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going to buy a trolling motor and was wondering if there was that much diffrence between a 70lb and80lb thrustbesides $350.looking at a minnkota ripetide.

All other things being equal -- and 70 pounds thrust capable of doin' tha job -- only difference is $350! Where were you shoppin'? What Models?

skinnywater wrote:going to buy a trolling motor and was wondering if there was that much diffrence between a 70lb and80lb thrustbesides $350.looking at a minnkota ripetide.

What kind of boat is it going on?

Depends, is one 24v and the other 12 or are they both 24?

SORRY FOR THE LACK OF DETAILS.21 FOOT FLATS BOAT 1995 ASTRO.LOOKING AT A RIPTIDE SP WITH COPILOT IN THE 70lb AND THE RIPTIDE ST WITH COPILOT 80lb.I HAVE ALWAYS JUST DRIFTED BUT WOULD LIKE TO START FISHING THE BARS AND GRASS AREAS AND AROUND BOAT DOCKS.

BOTH ARE 24V

For $350.00 less I would go with the 70lb if it is 24v

I just stumbled upon a very helpful feature on Cabela's site. Go to: cabelas.com and navigate to trolling motors, then to something like "Choosing a trolling motor." Their TM expert has some good basic information that I'd looked for online but hadn't found 'til then (yesterday). I've been a long time Cabela's satisfied customer and they send me their catalogs so I'd looked in their Boating & Marine catalog which prompted me to visit their site. I'd also recommend a visit to a local marine dealer for even more detailed information.

Personally I'd go with the 80#, you never know when you'll need that extra 10# of thrust.

You are going to want that extra 10# of thrust, if not more. An underpowered trolling motor isnt a bargin at any price.

I just got a 80# rip tide on my 18' alum boat and love it, I dont think I would want anything less though.

Bigger is often better but not always. I chose a 55 lb. thrust Minn Kota for a 16' bare-bones G3 that I'm going to keep super light and this TM is 12 volt (one battery and hand control) so it'll pull its weight (light) in the low weight theme as well. I'm done with lard-@$$ boats loaded down with tons o' unnecessary stuff. Back to the basics! Not even seats (boat cushions on bench seats -- me and buds will be standin' and chunking with jus' a few poles each and small tackle boxes and just one small ice chest (middle seat has a small live well) and I want the 20hp pull-start tiller 4-stroke Yammie and its 3.1 gal. gas can to have only a light load to pull, out and back to da ramp! Max weight is 920 lbs. and I want to keep it just a bit over 700 with even 3 onboard -- closer to a bit over 500 lbs. with 2 which would be the rule.

55# is fine for a light boat like you are talking, but you may regret the pull start 25. 25s can be a pain to pull and 4 strokes haven't really come all that far. A cracking battery for a small motor doesnt weight much. I watched this very scenario on the lake the other day with a new 25hp 4 stroke. It didnt look like it was pulling all that easy.

As far as TMs go, a 55# 12v on my 18' alum center console couldnt keep up with a fast current or strong wind. With a 24v 70#, its fine, but I could see even more. A 21' fiberglass boat might even need a 36v tm.

grim reeler wrote:55# is fine for a light boat like you are talking, but you may regret the pull start 25. 25s can be a pain to pull and 4 strokes haven't really come all that far. A cracking battery for a small motor doesnt weight much. I watched this very scenario on the lake the other day with a new 25hp 4 stroke. It didnt look like it was pulling all that easy.

As far as TMs go, a 55# 12v on my 18' alum center console couldnt keep up with a fast current or strong wind. With a 24v 70#, its fine, but I could see even more. A 21' fiberglass boat might even need a 36v tm.

Boat dealer says 55 lb. thrust is fine for 16' G3. Pull start Yammie is a 20hp. Dealer says it pull starts easier than a 21" lawn mower -- it has a compression release! You gotta get out more often! It pays to get ya information from those who make a living at riggin' 'em up!

Boat dealer says 55 lb. thrust is fine for 16' G3. Pull start Yammie is a 20hp. Dealer says it pull starts easier than a 21" lawn mower -- it has a compression release! You gotta get out more often! It pays to get ya information from those who make a living at Sell'n em! [/quote]

Fixed it!