I want to purchase an electric trolling motor for my 18' Alumaweld SuperVee. Can anyone give me some advise on size (Lbs. of thrust) and brand? Thanks for the help!

My buddy runs a Minn-Kota Riptide 24 volt/4hp model. Be sure to get the longest shaft available. He says they're pieces of crap, but still the best one for the job. He runs one on both his 18 ft Koffler and his 16 ft Thor-Built.

The control panel is what tends to be the problem. He's had it apart with the soldering iron in hand a few times.

I think the model he uses sells for about $450, so they're not cheap. Oh, yeah, don't forget two deep-cycle marine batteries. If he didn't fish some smaller rivers like he does, I'm pretty sure he would opt for a 4-stroke gas motor instead.

[ 04-30-2001: Message edited by: Dan S. ]

I've heard that Minn-Kota puts out a quality product in electric trolling motors. I'm also looking to purchase an electric motor so I'm glad you popped this thread.
From what I've been told make sure to get an auto pilot with a 50 plus thrust. Getting the long shaft (I guess) makes sense.
I noticed Cabelas sells one for under $500- I suspose it's like anything else....you get what you pay for!
I sure would like to hear from a few others(like Dan S.) out there that can give out some great advice on this topic.

I just browsed thru the Cabela's catalog and found the model I described above.

Minn-Kota model # RT74/S 24 volt. 74 lbs. thrust. 42" shaft. $485.

I didn't mean to make Minn-Kota's sound bad, just letting you know of some possible problems you might encounter. Avoid the 12 volt motors, or the motors with the short shaft, they aren't really suitable for river use. I wouldn't get anything with less than 65 lbs. thrust for a boat mentioned above.

I'd love to outfit my driftboat with one, but I'm a little shy on cabbage, and I need to replace some reels first. Maybe next year........

74lb. thrust Minn Kota does a great job free drifting on my Thorbuilt. Not really enough juice to handle back-bouncin or running plugs. Only problem I've had is the boat mounts. I don't think they're made for river conitions and they sound like an 30-06 going off when they give. I'm currently working a solution to this problem and will post results.

Motor Guide is the only way to go. I've had one for 5 years and have beat the heck out of it. Dig it in the rocks, stop the prop on logs and it just keeps on going. Heard too much bad stuff about the other brand. Seen one fall apart 1st day out of the box. A friend of mine is replacing his minn kota with a motor guide, his just didnt' last.
Fishhead5

fh5,

Do you have a recommendation for a certain model # of MotorGuide? What size boat are you using it on?

Thanks in advance.........

I have the 46# thrust 12 volt on a 14' Hews Craft. I'm thinking about going to the 76# 24 volt when this one quits on me. I will have to see how much of a weight difference there is between the 2. Cablela's has them as the energy transom motors, ET76V 76lbs, 24volt,variable speed, 42" shaft for $379.99

Fishhead5