i am looking to buy a minn kota edge 55lb trolling motor for my 17.5 foot bass boat and was wondering what everyone though about this motor.

For that boat i would say get the 70lb Edge(if there is room for 2 batteries). I had the 55lb on my old 16ft boat and it was barely enough.

I really love minn kota trolling motors.  I have owned a couple of them and they have performed great.  My only suggestion would be to consider a 24 volt motor if you can.  The edge 55 is a 5 speed 12 volt and will drain a battery quick on a windy day.  I run a maxxum 70 on a 16 foot aluminum.  It has plenty of power and it is very efficient. 

My gramps just bought a Minn Kota edge 70lb for his 19ft bass boat and so far its been sweet, a very big difference between a 55lb and 70lb trolling motor for sure.

ok, if i can find a good deal on the 70 then i may get that.

For that boat i would say get the 70lb Edge(if there is room for 2 batteries). I had the 55lb on my old 16ft boat and it was barely enough.

Curious, what is your definition of "just barely enough? I have been using 24, 36 and 55 lb thrust electric motors on my 14 to 17' boats for the past 40 plus years in all kinds of water and never had a problem with power or maneuverability. Some guys are buying power they do not need and cannot use.

save some extra cash and go as big as you can afford, never have to much power, I have a 55lb on a 10ft jonboat,

For that boat i would say get the 70lb Edge(if there is room for 2 batteries). I had the 55lb on my old 16ft boat and it was barely enough.

Curious, what is your definition of "just barely enough? I have been using 24, 36 and 55 lb thrust electric motors on my 14 to 17' boats for the past 40 plus years in all kinds of water and never had a problem with power or maneuverability. Some guys are buying power they do not need and cannot use.

I am one of those guys, I would guess. I have an 80# MK on my 18' aluminum boat. I rarely need more than 60% in even the windiest conditions, yet it is there when I need it. A motor that doesn't have enough power, or is at near capacity much of the time is a constant source of irritation. I like having power in reserve. Having more than "needed" is a wonderful thing IMHO.

Carrington buy the bigger one. You will not regret it. 8-)

ok thanks for the help

For that boat i would say get the 70lb Edge(if there is room for 2 batteries). I had the 55lb on my old 16ft boat and it was barely enough.

Curious, what is your definition of "just barely enough? I have been using 24, 36 and 55 lb thrust electric motors on my 14 to 17' boats for the past 40 plus years in all kinds of water and never had a problem with power or maneuverability. Some guys are buying power they do not need and cannot use.

You can never have too much power! You must not fish some of the lakes i do. When the wind is up, they can get down right nasty. It takes every bit of the trolling motors power to keep the boat under control.

You can never have too much power! You must not fish some of the lakes i do. When the wind is up, they can get down right nasty. It takes every bit of the trolling motors power to keep the boat under control.

That's when I start that gas thingie on the back.

You can never have too much power! You must not fish some of the lakes i do. When the wind is up, they can get down right nasty. It takes every bit of the trolling motors power to keep the boat under control.

That's when I start that gas thingie on the back.

Good luck catching anything with all the motor noise, LOL!

You can never have too much power! You must not fish some of the lakes i do. When the wind is up, they can get down right nasty. It takes every bit of the trolling motors power to keep the boat under control.

That's when I start that gas thingie on the back.

Thats an option but I haven't figured out how to steer it from the front of my boat.

If you can afford it, I would go with the Maxxum over the Edge.

You can never have too much power! You must not fish some of the lakes i do. When the wind is up, they can get down right nasty. It takes every bit of the trolling motors power to keep the boat under control.

That's when I start that gas thingie on the back.

Thats an option but I haven't figured out how to steer it from the front of my boat.

I wonder if Bass Pro sells a 16' tiller extension?

If you can afford it, I would go with the Maxxum over the Edge.

x's 2! I prefer the scissor's style to the edge style, tho they have made it better! My 2 cent's worth junebugman

Plus you never know when one of your "BIG" friends and his cheeseburger loving buddy might want to go fishing with you.  Can't have to much power in the bag as long as you know how to control it.

You can never have too much power! You must not fish some of the lakes i do. When the wind is up, they can get down right nasty. It takes every bit of the trolling motors power to keep the boat under control.

That's when I start that gas thingie on the back.

Good luck catching anything with all the motor noise, LOL!

I saw KVD fish with his main motor on and steering the boat with his trolling motor. I think he won that tournament... but he does have good luck to go with his skills.