How big an electric?

[Bill Monroe]

So, I've got $600 worth of coupons for West Marine, the closest dealer for the Motor Guide saltwater series electric, which I'm told is the way to go for my sled.

I want it for smaller lakes (kokanee) and sneaking around bass spots in my 19-foot windshield Willie Predator. It also will go on my driftboat, since I've given up the heavy kicker on that one.
I already have a kicker on the sled. this will be on and off the other side of the transom.

Question is this:

Is the 71-pounder enough, or do I need an 82 or even higher?
Both are 24-volt, so I know I'll need two batteries.

Thanks for the help...

[Boat Doc']

71 is enough but you would probably be happier with the 82. My 2 cents anyway.

[Laserman]

I have used a high thrust modified Minn Kota exclusively for all my trolling for the last 6 years on a very heavy 16 foot wild hair sled.It pushed it fine (Max spped about 4.8 MPH) and with 4 batteries it would last for about 7.5 hours of hard trolling. The most important thing I can pass on to anyone is get your self some Optima Batteries to run the motor with. I have Tried them all and the optima have had no premature failures.All other AGM Style batteries have let me down. You can expect to get about 250 discharges (uses) before failure and they take the hard pounding batteries seem to get in a boat. What motor are you getting?

[Bill Monroe]

A guide friend told me Motor Guide saltwater series was the way to go.

[rob allen]

there is only one right answer... the biggest one you can get

[Coastalfisherman]

:yeahthat:

[timinthegorge]

:yeahthat: yup, I would think it's like any other propulsion system on the boat, the bigger the better. It'll give you more power when conditions are marginal, and when you need to move in a hurry.... Just My :twocents:

BTW Bill..... Loved your play by play on the meeting the other day. :cheers:

[HOOKUP]

I have the 101 and its nice I would have went with the 82 for the 24 v system. having 3 deep cycles adds some serious weight. I hardly run my batteries down at all though. Mine is a minn kota maxxum and its been nothing but great. The new max pro looks like the ticket