I got a 15ft fibreglass bass boat and I got a potential deal on a 46lb bow mount trolling motor do you think that's enough power?

Minnow,

I have a 15' fiberglass boat from the '80's and I have a 55lb on my bow. It's worked great for me. You'll be able to move about and fish no problem. I don't think you'll be able to burn down the bank all day on high if that's the way you fish but anything else will be fine. 

Two approaches may be used to calculate the required foot-pounds for an electric motor.

Both methods have merit, but neither is gospel because personal preference reigns supreme.

 

METHOD 1

Total Weight = Boat + Motor + Equipment + Passengers + Fuel + Livewell water

Optimum Ft/Lb Thrust = Total Weight / 40

 

METHOD 2

Instead of weight, this method focuses on water-resistance and hinges on hull length.

 

Boat Length     Minimum Ft/Lbs    

        12’                        30                       

        13’                        33                         

        14’                        36                         

        15’                        39                        

        16’                        42                        

        17’                        46                        

        18’                        49                                 

        19’                        52                      

        20’                        56                          

        21’                        60                        

        22’                        64                     

 

FYI: When a planing hull is powered by an electric motor, it becomes a displacement hull.

As a result, greatly overshooting the required thrust adds little or nothing to the boat's top speed.

 

Roger

 

 

23 minutes ago, Bass Turd said:

Minnow,

I have a 15' fiberglass boat from the '80's and I have a 55lb on my bow. It's worked great for me. You'll be able to move about and fish no problem. I don't think you'll be able to burn down the bank all day on high if that's the way you fish but anything else will be fine. 

No burning bank just banging the bank thanks for info

Is wind or current a factor?  Do you fish all day?  Do you have to cut through weeds or grass?  All things that will drain a TM battery quick.  I've never heard anyone say they wished they had a smaller TM.  

It will work...how well is a matter of opinion. If you plan on staying out when the wind kicks up, you might not be that happy with it. If you don't mind heading in, then it'll be fine. Personally I subscribe to the theory of buying the highest powered tm you can afford and fit in the boat (if you only have room for 1 battery, you won't be looking at a 36V system). As long as you get a variable speed motor instead of one with preset speeds you can run them down as slow as you like, but you've got that extra power when you need it. I used to have a 16 footer, and when I bought it I had a 45 lb thrust tm. It was ok, but fishing tournaments you don't get to choose when you go out. It didn't work well for that, so I upgraded to an 82 lb thrust. Some might say it's overkill, but I assure you I never once wished I would have opted for a less powered option. 

11 minutes ago, WIGuide said:

Personally I subscribe to the theory of buying the highest powered tm you can afford and fit in the boat (if you only have room for 1 battery, you won't be looking at a 36V system). 

 X2 to this.  It's nice to have the extra power when you need it.