Trolling motors that run on batteries? In the “old” days, I would’ve laughed at you, but modern electric trolling motors are good, green, and they get up and go. But only if you have the right trolling motor battery.
So, though I’m an old-school “gas trolling motor on my canoe” kind of guy, recently I’ve come across situations where I wish I had an electric trolling motor. Especially for kayak fishing.
So I set out to learn everything there was to know about electric canoe and kayak motors. And wrote an article about trolling motors for canoes. While writing that article, I found there was a ton of confusion about the subject of electric trolling motor batteries.
It seems that most people know trolling motors require a battery, but they don’t understand what makes each type of battery so different, and why those differences are important. They also want to know what the best models are for their trolling motor’s needs.
I have tons of experience with gas and electric trolling motors, but I learned a lot more in my research into electric trolling motor batteries.
So by the end of this article, you’ll know more about trolling motor batteries than any sane person should. And after that, you’ll be able to get the right battery for your kayak or canoe’s electric trolling motor.
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Trolling Motor Batteries – Quick Picks
5 Best Batteries for Kayak Trolling Motor
- VMAX MR137-120
- Weize 12V 100Ah Battery
- Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery
- Moseworth LifePO4 Lithium Battery
- Ampere Time 12V 50Ah LiFEPO4 Battery
5 Best Batteries for Canoe Trolling Motor
- Mighty Max ML55-12
- VMAX LFP24-1265
- Universal Power Group 12V 100 Ah Battery
- Chins 105A BMS Lithium Battery
- Flypower 12V LifePO4 Battery
5 Best Trolling Motor Batteries for a Kayak
There are many options when it comes to trolling motor batteries for kayaks. But on a kayak, weight is a major factor in choosing the right trolling motor battery.
1 – VMAX MR137-120
This first choice from VMAX features a 120 Ah body and includes 8 mm terminals. You can draw power from this battery in moments.
The AGM construction prevents vibrations and shocks. The electrolyte inside the battery is fully absorbed by the AGM, preventing spills.
2 – Weize 12V 100Ah Battery
Weize makes this next battery with a 100 Ah body. The deep cycle battery uses lead-calcium grids with low self-discharge ratings.
The 12V battery uses safety valves that prevent excess gas production. The ABS container also prevents internal battery fires if a spark develops.
The PVC separator inside the battery ensures the gel electrolyte can flow well. The gel flows evenly to ensure it produces the proper amount of power you need for your work.
3 – Renogy Deep Cycle AGM Battery
Another useful deep cycle battery, this 12V 100 Ah Renogy model features an AGM body. The 12V battery produces a top charge current of 30 amps.
The battery also has a self-discharge rate of less than 3% per month. It maintains its power well and keeps you running in more situations.
4 – Moseworth LifePO4 Lithium Battery
This battery from Moseworth features a lightweight body at about 25 pounds. The 12V 100 Ah battery comes with a dedicated plug-in charger, two USB ports, and an M8 terminal. The power button helps you activate and stop the battery as you demand.
The battery features overcharge and over-discharge protection. It also regulates current levels to ensure no potential harm to the battery.
5 – Ampere Time 12V 50Ah LiFEPO4 Battery
Another lithium-based battery, this Ampere Time model can power an entire kayak. The 50 Ah rating provides enough power for your boating needs. It also weighs about fifteen pounds, so it won’t bog down your kayak.
The design resists vibrations and provides full depth of discharge. It maintains the same voltage so long as it has a charge.
5 Best Trolling Motor Batteries for a Canoe
You can also find various trolling motors for canoes. Here are five of the best choices to see here:
1 – Mighty Max ML55-12
This Mighty Max battery has more power than other models from that brand. But it still offers that power in a small package. The Mighty Max battery is nine inches on its longest side. It also weighs slightly less than 40 pounds.
The 55 Ah battery is fully sealed and features a maintenance-free design. The AGM battery design does not produce excess gas while in use. It can also recover from deep discharges without losing its top capacity.
2 – VMAX LFP24-1265
This next choice is a lithium-ion battery from VMAX. The 12V 65 Ah battery weighs about fifteen pounds.
