OK,...I emailed MinnKota today and asked this:

"Hi,

My name is Russ and I am a staff member at BassResource.com. I was wondering if you could clear somthing up for me. We have a post that has members arguing nonstop. It is the multiple trolling motor (t/m) question.

I read a fact sheet put out by Minn Kota explaining how to figure out the speed your boat can go without breaking plane. My jon boat came out to 4.6 mph which according to my gps, I am achieving with my endura 55.

The controversy is that there are a group of anglers in Georgia who fish an "electric motor only" lake. These guys have 3 and sometimes 4 electric motors on a 14 ft jon boat. According to your fact sheet, is this just a waste of money? THey are not getting up on plane with the 3 motors so are they just pushing more water?

I know it doesn't make business sense to say that they are wasting their money buying 3 of your motors instead of 1 bigger one but is there any science to what they are doing in Georgia?

Thanks, Russ"

This was their reply:

Minn Kota to me

More options 7:08 am (7 hours ago)

Using multiple motors on a boat does not appreciably increase your speed. However, it does increase the amount of weight your motors will be able to handle at a cruising speed. The pitch on our props is a very shallow 4 pitch, which makes for pushing weight, but sacrifices speed. None of our motors go any faster than 3-5 mph. Adding additional motors will not change that.

Dave H.

So, essentially, you can't go any faster, but you will be able to add more weight and still sustain max speed.

BUT

Max speed does not change.

So all the extra motors are needed to achieve the 3-5 mph in those boats because they are so heavy? Are they loaded with stuff that makes them THAT heavy or is the weight from all the extra batteries needed to run all the motors? That would seem pointless, I don't get it. Can you explain more? Thanks

Can you explain more? Thanks

Hey LBH, your ole buddy!!  Now thats funny right thar! ;D

Oh man,.....I don't think I can dude,lol.

I understand but the guys with three motors do go faster than the guys with two..I can attest..and ask senko 77

ryan, there goin faster because there motors as allowing them to reach there maximum hull speed.  even though it may seem like it, your boat isnt goin as fast as it can.  get some 82's on there and you will be just as fast as them.

or use common sense and pocket the money you would spend on 2 more 80's and 4 more batteries and reduce the weight of the boat instead.

I notice alot of the Ga. guys boats have alot of weight in them. 4-8 batteries,5/8"+ decks. Lots of room for weight reduction.  Or you can buy 3 more motors to make up for that weight and then another one for the batteries you just added,etc.

Is Georgia the only place this is in practice?  I've never seen it mentioned anywhere else.

 

I am going to wait until they do tiller model electric motor with 20 inch shaft..I understand about hull speed..I have two 54lb thrust motors and they guys with three motors with same boat is much faster..

My boat is all welded 14 ft fisher I think it is just to heavy for trolling motors anyway..but I wanted more stable boat..