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Best Trolling Motor for Pontoon Boat in Fresh and Saltwater

Are your trolling motors causing too much noise and vibrations?
Does your motor fail to run frequently or doesn’t it work at a certain speed? Does your rotor coil keep damaging? 

Well, almost all the pontoon boat owners face these problems and many of them spend a lot of money on repairs. But you don’t need to worry anymore. You are at the right place where you will find a solution to your every problem regarding your best trolling motor for pontoon boat.

Best Trolling Motor for Pontoon Boat

In This Article

Trolling Motor for Pontoon

Here, I will not only give you a brief but in-depth idea about different parts of the trolling motors but also discuss the pros and cons of the popular trolling motors available in the market now. Some common technical problems that you may encounter will also be discussed here so that you can save both your time and money and don’t mess up in the end.

Which is the Best Trolling Motor for Pontoon Boat?

While buying my trolling motor, I have researched a lot of brands and models. Here, I have come up with a detailed review of a few of my favorite brands and models of trolling motors. I hope from this review; you can know which is the best suitable model for your ultimate boating experience.

Minn Kota Endura Transom Mount Trolling Motor

Minn Kota Endura C2 50 Freshwater Transom Mounted Trolling Motor (36″ Shaft)
  • Lever Lock Bracket: This solid 10-position bracket features a quick-release lever lock and reinforced composite material that resists flexing, warping, and UV damage
  • Telescoping Tiller: Get easy, comfortable, intuitive operation of your trolling motor with the six-inch telescoping tiller.
  • 5 Fwd/3 Rev Speed Settings: Five speed settings for forward and three speed settings for reverse.
  • Power Prop: For 3-1/4″ motor diameters, this prop delivers extra power to push throw heavy vegetation. Includes prop pin, nut and washer.
  • Indestructible Composite Shaft — for Life: At the core of your Minn Kota trolling motor is an indestructable composite shaft. It’s a Minn Kota exclusive, and we it for life.

Whether you go for fishing or spend some fantastic time on the deep blue sea, you will need to be equipped with the proper instruments. One of the most basic types of equipment for your boat is the trolling motor. Choosing the best trolling motor for your boat, you can get a lot of advantages while fishing. And one of the best trolling engines in our list is Minn Kota Endura Transom Mount Trolling Motor.

This trolling motor comes with the perfect length. It helps to maintain the propeller submerging in the different water conditions. It comes with ergonomic designs and superb control system for your boat. As the battery doesn’t make extra sound, fishes don’t get away with the sound of it. For the greater control and grip, it both has forward and reverse speed control. The weight of this trolling motor is not much, so it doesn’t create weight issues on your boat. 

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Newport Vessels NV-Series 46lb Thrust Saltwater Trolling Motor

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Newport Vessels NV-Series 46lb Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Trolling Electric Trolling Motor w/ LED Battery Indicator & 30″ Shaft
  • Efficient power: 46lb Thrust – this 12v electric trolling motor provides excellent power and efficiency for any boater. The high quality build allows the motor to run all day long without overheating, or making noise to spook fish.
  • Features: This motor features a 30 inch shaft, a 5 LED battery meter, a 6 inch telescoping tiller handle, and 3 blade propeller. The mount angle, height, and direction can all be adjusted and locked into place when needed.
  • Speed: 8 speed motor, 5 forward & 3 reverse. Motor is designed for trolling, with a top speed of 3.5mph, exact top speed depends on boat shape, weight, water, wind, & other factors. 3 blade prop provides great low end torque to get the boat moving.
  • Battery: 46lb motor requires one (1) 12V Lead-Acid Deep Cycle or Lithium Deep Cycle battery (not included), 50ah recommended. Motor also includes a 40amp circuit breaker, recommended at all times to protect from battery voltage surges. Max Amp Draw: 40A

If you are someone who loves to stay in the water all day long, you should buy Newport Vessels NV-series Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted motor with a 46-pounds thrust. This motor can stay cool in the water for a long time. Its noise-free feature has given it the ultimate attention of the fishermen. 

