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  1. #1
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    Is 80lbs thrust overkill?

    For an aluminum bass tracker (175) boat? Anybody using such a big TM now? Thanks

  2. Member
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    #2
    I have 80 # 60" shaft on my 17' bass tracker. Will do about 3mph

  3. Member RANGER487's Avatar
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    #3
    I had that on my old tracker and loved it never enough power can always turn it down

  4. Member Wayne P.'s Avatar
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    #4
    When first got a Tracker PT 170 TX, I put a Motor Guide TE 109 36V on it. Later changed to a TE 82 24V to reduce battery weight so stump hang-ups would be less. Now have an Ultrex 80# 24V and lithium batteries.
    No such thing as too much trolling motor power.
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  5. Member
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    #5
    Thank you guys for the info!

    I was worried that too much power would throw me off the boat.

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    #6
    Wear your life jacket, some people tip over easier. Bob
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  7. Member
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    #7
    When I had an RT178, it came with a 55lb TM and that was more than enough. Later I put an 80 lb on it and it was fine, definitely not overkill. But you can get by with less. Only time more power will be an issue is if it adds significant weight to the boat.

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  8. Scraps
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    #8
    Perfect.
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  9. Dogfish_Jones
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    #9
    If you fish in strong current like a river you will need it. You always will have the option to turn it down but it will only go so high.

  10. Member
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    #10
    Although it was a PT190, an 80# was perfect. I wouldn’t hesitate to put it on a 175

  11. Member
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    #11
    Thank you guys!

    Weight increase is mainly one additional battery ( to get 24v; could get around by using the crank battery though).

    Quote Originally Posted by contium View Post
    When I had an RT178, it came with a 55lb TM and that was more than enough. Later I put an 80 lb on it and it was fine, definitely not overkill. But you can get by with less. Only time more power will be an issue is if it adds significant weight to the boat.

  12. Member
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    #12
    Yes, always!

    Quote Originally Posted by bobcoy View Post
    Wear your life jacket, some people tip over easier. Bob

  13. Member Jeff Hahn's Avatar
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    #13
    I had a 12 volt 55 lb thrust MK TM on my 14 foot Lund. If the wind got up, I could hold position, but not move forward. I replaced it with a 24 volt 80 lb MK TM. Now, I can fight as big a wind or current as necessary with no problem. Too much thrust is like too much money or too much fun...ain't no such thing!
    "The man of system is apt to be very wise in his own conceit; and is often so enamored with the supposed beauty of his own ideal plan of government that he cannot suffer the smallest deviation from any part of it…He seems to imagine that he can arrange the different members of a great society with as much ease as the hand arranges the different pieces upon a chessboard.” Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments

  14. Member
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    #14
    Quote Originally Posted by BassTracker175 View Post
    Thank you guys!

    Weight increase is mainly one additional battery ( to get 24v; could get around by using the crank battery though).
    I don't think you would want to use the cranking battery or you would likely have interference issues with your electronics.
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  15. Member
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    #15
    We suggest not using the cranking battery for the second or third battery in a trolling motor series connection. Could cause some problems. Original question is no, 80# is not too much motor. With the variable speed you can adjust it to anywhere you want it, and the slower the adjusted speed, the less battery power used. Call us for a quote or to answer questions you may have.
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  16. Moderator Fishysam's Avatar
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    #16
    no because if you want the ultrex thats the minimun so it has to be
    Mercury 250 proxs 2B115089

  17. Member
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    #17
    You won't need group 31 batteries. I run a 80# ultrex on 2 group 27s.

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  18. Member
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    #18
    Thank you guys for sharing your thoughts!

  19. Banned
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    #19
    I put a tour 24v 80 on my dads crappy tracker. Water ski behind that thing,lol. No more wind worries.