bank and think about all the "hot spots" you could hit if you were on the water, 3.) invest in a good trolling motor and spend the rest of the day catching "wall-hangers."
A trolling motor can be an invaluable addition to any boat. While it may seem like a simple purchase, don't go out and buy the first one you see. There are some factors to consider before you buy.
Foot Controlled or Hand Controlled?
Hand controlled motors mount on the transom of the boat. A major advantage is portability. Since the transom mount typically consists of two twist clamps, the motor can quickly and easily be removed (which is nice for security and for switching boats). Another advantage of hand controlled motors is the price; they are generally less expensive than foot controlled motors. Hand controlled motors can also be used on a wider variety of boats (i.e. canoes, jon boats, inflatables, etc.) than foot controlled motors. I can think of two disadvantages of hand controlled trolling motors: 1.) You need at least one free hand to use it, 2.) Some may consider it an inconvenience to mount and remove the motor every time you take your boat out.
Foot controlled motors mount at the bow of the boat. They generally cost more, but do offer some conveniences not found in hand controlled motors. Perhaps an obvious advantage is that you have both hands free. You can control the motor with your foot while using both hands to reel-in the 'big one.' Some believe that it is easier to maneuver a boat with a foot controlled motor, since it is essentially pulling the boat rather than pushing it. Foot controlled motors are permanently mounted to the bow of the boat, so portability is basically non-existent [but then again, you save the hassle of having to mount and remove the motor every time you take your boat out].
How much thrust do I need?
Thrust is the amount of force the trolling motor produces to move your boat. I've read that it's a good idea to have about 5 lbs. thrust for every 350 lbs. of your total boat weight (including people and cargo). However, I recommend getting as much thrust as you can afford. You'll be using this motor for a long time; the more thrust it has, the longer you'll be happy with it. Don't skimp out on thrust! If it means saving your money for another 2 weeks to afford a 55 lb. thrust motor (over a 35 lb. thrust), by all means save your money and wait for the 55 lb. thrust - you'll be glad you did.
There are a few other things to consider when buying a trolling motor. Find out what materials the motor, shaft, and propeller are made of. If you have a choice, choose steel over plastic. It wouldn't be much fun to troll over a large stump and shatter a plastic shaft (or prop) into pieces! Make sure your trolling motor comes with a warranty. Also remember to pick-up a battery. You'll need a marine battery, 12-volt or 24-volt (depending upon trolling motor), deep-cycle. This is what powers the motor for a full day of fishing fun (always keep a set of oars in the boat just in case something happens). After a long day of fishing, you'll need to charge the battery so it's ready bright & early in the morning (so save money for a battery charger too).
Personally, I use a hand controlled trolling motor on my 14' flat-bottom jon boat. It has 44 lbs. thrust and moves the boat quite effectively - it is the only motor I use on the boat (I do not have an outboard). Of course when my buddies come along they usually bring their trolling motor too so we can add even more power. Since most of my boating is done on small city lakes (less than ~500 acres) where large boats/outboard motors are not allowed, a trolling motor is the ideal solution.
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teamsporttrac
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Location: Kansas City, MO USA
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