Another Trolling motor question

I have a 17.5 Duracraft all weld boat that came with a 12v MinnKota
44/AT trolling motor. It is a five speed motor and I use it on "4" all
the time because "3" is about like watching paint dry and "5" is too
fast generally. The boat and 50 hp Yamaha and all equipment weighs
less than 1000 lbs I imagine.

I would like to get to "3" being my most of the time speed. I am
trying to decide between a MinnKota Maxxum 55 12v and a MinnKota Maxxum
70 24v. The difference in price is about $100, plus $300 for a two
bank charger and two new batteries at around $100 each.

So, it will cost me an extra $500 on top of the $569 for the 55# thrust
motor.

I hate to go up to a 24v motor, but don't want to end up with a 55 that
is not noticeable better than the 44 I already have.

Anybody out there using the Minn Kota 55 edge or maxxum? If so, what
kind of boat and are you satisfied with it?

Any other thoughts?

Just get a variable speed motor, then find the setting that works for you.
Keep in mind that more thrust available is always a good thing, even if it's
only there if you need it.

WW

wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a 17.5 Duracraft all weld boat that came with a 12v MinnKota
44/AT trolling motor. It is a five speed motor and I use it on "4" all
the time because "3" is about like watching paint dry and "5" is too
fast generally. The boat and 50 hp Yamaha and all equipment weighs
less than 1000 lbs I imagine.

I would like to get to "3" being my most of the time speed. I am
trying to decide between a MinnKota Maxxum 55 12v and a MinnKota Maxxum
70 24v. The difference in price is about $100, plus $300 for a two
bank charger and two new batteries at around $100 each.

So, it will cost me an extra $500 on top of the $569 for the 55# thrust
motor.

I hate to go up to a 24v motor, but don't want to end up with a 55 that
is not noticeable better than the 44 I already have.

Anybody out there using the Minn Kota 55 edge or maxxum? If so, what
kind of boat and are you satisfied with it?

Any other thoughts?

WARREN WOLK wrote:
Just get a variable speed motor, then find the setting that works for you.
Keep in mind that more thrust available is always a good thing, even if it's
only there if you need it.

WW


I have had a hand control variable speed motor, but never a foot
controlled one. How do you control the speed on a foot controlled
variable speed without it being difficult to use?

Piece of cake big-guy, there's generally an easy to use dial right on the
foot pedal. You can change speeds with your foot too...

WW

wrote in message
ups.com...

WARREN WOLK wrote:
Just get a variable speed motor, then find the setting that works for
you.
Keep in mind that more thrust available is always a good thing, even if
it's
only there if you need it.

WW


I have had a hand control variable speed motor, but never a foot
controlled one. How do you control the speed on a foot controlled
variable speed without it being difficult to use?

I have had a hand control variable speed motor, but never a foot
controlled one. How do you control the speed on a foot controlled
variable speed without it being difficult to use?


I have enough trouble controlling direction with my foot, much less
speed at the same time. I did call a local expert and they said
it was a knob just like the fixed speed one on the 5 speed models. He
said it was not free wheeling so it stays on the level you put it on.
That makes since. Plus with the variable speed model you get there
patented maximizer technology that extends trolling time on one charge.

Unless somebody says that they have had a bad experience with the 55, I
think that is the way I will go.

Thanks

wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a 17.5 Duracraft all weld boat that came with a 12v MinnKota
44/AT trolling motor. It is a five speed motor and I use it on "4" all
the time because "3" is about like watching paint dry and "5" is too
fast generally. The boat and 50 hp Yamaha and all equipment weighs
less than 1000 lbs I imagine.

I would like to get to "3" being my most of the time speed. I am
trying to decide between a MinnKota Maxxum 55 12v and a MinnKota Maxxum
70 24v. The difference in price is about $100, plus $300 for a two
bank charger and two new batteries at around $100 each.

So, it will cost me an extra $500 on top of the $569 for the 55# thrust
motor.

I hate to go up to a 24v motor, but don't want to end up with a 55 that
is not noticeable better than the 44 I already have.

Anybody out there using the Minn Kota 55 edge or maxxum? If so, what
kind of boat and are you satisfied with it?

Any other thoughts?

I've been your route, however with a 17' Tuffy Bassin' Marauder (fiberglass)
boat. It came with a 55 lb. thrust, 12 volt motor. It was a good enough
motor, but I found that I was running the battery low before I was done
fishing! Yes, the battery was a good one, yes I did charge it faithfully
every time I returned from fishing, but still, it didn't last as long as I
wanted it to. I bit the bullet and swapped the system for a 24 volt and
have never regretted it! I don't think you'd really notice too much
difference between the 44 and 55 lb. models.

