You may have heard that bow mount trolling motors are generally the most effective, efficient, and durable trolling motors on the market. So you’re curious: what are some of the best bow mount trolling motors currently available?
Great question!
In this article, we’ll review some of the top bow mount trolling motors you can buy, including the features, pros, cons, and general information on each one.
Are you ready to get started?
Table of Contents
What to Look For When Buying a Bow Mount Trolling Motor
Before we take a look at some of the top bow mount trolling motors on the market, let’s start by discussing some of the factors you should consider when choosing your trolling motor.
Factors such as a motor’s thrust, shaft length, and voltage, as well as the mounting capabilities on your boat, are all important to think about ahead of time. Let’s consider each of these factors in greater detail.
Thrust
Thrust is how much power it takes to move your boat from point A to point B. In general, most bow mount trolling motors have a greater thrust than transom mount motors, though this isn’t always the case.
Have you ever used a trolling motor with your boat before? How many pounds of thrust did it produce? Was the thrust sufficient for your boat, or did it seem too weak or too powerful?
A good rule of thumb is that you’ll need 2 pounds of thrust, at minimum, for every 100 pounds of boat (including gear and passenger weight). So, if your boat weighs 1,000 pounds, you’ll need at least 20 pounds of thrust.
Many of the trolling motors reviewed in this article provide 50, 60, 70, and even 80 pounds of thrust, which should be more than sufficient for most boats.
Shaft Length
The length of the trolling motor’s shaft is also important. You don’t want a trolling motor that’s too short for your boat, or else the motor head will keep coming out of the water, which may cause damage over time.
To estimate the correct shaft length for your boat, measure from the bow to the waterline, then add 20 inches. If your measurement is 28 inches, you’ll need a trolling motor with a shaft of at least 48 inches.
Again, most of the trolling motors reviewed here have 44-60 inch shafts, and some of them are adjustable so you can set them to the correct length you need for your boat or for changing water conditions.
Voltage
The voltage of your trolling motor will determine the kind and number of batteries you’ll need to operate it, as well as how powerful the motor is.
Most trolling motors are 12-volt systems, meaning they will need one 12V battery. Others are 24V systems, which require a 24V battery or two 12V batteries wired in series.
Some of the most powerful trolling motors may be 36V and even 48V systems.
All of the trolling motors in this review are 12V and 24V motors, which are the most widely used and available trolling motors.
Mounting Capabilities
An important thing to consider when choosing a bow mount trolling motor is whether or not your boat actually has room for one.
Whereas most transom mount motors are simply clamped onto the transom, bow mount motors usually have a mounting plate that is screwed down onto the flat of the bow.
If your boat has a narrow bow, it may not be designed for a bow mount trolling motor. If this is the case, you may have to buy or build a mount for it, or simply go with a transom mount trolling motor instead.
Top 3 Picks for You
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 04:57 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bow Mount Trolling Motor Reviews
1. Best Value: AQUOS Haswing CaymanB Bow Mount Electric Trolling Motor
This Haswing CaymanB trolling motor is one of the very best in terms of quality, design, features, ease of use, and price.
The trolling motor is 12 volts, 55 pounds of thrust, and comes with either a 48- or 54-inch shaft. The shaft is adjustable, so not only will it work for all different boat sizes, but you can also adjust the motor’s depth in the water anytime you need to.
The trolling motor can be controlled via foot pedals or remote control, which gives you the option of operating the motor manually or wirelessly from anywhere in the boat.
The motor is made of corrosion-resistant aluminum and other high-quality materials, so it’s sure to last you season after season. The stow and deploy pedal makes it easy to put in and bring out of the water, and the lifting handle is handy for removing the unit entirely for the winter.
This is the perfect trolling motor for anyone with a medium-sized boat who wants options. This trolling motor allows you to choose where and how you operate it, how deep you put the motor head, and it offers plenty of great features to sweeten the deal.
What are some of these features?
The trolling motor comes with a variable speed setting so you can customize your speed; a cruise control function so you can automatically maintain a set speed; and a USB charging option for the hand remote.
The main drawbacks of this motor are that the battery cable is fairly short, and the foot pedal is larger than some users would prefer.
What We Like
- The remote control and foot control choices allow you to operate the motor from anywhere in the boat.
- The trolling motor has tons of great features.
- The trolling motor provides great value and quality for a great price.
What We Don’t Like
- The battery cables are short, and the foot pedal is large and bulky.
2. Quiet Motor: Minn Kota Edge Bow Mount Trolling Motor
Minn Kota’s Edge trolling motor is a classic cable-steer motor that offers several different size and control options.
This trolling motor is available in 36-, 45-, and 52-inch shafts. The shaft is considered “indestructible,” and Minn Kota is so sure of this that they back up all of their shafts with a lifetime guarantee.
