Northwest Fishing Reports

I saw a New Min Kota on sale for $229 with a $60.00 mail in rebate from the factory, it has 55lbs thrust. 12 volt

#1 Sounds like a good deal ....or not ?
#2 Would it work for a 16ft. glass boat trolling motor?

Thanks for your input!

I found a site some time back that gave recommended thrust #'s for certain boat lengths. My boat is 19.5' fiberglass and I recall it recommending a 65# thrust model. I would guess that 55 would be good for you @ 16', but I'm no expert and have no experience since I only bought a used one over the winter that I haven't tried yet.

As for price, there's a guy on Spokane/Coeur d'Alene Craigslist selling a 65# Minn Kota for $395. It's a 24 volt, bow mount, if that helps give you any perspective.

SOme of the motors I've seen that large are 24 volt (you have to daisy-chain two 12's together), it's interesting that the one that you're looking at is a 12. Might not be a bad idea for a long day of trolling to have two batteries though. If they are building them as 24 volt there must be some need -- for torque and/or longevity?

UPDATED: Here's an interesting story I just came across re: electric trolling motors. Article: Choosing the right trolling motor

Per Bass Pro Shops:
"If your boat is 16-foot or smaller, a high-thrust 12-volt model will be adequate for the conditions that you will face. If your boat is any longer, moving up to a 24- or 36-volt system is the only way to go for hassle-free boating."

Sounds like a great deal..!!!

Thanks Cowboy, thats just the kind of info I was looking for! The new motor is a Transom mount which is what I need. I guess I could get a new battery & still only spend about $225 - $250.

I have a friend who has a 9.9 gas motor for sale but its $1000 dont know if I can spend that much right now!

A decent deep cycle and charger shouldn't set you too much further back.

Go with electric for now. It's within your price range and will allow you to buy a few extra pieces of tackle/equipment. gas motors are nice, but it depends on the places you are fishing...

You really can't go wrong with a minnekota trolling motor. I still have mine from 1999. It works like a charm, and I've never had problems. I run it off a deep cycle battery from Costco for $45.00 -- there are some great threads for talking about how to take care of your battery -- good luck!!

Kokonuts wrote:I saw a New Min Kota on sale for $229 with a $60.00 mail in rebate from the factory, it has 55lbs thrust. 12 volt

#1 Sounds like a good deal ....or not ?
#2 Would it work for a 16ft. glass boat trolling motor?

Thanks for your input!

Sounds like a good deal. Which model is it? Minn Kota makes three freshwater transom-mount motors: Endura, Vector, and Maxxum -- all of which have different features and prices.

Thats a great deal. Where at ??? hehe. That motor will get my 9 foot boat on plane ;)

Chris..... the Minn Kotas are on sale at the new Dicks Sporting Goods in Portland. The model that I am looking at is the endura 55 #s thrust.
I will be going back asap to buy one for my boat.

Thanks to everyone for the info!!..........Kokonuts

I just checked the Cabelas web site & they have the Minn Kotas listed with the rebate.

But they are about $20 more than the price at Dicks Sporting goods in Portland.

Chris have you been to there new store in Washington? I did have a chance to stop by on a recent trip to Seattle, its really
something to see!!

That's a pretty good deal. I run 40# thrust on my 16 footer. If you don't have a battery yet, I highly recommend Die Hard Deep Cycle and the die hard chargers. I have had my die hard batteries for four years now and I never run out juice.

I have the Endura 55 lb thrust. I'm a big guy and it pushes me and my 12 foot Smokercraft around no sweat. I have also used it on my Hewes craft 16 foot sea runner which is a heavy welded aluminum boat, and it has plenty of power to push me in it as well. They are great electric motors. Looks like Walmart sells the 55 lb thrust for 229.00 and the 50 lb thrust for 199.00. I didn't see a mail in rebate at Walmart so if you can get that as well you have found a great deal. Cabala’s has the 55 lb thrust for 249 to 254 depending on shaft length. Lastly, I checked Amazon.com for the Minn Kota 55 lb thrust and the cheapest they advertised was 254.00 for the 36 inch shaft. So the one you found for 229.00 not including the 60.00 rebate is a screamin deal. You won't be disappointed with it.

Here is a nice electric Le Jay a bit older but wrks fine... Check it out on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Outboard-Mo ... dZViewItem

I just bought a 45lb for a 12' aluminium Sears at Bass Pro shops for less than $200 including shipping...... Look on amazon.com and you might find one with free shipping. BTW... I could have got by with a 36lb but I hate fighting the wind.

Kokonuts wrote:I saw a New Min Kota on sale for $229 with a $60.00 mail in rebate from the factory, it has 55lbs thrust. 12 volt

#1 Sounds like a good deal ....or not ?
#2 Would it work for a 16ft. glass boat trolling motor?

Thanks for your input!

I just bought #50 lb thrust riptide Minn Kota built for saltwater. I only paid $260.00 for it. If you would like to know where I bought this motor just drop me a PM.