A trolling motor are an electric device that moves a boat. Additionally, trolling motors is used to maintain a specific position on the water. When buying a trolling motor, there is several specific factors to consider because purchasing the wrong trolling motor will result in inefficient movement of the boat or insufficient battery life while on the water.
The factors to consider when purchasing a trolling motor include the thrust, battery capacity, shaft length, mount type, propeller type, and the type of water where the motor will be used. Thrust is the amount of pushing force a trolling motor will create. You must select the thrust of a trolling motor according to the total weight of the boat.
How to Choose the Right Trolling Motor
To calculate the total weight of the boat, add the weight of any gear, cooler, and people on the boat. As a general rule, trolling motors must provide two pounds of thrust for every one hundred pounds of total weight of the boat. Choosing a motor with to little thrust will make it difficult for the motor to effective move the boat.
Yet, if you choose a trolling motor with to much thrust, the motor will be carrying extra weight that wont benefit the boats function. Battery life is another critical component of trolling motors. The amount of power the trolling motor will draw from the battery determines the battery life of a motor.
If you select a motor that will run at full throttle for extended period, the battery will be depleted quickly. Using two batteries instead of one will increase the runtime of the motor. Additionally, using the trolling motor at medium speed will allow someone to remain on the water longer then using the trolling motor at full speeds.
Another component to consider when purchasing a trolling motor is the shaft length. The shaft length of a trolling motor is the measurement of the trolling motor pole. The shaft length should be appropriate to the depth of the boat and the water.
To determine the length of the shaft, measure the distance from the trolling motor mount to the waterline of the boat. Add one foot to this measurement to allow the propeller of the trolling motor to remain submerged in the water. Using a trolling motor with a shaft that is too short will cause the propeller to either suck at air or hit the bottom of the boat.
Either scenario will prevent the trolling motor from functioning proper. On the contrary, using a trolling motor with a shaft that is too long may make it difficult for the motor to be managed in shallow waters. The mount types for trolling motors will determine where the trolling motor will be attached to the boat.
There are three mount types for trolling motors: bow mounts, transom mounts, and engine mounts. A bow mount will be attached to the front of the boat. Using this mount will allow for better control of the boat.
Transom mounts will be attached to the back of the boat. Using this mount will allow someone to easily install the trolling motor on the boat without drilling into the boats structure. Lastly, engine mounts will be attached to the motor of the boat.
Using this mounting hardware will leave the boats deck clear of any extra equipment. The propeller type will determine how a trolling motor will move through vegetation in the water. There are two main propeller types for trolling motors: standard propellers and weedless propellers.
People use standard propellers in locations with open water. Weedless propellers are used in locations with vegetation such as grass and pads. Additionally, weedless propellers has wire deflectors that will prevent vegetation from getting into the propeller.
Using a standard propeller in areas with vegetation will require frequent cleaning of the propeller. Lastly, another important factor when purchasing a trolling motor is the type of water where the trolling motor will be used. If you use the trolling motor in freshwater or saltwater environments, you should of purchased trolling motors with specific specifications.
For instance, freshwater trolling motors are lighter and cost less money than saltwater trolling motors. Additionally, saltwater trolling motors have sealed housing and anodes to prevent corrosion caused by saltwater environments. Trolling motors that are only used in freshwater environments do not need these features because saltwater will damage the trolling motor.
If a freshwater trolling motor is used in saltwater environments, the salt will damage the trolling motor and require the owner to replace the motors part each year.