The best trolling motors for pontoon boats are electric motors that move slow-moving boats. Most fishing boats, including inflatable pontoons, make use of trolling motors because they allow them to traverse water without disturbing fish nearby.
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Best Pontoon Boat Trolling Motors
All the trolling motors we’ve listed as the best are great for moving your pontoon boat more quietly through different bodies of water and environmental conditions.
They’re all exceptional in different kinds of weather and give you a lot of power and torque. Check them out!
1. Newport Vessels NV-Series Electric Trolling Motor
The first on our list is the Newport Vessels NV-Series, which is a trolling motor for saltwater boats that are small to medium in size. It can push up to 55 pounds as maximum thrust, has 8 speeds, and has an ergonomically designed 6-inch telescoping handle that makes it easier to control. This comes with a deep cycle 12-volt lead-acid battery.
In addition, the NV-Series has a composite fiberglass shaft that’s 30 inches long and is made to last and guaranteed to resist corrosion. The motor has a transom engine mount that’s adjustable, so the height can be customized to your personal preference.
A two-year warranty is included in the purchase of this particular trolling motor to give you peace of mind about its quality and protect your purchase as well should the engine break down.
For decades, Newport Vessels has been making some serious trolling motors for a reasonable price. We like that they have great customer service whenever you need help or encounter a problem. It shows that they care and are dedicated to their customers.
2. MotorGuide 940700160 Xi3 Bow Mount Trolling Motor
One of the popular motors currently on the market is the MotorGuide Xi3 bow mount trolling motor, and it’s for a very good reason. The Xi3 can push up to 55 pounds (maximum thrust) and has digital variable speed controls. It also has a 3-blade “Machete” propeller that makes it easy to get through kelp beds. It has a 12v deep cycle lead acid or lithium battery.
The Xi3 trolling motor also has a 36 inches long composite shaft that’s made to last and resist rusting. This motor is made to run throughout the day without getting too hot or making disturbingly loud noises that will scare the fish away.
It’s easy to put away as well, which saves you both time and effort. You just need to step on its secure step lever, then the motor will fold down so it can be stored in any small space.
That’s not all. It also has an LED dashboard screen that shows how the propellers are working, the GPS status, as well as how much battery life is left. It’s a great option if you’re looking for an innovative and removable trolling motor for a pontoon boat.
3. Watersnake Venom Electric Motor
Next on our list is a 34-lb motor with a 2-blade propeller. The stainless-steel weedless propeller makes for a smooth and quiet ride across the water, whether you’re trolling or just standing still in the water to cast.
The 34lb model has a 30-inch shaft and it is great for pontoons, canoes, kayaks, and inflatable boats. There’s also a 55-lb thrust model with a 3-blade propeller, which is perfect if you have a larger boat.
All Venom SXW motor shafts are made of a composite material that’s extremely strong and made to be used in both fresh and saltwater. The tiller handles can be extended to give you more options, comfort, and control.
A saltwater electric motor that’s lightweight, relatively cheap, and built to last like the Watersnake Venom is definitely one of the best trolling motors for pontoon boats. This motor is safe to use in freshwater, brackish water, or saltwater because it has a protective coating and is made of stainless steel and composite parts that don’t rust.
4. Minn Kota 1358737 Trolling Motor
Minn Kota 1358737 Powerdrive is yet another solid choice if you want an ergonomic freshwater trolling motor suitable for small to medium size pontoon boats. This particular model has a 55-lb max thrust and a 54-inch shaft. It’s capable of starting and running 2,500-lb boats easily even when fully loaded.
Take note: This unit isn’t cheap at all, but that’s because it has a lot of incredible features and extras that will make fishing fun and easy.
One of the features is an easy-to-use foot pedal with a cord that’s 18 inches long so you can position the pedal wherever you want on the boat. The pedal is made to make it a lot more convenient and easier for you to move your boat around. It has a variable speed setting that lets you change the speed from 0 to 10.
The motor already comes with nuts, bolts, and washers for a quick and easy setup. It needs two 12v batteries and they don’t come with this motor’s purchase so buy them separately.
5. Pexmor Electric Trolling Motor
This 46-lb thrust trolling motor has a lot of power, a very detailed indicator for battery life, and a nylon bracket.
The 46-lb Pexmor Electric Trolling Motor may be a little more expensive than some of our other top picks, there’s so much to like with this one, especially its unique and rugged design. Not to mention the powerful force it’s able to generate.
