Early Talk Motors

[SWODM3]

I know its a bit early but I am thinking of picking up an electric motor this spring. Im not looking for anything to crazy but a decent motor that will push my 12 foot aluminum around for a day is the desired outcome. So what size and brands are you guys strapping on your boats?

[Willowtrail]

Minn Kota, somewhere around a 55 lb should do you wonders. Get one with the digital maximizer and it will run longer. Also get a big group 27 deep cycle battery and you should be happy. I like the Costco batteries

[jpohlic]

I have a Minn Kota Endura 45 on mine and it will go most of a weekend on one charge of a costco deep cycle battery. Decent speed with 2 people in the boat

[huntin'fool]

Minn Kota, somewhere around a 55 lb should do you wonders. Get one with the digital maximizer and it will run longer. Also get a big group 27 deep cycle battery and you should be happy. I like the Costco batteries

Exactly this
My Costco batteries have outlived any other brand I've purchased

[Deep]

Yes, from experience the only Minn Kota to get is the "Maximizer". Its internal electronics provide 4X or more the life of your battery. Their others-"Endura" work well but devour the time you would enjoy......

[bubba 96]

I have a 14 ft tinny and I use a 33, it will last me most of the wknd, however I have a 20hp unit to get me to the spots I bounce and troll in...

I got the bass pro version 89 bucks..

[EZM]

Minn Kota, somewhere around a 55 lb should do you wonders. Get one with the digital maximizer and it will run longer. Also get a big group 27 deep cycle battery and you should be happy. I like the Costco batteries

X 5 - just to underpin good advice.

That's exactly what I'd do.

[Pierre]

I've had a 30 for my 12' and it worked fine, but recently upgraded to a 40 Endura Max.

I took the following quote from Minn Kota's website a few years ago.

"In general you want to have as much thrust as possible for the times when you run into wind and current. The rule of thumb in choosing thrust is to take the total weight of the loaded boat and divide it by 70. For example, if your boat with people and gear weighs a total of 3500 lbs you will then divide that by 70. That means that ideally you should have a motor with at least 50 lbs" of thrust

Motor Thrust Total Weight
30 lbs 2100 lbs
36 lbs 2520 lbs
40 lbs 2800 lbs
42 lbs 2940 lbs
44 lbs 3080 lbs
48 lbs 3360 lbs
50 lbs 3500 lbs
55 lbs 3850 lbs
65 lbs 4550 lbs
74 lbs 5180 lbs
101 lbs 7070 lbs

[7magtime]

I have an older Minkota 55 lb for my 12'. It'll get 2 adults/2 kids with gear around fine. If we're out for extended periods I throw a 2nd back-up battery in as well....

[SWODM3]

Thanks for the help everyone I have had my eye on a few motors so this narrows it down!

[cube]

I know its a bit early but I am thinking of picking up an electric motor this spring. Im not looking for anything to crazy but a decent motor that will push my 12 foot aluminum around for a day is the desired outcome. So what size and brands are you guys strapping on your boats?

Willowtrail's advice is bang on. One thing you might think about is what type of sonar/sonar system you have or plan on having. MinnKota works well with Humminbird but others work better with different motors. Eg I have Lowrance electronics but a MinnKota motor and the two will not communicate with each other. Not a big problem but I can't use all the functions of the motor is all.

Good luck with what ever you get