I've done a search on here and while I found some helpful stuff, I am looking for specifics. Here's the issue. Looking for a 12vlt, bow mounted trolling motor for a 16 foot Tracker. My current one is 46 and as far as I can tell, 55 lb thrust and under are 12 vlts--using only one battery, which is what i want. What, in everyone's humble, "unbiased", opinion is a good trolling motor. I fish in middle georgia where the weather is not as extreme as would be other places, and so i have been happy with the 46 lb thrust. Suggestions? Also, I want to bow mount a sonar unit--if mounting the transducer on the trolling motor, would that cause serious interference? Sorry for the long question. Cheers.

A unbiased opinion won't be forthcoming because everyone has thier favorite.My is a bowmounted 55lb hand controlled minnkota.As far as the transducer mount a 17 foot boat in deep water the cone on a regular mount will cover enough to keep you on a edge and in shallow water the point is moot.

Buy as much power as you can afford, you wont regret it. If your forced to go with a 12V system buy the most powerful motor out there. As for brand I have a Minn Kota 74lb 24V bow mount on my Nitro. I love it and couldnt see myself going to Motorguide. Thats my opinion I personally dont think you could make a mistake going either way, I just have a preference for Minn Kota.

I have heard good things about the MK edge.  I personally want a powerdrive with universal sonar.  Just got to keep the PD foot pedal out of the weather.

If your stuck on using only a 12 volt sysytem. Upping to a 55# over a 46#, I don't think you will see much improvement. Its only 9 pounds.

If you can fit another battery I would move up to a 24volt sysytem, and as lPa1nl said, buy the most pounds you can afford. I had a 55# Minkota Auto pilot on my 17'6" boat and hated it. not enough power. So I went bigger, really big. I ended up getting a 36 volt Motorguide Tour 109# TM. Great motor. If you do go with motor guide, spend the extra $$ and get a Digital model, worth it. I have had mine for 3 years and no problems.  One friend of mine has the 82# 24volt  MG tour digital and has had no problem either. have several friends with newer MG that are old syle motors, not digital, and have problem after problem with the.

I think moving up from a 46# to 55# is not worth the $$. try and see if you can get a 24volt setup.

If your stuck on using only a 12 volt sysytem. Upping to a 55# over a 46#, I don't think you will see much improvement. Its only 9 pounds.

If you can fit another battery I would move up to a 24volt sysytem, and as lPa1nl said, buy the most pounds you can afford. I had a 55# Minkota Auto pilot on my 17'6" boat and hated it. not enough power. So I went bigger, really big. I ended up getting a 36 volt Motorguide Tour 109# TM. Great motor. If you do go with motor guide, spend the extra $$ and get a Digital model, worth it. I have had mine for 3 years and no problems.  One friend of mine has the 82# 24volt  MG tour digital and has had no problem either. have several friends with newer MG that are old syle motors, not digital, and have problem after problem with the.

I think moving up from a 46# to 55# is not worth the $$. try and see if you can get a 24volt setup.

Wow!!! a 36V motor on a 17'6" boat. HAhaha you must put a wake out behind you. I have a 74lb MK on my 16'6" Nitro and it hauls a$$. I couldnt Imagine what your highend speed would be....

I'm looking at the MK Edge series, in the 45# range. Mainly because I don't want to deal with a third battery, but also, I've had a 45# for the past three years and it's been fine, power-wise. I don't do a lot of tournament fishing--hardly any at all. I just want to ctuise alopng with a dependable motor.

I've always used MG motors. I just recently bought my first MK Edge 70. If you buy new, you have to check it very closely. I had to turn the head around on it because it was installed 180* out. Imagine that. So instead of going forward I would go backward. I have only used it once, so I am still not sure what I think of MK. But like the others have said, go with bigger than you think you might need. I went from a 36# to a 70#. Huge difference. Really helps get you out of a cove when the wind is pushing you farther in.