The battery regulates its energy to prevent high or low voltage situations. It can handle 4,000 cycles at 90% depth of discharge, or 6,000 cycles at 80%.
The model is also compatible with all LiFEPO4 chargers. The terminals are easy to clean and maintain. They will not develop excess corrosion from regular use.
3 – Universal Power Group 12V 100 Ah Battery
Universal promotes this battery as being compatible with many trolling motors. It is 12 inches long and can be mounted in any position. The design also resists shocks and vibrations.
The Universal battery features an AGM body. The spill-proof design keeps the electrolyte in place without being exposed to anything.
4 – Chins 105A BMS Lithium Battery
Chins has a 12V 100 Ah battery that can handle at least 2,000 cycles. This lithium-based battery features a management system that prevents overcharges.
The battery also weighs about 24 pounds. It is about thirteen inches on its longest size, providing more control when you need it the most.
5 – Flypower LifePO4 Lithium Battery
Your last choice to see is this model from Fllyrower. The battery features a lithium design, plus it offers a low-temperature protection system. The battery will disconnect at -10 degrees Celsius, thus protecting the battery from excess stress. The battery lasts for about two thousand cycles With 100 amp hours of energy, it provides the help you need.
Trolling Motor Battery Safety
Always be cautious with trolling motor batteries. The electrical charge in them can be hazardous. And the acid in lead acid batteries can splash on you if you’re not careful!
Always follow safety precautions while running your trolling motor battery:
- Wear eye protection. – A battery can include acidic water. This point is especially true for lead-acid batteries. The battery requires you to check the distilled water level on occasion. But the acidic water could potentially splash into your eyes.
- DON’T connect the positive (+) and the negative (-) terminals of the same battery together. – Have you ever touched a wrench to the opposite terminal of a battery while loosening a wire? It can be a painful experience. And yes, I am guilty of doing this. Any metal object that provides a path between terminals on the battery will cause damage. The path is also known as a short. The issue could range from a spark to melted metal or a fire.
- Install a circuit break or at least a fuse. – Circuit breakers or fuses protect electrical circuits. These breakers and fuses are necessary for your vessel. They prevent damage caused by excess current flow. So-called “popping” a fuse or breaker stops the flow of electrical current when a fault happens.
- Have a properly-rated fire extinguisher on board. – Your marine fire extinguishers need a class B & C rating. A properly-rated extinguisher can fight electrical fires. It can also control flammable liquids.
- Look at how you can cut the current to your battery. – You can use a fuse or break to cut the current. The effort prevents a possible fire from being worse.
How to Choose an Electric Trolling Motor Battery
It seems obvious, but let’s get this out of the way…
Do trolling motors need a battery? An electric trolling motor on your canoe or kayak needs at least one 12 volt, deep-cycle battery. The deep cycle battery will handle the continual power demand that comes from long periods of trolling. Most gas-powered trolling motors do not need a battery to operate the engine.
It almost goes without saying that an electric trolling motor needs a battery in order to operate. But more importantly, it needs the correct type and size battery in order to power your electric trolling motor both safely and efficiently.
Trolling Motor Size
Weight
First, your trolling motor must be strong enough to push your kayak or canoe based on its weight. So in order to figure out which trolling motor battery to get, we need to know the size of the trolling motor it will have to power.
Thrust
Usually, electric trolling motors are rated by how many pounds of thrust they produce. (Unlike gas trolling motors that are measured in horsepower.) And the greater the weight of the load a trolling motor will have to push/pull the more thrust capability it will need.
But just how much thrust do you need for a given weight?
How many pounds of thrust are necessary for a trolling motor? You will need two pounds of thrust for every 100 pounds in your boat. In heavy wind, strong current, or rough waters you will need more thrust per 100 pounds in order to adequately power your vessel.
