Transom Mount Trolling Motor for 14' Aluminum

[pickardjw]

Looking for a transom mount trolling motor for my 14' aluminum hull boat. Will mostly be used for trout and kokanee trolling, maybe laker trolling occasionally. Can't go bow mount for several reasons. Planning to go with a 40lb or 45lb. I have a Dual Purpose 92AH battery. 

The obvious choice seems to be a Minn Kota Endura Max but I've read some really bad reviews about the reliability, specifically related to Digital Maximizer that's supposed to make it good for extended, constant trolling like I want to do. MotorGuide R3 and the Minn Kota Endura C2 have some bad reviews too though and would drain my battery faster.

Are there any quality transom mount trolling motors out there? Have those brand's quality really tanked or is it a case of a few lemons that people write reviews on and thousands that work fine that don't get reviews posted?

[CP]

I've never had any problems with Minn Kota and I've owned several.  I currently have a 55lb Rip Tide and it works great, has for years.

[Sandberm]

For what its worth...

I bought a 44lb Endura Min Kota in the mid 90's with a "composite" shaft, IE plastic. Its not very stout and so the whole setup vibrates. It works, Ive never replaced it but I do not like it. 5 speed and i always am wanting a middle gear.

The 28lb minn kota I bought in 89 has a metal shaft. Much stouter. I like it

[metlhead]

Must it be electric? My small sled runs a 2.5 Yami. I never worry about batteries and the top tank lasts for hours. Weight is also similar to a battery/troller package. Not the best for bass type fishing, but trolling as you mention is painless.

[pickardjw]

Must it be electric? My small sled runs a 2.5 Yami. I never worry about batteries and the top tank lasts for hours. Weight is also similar to a battery/troller package. Not the best for bass type fishing, but trolling as you mention is painless.

Yeah hoping to keep the noise down for kokanee fishing. And I'd prefer to not have to maintain another gas engine.

[metlhead]

Understand the maintenance. The whole noise for kokanee is really false though. The main purpose for mine is kokanee and have not noticed any difference at all. Limits still end up in the cooler regularly.

[Norman89]

My only complaint about minnkota is there seals in the lower unit SUCK. Just basic orings that in storage dry out and seep water, sending the lower unit screwy. Think I have had six now, all different models that all ended up leaking. Now it's annual maintenance to pull the lower unit apart at end of the season compressed air blow dry, displace with wd40 and reassemble. Before first outing take it apart again and grease the orings and reassemble then good for the season. Can't just be me, my dad and brothers have all had the same problem

[Alchase]

On my 14 foot Smoker Craft Alaskan, I trolled all day long at 0.5 MPH idle speed with my 15 HP, 4-stroke, Yamaha. It was perfect for Trout and Kokanee. That sucker sipped gas.
I sold my Minkota 28 lb thrust trolling motor because I had not used it in the since I bought the 15 HP Yamaha. 

[pickardjw]

I can’t do less than 1.3 MPH with my 15 horse Honda. I also just don’t like running it at idle all day long. Maybe the motor noise does t bother Kokanee but the quiet of a trolling motor sure sounds nice to my ears haha

[Blacklab]

Min kota has treated me well. When I had my 15’ smoker craft It had 55 high endurance. Worked very well. I’d suggest 55 thrust at least. Not over kill just a good fit. Good luck.

[dilleytech]

I highly recommend you figure out how to mount a 55# bow mount. You won’t regret it steen mount electrics suck. Specially in any wind. But my minnkota has been trouble free for 6 years.

[pickardjw]

Yeah, main problem I have with bow mount is:

1. I have LED's spot lights and an anchor line roller on the bow
2. No way to mount it to the sides without building some elaborate structure
3. Would put it 8' or more away from my battery
4. Downriggers are in the stern so sitting up front just puts me way out of reach of my gear.

It's a light boat, anything over 5 MPH and it's impossible to control at trolling speeds anyway.

Edit: oh yeah, 6. Looking to spend under $300

[dilleytech]

Yeah, main problem I have with bow mount is:

1. I have LED's spot lights and an anchor line roller on the bow
2. No way to mount it to the sides without building some elaborate structure
3. Would put it 8' or more away from my battery
4. Downriggers are in the stern so sitting up front just puts me way out of reach of my gear.

It's a light boat, anything over 5 MPH and it's impossible to control at trolling speeds anyway.

Edit: oh yeah, 6. Looking to spend under $300

#6 is the only one of those reasons that is a real issue. Bow mounts make trolling in wind very easy.

[pickardjw]

Went with a Minn Kota Endura Max 55lb. Now that I think about it I could probably craft up a bow mount of sorts for it with a 2x6. Notch it at the gunwhales and have it be removable. That way I have both options. Can't tell how long the standard wiring is but it looks like I'll need some extra anyway to wire in a breaker/fuse.

[CP]

Went with a Minn Kota Endura Max 55lb. Now that I think about it I could probably craft up a bow mount of sorts for it with a 2x6. Notch it at the gunwhales and have it be removable. That way I have both options. Can't tell how long the standard wiring is but it looks like I'll need some extra anyway to wire in a breaker/fuse.

You’ll want to keep the wiring as short as possible to minimize voltage drop.  A lot of motors these days have built in protection so go don’t need a fuse.  Consult your user manual.

For your next upgrade, consider ditching the dual-purpose battery, or use it to start your main engine, and get a dedicated lifepo4 battery for the trolling motor.  A 50ah battery will give you much better performance than the 92ah lead acid.

[Alchase]

Yeah, main problem I have with bow mount is:

1. I have LED's spot lights and an anchor line roller on the bow
2. No way to mount it to the sides without building some elaborate structure
3. Would put it 8' or more away from my battery
4. Downriggers are in the stern so sitting up front just puts me way out of reach of my gear.

It's a light boat, anything over 5 MPH and it's impossible to control at trolling speeds anyway.

Edit: oh yeah, 6. Looking to spend under $300

#6 is the only one of those reasons that is a real issue. Bow mounts make trolling in wind very easy.

 

A bow mount allows you to keep fishing in wind.
The same thrust motor on the transom, will have you speeding up and slowing back down just to keep the bow heading forward in a bit of wind.

[pickardjw]

Went with a Minn Kota Endura Max 55lb. Now that I think about it I could probably craft up a bow mount of sorts for it with a 2x6. Notch it at the gunwhales and have it be removable. That way I have both options. Can't tell how long the standard wiring is but it looks like I'll need some extra anyway to wire in a breaker/fuse.

You’ll want to keep the wiring as short as possible to minimize voltage drop.  A lot of motors these days have built in protection so go don’t need a fuse.  Consult your user manual.

For your next upgrade, consider ditching the dual-purpose battery, or use it to start your main engine, and get a dedicated lifepo4 battery for the trolling motor.  A 50ah battery will give you much better performance than the 92ah lead acid.

Yeah the user manual has a chart for selecting breaker/fuse sizes. My assumption is the cheaper versions don't have it built in since they're more likely to be used stand-alone as a motor instead of on a battery with other electronics.