When looking for a motor there are several important issues that always come up. In order to cover these issues we have put together this guide. We have covered many points such as saltwater, thrust, shafts, voltage, props, batteries, mounts and more!
Should I go with a bow or transom mount motor?
Bow mount motors offer very precise control. In the wind or on a river a bow mount motor will help you the most. The drawback of a bow mount motor is that most of them are more or less permanently mounted on your bow.
Transom mount motors are more versatile and can be moved easily from boat to boat. On a small craft like a canoe or row boat they can be used as the primary source of power.
How much thrust do I need?
In general you want to have as much thrust as possible for the times when you run into wind and current. The rule of thumb in choosing thrust is to take the total weight of the loaded boat and divide it by 70. For example, if your boat with people and gear weighs a total of 3500 lbs you will then divide that by 70. That means that ideally you should have a motor with at least 50 lbs. of thrust.
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Motor Thrust
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Total Weight
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30 lbs
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2100 lbs
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36 lbs
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2520 lbs
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40 lbs
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2800 lbs
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42 lbs
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2940 lbs
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44 lbs
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3080 lbs
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48 lbs
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3360 lbs
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50 lbs
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3500 lbs
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55 lbs
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3850 lbs
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65 lbs
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4550 lbs
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74 lbs
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5180 lbs
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101 lbs
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7070 lbs
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What type of steering should I choose?
First of all there are several types of steering to choose from. There is hand control, foot control, remote control, and even voice activated. Yes, that's right - voice activated. Believe it or not.
What it comes down to is your preferences and style of fishing. Some like the foot control because it allows for hands free control while fishing. While pulling in a big one you can maneuver your craft if necessary. If you are a no-frills type of person then hand control might be right for you. If you aren't a talker then I don't recommend a voice activated model. Fancy features aren't for everyone.
What length of shaft do I need?
First, that depends on whether you want a transom mounted motor or a bow mounted motor. If you go with a transom mounted motor then you need to know the distance from the transom to the waterline when your boat is loaded. You want to take that distance and add at least 20 inches to it. If there isn't a shaft in that size then round up. Let's say the distance is from the transom to the waterline is 10 inches. You then add 20 inches to that and the length of shaft you want is 30 inches.
If you want a bow mounted motor then you take the length from the top of the bow (where the motor would be mounted) to the waterline when the boat is loaded. You then add 20 inches to that number and then round up to the next longest shaft if you have to. So, if the distance from the bow to the water is 15 inches then you will add 20 inches to that. You come up with 35 inches but find that there is no motor for the brand you want with a 35 inch shaft. Therefore, all you have to do is round up to the 36 inch shaft. Simple, right?
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Bow to Waterline
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Shaft Length
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0-10 inches
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30 inches
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11-16 inches
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36 inches
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17-22 inches
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42 inches
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23-30 inches
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50 inches
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31-34 inches
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54 inches
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Battery chargers and testers
We do recommend having a battery tester so that you know how much power is left in your battery. Many people also like to have a battery charger.
