I'm in the market for a new more powerful electric TM to put on a 10' Bass Raider. My first question is, What is the point of diminishing returns power wise? I have a 35# and was thinking 45-55#. Looking to maximize battery life while fighting slow to moderate river current. Second, Motor Guide, Minn Kota...?

 

Thanks

In my opinion, there isn't any point of diminishing returns regarding trolling motors.  The biggest one that will fit on your rig is the way to go, in my opinion.

 

I used to have a boat similar to yours, a 10' Water Buster Trophy model.  It came with a 36 lb thrust trolling motor, and that worked OK, after a couple of years I upgraded to a 55 lb  thrust Minn Kota (still 12 volt) with the variable speed and that was MUCH better.  Most of the time I carried close to max weight in it, I ran 2 or sometimes 3 batteries  wired in parallel and I never ran out of power.  One one lake I often fished my favorite fishing area was 3/4 mile from the ramp.  Never worried about running out of power.

 

On my current boat (2002 Lowe WF 180) I have a 74 lb thrust 24 volt Trolling motor.  If I could fit another battery, I would have the 101 36 volt troller.  There isn't any substitute for power.   I also swap out my trolling batteries every other year, whether they need it or not.

I've got a 34 on the stern and a 43 on the bow of my little Basstender 11.3. Wired two batteries together for the extra run time. Can fish for four or five hours and still be at roughly 75 to 80 percent charge remaining. Either one of them moves me around just fine.

I had a similar boat I started with a 36# and upgraded to a 55# minn Kota endura c2 best $260 upgrade I've ever made

55# Minn Kota Traxxis with Digital Maximizer http://www.cabelas.com/product/Minn-Kota-Traxxis-Transom-Mount-Trolling-Motor/701487.uts?productVariantId=1213136&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=701487&rid=40&channel=GoogleBaseUSA&mr:trackingCode=2806DE51-F5D2-DF11-82EF-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=30640542791&mr:keyword&mr:match&mr:filter=50625347095&gclid=CK2P6r6arL0CFaw-MgodBkAAyA&gclsrc=aw.ds

55# Minn Kota Traxxis with Digital Maximizer http://www.cabelas.com/product/Minn-Kota-Traxxis-Transom-Mount-Trolling-Motor/701487.uts?productVariantId=1213136&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=701487&rid=40&channel=GoogleBaseUSA&mr:trackingCode=2806DE51-F5D2-DF11-82EF-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=30640542791&mr:keyword&mr:match&mr:filter=50625347095&gclid=CK2P6r6arL0CFaw-MgodBkAAyA&gclsrc=aw.ds

Agree. no matter what motor you upgrade to, get one with variable speed control. That in itself will give you more run time.

That's just what I was looking at. I like the one hand stowing feature too. Thanks guys.

I had a Basshound 10.2 with a 28# thrust tm and that moved it around just fine. It was a 5 speed and I could easily fish 7-8 hours with it. I also had an outboard though, so I guess it depends on if your going to be using that as your main propulsion and the bodies of water you're planning to fish with it. Before I had the outboard I had a 36 lb thrust and I could go roughly 5 to 7 hours with that. It's nice to have the extra power though when you need it. Make sure if you do get a higher thrust though make sure it's a variable speed, otherwise the slowest speed might be too fast to fish.