Is 40lbs of thrust enough?

[WalleyeJason]

I have a Crestliner Fish Hawk 1750 , I want to buy a trandsom Trolling motor.

Im looking at a Maxxum Transom MAX40T 12V-40lbs-42", Im wondering will 40LB will be enough. I know it depends on how I plan on fishing, but should I bump up to the 50 or 55? Its about another $100. If Im gonna spend 350 bucks on a trolling motor, I might as well go for the Vantge.

What do you think?

WJ

[stevefellegy]

Sure 40lbs. thrust wil be enough in most cases. Remember, that is half speed for an 80lb. thrust, and rarely are the big ones ever running wide open. BUT...the power supply is key. If you can go with a 24 volt system, do it.

[WalleyeJason]

Steve,


Thanks, I will probably go with the 40.

Hey by the way, I went fishing on the Columbia River, and saw a guy catch a MONSTER walleye. 18.90 lbs!! No lie, Remember, we dont have a lot of them, be we grow em big!!!

If you ever want to come out, Theres allways a seat on my boat for ya!!!

WJ

[Turk]

I second S.F.'s recommendation. You don't want to be underpowered. Spend the extra money now. If money is an issue, look for a used unit.

Turk.

[stevefellegy]

Let me clarify. Power is the battery life to the motor. Thrust is the power at the prop based on that battery life. The amount of thrust means NOTHING if you don't have FULL power from the battery supply. 24 volts insures that power in both places.

[KP]

WJ,

I have the Maxxum 40 on the transom of my Lund Rebel and I don't think it's enough to control the boat properly by itself. You've got twice the boat. It's much harder to push a boat with a transom troller than to pull a boat with a bow mount. I'd go for the 50 at least unless you want a 24V system. Personally I'm putting a 12V Power Drive or Auto Pilot on my bow and will use both when I'm river fishing. If there is any chance you'll be fishing the Columbia, get more power on your transom and hopefully you already have a bow mount.

[whitetips]

2 12 volts in parallel Steve, its only rated at 12.

[SnellTier]

Jason,

Remember that the posters said IN MOST CASES it will be enough.

I have an Alumacraft Magnum 165 CS that weighs 850#. Your boat weighs about 1100#. My boat is 81 inches wide ... yours is 88.

I fish LOW a lot, and when it was blowing 20 mph, my 42# thrust 12-volt BOW mount was not enough to even hold me steady. I sold it and installed a 24-volt 65# thrust motor. Now, I can even make some forward progress when the wind is blowing 35-40 mph ... and I can hold steady easily under all the conditions that I care to.

If you can afford it, go bigger and go 24 volts. You won't be sorry.

If you don't plan on fishing in rougher conditions or in big water, the 40# will be fine. Mine was. But, and that is a big but, that was LESS THAN 3/4 the time on LOW.

I hope this helps.

tomd