Small Craft Battery?

Nick Nikon

Shopping for a trolling motor battery.

Online retailers are heavy with AGM models from China and Vietnam.

Do they hold up well, or is it penny-wise & pound foolish to go that route?

Our 15 ft square ended antique Scanoe only weighs 90 pounds.

The motor, also antique, is a Minn Kota, 28 pounds thrust + "maximizer" circuitry.

Do we need 100 AH, or a Group 24 unit, to avoid running it down too far, too often?

Or, can a 55 AH or 70 AH battery do the job with lower weight & lower cost?

Duracell has a Group 24 with 70 AH, a traditional Lead/Acid unit, for about $100.

The weight is about the maximum we're looking for, about 45 pounds.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Alex from GA

A group 24 will last all day with a 28 lb trolling motor if you don't run it full blast.  I guess it depends how often you'll be charging it how many amps you'll need.  A deep cycle battery is a must for trolling motors.  They'll last much longer when charged every time you come home.

John McKroid

I had a 90ah agm vtank for a 24lb water snake trolling motor.   It was too little for me, I want to run at full speed, and would not even get 2 hours with that.  Some day when lithium ion gets cheaper, will revisit.  If the motor is only run for bursts in slow, it can last many hours, but that's just not my type of fishing.  Good luck with your decision.  Ebay has some good deals on that type of stuff. 

Nick Nikon

Thanks for the feedback.

I'll check E-Bay ... had been checking Amazon, some E-retailers, and even Wally-World.