The design and manufacture of the modern electric trolling motors that are available on the market today using the latest electronic technology and quality materials have made these motors very reliable, durable and affordable.
There are many to choose from, but as with most products, some are better than others. On average, when reading customer reviews, about five out of ten buyers will give the same item a four to five star rating (which gives me confidence), then two or three other buyers will give it three or two stars ( these guys seem to have legitimate reasons to complain, so it’s not a train wreck yet), but then there are at least one or two people who completely tear it apart (lessening my faith in the product).
However, when I read between the lines, I wonder if these scumbags actually bought or even saw the item, but maybe they have their own agenda where they’re promoting something similar.
From experience and what I’ve learned from talking to professional anglers and other boaters who use these motors that are built to take a lot of abuse, you can be sure they will give you years of trouble-free boating pleasure. I had a saltwater trolling motor that was stored in an old leaky shed in my garden for many years without any attention, but every time I used it, it responded flawlessly, as did my trusty dog, a Jack Russell named Salty , who absolutely loved going fishing.
Here are 5 positive reasons to get involved with trolling motors
1) Because they are very quiet, easy to use, and environmentally friendly, they create minimal disturbance to other boaters, local wildlife, and those lucky enough to live on the banks of waterways.
2) They are lightweight and easy to install or remove. Stern-mounted motors are available for smaller boats and kayaks, and if you want absolute maneuverability or have a larger boat, a bow-mounted motor is required.
3) They are available with different levels of thrust, battery power and shaft lengths to suit all the different boats and environmental situations you may encounter.
4) Great to use on your boat for stealth fishing, they silently take you to those fishing hot spots that are normally impossible to reach without scaring the fish you’re trying to catch. Whether you’re fishing in shallow water, deep water, or heavy brush, these motors won’t let you down.
5) To control your boat, you can choose between manual steering, foot steering, or autosteer electronic steering, ie co-pilot, autopilot, or GPS iPilot. These features will take care of your boat to allow you to seriously focus on your fishing. The latest iPilot with GPS takes trolling to a whole new and exciting level.
some negative reasons
1) The biggest downside is the fact that unless it’s set up so you can charge your batteries on your boat, you’ll have to remove them for recharging and for safety reasons if your boat is left tied up or chained to a tree. Lugging them into the car after every ride, especially if there are two or three, can be a bit of a hassle. If you’re using a single 12 volt battery then it’s a no brainer.
2) If you’re looking for enough power to tow the kids at speed behind the boat on a tube or ski, then forget about getting one because it won’t go anywhere.
3) If you want higher thrust engines, you will have to carry the additional weight of two or three heavy marine batteries. Make sure you have room for them and if your boat is small the weight won’t affect your performance.
4) Good batteries are expensive, but if taken care of they should last four to five years. Since you’re not spending money on gas, this cost is a negative.
It is important to use a manufacturer recommended circuit breaker installed in line with the wiring from the trolling motor to the battery. Don’t skimp on getting a cheap inferior brand.
I have no doubt that once you have had your first experience with one of these motors, just like the fish you are catching, you will be hooked.