Everything about this trolling motor, from the adjustable handle to its aluminum head, looks and feels very well made. It certainly looks like Pexmor has done everything they could to make the trolling motor perform and last in saltwater.
As an added bonus, its 3-blade propeller ensures efficiency in traveling across water, plus the LED energy supply display tells you a lot more about your trolling motor battery’s health than other models in the same price range.
6. Aquos Haswing Black Trolling Motor
The Aquos Black Haswing Bow-Mount Trolling Motor comes with both a foot pedal and wireless remote control. It’s an electric trolling motor that can be used in both fresh and salt bodies of water. The engine can push up to 55 lbs. as max thrust and can go at different speeds.
The AQUOS Haswing is available in both black and white and has a 54-inch composite shaft that protects the metal parts with a sacrificial anode. This ensures durability and resistance to corrosion.
As mentioned earlier, one of the best features of this trolling motor is the wireless remote control that lets you control it even when you’re 160 ft away.
There’s also a depth collar, which you can use to quickly change the depth while keeping the trolling motor right where you’d want it to be. The only thing we thought was an issue with it is the very limited warranty.
7. Cloud Mountain Electric Trolling Motor
This electric trolling motor for pontoon boat has every quality and feature a good motor should possess. The Cloud Mountain has a thrust range of 36 to 86 lbs. and can be used on small to medium boats. The fact that its hardware can be used in salt water makes it even more worth considering.
On fresh or saltwater, you can rely on it because of how well it was built. But, it’s good practice to run fresh water over the motor every time you’ve used it in the ocean.
This motor is very durable with the Reinforced Nylon Bracket that’s well-built and resistant to ablation. The motor will last longer than the aluminum head. The adjustable and rust-resistant shaft is manufactured out of a fiberglass composite material.
The shaft is relatively short, being only 28 inches long. It’s best to use it only in shallow waters. You won’t run out of power in the middle of the ocean because of the 10-point LED battery life indicator.
8. Techdorm Electric Trolling Motor
Last on our list of the best trolling motors for pontoon boats is the Techdorm Trolling Motor, specifically engineered by the manufacturer to operate well even in the harsh conditions of the sea. It has an extendable handle and LED battery life indicator. The motor also has an aluminum head and a copper core that keep it from rusting.
The motor has 8 speed options plus the 6-inch telescopic and ergonomic handle makes every ride much easier to control. The 10 lights on the LED dashboard show how much power on the battery is left. Take note: the motor doesn’t come with its required 12v battery.
We particularly like that the angle and depth of the Techdorm trolling motor can be changed just by pressing a button. This means you can change the angle of the shaft to better fit different water conditions.
The guaranteed satisfaction warranty is a great add-on to the purchase. Should the trolling motor fail in meeting your needs and expectations, you can simply ask for a refund.
How to Pick the Best Trolling Motors for Pontoon Boats
If you bear these factors in mind when purchasing a pontoon trolling motor, you won’t be disappointed:
Pontoon Motor Shaft Length
Measure the length between the waterline to where you plan to install the trolling motor to determine the right length of your pontoon motor shaft. After that, add 18 inches.
If you want the motor to be at the bow, measure the distance from the bow to the waterline to determine the ideal motor shaft length. Add 22 inches since the bow is much higher than the rest of the boat, necessitating a longer shaft.
Consider the conditions of the body of water you’re in as well when you’re choosing between the best trolling motors for pontoon boats.
You don’t need the longest shaft length if you’re traveling on lakes, rivers, and ponds that are typically serene the majority of the time. For choppy waters, though, a quite lengthy motor shaft is the ideal option.
Type of Control
If you want to buy a trolling motor but don’t know exactly where to start because you’ve never bought one since, remember that one of the crucial aspects to consider is the type of control.
The type of control may be by hand, foot, autopilot, or co-pilot. You can select which one to purchase based on your individual needs and budget.
Small boats, such as skiffs, rowboats, and Jon boats, use hand-controlled motors. Large boats, on the other hand, require foot-controlled motors.
So, the form of control will depend on what kind of motor your boat should be using. Hand-controlled motors cost the least and are the easiest to use. The other types cost a lot, but they have more high-tech features.
Weight of Your Boat
When determining the pontoon boat trolling motor most suitable for you, you should also think about how heavy your boat is. How much thrust a pontoon boat needs will depend on how big it is.
Big ones need more thrust than small boats do. If you don’t know your boat’s weight, you can’t be sure what kind or size of trolling motor to buy. The weight must include how many people your boat can hold (carrying capacity).