This 46-pound thrust can power the boat in the muddled water and other types of obstacles. The handle of this trolling motor is telescoping kind of and can go out to 6 inches distance. It also has several speed control options making it suitable for any condition in the water. You can also see the charge of the motor on the LED display. It is also ideal for the saltwater as it is made of quality components. 

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MinnKota Edge Bowmount Foot Control Trolling Motor

This trolling motor is designed for the anglers who need a high-quality motor at a reasonable price. It is a reliable motor that comes with inexpensive up-gradation. It is available in different motor sizes, and all of them provide you five forward and three reverse speeds.

The anodized aluminum arm is used in this motor for rock-solid stowing. You will also get a safe and secure storage option as the latch and door designed, enabling the feature. The ergonomic design of the foot pedal ensures proper speed control for your boat. If you need extra power to push your boat more for getting fishes, you can have this option with this motor.

It comes with a directional indicator that will help you get the direction of the places you are heading. You will also get a lifetime warranty of indestructible composite shaft and two-year factory warranty for all other parts.

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Minn Kota Maxxum Bowmount Trolling Motor

Minn Kota 1368640 Maxxum Bow-Mount Trolling Motor with 5-Speed Hand Control & Bowgaurd, 80 lbs Thrust, 52″ Shaft, Black
  • Minn-Kota trolling motor, Mounting hardware, Owners manual, card
  • Bowguard 360 degree mount breaks away on impact
  • Illuminated direction indicator to know right where you’re headed
  • Anodized aluminum mount is built out of extruded adodized aluminum
  • Latch and Door design for easy removal

Minn Kota is one of the leading and oldest manufacturers of trolling motor in the world. Minn Kota Maxxum is their top-quality trolling motor. Those who are looking for a durable and quality trolling motor can go for this. This engine is a bow-mounted and can cut through freshwater without making noise, which doesn’t scare fishes. The driver can run for a long time for the high-quality digital maximizer included in it.

This trolling motor comes with bow guard 360 degrees. It has a dual-density system which helps to eliminate noise. You can now go on a more extended fishing trip without being worried about power usage. It comes with three-speed motors which minimize the power consumption. After setting the speed, a digital maximizer can reserve battery power. 

You will also get a hand or foot control option on this trolling motor. Installation and up gradation of this motor is incredibly easy. You will get a lifetime warranty for the composite shaft and a two-year warranty for the other parts.

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Cloud Mountain LBS Thrust 8 Speed Electric Trolling Motor

Cloud Mountain 36/40/46/50/55/60/86 LBS Thrust 8 Speed Electric Trolling Motor for Fishing Boats Saltwater Transom Mounted with Adjustable Handle
  • 【Powerful and Durable】: Reinforced Nylon Bracket ensures high strength, good ablation resistance and good dimension stability. Durable all aluminum head increase the service life of the motor.
  • 【Ergonomic extendable handle】: 8 Speeds and 6-inch Telescoping adjustable Handle (5-sp forward & 3-sp reverse) puts total control at your fingertips for a smooth and easily controlled ride.
  • 【28-inch Fiberglass Composite Shaft】: High tensile strength and corrosion resistance adjustable shaft allows for proper depth placement in all water conditions. 28” shaft is more suitable for sitting.
  • 【10-Point LED Battery indicator】: Battery indicator protects the batteries, and it is convenient to observe how much electricity is left.(battery not included)
  • 【Stainless steel Hardware】: Saltwater compatible hardware make the motor can run perfectly in saltwater or freshwater.

This is a unique motor suitable for both freshwater and saltwater boat. It comes with a battery indicator which shows how much charge is left for running the boat. This motor is made of high-quality stainless steel, so it is almost corrosion resistant and has high durability. It also has a reinforced nylon bracket, which provides extra strength, resistance, and stability. 

It comes with a 6-inch handle, which is adjustable and provides you a superb grip. It also gives you a great ride. It has a total of 8 speeds where five speeds are forward, and three rates are reverse. You will get complete control in the water with these motors.

