Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

I just got a 2010 tracker tournament V 18 bass boat with 115 Mercury optimax, it's an aluminum boat but has a bass boat layout, I fish big water (GTB, mullet lake, LSC etc) but also lots of inland lakes. The boat came with a 12 volt 55 lb thrust which definitely isn't going to cut it. I have plenty of room to add batteries, so I'm trying to figure out do I go with a 24 volt with 80 lb thrust, or go with a 36 volt which looks to be around 100 lb thrust? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!

24v Minn Kota Fortrex 80 !  I've seen this motor run 21 foot fiberglass boats for 8 hours in 3 foot waves!

24v 71lb thrust Motorguide works really well on my 21' Stratos.  36v seems a bit like overkill.  I didn't know you could get a 24v 80lb TM.  Guess I'll have to keep my eye out for a used one.

i would also say 24v. had both on my 18' and the 24 was more than enough. Main benefit of the 36 is that you get a  few more hours of run time but also have to carry around and extra 50-60lbs.

Also get a fortrex. my new boat had a motor guide digital and i remember why i gave up on MGs years ago. Heaviest darn motor in the world to stow/deploy. Might as well be throwing a 20lb anchor and bringing it in every time you go to the front. Fortrex are effortless.

Yeah they look pretty nice with the lift assist...how long of a shaft should I look at, 45 or 52 inch? the one on there now is a 42 and there was some chop on the water fishing on LSC and the TM occasionally would pop up out of the water...which is annoying...

Mine is 52.

I have a 18.5ft boat and I have the 80lb fortrex. Had a MG digital before... fortrex does much better in weeds.

Get the longer shaft. 45 inch is too short for big water unless you like the sound of the trolling motor breaching all the time! :D