Just moved to south east Pennsylvania from NYC. I am excited to be back where I can start bass fishing again. I sold my bass boat a few years back so I'm going to start in smaller lakes with a lt weight (50lb) canoe 12 feet long i can portage almost anywhere. Had aquestion on pounds of thrust for a trolling motor as far as best amount of thrust. I'm 190 lbs and usually fish alone with modest amount of equipment. Also best canoe motor mount and battery. Thanks in advance for any help.

Sal

The usual recommendation for most boats is to get the highest thrust trolling motor that you can afford. However, for a canoe, especially one that's only 12ft, weight of the motor and the battery come into play.

 

I run a 12v, 45lb thrust MK Traxxis variable speed TM on my 11'6" canoe.  Plenty of thrust, will move the canoe at about 4.5mph or so, and I can run all day on a Group 24 battery.  More thrust and the motor weight goes up and possibly the need for going to a Group 27 or 29 battery.

 

Check out your canoe's load rating, weights of the TMs that you might be considering, and battery weights to determine how much weight you might be adding to the boat.  You don't NEED a lot of thrust to move a 12ft canoe at a pretty good clip.

 

Lastly, if you can afford it, a variable speed motor will give you extended battery life as compared to a 5-speed motor, another factor that allows the satisfactory use of a (relatively) light Group 24 battery.

Just moved to south east Pennsylvania from NYC. I am excited to be back where I can start bass fishing again. I sold my bass boat a few years back so I'm going to start in smaller lakes with a lt weight (50lb) canoe 12 feet long i can portage almost anywhere. Had aquestion on pounds of thrust for a trolling motor as far as best amount of thrust. I'm 190 lbs and usually fish alone with modest amount of equipment. Also best canoe motor mount and battery. Thanks in advance for any help.

Sal

 

First off, welcome to the forums!

 

I have a 16' Grumman, aluminum, and I ran a used 50 lb thrust Predator (BPS) on it with no problems. Moved along very well. Sadly, that bit the dust. I now have a 30 lb thrust Minn Kota, but I have not used it on the Grumman as I moved to kayaking, and the motor works great there.

 

I did similar research to your question back then, and most said a 30 lb is sufficient to move a lot of boats, so you could start there...

I have a 10 ft bass raider (plastic pontoon) and I have a 30lb trolling motor that I got for $100 at bass pro. I use a 12v marine battery. The trolling motor pushes my brother an I (300 lbs combined) and our gear across the lake great. I think 30 lbs would be enough for you in your canoe, at least for the smaller lakes.

Thanks everyone for the great tips. I might go with the Minn Kota Endurance Max variable speed either 40 or 45 lb. got a lot of windy days here so a little extra power won't hurt and both are the same weight. Battery at 50 lbs is the real weight issue

Any thoughts on whose T motor side mount you all like.?

I just rigged my canoe and it came out great (thanks A-Jay!).

i too bought the endura max but went with 55lb.  some think its alot for a 14ft canoe but

1-i was buying new so why not toss an extra $70.  

2-i may switch the whole system to a jon boat in a year or two and it won't skip a beat.

 

make sure you keep ur battery on a charger all the time.  it will greatly extend the life.

as of now i do NOT like the side mount. (build it using 2x4'. lots of good info and youtube vids).

i used to LOVE sitting and STANDING in my canoe while fishing.  now its really uncomfortable (think about standing on one foot in ur kitchen for 5 hrs).  the rig is just too unbalanced.  next week i am going to mount 40lbs of gym weighs on the opposite side to balance it.

everything should be fine then. a square stern canoe would have been ideal to start but i'm sure i will be happy after the mod.   

we're probably close so let me know if ya need any help or want to hit the water sometime  

You dont need much motor to push a canoe....Old Town sells two good TM mounts but it would be easy to fabricate you own.