Trolling Motor thrust

[TimM]

I recently had the opportunity to work with Johnson Outdoors on production of a particular prop for their MinnKota trolling motors. I suspect that most of us that have a 24V or 36V MK motor probably have this prop on their motor...maybe 12V too... but I don't know about them for sure.   The primary objective of the work we were doing was to increase the nominal output thrust for this prop as a function of the manufacturing process used to make them. For frame of reference we were really only looking for about a 1.5-2% increase in thrust.

Here's what I found interesting and thought I'd pass along.  We carried a few of props we'd made into Johnson Outdoors test facility for evaluation before the shipment of test samples arrived....mostly just for "touchy feely" samples for them to see.  The guy carrying the props dropped one in the parking lot which produced a very minor ding on leading edge of the prop. When the test engineer at Johnson Outdoors saw the part, without hesitation he said there's no need to test that one...it will fail the thrust test. He went on to cite examples of several instances they've seen over the years where seemingly very minute things had a significant effect on the thrust output of the motor.

I immediately thought about all the nicks and dings I've seen on the props of my trolling motors over the years and couldn't help but wonder how much they had degraded the thrust on my t/motors.  I've always operated on the premise of the prop had to be really messed up before I'd go get a new one...might have to rethink that one!  Thought you guys that are running t/motors might like to know this too.

[MikeA]

You should see the Trolling motor on my Supreme . It's a living testament to the durability of MinnKota. Of course I've replaced just about every part on it including the armature but it's still working. They are awesome motors and worth every penny.

[Steve H]

Amen to that Mike.

[TimM]

I've had multiple MG and MK T/Ms as well as some others when I was much younger.  Just based on my own experience I have to agree that the MKs are great motors.  Heck one time I had a guy back his boat into the bow of my boat in FL at the dock and literally break the T/M off the front of my boat. I was able to finagle out a way to reattach it to the bow just so I could have a T/M for the rest of my trip and the dang thing still worked fine - other than the bracket part. 

Anyway - back to the intent of the post....if you find yourself wanting a bit more thrust from your T/M in current and your prop is banged up you might give some serious consideration to replacing it - it could produce as much as a 10% +/- increase in output.

[jkilday4]

good tip; thx

[bd]

I only have a 40 lb. thrust Minn Kota on my Gheenoe (a pretty light boat), but at full power on a fully charged battery, it'll just about whip me off the front casting deck if I hit the foot control without my balance being secure. 

Maybe I need to ding the prop up more.

bd