11-18-2013, 08:15 PM
[quote MasterDaad]I wouldn't put anything but a MinnKota 30 on a toon.
ALL the MinnKotas are designed for a top speed of around 5MPH. So a bigger motor only means more inefficiency on a low-drag toon. Some people like the longer booms of the next size up motor -- that makes sense. Other than that, complete waste of time.
Even the MinnKota 30 is overkill for a toon from a power perspective.
If you want to go faster, a new prop will be required.[/quote]
I am no mechanic so I have no real knowledge of this other that the ol' "been there, done that"
I have been using a motor on a float tube back in the 80's.
First off, you can not change the prop on all Minn Kota's. Make sure you know you can on your model.
I used an old 28lb thrust on my donut, then on my 6' pontoon. Still on that pontoon and still working. I step up to a 36 lb thrust for my 12' pontoon, my 6' Navigator II (a discontinued model by Scadden) and many others till it died. I bout the 40 lb thrust Maxxum for the X5 because of the U shape and the diameter of the toons. Had it for 6 years, it died this year. I now have and use the Endura 45 and the 30.
I can tell you, the older 36 and the Maxxum had large props. The newer 45 and 36 have smaller props in fact the same prop. I looked at changing prop as I have spare bigger ones...no go and not recommended.
I do know from experience that thrust power makes a big difference. I can put that 30 on my X5 and not only will it drain the battery quicker, you will barely be moving...even at 5.
Maybe not the prop and I am not excited about the smaller prop because I do believe the bigger was more effective, but more thrust is NEEDED for bigger boats.
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ALL the MinnKotas are designed for a top speed of around 5MPH. So a bigger motor only means more inefficiency on a low-drag toon. Some people like the longer booms of the next size up motor -- that makes sense. Other than that, complete waste of time.
Even the MinnKota 30 is overkill for a toon from a power perspective.
If you want to go faster, a new prop will be required.[/quote]
I am no mechanic so I have no real knowledge of this other that the ol' "been there, done that"
I have been using a motor on a float tube back in the 80's.
First off, you can not change the prop on all Minn Kota's. Make sure you know you can on your model.
I used an old 28lb thrust on my donut, then on my 6' pontoon. Still on that pontoon and still working. I step up to a 36 lb thrust for my 12' pontoon, my 6' Navigator II (a discontinued model by Scadden) and many others till it died. I bout the 40 lb thrust Maxxum for the X5 because of the U shape and the diameter of the toons. Had it for 6 years, it died this year. I now have and use the Endura 45 and the 30.
I can tell you, the older 36 and the Maxxum had large props. The newer 45 and 36 have smaller props in fact the same prop. I looked at changing prop as I have spare bigger ones...no go and not recommended.
I do know from experience that thrust power makes a big difference. I can put that 30 on my X5 and not only will it drain the battery quicker, you will barely be moving...even at 5.
Maybe not the prop and I am not excited about the smaller prop because I do believe the bigger was more effective, but more thrust is NEEDED for bigger boats.
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