If you have a larger boat, or you like to fish in more challenging waters, then you need a more powerful trolling motor.
Many trolling motors are 12-volt, meaning they operate off of one 12-volt battery. Other trolling motors are 24-volt, and still others are 36-volt.
There are a number of benefits of using a 24-volt trolling motor, including a higher thrust capacity, inexpensive wiring, and greater efficiency. 24-volt trolling motors not only provide more power than 12-volts, they also last longer between charges.
So, what are some of the best 24-volt trolling motors on the market?
Glad you asked!
Keep reading for reviews of our top five 24-volt trolling motors.
Table of Contents
- What to Look for When Buying a 24-Volt Trolling Motor
- Top 3 Picks for You
- 24-Volt Trolling Motor Reviews
- 1. Best Thrust: Newport Vessels NV-Series Transom Mounted Trolling Motor
- 2. Quiet Power: Minn Kota Edge Bow Mount Trolling Motor
- 3. Good for Saltwater: Cloud Mountain Transom Mounted Electric Trolling Motor
- 4. Best Steering: MotorGuide X3 Bow Mount Trolling Motor
- 5. Most High-Tech: AQUOS Haswing Cayman Bow Mount Electric Trolling Motor
- Conclusion
What to Look for When Buying a 24-Volt Trolling Motor
Before we dive into the details of the best 24-volt trolling motors, we should first consider what to look for when choosing the best trolling motor for you.
Despite their similarities, each 24-volt trolling motor has slight differences, and it’s easy to select one that isn’t ideal for your boat if you’re not sure exactly what you need.
With that in mind, it’s important to double-check the voltage and consider the ideal thrust, size, and durability you need in a trolling motor.
Voltage
Before buying a trolling motor, make sure you’re choosing the 24-volt option. Many trolling motor models come in lots of different sizes, and the smaller options (under 55 pounds of thrust) are usually 12-volt systems.
Most trolling motors with more than 55 pounds of thrust will be 24-volt systems, but this isn’t always the case. If you want the added power, efficiency, and long-lasting benefits of a 24-volt system, you’ll want to clarify that you’re actually getting a 24-volt trolling motor.
It’s also a good idea to consider whether you need a 24-volt trolling motor, as they tend to be more expensive than 12-volt systems. If you usually fish in calm bodies of water and have a relatively small boat, then the extra power output may not be worth the extra cost.
Thrust
Nearly all 24-volt trolling motors provide at least 70 to 80 pounds of thrust, and some provide more. Thrust means the amount of power it takes to move your boat in the water. If the waters are choppy, or you have a heavier boat, more thrust means easier movement through the water.
Of course, it’s possible to have too much thrust, especially if you’re in a smaller boat. It’s important to find out the ideal thrust for your specific boat by checking out your owner’s manual or considering the water conditions you frequently boat in.
Size
Two 24-volt, 80-pound-thrust trolling motors may have different weights, different shaft lengths, and different control settings.
When determining which of the two you should buy, knowing the necessary shaft length is perhaps the most important thing to consider.
To determine the appropriate shaft length for your boat, measure from the mounting surface to the waterline, then add 20 inches. For example, if you want to buy a bow mounted trolling motor and the distance from the bow to the waterline is 22 inches, then you’ll need a 42-inch shaft.
For smaller boats especially, it’s also important to consider the trolling motor’s weight (as well as the weight of the batteries you’ll use) and power settings. 80 pounds of thrust may not be necessary for every situation, so it’s good to be able to adjust to a lower power output.
Durability
24-volt trolling motors are frequently used in river rapids, ocean waves, and stormy waters. They may also be used in both fresh and saltwater.
For these reasons, especially if you do a lot of boating and fishing in similar conditions, you’ll want to make sure you choose a high quality trolling motor.
Look for 24-volt trolling motors made of stainless steel and aircraft- or marine-grade aluminum, as well as those with corrosion-resistant coatings.