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Newport Vessels Kayak Series Saltwater Electric Trolling Motor

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Newport Vessels Kayak Series 36lb Thrust Transom Mounted Saltwater Electric Trolling Motor w/ LED Battery Indicator (24″ Shaft)
  • Kayak Shaft: 24-Inch Fiberglass Shaft Allows For Variable Depth Placement, While Offering A Lifetime Of Dependable Performance
  • Variable Speed: 8 Speeds (5 Forward & 3 Reverse) With 6-Inch Telescoping Handle Puts You In Total Control Of Your Ride
  • Saltwater Rated: Durable All Aluminum Motor Head W/ Corrosion Resistant Magnesium, Zinc, And Stainless-Steel Hardware For Saltwater Use (Lead-Acid Dc 12V)
  • Extra Long Cables: 5’6″ Battery Cables Allow For Versatile Battery Placement For Optimal Weight Distribution (Battery Not Included)

This is an ideal trolling motor that has 30-inch fiberglass. It can be adjustable with proper depth placement in all types of water conditions. The 6-inch handle is adjustable in different depth of water. It allows you to catch fishes comfortably underwater. You can experience a smooth and controlled ride with this motor as it has five forward and three reverse speed options.

It comes with a 5-point LED battery, which indicates the charge level of the battery. It is made of Zink, stainless, and magnesium, which have made the motor most suitable for both saltwater and freshwater.

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Minn Kota Terrova 55 Bow-Mount Trolling Motor

Minn Kota Terrova 55 Bow-Mount Trolling Motor with Universal Sonar 2 and i-Pilot, Includes Foot Pedal (55-lb Thrust, 45″ Shaft)
  • Easy to Stow and Deploy
  • Universal Sonar
  • Waterproof, low profile foot pedal
  • Pre-Installed i-Pilot gives you unprecedented boat control
  • Two Year Warranty

This trolling motor is a little bit different than the others. It uses GPS to track down the way of fishing. It comes with active cruise control, which enables us to run advanced autopilot, steering, command of speed, and so on. 

Those who look for the high power, efficiency, and speed on the water can go for this motor. With the help of this motor, you can go to any location without making a noise. So, catching fish is not trouble anymore. This motor can support even the big boat on the water.

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Buying Guide

If you are wondering what the best trolling motor for a pontoon boat is or what size trolling motor do, I need for a pontoon boat, here is all the necessary information that can come to your help.

 

  • Thrust:

Your trolling motor needs to have a strong thrust to move the boat properly. The thrust is measured in pounds and its weight should be according to the weight of the boat itself. For every 100 pounds of the boat the motor needs at least two pounds of thrust. Also, both good materials and sturdy housing are required for thrust and that’s why an aluminum or steel motor is best suited for the motor. Besides, in the case of housing, it should be sealed properly so that water can’t enter it.  

 

  • Prop:

To propel the pontoon properly, you need this feature which is responsible for handling water and cutting under-water weeds, grasses or marshes, etc. Props may differ depending on the blade they contain. You might find a prop with two or three blades. Sometimes, the blade may also have curves in it so that they become more functional. You can also take these blades off and clean them.

 

  • Handle:

It is something that might seem less important and most often we tend to overlook this part. But it is as important as any other part of your boat. It is responsible for controlling the whole boat. The handles are found in different materials and depending on your choice you can choose any until it serves your purpose properly.

 

  • Securing Feature:

Your trolling motors for pontoon boats need to be secured properly either with a clamp or any other fastener so that you can prevent shaking. You can even tighten this up according to your requirements. For this purpose, a series of levers can be useful. To mount the motor properly you need to align it evenly so that it can move down perfectly in the water. You should also check occasionally after the installation so that your boat remains secured.

 

Mounting Position: Be it a bow mount, motor mount, or transom mount, most of the motors will be set at the transom. It makes sure that the power would move evenly from the motor. Some models can also be installed on the bow but most motors nowadays, are supposed to be at the back of the bat which is known as a transom.  

 

  • Shaft:

The shaft is that part of the trolling motor which goes under the water from the pontoon of your boat. The shaft needs to be long enough to work properly and its length depends on the distance from the back part of the pontoon up to the waterline. For example, if the distance between transom and waterline is about 10 inches, your shaft should be about 30 inches.