Here’s a chart to help you figure out how much thrust you’ll need to power your kayak or canoe:
| Thrust (pounds) | Weight of boat when fully loaded (pounds) |
| 6 | 300 |
| 7 | 350 |
| 8 | 400 |
| 10 | 500 |
| 12 | 600 |
| 15 | 750 |
You can add an extra bit of thrust if you’ll encounter factors like strong wind and/or water current.
Keep in mind, the boat weight includes more than the weight of the kayak or canoe itself. It also includes anything you add to the boat. This includes the people who will be in the boat. Check on what you’ll add to your boat to determine how much thrust your trolling motor should be rated for.
Extra thrust, beyond a straight weight calculation is necessary if heavy wind or strong current is a concern. You’ll need that extra boost if you’re in rough or swift water.
Battery Voltage
From above, once you know how much your kayak or canoe weighs, you can figure out how much thrust you’ll need in a trolling motor. And from that thrust rating/requirement, you can determine what size battery you’ll need.
What size battery do I need for a 55 lb thrust trolling motor? It takes one 12 volt deep-cycle battery to run a 55 lb thrust electric trolling motor. The top thrust a 12v battery can power is 55 lb. Trolling motors with more than 55 lb. of thrust will require more than one battery or a 24v or 36v battery.
So let’s say the combined weight of your canoe, gear, trolling motor, battery, and the weight of how many people will fit in your canoe is 1000 pounds. You know from above that every hundred pounds requires 2 pounds of thrust. So 1000/100=10*2 pounds of thrust. And that equals 20 lbs. of thrust as the minimum power trolling motor that’s needed to push that load.
I’d rather have a little too much power than not enough, so I’d add 10-20% to that thrust number.
Voltage Consideration For the Thrust
You will require more volts of battery power when propelling a boat that needs more thrust. You can use this chart to figure out what voltage battery your trolling motor will need:
| Trolling motor’s thrust (pounds) | Voltage necessary (volts) |
| Up to 55 | 12 |
| 55 to 80 | 24 |
| More than 80 | 36 |
You’ll likely require a 12V battery if you’re using a canoe or kayak, as they usually weigh less than 100 pounds on average without all the items you load inside. But you could still consider extra voltage if you plan on powering multiple items alongside your motor.
So we choose an electric trolling motor that’s got at least 25 pounds of thrust. And to run that, we’ll need at least a 12V battery. But here’s where things get tricky, because how long will your battery last, powering that trolling motor?
And the not so simple answer is, that depends…
Battery Ah – Amp Hours
Trolling is a time-consuming way to fish. Because of this, you’ll need a trolling motor and battery setup that will last for not only how heavy your boat is, but for how long you plan to operate the engine before it needs a recharge.
Battery Amps and Trolling Motor Draw
The amps in an electric trolling motor battery and the amp draw of an electric trolling motor determine how long a battery charge will last. Amp hours are how many hours a battery can operate based on the number of amps you consume (the amp draw) at a time.
What are the amp hours in a battery? A battery’s amp hours or Ah is a measure of how much amperage or current it can produce in an hour. That current is what powers an electric trolling motor. A trolling motor’s Amp draw is what determines how long the battery will last.
For example, you might have a 100 Ah battery. That means it can run for five hours while drawing 20 amps, or 2 hours at 50 amps draw.
Amp Draw at Trolling Speeds
The trouble is that most trolling motor manufacturers only list a motor’s maximum amperage draw when it’s operated at its max speed. This doesn’t help figure out how long a battery will last at much slower trolling speeds. So we have to estimate the amp draw at those slower speeds to figure out how long a trolling motor battery charge will last.
But in general…
How many amp hours should my battery have? Your trolling motor battery will require about 100 Ah for it to be useful as a trolling motor. A model with 125 Ah is also a great sized trolling motor battery and will last 25% longer.
Put another way…
A 12V, 100 Ah battery will supply 25 amps of power for 4 hours before it needs recharging. (100Ah/25amp draw=4 hours run time)
Keep in mind that you’ll use/draw more amperage the faster you make your trolling motor go and the heavier the load you make it push. But trolling along at 2-5 mph won’t pull many amps, so you can troll for hours at slower speeds.