Top 3 Picks for You
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 12:17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
24-Volt Trolling Motor Reviews
1. Best Thrust: Newport Vessels NV-Series Transom Mounted Trolling Motor
This Newport Vessels Trolling Motor offers a fantastic 86 pounds of thrust, giving you plenty of power to handle the choppiest waves your boat is able to take on. Built with quality, durability, and great value in mind, this is one of the best 24-volt trolling motors on the market.
The trolling motor is made of stainless steel, with zinc and magnesium hardware, so it will resist corrosion in both freshwater and saltwater. In fact, Newport Vessels is so confident in the quality of their products that they offer a 2-year warranty on every trolling motor they produce.
This trolling motor has a 36-inch shaft, which is the perfect size for many jon boats, bass boats, and other small- to medium-sized personal fishing boats. It has a total of 8 different speed settings, 5 for going forward and 3 for going in reverse.
It requires two 12-volt lithium or lead acid batteries, with a recommended output of 50 amp-hours. The batteries are not included. The trolling motor has a built in circuit breaker for safety purposes.
This is an excellent trolling motor for anyone with a small or medium fishing boat who likes to test their skills in difficult waters, or for anyone who simply would like to have a longer-lasting trolling motor. It comes at an excellent price for the quality.
Some of this trolling motor’s key features include a 3-blade propeller to handle choppy waters and avoid tangling in underwater plants; a 6-inch tiller handle with telescoping abilities; and a 5-inch LED readout.
Some desirable improvements on this would be a quieter running motor, as it can be rather noisy at top speeds; as well as a longer battery power cord, which would give you more freedom in terms of where in the boat you mount your batteries.
What We Like:
- The trolling motor is made of high quality materials.
- The 86-pound thrust is great for a variety of small boats and water conditions.
- The trolling motor is relatively inexpensive for the quality you’re getting.
What We Don’t Like:
- The motor runs rather noisy at top speeds.
2. Quiet Power: Minn Kota Edge Bow Mount Trolling Motor
Minn Kota is hands down the authority on trolling motors, and the Minn Kota Edge is no exception. This trolling motor is small but powerful, with both the brand trust and the quality to back it up.
The trolling motor provides quiet, long-lasting power that will keep the fish blissfully ignorant of your presence. Still, it’s powerful enough to help you handle choppy waters and windy days with ease.
The 36-inch shaft is adjustable so you can use it at the perfect length for your boat and the water conditions. Made of indestructible composite fiberglass, the shaft will bend some if needed but is highly unlikely to break.
This is a cable steer trolling motor, meaning it is controlled via hand and foot pedals rather than remotely. It is a perfect choice for anglers who prefer the quiet strength of cable steer and who have small or medium boats.
The motor’s key features include a “latch and door” mount for easy, convenient mounting; 5 forward speeds; and a convenient heel-toe style foot pedal.
It’s worth noting that this trolling motor is only rated for freshwater. One big improvement would be for Minn Kota to make this trolling motor work for saltwater as well.
What We Like:
- The adjustable shaft allows easy adaptation to various boats and water conditions.
- The quiet motor will not scare the fish away.
- The motor lasts a long time on a single charge so your day on the lake isn’t cut short.
What We Don’t Like:
- This trolling motor is not rated for saltwater
3. Good for Saltwater: Cloud Mountain Transom Mounted Electric Trolling Motor
This trolling motor by Cloud Mountain is a surprising find among the top picks for a 24-volt trolling motor. It is very affordably priced but includes the handy features and quality build of much more well-known trolling motors.
This trolling motor provides 86 pounds of thrust, stainless steel and aluminum components, and a corrosion resistant fiberglass shaft. The shaft is 28 inches but can be adjusted to greater depths as needed.
The whole unit is resistant to corrosion and ablation, and it’s a good choice for both freshwater and saltwater. This trolling motor has 5 forward speeds and 3 reverse speeds so you can easily control how fast you’re going, and in which direction.
