I recommend the 24v You'll be wondering why you didn't step up earlier once you feel how much power you now have. Depending on the layout of the boat if you can fit the 2nd battery and what guage wires you already have installed. 6 guage is fine if running a short distance, 4 Guage preffered. 2 guage is needed if running the entire length of the boat

I also recommend buying the two batteries at the same time, that way you won't kill the new battery if the older one doesn't hold as good of charge.

The batteries are in the "trunk" and it is 16ft of cable between motor and batteries. There is more than enough room for two batteries. I think i have 6gauge now. How do i convert the system though?

Keep the votes coming guys!

Heck man... if the 24v is less do that for sure!  You will never regret the extra power and definately longer battery life.  You could get that setup and buy your extra deep cycle and still break even.  Its not that big of an issue to change over to 24 v, its mostly just your battery connection has to be hooked in a series.  

And about the shaft.... the black shaft between the head and lower unit will "flex" a few inches on impact.  It is not like an axle, there is no power transfer down that shaft other than wiring, so flexing isnt likely to hurt anything unless you hit so hard it breaks (as BigBassGuy so kindly illustrated).  And most should be guarenteed for life.  

My 12V motors all have 2 wires from pedal to connector and then to battery. Do the 24V motors have two as well or three? So all i have to do is get another battery and a piece of wire to link both together?

Does your current one have a plug up front? Make sure you have a plug that works and hook it to the wires that run through your boat.  Be sure that the gauge of wire ran from your bow to stern is appropriate for the voltage or current or as recommended by the manufacturer of the TM.  Basically you will still have two wires... a positive and negative for your trolling motor (or comming out of your plug).  You will link the positive wire to the positive terminal of one battery and the negative to the negative terminal of the other battery.  Your correct, you then connect the left over positive and negative posts between the batteries with a short 1-2ft lead of wire that allows the flow to jump batteries.  You then have flow into one battery, through it, into the other battery, out of it back up to your trolling motor... and Voila!  an in series 24V system.  I would also recommend using a fuse or breaker system inline (usuallly on your positive wire) of the appropriate size recommended by your motor.

My 12V motors all have 2 wires from pedal to connector and then to battery. Do the 24V motors have two as well or three? So all i have to do is get another battery and a piece of wire to link both together?

My maxxum 65 has only 2 wires on the TM.  

Straight 24V Tm will usually only have 2 wires

On the 12/24 TM most will have three wires.

12/24  Is a TM that has a 12/24 volt switch or setting and can operated

on either 12 or 24 volts

The actual shaft flexes. The upper section is aluminum, and the lower is the composite.

Sorry these are best photos I could get by myself.

And if you get a MinnKota you can get a sweet looking footpedal like this. 8-)

Big BassGuy,

I don't suppose the pedal came that way from MinnKota? That looks dam cool man! How did you paint it?

Well guys, first let me say that i appreciate each and every one of your responses! After much consideration i decided to stay 12V and buy the MK Edge 55lb thrust motor. I talked to BPS about the Edge 65lb and they said it is a discontinued model and does not come with the Weedless wedge II prop. MK told me that it is made just for BPS and does have the prop, who really knows. Anyways, i got *** to price match the 55lb motor for the advertised price on another site. I got it to my door with a free shirt for $455.08. You just can't beat that IMO!!!!  ;D

Well, thanks again you guys, i hope this one lasts a little longer!

The actual shaft flexes. The upper section is aluminum, and the lower is the composite.

Sorry these are best photos I could get by myself.

And if you get a MinnKota you can get a sweet looking footpedal like this. 8-)

Big BassGuy,

I don't suppose the pedal came that way from MinnKota? That looks dam cool man! How did you paint it?

Tackle Warehouse, its called CoolFoot, comes in many different colors.

Scroll to the bottom of this page. http://www.***.com/catpage-TRNA.html

I have a 50lb AT on my little boat that I've had for at least 10 years.  The Edge is the next generation AT basically.  Those models are true work horses.  It should serve you well.  

The actual shaft flexes. The upper section is aluminum, and the lower is the composite.

Sorry these are best photos I could get by myself.

And if you get a MinnKota you can get a sweet looking footpedal like this. 8-)

Big BassGuy,

I don't suppose the pedal came that way from MinnKota? That looks dam cool man! How did you paint it?

Tackle Warehouse, its called CoolFoot, comes in many different colors.

Scroll to the bottom of this page. http://www.***.com/catpage-TRNA.html

Thanks BigBassGuy! I will call TW and add it to my order. The motor won't be shipped till Thurs any way.

This month I just went through 3 motor guide varimax 45's.

Each one was broke out of the box, what a piece of crap.

So I got a minn kota and love it.

Question, does the Edge model i got come with the weedless wedge II or just the original one?

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/trolling_motors/freshwater_bow_mount/edge.aspx

Yeah i saw that but it lists both I and II. It doesn't specify either. I called MinnKota but there reps are useless! One told me no weedless wedge II and one said yes. BPS also said yes. I sure wish i knew which one it is before i get it.

It should be the WW2, the 40lb is the only one that comes with the WW1

It should be the WW2, the 40lb is the only one that comes with the WW1

Hope so! Hey i copied you and got the yellow cool foot like yours. I was going to get red to match the back 1/2 of my boat but i decided to color match the MinnKota letters instead.  ;D

It should be the WW2, the 40lb is the only one that comes with the WW1

Hope so! Hey i copied you and got the yellow cool foot like yours. I was going to get red to match the back 1/2 of my boat but i decided to color match the MinnKota letters instead. ;D

Yellow is 8-)

Atleast you didn't get PINK!!  LOL

I got the 40.

It shows a ww2 on the box, but has the ww1 on it.

Now I have to get a new blade.

Does anyone know if the ww2 is way better than the ww1.?

I may wait until I need one to upgrade, unless its worth it to buy it now.

The main lake I like to fish is 3/4 weeds.

I got the 40.

It shows a ww2 on the box, but has the ww1 on it.

Now I have to get a new blade.

Does anyone know if the ww2 is way better than the ww1.?

I may wait until I need one to upgrade, unless its worth it to buy it now.

The main lake I like to fish is 3/4 weeds.

I hear it is but i am not sure because this is my first MinnKota. Are you sure the II will fit the 40lb motor. I read on their site that the 40 is the only one that does not have it.

I got the 40.

It shows a ww2 on the box, but has the ww1 on it.

Now I have to get a new blade.

Does anyone know if the ww2 is way better than the ww1.?

I may wait until I need one to upgrade, unless its worth it to buy it now.

The main lake I like to fish is 3/4 weeds.

The WW2 will NOT fit on the Edge40. The 40 has a 3 1/4" dia motor the other edges have a 3 5/8 dia motor.

Refer to this page for more info on what props fit what motor.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/_docs/propSelectionChart.pdf

The only difference I have seen between the WW1 and WW2 besides the size is the tips of the WW2 are flared out which prevents the weeds from tangling around the hub. If you trully are really interested in getting the benefits of the WW2 you may want to try taking a lighter and very cafefully and evenly bending the tips out. Otherwise step up to the 55 or higher to get the benefits. To tell you the truth, they aren't that much greater. The real difference is in the extra power which helps blast the weeds away.