If you have a pontoon boat that weighs 3,000 lbs. when it’s full, the general rule is to divide the said weight by 100 and then multiply the quotient by 2.
Power
How much power the pontoon boat needs is based on how big and heavy it is. The power will depend on the size and voltage of the battery.
There are three configurations for the power of trolling motors: 12v, 24v, and 36v. One battery runs a 12-volt motor, two batteries run a 24-volt motor, and three batteries run a 36-volt motor.
A 24v or 36v motor is needed to move a big boat e.g. a fishing boat. A 12v motor is enough for small boats e.g. inflatable pontoons, canoes, and kayaks. Because 24v and 36v motors are more powerful than 12v motors, they cost more.
Saltwater or Freshwater
If you want to fish or cruise on both fresh and salt bodies of water, you need a trolling motor made for saltwater. Mostly because it’s made with parts that don’t rust or break down when exposed to saltwater.
You can’t use a motor made for freshwater use in saltwater; however, you can use your trolling motor made for saltwater in freshwater. If you want to buy a trolling motor for saltwater, you have to know it will cost more than one that’s for freshwater as it will have more rugged construction and durable materials.
Saltwater motors for trolling are made with materials that don’t rust or corrode and are coated for added protection. It’s because of these safety and protective features that they cost a lot.
The best trolling motors for pontoon boats are ones that are multi-purpose. Although you may need to invest, they are worth every penny as they are guaranteed to last.
Handle
Even though the handle might not seem like a big deal, if you’ll be out for the whole day, you’ll have to steer a lot. When that happens, the handle starts to matter and has a big effect on how the prop moves underwater as well.
Most handles have a body that can be stretched out and collapsed. Make sure that it’s easy to manage and comfortable for you to hold. The most comfortable ones are those that are ergonomically designed
Mounting Position
You may be wondering, what’s the best trolling motor mount for pontoon boats? It is you who have to decide where to mount your trolling motor.
Which one you choose will depend on how long your pontoon boat is and how much space it has. Each type of trolling motor has its own set of pros and cons.
Keep in mind, though, that pulling a pontoon through water is easier than pushing it. It’s also easier to move the bow from side to side than it would be to move a pontoon’s stern.
So, a bow-mounted trolling motor is better for boat control than motors that are mounted on the back or of the boat.
Bow Mount
A bow mount is set up on the front part of the boat, which is called the bow. Anglers like a bow-mounted trolling motor because it lets them control the boat more precisely.
This is the best type if your boat is over 14 feet long and has available space on the bow. This kind is controlled by a hand tiller, a hand-held remote control, and in some cases, a foot pedal.
Bow-mounted motors may, unfortunately, be not the best choice for you compared to transom-mounted motors because they are much harder to install, plus they cost more.
Also, this kind of trolling motor for a pontoon takes up more space on the deck than similar motors that are mounted on the transom.
Transom Mount
When you use a transom-mounted trolling motor, you clamp it to the back of the boat.
If your boat is less than 14 feet long, like an inflatable pontoon or canoe, choose a trolling motor that attaches to the transom. Sailboats, which use sails as their main source of thrust, also use transom mounts a lot.
Anglers who make use of the basic trolling method can get a lot of use out of an electric transom motor. Because of this, this kind is commonly seen on fresh bodies of water where only electric motors are allowed.
Engine Mount
This kind of trolling motor goes on the cavitation plate that’s on an outboard motor, as its name suggests. The best trolling motors for pontoon boats that are engine-mounted can each fit on the lower unit of an inboard motor.
With an engine-mounted trolling motor, you can control an outboard with more accuracy. To steer, you can use the wheel or your hands. You use a wired remote to set the thrust and change the direction of the motor.
Choose this kind of trolling motor if your boat is multi-purpose and doesn’t have sufficient space for the traditional trolling motor. With this motor, you don’t have to worry about extra drag as it’s only submerged whenever the engine is switched off.
Due to how the motor moves the boat, this particular type tends to be more challenging to manipulate than the others. It also costs more and has fewer features to offer than a bow mount motor.
Conclusion
The best trolling motors for pontoon boats are awesome because they can turn your boat into one strong, fast-moving marine vessel.
When you do find one suitable for your own pontoon boat, you’ll always look forward to fun and exciting fishing trips.
If you want to enter fishing tournaments, it can be very helpful to have a good trolling motor that you can count on. The best one we’ve found is the Newport Vessels NV-Series as it offers both reliability and performance.
Never skimp on quality when it comes to trolling motors. You might end up with an inferior product that will only last you a couple of seasons instead of years on end.
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