Deciding on whether to buy a 12v or a 24v trolling motor depends on how much power or thrust your boat needs.
And a general rule when choosing a trolling motor for your boat is to have 2lbs of thrust for every 100lbs.
Typically, trolling motors are measured or rated using what is referred to as pounds of thrust.
So if you have a boat that weighs 3500 pounds that is fully loaded, to know how much thrust you need, you simply divide 3500 by 100 and then multiply the result by 2.
So essentially, the weight and size of your boat should help you figure out how much thrust you need. And once you have you that figured out, you’ll know whether to get a 12v or 24v trolling motor.
Both of these motors have their differences. A 12v trolling motor is easier to use and it’s less costly than a 24v trolling motor. But on the flip side 12v trolling motors have less run time than 24v trolling motors.
Another major difference is that a 24v trolling motor has more output in terms of power than a 12v trolling motor.
So if you plan on fishing on a lake or river that doesn’t have current, you don’t need much thrust. And in that case, a 12v trolling motor is more than adequate.
But if you plan on fishing on a lake or another large body water that has current or strong winds, you need a 24v trolling motor since its able to power your boat in rough conditions without a problem.
It does not matter how small or big the boat is if you are dealing with strong winds, currents, or waves, you need a trolling motor that has a high thrust.
12v trolling motors can only provide up to 55 pounds of thrust, which is not adequate to power a boat through rough conditions. A 24v trolling motor can provide up to 90 pounds of thrust, which is enough to power a boat through harsh conditions.
So the fishing conditions are also a major factor when deciding whether to buy a 12v or a 24v trolling motor.
The other thing you need to keep in mind is that trolling motors use batteries to run. A 12v trolling motor requires only one battery to run.
A 24v battery requires two batteries to run. And trolling motors use deep-cycle marine grade batteries. So don’t go buying any other type of batteries as they may not work.
Lastly, consider how much money you are willing to spend. Trolling motors don’t cost the same. As mentioned before, 12v trolling motors are a lot cheaper than 24v trolling motors.
You also need to factor in the cost of the batteries you need to run the trolling motor of your choice.
But don’t focus too much on the cost because technically if you have a big boat, a 12v trolling motor would not be ideal.
You need a bigger trolling motor to power a big boat, which means you need to spend more. There are different brands out there. Some more expensive than others.
If you are on a budget, be keen. Get as much information as you can before making a decision.
