I was wondering ... what  comparison can be made bewteen an electric motor at 74 lb thrust and a gas motor? What would be an equivalent hp to match a 74 lb thrust?

Thank you

rough estimate I would say 2 hp

Don't you find it odd that the manufacturers (Minn Kota  and Motorguide) won't give this info on their website?  How hard could it be?  They are very evasive about this.

I guess I am confused. Why would you want to know the difference if you are applying this to bass fishing? I would think the quiter the better. Unless you are fishing a river or something that has a lot of current in it.

Many of the lakes I fish are elctric motor only.  This would be useful info when buying an electric for your primary means of propulsion.

I would guess it is around 3/8 hp.

I would say 1 1/2 Hp, Because Briggs and stratton made a 3 hp electric motor which was 150 lbs. Thrust so do the math and there it is.

Taken from Minn Kota's site:

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/motors/selectamotor/frames.asp?selectionCode=bn1h1

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How do I convert thrust into horsepower?

Many people think that the more pounds of thrust they are getting, the faster the boat will go. This is not exactly true. With trolling motors and outboard motors, boat speed (and acceleration) depends on horsepower and prop pitch. By changing prop pitch, you can trade acceleration for top speed. Our trolling motors have props designed for maximum acceleration. When you hit the power, the boat responds immediately. This also allows you to hold the boat in high wind conditions. Top speed with our motors and props is about 5 mph. Small boats will reach this speed with most of our motors. Larger boats require our largest motors to approach this speed. Comparing our motors to gasoline outboards is difficult because most outboard props are designed for much higher speed.

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There are some formulas that roughly can be used to compare thrust  to horse power.  This is one of them.  It is pretty simple and maybe some what close. It might be handy in chooseing a motor  other than a trolling motor or calculating speed.

Measure amps at full load. ( Minn Kota gives 45 amp. draw for a 75#thrust  and 40 amps. draw for a 50# thrust motor)  

4 inch prop. pitch

multiply Amps x battery voltage = watts

              45   x           24            = 1080

multiply watts by motor efficiancy =effective watts

              1080 x .8   = 864 / 746 =1.15 Hp

         or   1080 / 940 = 1.15 Hp

to find  efficiancy

65%-70% for series wound motors

80%-83% for permanent magnetic mortors( minn Kota)

Divide effective watts by 746(1 hp) to find Horse power rateing

746= (1 Horse Power in watts)  or

940= (1 Hp with 80% efficiancy)

45amps. x 24voltage = 1080watts

1080watts / 940 =1.15 Horse Power

If a ducted prop. is used multiply x 1.6

The aprox. H.P. of a 75# thrust motor would be about 1.15 horses

So you were were right

Now the way I arrived at the answer that I did, was to ....  ?I guess my 50#motor is about this big around (check weather) and I guess it (play with dog) about this speed ( check weather again and play with dog) and that is about the size of  a xHp industial motor that are rated in H.p.  ( find out storm blew over & go to bed).  pure science!