This trolling motor is a great choice for the casual boater who’s looking for a dependable trolling motor at an affordable price.
Some of its key features include the adjustable telescoping tiller, which makes it easy to control and maneuver your boat; the LED battery indicator, which protects your battery life by letting you know when they need recharging; and durable stainless steel hardware.
This trolling motor does come with a reinforced nylon bracket, which may not be as durable as the stainless steel and aluminum components.
What We Like:
- The adjustable shaft is convenient and helps this trolling motor fit a larger number of boats.
- The battery indicator is nice to have so you always know if your batteries are getting low.
- This trolling motor works great in both freshwater and saltwater.
What We Don’t Like:
- The reinforced nylon bracket may not be as durable as we would like.
4. Best Steering: MotorGuide X3 Bow Mount Trolling Motor
This MotorGuide Trolling Motor is designed to handle some of the toughest water conditions a small boat may come into contact with. It offers 70 pounds of thrust and has a 45-inch shaft, so it’s sure to work great for a number of mid-sized personal boats.
The trolling motor is made with aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel components, and the composite shaft is so durable that Motorguide guarantees it with a lifetime warranty.
The overall structure of this motor contains less metal than other trolling motors, which helps it to run more quietly.
The dual cable system is a unique part of this trolling motor. The system includes MotorGuide’s Variable Ratio Technology, which gives you superior steering capabilities by reducing torque steer and keeping your boat steady in the water.
This trolling motor is a perfect option for anyone with a medium-sized boat and who enjoys a good adventure.
Some of the key features include a stainless steel outer shaft and bushings for added durability; a wider than average base for enhanced stability; and motor height adjustment so you can put your motor head at the exact depth you need it.
Some things that could be improved upon include the foot pedal cable, which is too short and doesn’t allow much freedom in where you position your foot pedal. In addition, some of the hardware is difficult to tighten down because of the motor’s compact design.
What We Like:
- The trolling motor has fantastic steering capabilities even in rough waters.
- The trolling motor is made of high-quality materials.
- The motor head adjustment is nice to have.
What We Don’t Like:
- Components such as the hardware placement and foot pedal cable could have been designed better.
5. Most High-Tech: AQUOS Haswing Cayman Bow Mount Electric Trolling Motor
This trolling motor by AQUOS is a modern trolling motor for today’s angler. The 48-inch shaft can be adjusted up to 60 inches, making it a great choice for larger boats. Plus, it offers 80 pounds of thrust, so it can handle plenty of rough waters and extra weight.
In fact, this trolling motor can handle boats weighing up to 4,000 pounds, and it works well in both fresh and saltwater. It’s built to last, made of durable aluminum with sacrificial anode components and sealed electronics.
Speaking of electronics, this is an electric trolling motor, meaning it can be controlled by a wireless remote. This is great for anyone who would like the freedom to move around or control the motor from any spot in the boat.
Other key features include an LED battery meter, which will give you a readout of your battery levels; a variable speed setting so you can customize your speed based on the water conditions; and a stow and deploy foot pedal for easy storage.
Despite being a remote-controlled electric trolling motor, it doesn’t have GPS capabilities as many other electrics do.
What We Like:
- This trolling motor has a long, adjustable shaft which is great for larger boats.
- This trolling motor can be controlled remotely from anywhere on the boat.
- This trolling motor has a wide range of speed settings.
What We Don’t Like:
- The lack of GPS capabilities may be a serious drawback for some anglers.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 12:17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
Out of the five products reviewed in this article, the Newport Vessels trolling motor seems to be the best overall. This is because it offers plenty of thrust and durability, as well as versatility, for a great price.
And there you have it! Hopefully, after reading this guide, you’ll have a better understanding of what to look for in a 24-volt trolling motor and you’ll be able to find one that will best fit your boat.
Sarah Hood has been writing for Anchor Travel since 2021. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, singing, and spending time in the great outdoors.