Trolling motor recommendations

[MIScott]

Looking for a trolling motor for the 18 Fisherman. Not sold electric vs gas yet.

I'm thinking electric I really need a 24V 70# thrust. How big gas motor do I need to troll at max 3mph? Do you just bolt some kind of bracket to the transom to allow for a kicker motor OB mount? I was thinking it might be nice to have a little 4-stroke kicker.

[smokeonthewater]

Gas 7.5-10 hp

Yes bolt on a kicker bracket

[MIScott]

OK....so I'm seeing a number of motors out there that seem like they'd work - any recommendations on shaft length minimum?

[Stinky_Hooker]

I had a 70# minn kota on my 18 and worked fine. 60" shaft


Buy as much trolling motor as you can afford. I dont mean you need a 101 on that boat or anything but much like maxing the HP on a boat you will never be out fishing one day and say "I wish I hadnt got this much power on reserve".

I have an 84# motorguide on my little 16' skiff and Ive never wished it was smaller...not once. Wind and tides have caused me to use every bit of it, many times. In addition Im not charging batteries every trip. I can get several trips out of mine without pushing them too low because 90% of the time that motor pushes my boat with ease.


I would also recommend Motorguide over MK, I feel like they are better made and our local trolling motor repair shop thats been around longer than Ive been alive will confirm that.