 

You may also find shafts that are adjustable according to your needs. If you want to use shafts in multiple boats, this can be good for you. Also, remember to check the material before buying the shaft, because the material is also important in this case.

 

  • Speeds:

When it comes to speed you should know that the trolling motors are capable of handling a limited amount of speed. Most motors can provide you a speed of 10 miles per hour. So, if your motor can handle a speed limit of five forwards and three reverse, then it is perfect for your boat to move.   

 

  • Voltage:

The pontoon trolling motorboat must be linked to a proper marine battery. The required battery power depends on the voltage readout. But in most cases, this required power is 12-volt. To link the battery to the motor, wires are used which you will get with the motor. In the case of larger motors that have more thrust total, need more voltage. You must place the battery close to the motor so that the connection is easier to handle. You must watch your setup carefully to check if your motor works properly.

 

  • Water Condition:

You should also consider the water condition when buying a boat because based on the water you should choose the metal of your boat. So, the body of the boat should be good enough to handle both fresh and saltwater. You should check the specifications to know whether the boat is capable of handling saltwater or not.

 

  • Warranty:

Although most of us know about this fact, still some of us make the mistake of not checking the terms and conditions related to the warranty the company provides with the warranty. In the case of a warranty, an average of a few years will work perfectly. But you also need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions so that you can get service from them. For example, if you try to modify your motor, the warranty will not work.

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What are the reasons to buy a trolling motor?

Pontoon boats are becoming more popular these days to the people. From fishing to doing any water sport, this boat has a lot of versatility. But before getting the trolling motor, you need to know why you should get it and which purpose it serves to run the pontoon boat.

  • For extending your range

If you don’t want to get along in the sore and want to surf in the whole lake or sea, you should get a trolling motor. Trolling motor will help you go further smoothly. You can get a paddling feature on the kayaking boat, but it will not allow you to go far in a short time. Moreover, you will get tired too quickly for paddling or rowing. So, if you want to extend your range with the pontoon boat, you need to get a trolling motor.

  • For faster movement

You can go to the fishing spot faster if you have got a trolling engine. If you are an early bird but can’t go to the fishing spot on time when the sun rises or sets, you should get a trolling motor. You can reach any place faster if you have a trolling motor installed in your boat.

  • Practicing for a tournament

If you are someone who takes part in a fishing tournament, you will always get the advantage of having a trolling motor. Though the trolling engine is not allowed in most the fishing tournament, still have it, you can be prepared for the tournament. With the trolling motor, you can concentrate on finding out the point where you want to hit for finding out fishes. It will give you extra benefits on the tournament day.

  • Get a broad idea about the lake

It is essential to know about the lake if you want to get as many fish as possible. Fishing in a new lake is always tricky. To catch fish, you should know about the depth and structure of the lake accurately. Trolling motor makes your task easier.

  • A necessity for the aged angler

Paddling or rowing is severe for the aged fisherman. Trolling motor is much helpful for those who have age and health issues but want to go fishing because they love to.

  • Managing wind

The wind is a significant issue when it comes to boating or kayaking. Wind can make you not hold on to the right position, which is essential for fishing. A trolling motor is the best option for managing wind and control your boat even in rough weather.

So, these are some reasons you can consider convincing you of buying a trolling motor for your pontoon boat.

Final Verdict

So, a trolling motor is an additional unit which adds to the boat as extra propulsion. For the detailed precision on the boat, this boat is used. With the help of this motor, the angler can reach the exact location of fishing easily. However, the pontoon boat, generally, doesn’t come with the trolling motor. So, the fishermen need to find out the right brand and attach it to the boat for more functionality. Hopefully, our detailed guide will help you to choose the best trolling motor for your pontoon boat.

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Picture of John Engle
John Engle

As of: 11th July, 2021 (Updated)

John is a boating expert and has his pontoon boat. He has two of these boats, one for teaching or recreation and another with an ocean tour. He helped us to gather all the information for creating this article.

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