I need to pick up a transom mount trolling motor and it will be my only motor on the boat I have limited funds.So I was wondering for the cash does it make a huge diffrence between 40 and 50 lbs of thrust and what exactly does that mean? The boat is a merc minnow 8ft long and about 4 wide quite light this will be my first motor buy so any info would help thanks in advance.

thanks again

Stroz

The 40 will be plenty. The number is a rating number approximating the foot-pounds of thrust (or something like that). My first bote was a canoe with a trolling motor bracket, I used a 30 lb and got around great. Next was a 10' jon boat and a 30 lb was still plenty of thrust.

cool I'm psyched cut the new seats and floor boards out and primed them last night putting them in tomorrow. ;D Plan on christening it saturday will finaly make it to those down trees I've been drooling over.One more question I will be cruising with my wife and kids with the added weight does that make a diffrence on the 40 or 50 lbs of thrust also what type of battery do you use and how long abouts will it last. Thanks again for the info.

                                                                                   Stroz  

I think a 40 would be more than enough. You will always hear bigger is better, but when you're having to run on just one battery, that ain't always true. The bigger the more amps it's going to pull so if you try to run on max, you probably won't get much more than a hour or so. If you keep it down on the lower setting where you're just easing around, it will last several hours.

The digital motors are going to give the most run time by far when you're not running them on max.

Get the biggest, baddest group 29, 30, or 31, nothing smaller than a group 27. You want at least 105 Ah or if it only has the reserve minutes, 190 or more. Just remeber to be careful handling it, these things have caused more than one back strain or worse. The suckers are very heavy.

looks like 40 it is will give me enough for extra battery ;D. thanks for info going to pick one up after work.

                                                            Stroz

Congrats Bro. I've used a 30 lb'er for years, is all good!

OK check list;

Make sure battery is charged(I know).

Take paddles.

When you mount motor turn it 360 degrees and make sure you don't hit the hull.

Take a multi-tool.

Any type of fusing involved?

Bring a small chunk of 2x4 in case TM needs help fitting on tramsom.

Enjoy! You won't be watersking but you will see more wild life than you've ever seen and the best part is they will never hear you coming!!!!!!!!!!!

And most TM can be used as either a bow or trasom mount with the turn of a screw.

Wally World has MinnKota 55 Lbs for $219.00

I picked up the 40 on friday goes great I'm psyched caught 6 on saturday in 3 hrs  ;D man this is gonna be a great season thanks for all the info you guys are the best

                                                                              Stroz