I would go with a 24 volt system, it will give you FAR longer battery life,
plus I'd rather have too much power and not need it than to need the power
and not have it. It's amazing how quickly you can drain a battery if you're
fighting wind, and/or heavy current! The stronger motor will allow you to
run at your desired speed at a much lower setting (thus being less of a
drain on the battery system) than the lesser model.

The prices you're quoting for batteries and an onboard charger seem a tad
high. I'm sure if you shopped around, you could do much better. The last
deep cycle batteries I had to buy cost me $65.00 each, so both batteries
cost barely more than you're saying one will cost. BassPro has a Dual-Pro
onboard 20 amp charger for $219.00. Cabelas has reconditioned MinnKota
Maxxum 74's for $659.00 and I believe that they carry a full factory
warranty. It might not cost you as much as you think to upgrade to 24 volt
and more power. It just takes a little bit of shopping and investigation.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

wrote in message
ups.com...

I have had a hand control variable speed motor, but never a foot
controlled one. How do you control the speed on a foot controlled
variable speed without it being difficult to use?


I have enough trouble controlling direction with my foot, much less
speed at the same time. I did call a local expert and they said
it was a knob just like the fixed speed one on the 5 speed models. He
said it was not free wheeling so it stays on the level you put it on.
That makes since. Plus with the variable speed model you get there
patented maximizer technology that extends trolling time on one charge.

Unless somebody says that they have had a bad experience with the 55, I
think that is the way I will go.

Thanks

No, no real problem with a 55. Its just that I have been so much happier
since I started "over powering" on the trolling motor I could never go back
to a 50 except my on a little basshunter or something like that.

I run an 80lb on a 16' jon boat and its great. Can almost plane on high,
never has a problem in wind, and even some of the fast banks aren't enough
to keep me back except in the fastest high water conditions.

In the TM world bigger is better.


--
Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com

wrote in message
ups.com...

I have had a hand control variable speed motor, but never a foot
controlled one. How do you control the speed on a foot controlled
variable speed without it being difficult to use?


I have enough trouble controlling direction with my foot, much less
speed at the same time. I did call a local expert and they said
it was a knob just like the fixed speed one on the 5 speed models. He
said it was not free wheeling so it stays on the level you put it on.
That makes since. Plus with the variable speed model you get there
patented maximizer technology that extends trolling time on one charge.

Unless somebody says that they have had a bad experience with the 55, I
think that is the way I will go.

Thanks

P.S. I would definitely go with a variable speed. I have had two set speed
motors, and the variable speed is so much nicer. Flipping a bank in current
I can always adjust it to run at exactly the speed I want to do the job.
Same with wind, and the knob moves a lot easier. No kicking the knob to
change speeds like on a 5 speed.


--
Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com

wrote:
I have a 17.5 Duracraft all weld boat that came with a 12v MinnKota
44/AT trolling motor. It is a five speed motor and I use it on "4" all
the time because "3" is about like watching paint dry and "5" is too
fast generally. The boat and 50 hp Yamaha and all equipment weighs
less than 1000 lbs I imagine.

I would like to get to "3" being my most of the time speed. I am
trying to decide between a MinnKota Maxxum 55 12v and a MinnKota Maxxum
70 24v. The difference in price is about $100, plus $300 for a two
bank charger and two new batteries at around $100 each.

So, it will cost me an extra $500 on top of the $569 for the 55# thrust
motor.

I hate to go up to a 24v motor, but don't want to end up with a 55 that
is not noticeable better than the 44 I already have.

Anybody out there using the Minn Kota 55 edge or maxxum? If so, what
kind of boat and are you satisfied with it?

Any other thoughts?

I run a 17.5 foot G3, that I'm sure is not much different from your
duracraft. I run a 50 pound variable speed with maximizer MK on it, and
have more than enough power. Further, I run a group 30 battery, and even
though I fish a lot of 200 to 500 acre lakes with horsepower
restrictions where I must fish 'electric only' and use it as my primary
motive force as well as a positioning tool, I have never gotten more
than half way deep into a charge with it. If I ever have to replace this
motor, I'll replace it with a 55 on general principals, I would never
consider going 24 on this boat.

Nobody else has mentioned it, but first you could try a different prop. I
picked up a prop called a Kipawa and I love it. A friend of mine suggested
it. Supposedly you get more power and speed and more efficiency at the same
time. I do have a 24 volt system but I definitely noticed more speed and my
batteries seem to be lasting fine. I think it ran me about $40, might be
worth a try.

Rich P

Here's the link:

http://www.kipawapropellers.com/