My trolling motor took a crap just before season ended last year therefore I am now in the market for a new one. I am pretty much set on the Minn Kota Fortrex but wanted to get some other recommendations from anglers as it is a large expense and I don't want to make the wrong choice. My boat is a 2001 21 ft. Skeeter with a 200 horse Yamaha outboard. Aside from trolling recommendations, is 80 lb. thrust pretty solid or do you guys recommend putting in a 3rd battery and moving up to the 112 lb. model? Thanks

The more thrust you can purchase the better.

 

A 24 or 36 volt system is the best. Go for it and upgrade the thrust from 80 to the highest you can find.

 

You will not be disappointed once you get on the water.

 

The trolling motor repair guy in the greater Richmond area likes the Motor Guides over the Minn Kota's.

 

He says the Motor Guides are stronger than the Minn Kota's.

 

Personally, I have never heard of anyone having trouble with a Minn Kota. so I am just passing along what he said.

 

Just get the highest amount of thrust you can for your boat as it is a heavy one.

Go with the 36v. I got my 20' boat with an 80lb and upgraded to a 112lb after 1 season. I'm a fan of Minn Kota. I've run them for almost 20 years trouble free 

If you can afford to and have the space to, I'd go for the 36V. You can turn them down and not use the power when you don't need it, but you can only turn them up so high. You're never going to wish you had less.

Alright so the bigger the better is what I'm getting, I'll see if we can squeeze the 36 volt and the 112 lb. Fortrex. Thanks for the help guys

One last thing I forgot, what shaft length do I want? On the lakes I fish I mainly pound the shallows flipping and pitching but am looking to expand this year and fish deeper a little bit.

One last thing I forgot, what shaft length do I want? On the lakes I fish I mainly pound the shallows flipping and pitching but am looking to expand this year and fish deeper a little bit.

The water depth has no bearing on the shaft length needed.

It's the freeboard your boat has and the conditions you are likely to fish in.

Great Lakes or big North/South lakes require a long shaft to keep the motor in the water if you can handle fishing in the big swells/waves/wakes.

 

For most waters about 45"-50" is plenty.

Skeeter, if you can add your location and the bodies of water you like to fish to your avatar we can give you specific advice.

 

Just a suggestion.

My fortrex is probably my favorite thing on my boat lol