How Much Do Electric Trolling Motors Weigh?
The weight of an electric trolling motor depends on a few factors. For example, a motor rated at 30 lbs of thrust will weigh less than one rated at 110 lbs of thrust.
You should also think of the overall weight of the setup to include the batteries when making your calculations. Here’s a quick snapshot of what you’ll learn in this article:
At a Glance:
1️⃣Weight depends on several factors, with thrust and power being the primary determinants.
2️⃣On average, a trolling motor without a battery weighs around 22 lbs. However, including the battery, the weight can increase by approximately 50 lbs, leading to an overall system weight of roughly 70-75 lbs.
3️⃣Apart from thrust, other factors influencing the weight of a trolling motor include power or voltage, construction materials, shaft length, advanced features and technology, and specific design considerations.
The weight of an electric trolling motor can also be affected by the size of motor you need. Now let’s get into the details!
⚖️ Weight and Thrust
| Thrust Level (lbs) | Trolling Motor Model | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 30-40 | Minn Kota Endura C2 | 17 |
| 40-50 | Minn Kota Endura C2 | 19 |
| 40-50 | Newport Vessels NV-Series | 20 |
| 40-50 | MotorGuide Xi3 | 16.5 |
| 50-60 | Minn Kota Endura C2 | 24 |
| 50-60 | Minn Kota PowerDrive | 24 |
| 50-60 | MotorGuide Xi5 | 19.8 |
| 50-60 | Garmin Force Trolling Motor | 35 |
| 60-70 | Minn Kota PowerDrive | 27 |
| 70-80 | Minn Kota Traxxis | 24 |
The tables above give you a good idea of what to expect at various levels of thrust. The observant among you may have noticed that the Garmin Force weighs considerably more than the more powerful motors. Why is this?
The weight of a trolling motor isn’t determined solely by its thrust level. Several factors can influence the weight, and some of these include:
⚙️ Trolling Motor Weight Factors
We touched on this above, but let’s look at the factors that contribute to the weight, such as thrust, power, and size.
Thrust
Higher thrust levels generally lead to more substantial and heavier motors. For instance, a trolling motor with a 30-pound thrust would be lighter than a motor with an 80-pound thrust.
This is because higher thrust motors usually have larger internal components, adding to the overall weight. Understanding how electric trolling motors work can provide insight into their weight.
Power
The power or voltage of a trolling motor impacts its weight. Motors come in 12V, 24V, and 36V options.
Higher voltage motors weigh more because they need multiple batteries, increasing the total setup weight.
Thus, a 36V or 24V electric trolling motor, requiring more batteries, is heavier than a 12V motor powered by a single battery.
Construction materials: Like aluminum, stainless steel, or composites also impact weight. Premium motors may have a better weight-to-thrust ratio due to lighter materials.
Shaft Length: A longer shaft will generally increase the weight of a trolling motor. The Garmin Force, for instance, is available in 50 and 57-inch shaft options, which are longer than many other models.
Features and Technology: Advanced features and additional technology can also add weight. For example, the Garmin Force is a high-end trolling motor with built-in features like wireless connectivity, integrated sonar, and autopilot functionality, which may add to its weight.
Design: Some motors are designed for specific types of water or boats and may be heavier due to additional reinforcements or specialized components.
🔋 Battery Weight and Types
The type of battery used in an electric trolling motor setup significantly impacts the overall weight. Here’s a deeper look at the three common types of batteries:
Lead-Acid (Wet-Cell) Batteries: These are the most common and least expensive batteries. They are heavy due to the lead and liquid electrolyte inside, typically weighing between 45-60 lbs.
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Batteries: These are sealed, maintenance-free batteries that provide better performance and a longer lifespan than wet-cell batteries. They’re slightly heavier, typically weighing between 60-70 lbs.
Lithium-Ion Batteries: These are the lightest and most efficient but also the most expensive. They typically weigh between 25-40 lbs.
Electric trolling motors require batteries to operate, and the type and weight of the battery can affect the overall performance and handling of the boat.
| Battery Type | Popular Models | Average Weight (lbs) |
| Lead-Acid (Wet-Cell) 45-60(lbs) | Interstate SRM-29, VMAXTANKS V35-857 | 52.5 |
| AGM (60-70lbs) | Optima BlueTop D34M, VMAXTANKS XTR27-110 | 65 |
| Lithium-Ion (25-40lbs) | Dakota Lithium 12V 100Ah, Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery | 32.5 |
Switching from a lead-acid to a lithium-ion battery could potentially reduce the overall weight by 20 lbs or more. However, there are also other factors to consider, such as cost, lifespan of the trolling motor, and performance.
🛥️ Boats and Compatibility
When it comes to choosing an electric trolling motor for your watercraft, ensuring compatibility is key.
Different types of small boats have varying requirements, and it’s important to select a motor that meets those needs in terms of weight, thrust, and shaft length. So let’s explore the compatibility of electric trolling motors with kayaks, canoes, and inflatable boats.
Kayaks
Kayaks generally require lighter trolling motors due to their small size and limited capacity. Electric trolling motors around 15 to 20 lbs are suitable for kayaks, as they won’t weigh down the vessel too much.
When it comes to thrust, a general rule of thumb is to have at least 2 lbs of thrust for every 100 lbs of a fully-loaded kayak, including passengers and gear. Most kayaks will find motors with 30 to 50 lbs of thrust to be more than adequate to meet their needs.
Jon Boats
Here’s a general guide for determining the appropriate trolling motor thrust levels for a Jon boat. Many fall within the 10-16 foot range.
- 10-12 feet: These are relatively light and may only require 30-40 pounds of thrust.
- 12-14 feet: These are a bit heavier and may require around 40-50 pounds of thrust.
- 14-16 feet: These are larger and may require anywhere from 50-70 pounds of thrust.
🔑 Key Takeaways
You need to consider both the thrust of the motor you want to buy and the batteries you’ll use to power it. Here’s a recap of what to remember:
1️⃣ The battery type significantly impacts the overall weight of the trolling motor setup. Lead-acid batteries are the heaviest, AGM batteries are slightly lighter, and Lithium-Ion batteries are the lightest but most expensive.
2️⃣ Different types of boats have varying requirements for trolling motors. Kayaks usually need lighter motors, while the required thrust for Jon boats depends on their size.
3️⃣ Switching from heavier battery types like lead-acid to lighter ones like lithium-ion can significantly reduce the overall weight of the setup, potentially improving performance.