The Edge comes in 45-, 55-, and 70-pound thrust options. Most models use a foot control pedal, but one of the 45-pound models uses a hand control tiller instead.
Each model has five forward speed settings, a “latch and door” mount which makes it easy to install and remove the motor, and a quiet power that will get you where you need to go without scaring the fish away.
This is a great trolling motor for anyone looking for a dependable cable steer motor from a well-known brand.
Some of the motor’s features include a tough, anodized aluminum mount, as well as a powerful 2-blade prop that cuts through underwater vegetation.
It’s worth noting that some models of this motor are supposed to come with a “weedless wedge power propeller,” but multiple customers have reported only receiving a standard prop, so there may be some false advertising going on.
What We Like
- This is a solid trolling motor from a solid brand.
- The latch and door mount makes for easy installation and removal.
- The trolling motor runs extremely quietly.
What We Don’t Like
- The trolling motor may or may not come with the advertised power prop.
3. Most Durable: Minn Kota Maxxum Bow Mount Trolling Motor
The Maxxum trolling motor, also by Minn Kota, is another great option if you’re looking for a bow mount trolling motor. It’s a cable steer motor with some unique features that you don’t always find on a trolling motor.
Like the Edge reviewed above, the Maxxum comes in multiple thrust and shaft options, has 5 forward and 3 reverse speeds, both hand- and foot-controlled options, and a lifetime-guaranteed shaft.
Unlike the Edge, however, this trolling motor comes with a unique mount designed to break away in case of impact, then automatically reset itself after the impact. This design helps guard against damage to both your boat and your trolling motor.
This is a great trolling motor for those who enjoy fishing or boating in rough waters or areas where they may encounter underwater obstacles.
In addition to the breakaway mount, this motor’s key features include an impact-resistant motor head and a cool, quiet power source to conserve your battery and keep the fish unaware.
One thing to keep in mind is that this trolling motor isn’t meant for use in saltwater.
What We Like
- The breakaway mount design reduces the chance of damage.
- The trolling motor is made of high quality materials.
- The trolling motor runs quietly.
What We Don’t Like
- This motor can only be used in freshwater.
4. Pontoon Choice: MotorGuide Xi3 Bow Mount Trolling Motor
The MotorGuide Xi3 trolling motor has a multitude of different options for thrust, shaft length, and added features, so you can personalize and get the motor exactly as you want it.
With shaft lengths ranging from 48 to 60 inches, this motor will work on many different types of boats. It even comes in a pontoon-specific design, which is unique because most pontoons use transom mount trolling motors instead of bow mounts.
Thrust options are 54, 55, and 70 pounds. All models are controlled wirelessly via a handheld remote, so you can operate the trolling motor from anywhere in the boat.
Some models also come with sonar and GPS capabilities which allow you to better track where the fish are biting and retrace previous routes automatically.
This trolling motor is a great option for the high-tech angler who’s looking for all the best features and convenience.
Some more of those best features include a powerful 3-blade propeller; an LED dashboard that allows you to keep track of important functions in any light; and a “SecureStep” release lever for easy stow and deploy.
Some users have reported that the trolling motor will not turn on full speed, which could be a safety measure, but there is no information on this anywhere in the user’s manual.
What We Like
- The trolling motor is well-built and comes in multiple size options.
- The trolling motor is operated wirelessly via remote control.
- The trolling motor comes with lots of high-tech and convenient features.
What We Don’t Like
- The trolling motor won’t turn when running at top speed.
5. Ease of Use: Watersnake Shadow Bow Mount Trolling Motor
The Watersnake Shadow trolling motor is a solid option for anyone who wants a high-quality, convenient, and easy to use motor.
This trolling motor comes in two different sizes: a 48-inch, 44-pound option and a 54-inch, 54-pound option. The heavy-duty, scissor-style mount makes stowing and deploying simple, and the foot control keeps your hands free so you can focus on fishing.
The propeller, shaft, and other components are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, so this motor is sure to hold up under repeated use. The shaft flexes on impact to avoid sustaining damage.
This is a great trolling motor if you’re looking for durability and ease of use with a not-too-shabby price tag.
Some of the trolling motor’s features include a variable speed setting that you can control at will and a 3-blade propeller that can take on the toughest underwater vegetation.
It’s worth noting that some customers have reported difficulty in reaching Watersnake’s customer service and getting problems resolved.
What We Like
- This trolling motor provides good value for the price.
- The trolling motor is made of durable materials.
- The trolling motor comes with a tough 3-blade propeller.
What We Don’t Like
- Watersnake has insufficient customer service.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 04:57 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
Our top pick for the best bow mount trolling motor is the AQUOS Haswing Cayman because it packs a ton of great features at a very reasonable price. It also gives you lots of size options and is easy to control and maneuver.
If you’ve been struggling to find the perfect bow mount trolling motor for your boat, why not give one of these motors a try?
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