Trolling Motor Battery Amp Draws and Run Times
These are estimated run times based on:
- A 100 Ah battery
- Operated at a steady speed for the entire hour
| Trolling Motor Max. Thrust | Max Speed Amps Draw | Medium Speed Amps Draw | Slow Speed Amps Draw | Max Speed Run Time (hr) | Med. Speed Run Time | Slow Speed Run Time |
| 30 lb. | 30 | 15 | 5 | 3.3 | 6.7 | 20.0 |
| 40-70 lb. | 40 | 20 | 5 | 2.5 | 5.0 | 20.0 |
| 80-100 lb. | 50 | 25 | 5 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 20.0 |
Looking at that chart, an average electric trolling motor powered by a single 12V, 100Ah battery should last you all day fishing at slow speeds. But remember, once you get bigger than 55 pounds of thrust in your trolling motor, you’ll either need another 12V battery wired in series or a 24V battery. (The motor will be rated for 12V or 24V or both)
Powering Accessories
This is more of a concern on larger boats with lots of electronics. But depending on how big your canoe or kayak trolling motor is and how many extra electrical gadgets you plan to operate, you may want an auxiliary (secondary) battery for your “toys.”
Do I need a separate battery for my trolling motor? The answer depends on how many accessories you plan on powering. You may or may not need a separate trolling motor battery for your vessel. Most kayaks and canoes use a fishfinder that doesn’t draw that much extra current. But if you plan on operating more than a couple of basic accessories, you might consider another battery.
Once you start adding things like a GPS navigation system, fishfinder, and possibly even a cell charger, you may need an auxiliary battery. The separate battery will manage all that extra power demand while saving your primary battery for your electric trolling motor.
What Kind of Battery for a Trolling Motor?
What kind of battery do I need for a trolling motor? Electric trolling motors use deep-cycle batteries. These models provide small amounts of current over longer periods of time. There are two types of deep-cycle, 12-volt batteries you can use. These are Lead Acid Wet-Cell and AGM Batteries.
Can you use a regular battery for a trolling motor? Do not use a regular car battery to operate a trolling motor. A normal car battery can damage your electric trolling motor. Car batteries deliver more current/amps faster in order to start a gas engine. Those batteries are for heavy-duty cranking and not for a trickle-out current.
Car batteries are also measured differently. They are measured by CCAs or cold cranking amps. Marine batteries do not require a significant number of CCAs. A car battery could also produce a fire hazard if used with your electric trolling motor.
Lead Acid – Wet Cell Trolling Motor Battery
The battery that most of us are familiar with is a lead acid battery.
What is a lead acid battery? A lead acid battery features two electrodes that contain an electrolytic solution featuring water and sulfuric acid. The battery provides fast power and can handle multiple discharges and recharges.
Lead acid or so-called “wet-cell” trolling motor batteries are:
- Widely available
- Designed to withstand constant electrical draining and recharge
- Less expensive than AGM batteries
- Have a usable lifespan of about 1 to 2 years
- You can usually find them for under close to $100
Each battery must have its wet-cell water levels checked and topped off on occasion.
You’d also have to charge the battery for about seven to ten days if it doesn’t produce a charge. The effort brings back the battery’s charge. You’ll have to dispose of the battery and get a new one if it cannot generate a new charge.
AGM Trolling Motor Battery
AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries feature a different design. An AGM battery uses a glass mat separator in its body. The design wicks an electrolyte solution between battery plates. The design allows the fiberglass on the inside to be doused in an electrolyte.
What is an AGM battery? An AGM battery is an Absorbed Glass Mat battery. The battery features a glass map that moves an electrolyte solution between your battery plates. The electrolyte will produce energy, but it also remains in a dry state while in the fiberglass inside the battery.
An AGM battery can last at least two ears. It also holds its electrical charge longer.
But you’ll need to review the battery’s wet-cell water levels on occasion to ensure the battery is safe to use. It also requires regular charging, as any battery that doesn’t produce a charge can become dry and will be unable to carry one later.
The electrolyte stays in a dry state as it is suspended in the fiberglass. It does not appear in a free liquid form, making it more efficient and easier to use.
