How Many Watts Does a Trolling Motor Use

By David Chavez
February 4, 2022

The average trolling motor is rated in amps, not watts, but to convert that into a wattage value you will need to know the voltage of your trolling motor. Trolling motors are either 24 volts or 36 volts. For example, if an electric trolling motor uses 20 amps at 48 volts, the total draw is 960 watts (48×20).

Trolling motors can pull from 100-400 watts or more depending on what type of fish are being targeted and how deep you are troll fishing. To choose the right size trolling motor for your boat it is important to know how much power you need before heading out on the water since it isn’t easy switching out small vs. large trolling motors once you’re already on the water.

While some go for heavy-duty batteries that run at 24 volts or 36 volts, others consider the size of the boat, how often they will be out on the water, and how easy it is to take off and put back on.

Deep Cycle Battery

A deep cycle battery for trolling motors are rechargeable lead-acid batteries that are specifically designed for deep discharges, many times referred to as marine, gel cell, or plow trolling motor batteries.

Deep cycle batteries offer a wide variety of benefits over standard wet cell batteries including longer service life and a greater number of charge/discharge cycles. The major drawback is that they are normally more expensive than their standard counterparts.

On average a 12V 3.5AH deep cycle battery will last around 7 hours.

Trolling Motor Battery Capacity

A larger battery capacity will give the angler more hours on the water before needing to recharge but with that comes an increase in weight and cost. Generally speaking, the higher the amp/hour (AH) rating is, the longer you can stay out on the water without needing to recharge your battery.

Other factors such as voltage and an average depth of fishing also have to be taken into consideration when choosing the proper deep cycle trolling motor battery.

Watts Used Based on Pounds

30 lb Thrust Trolling Motor

A 30pound thrust will use roughly 8 watts in a 12V system.

112 lb Thrust Trolling Motor

A 112-pound thrust trolling motor will use roughly 100 watts in a 12V system.

Watts used Based on Brand

Watts Used for Minn Kota

The average number of watts used on a Minn Kota is 33 amps.

Watts Used for Newport Vessels

The highest forward speed for a Newport Vessels trolling motor is rated at 624 watts.

Watts Used by Type of Motor

Transom Mount

The average watts used by a transmount mount is 23 amps. A transom mount trolling motor is mounted on the back of a boat and uses an electric wire to connect to a battery.

The transom mount trolling motors have a fixed front and back so it can be difficult to turn at faster speeds.

Bow Mount

The average watts used by a bow mount are 43 amps. A bow mount trolling motor will use more power than a transom mount since the transom is typically 20-30% of the boat’s total drag.

For example, if your trolling motor pulls an average of 100 watts driving it towards the water at 2 mph and 10 watts backing up, driving it away from the water would require roughly 1240 microwatts or .012 amps.

Bow Mount vs. Transom Mount Trolling Motors

Transom mounts are best for smaller fishing boats and canoes while bow mounts are designed for larger boats with deeper drafts such as bass and drift boats that need to pull their weight through big waves and windy conditions.

Bow mounts tend to be more expensive than transom trolling motors but many consider them well worth the extra cost due to their increased power and ease of use.

Recommended Battery Size for Trolling Motor

The recommended battery size for a trolling motor is usually either 12 or 24 volts.

12 Volt vs. 24 Volt Trolling Motor

A 12-volt system will only use roughly half the battery power than a 24-volt system would and therefore, they usually come at half the weight and price. The downside of running a 12V trolling motor is that it has less torque which typically means slower speeds and can’t push as large of a boat without draining your battery more often.

A 12V trolling motor may however be right for you if you fish from smaller vessels such as kayaks or canoes since they don’t require much power to get into position. If you’re fishing from larger boats such as drift boats, bass boats, or Jon boats then you should consider getting a 24-volt trolling motor instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a Higher Thrust Trolling Motor Go Faster?

A higher thrust trolling motor will not necessarily go faster. The speed of the boat will depend on many factors such as hull design, weight, gear ratio, propellers, etc.

How Long Will a Fully Charged Trolling Motor Battery Last?

A fully charged trolling motor battery will last between 3-10 hours depending on the amp/hour rating of the battery, the voltage, and the number of batteries.

Can a Car Battery Be Used for An Electric Trolling Motor?

Car batteries are not recommended to use for electric trolling motors since they are not designed to be repeatedly discharged and recharged by a motor.

How Often Should I Charge the Trolling Motor Battery?

It is recommended that you should your trolling motor battery every time after you use it and before storing it.

The best way to store a trolling motor battery is by fully charging it, disconnecting the battery from the boat, and putting it in a cool dry place such as your basement or garage.

How Long Does a 35 Ah Battery Run a Trolling Motor?

A 35 Ah battery on a trolling motor runs for about 4-5 hours depending on the amp/hour rating of the battery, voltage, and the number of batteries.

What Wire Size Do I Need for a 24-Volt Electric Motor?

You will need a 4 gauge or larger wire to connect a 24-volt electric motor.

What Size Do I Need for My Minn Kota Trolling Motor Battery?

The recommended size for a Minn Kota trolling motor battery is either 12 or 24 volts.

Final Thoughts on How Many Watts Does a Trolling Motor Use

A trolling motor uses watts to run. The size of the boat it is powering will determine how much power the trolling motor needs. Bow mounts are typically used for larger boats while transom mounts can be found on smaller boats such as kayaks and canoes. Both bow and transom mount trolling motors come in 12 and 24 volt systems.

The more power a trolling motor uses, the more amps it will require. Typically 12 volt systems are half of what a 24-volt system would be requiring. Once fully charged, the battery life of the trolling motor can last up to 10 hours depending on the size of the boat and the number of batteries used.

David Chavez

I love blogging anything and everything related to fishing!. Much of my background comes from Freshwater fishing, but I'm also pretty decent when out in the ocean. My goal is to help other anglers better their skill-sets with proper guides, and just have fun doing so.