Douglasdzaster Loc: Smithville Texas

X2 with Min Kota and Motor guide. 55 lb is the largest one Min Kota makes that’s still 12 volts. After that you get into 24 volt motors which means the extra weight of another battery in your jon boat.
I have a Min Kota 55 lb tiller steer and it’s on it’s third boat. It’s chopped it’s way through weeds and so forth. I haven’t been easy on it.The boat it’s on now is a 16’ extra wide jon boat and it works great. Battery last all day. And in the wind it pulls the boat right a long. Never had a problem. I reversed the head and bow mounted it on this boat. Needless to say it’s been well worth the money.

Marygk46 Loc: Maryland

I don't know about any of the others, but in my experience Minn Kota has terrific customer support.

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Never heard of the Minolta trolling motor. Are they pretty expensive. I have a Terova by Minn Kota. It’s a spot lock 70 pound system and costs $4,000.00. That’s probably expensive for most people.

Drew Barrick Loc: Illinois

Thanks to all will look on market place and Craigslist for used first.

Douglasdzaster Loc: Smithville Texas

Minn Kota endura 50 lb. $219.99 at Bass pro. Great for a Jon boat.

drifter023 Loc: So,Calif.

Yes that’s what you need will work perfect and you will be glad you spent the extra bucks. You get what you pay for just saying 😁

stuco Loc: Northern Utah - Salt Lake City

Also, you may find a Black Friday deal and save a bit this month if you can’t find a used one.

Douglasdzaster Loc: Smithville Texas

And make sure you get a good DEEP CYCLE battery.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Have an ancient ('60's?) 12lb Eska, 2 30lb Minnkota's, a 55lb Minnkota and a 34lb Watersnake (the only new-to-me, that came as part of a PKG. from Sea Eagle).
While I have no boats over 14', all are 12v, all (but Watersnake) bought for less than $75, usually off Craigslist and have had zero probs with any and they move my boats with aplomb.
Would love to have "spot-lock", but the price is nowhere near worth the tariff they're asking ("Yeti" mentality, imo). For that price, I'll hire "a boy" to row, anchor, or whatever is necessary !

Everytime I hear of someone adding "toys" worth thousands of $$$ more than the worth of the boat itself, I'm reminded of my L.A. born and bred niece, who, back in the early '90's, had saved up nearly $20k for a new car.... quite an achievement for a 24yr old, to be sure....we were all so proud of her thrift and determination.
However.... the pride faded quickly when it was revealed that she had bought a new Hyundai for $8800.....and spent the entire rest of the money on window tinting (maybe $200+ ?) and......AN $11,000 STEREO !!!!
Yeah, it was cool that she could pop the hatchback (the back seat had been removed to provide space for the amps and speakers) and be the sound system for a block party, but thank goodness she lived in L.A., where it doesn't rain much..... since, while cranking it, she had to leave at least one window open a bit, for air pressure abatement..... the installer hadn't, when he initially tested it.........and
POPPED THE HATCHBACK WINDOW OUT COMPLETELY, AND ONE SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED !!!!

The family now refers to that mentality as a "Laurie-ism", I call it "walking past a dollar to pick up a dime.... 'cause it's SO SHINY !"
My Dad would say....."obviously more dollars than sense(cents)"

Try using 35amp hr deep cycle AGM "scooter" batteries, basically 6"x6"x8" and 22lbs (Duracell, $89 @ Batteries Plus).....carry two and STILL cut space and weight by half.
I have 4 of them on my 14' pontoon and have trolled all day and into the evening, 10+ hours, with the 55lb, and have yet to use the fourth one, rarely use the third.

Now is the perfect time of year to find bargains on lightly used trolling motors.
My 2¢.

Drew Barrick Loc: Illinois

Fixorfish: thank you for your knowledge and analogy of your niece’s car purchase 😳. Will take your advice. Much appreciated. 😊🐟

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

When you purchase the right tools for the job and they pay you back huge it begins to make sense rather quickly. I bought a $4,000.00 spot-lok system and made $30,000.00 with it in 5 months. That was three years ago. $90,000.00 on a $4000.00 investment makes pretty good sense to some of us. In my case I’m, now, walking past a lot of “cents” to pick up lots of dollars. Helps to be able to cast far enough to get to the fish from he bank on windy days too. 😉

Drew Barrick Loc: Illinois

👍

drifter023 Loc: So,Calif.

It’s only for a small Jon boat I think the 50# will work great for him.