[JVesquire]

I have a 12' wooden sailboat I want to stick a trolling motor on to do some downrigging in some of our bigger lakes. Does anyone have any experience using one of these? I'd like to get some decent hours out of it and not drop a thousand dollars. I've been looking at the Endura Max 50 to give about the right amount of speed and time on the water.

[Chief Joseph]

If you are on a budget I frequently see trolling motors at pawn shops and they are nearly always open to haggling, but not sure what minimum size motor you will require. I recommend Pacific Power batteries for your power source, they have very compact deep cell batteries that work well.

[boot up]

I have heard the Russians have a lot of knowledge about trolling engines.....oh, never mind.....

[jackchinook]

I’ve used a number of electric trolling motors over the years, and currently own a 8hp Yamaha 4 stroke for a larger boat. Consider that you’ll need a honkin, heavy marine battery in addition to your Minn Kota (another $80-100). And that’ll have to go somewhere INSIDE your small boat. Not saying you SHOULD buy a 2-4hp gas motor but check em out. The 4 strokes are pleasantly quiet and not stinky. Most new small ones have an integrated gas tank on them and don’t take up room in your boat.

[Kat]

Have a Suzuki DF6 4 stroke we use as a trolling motor on our 14' boat and it is pretty loud to me, I always feel it is scaring off every fish within earshot lol. Got a bit more HP so it can be used as a backup in case main outboard fails, which came in darned handy once on Chelan limping back from Lucerne. Have a tiny electric trolling motor for our 9' sevylor raft, have caught a lot of fish surface trolling with it. Would love to have an Ulterra for the boat, but that's some major bucks.

[Chief Joseph]

I bought a golf cart-riding mower battery at Pacific Power batteries that is about half the size and weight of a traditional deep cell battery yet still provides plenty of power and good duration.