There are many other benefits of using an AGM battery:
- Completely sealed
- Hold a longer lasting electrical charge
- Have a longer life-span, lasting 2 to 4 years compared to 1 to 2 years for a Lead Acid battery.
- They’re maintenance free (no water to fill or leak)
- AGM batteries last longer than lead acid batteries, plus they provide better performance.
But AGM batteries do cost more than Lead Acid batteries (sometimes twice as much), so keep that in mind if you want to buy one of these batteries.
Lead Acid vs. AGM Trolling Motor Battery
Which of these two batteries is better? An AGM battery is more effective, but a lead acid batteries costs less to purchase. AGM batteries do not require as much maintenance, plus they are safer to use with no liquids or liquid maintenance involved.
Deep Cycle Trolling Motor Battery
What does the term “deep cycle” mean? A deep cycle battery is one that can regularly receive deep discharges. The battery produces consistent power output over an extended period of time. Then it must be depleted to where it can be recharged to complete a power cycle.
Deep cycle batteries feature thicker battery plates and denser active compounds. These features can handle regular charge and discharge cycles without wearing out prematurely, as trolling motor batteries need to support a continual draw of lesser amps. (Unlike a normal car battery which needs to deliver a lot of cranking amps in a short period of time in order to start a car engine.)
What makes a deep cycle trolling motor battery distinct? It’s all in the way how it charges and discharges.
Some benefits of deep cycle batteries:
- A deep cycle marine battery features thick battery plates. It also has denser active material on the inside. This design helps it handle frequent charging and discharging.
- Regular starts won’t damage the deep cycle battery. The design keeps the setup running for years.
- A deep cycle battery produces consistent power with less current draw.
- Available in many sizes
- Easy to connect to your trolling motor
Here are a few precautions to take when using deep cycle batteries:
- Don’t shake or vibrate them
- The lead plates demand regular cleaning
- Extreme weather climates can cause its contents to evaporate or freeze
- You must place yours in a well-ventilated spot when not in use
Remember that the lead plates that provide the power for your deep cycle battery will be exposed to air. The plates will weaken from all that exposure. The battery produces corrosion and will fail after a while. You can attempt to clean the corroded materials if necessary. But you might need to replace your battery altogether if you can’t get it clean.
Fortunately, it won’t cost as much money to get a deep cycle battery as you expect. Most deep cycle batteries cost around the same amount as traditional ones.
How Many Batteries Does Your Trolling Motor Need?
How many batteries do you need for a trolling motor? The answer depends on the thrust rating of your electric trolling motor and its voltage. Electric trolling motors come in 12V, 12/24V, 24V, or 36V forms. So you may need 2 to 3, 12 volt batteries wired in series, one 24V, or one 36V trolling motor battery.
Depending on the voltage rating of your trolling motor, you’ll need 1, 2, or possibly even 3 batteries.
Electric trolling motors come in 4 different voltage ratings:
- 12V – This type of electric trolling motor will run off of one 12V deep cycle marine battery
- 12/24V – Trolling motors with this rating will run off of one 12V, two 12V batteries wired in series, or one 24V battery
- 24V – This type trolling motor requires two 12V, series-wired batteries or one 24V battery
- 36V – This type trolling motor can run off of 3 12V batteries run in series, or one 36V deep cycle marine battery
Trolling Motor Battery Voltage
One of the best things about electric trolling motors is that you can find them in many sizes. Electric trolling motors come ready to be powered by 12, 24, and even 36-volt batteries, depending on their thrust ratings and power requirements.
But what makes these different from one another? Let’s compare these choices to see what works.
12 Volt Trolling Motor Batteries
Most trolling motor batteries are 12V models. They are easier to mass produce, they’re more affordable, and since the public is more familiar with them, they’re easier to market and sell.
Most kayak and canoe trolling motors are designed to operate with 12V batteries.
- A 12-volt, deep-cycle trolling motor battery is a basic model.
- It has an amperage hour rating of about 70 to 120 Ah on average.
- 12-volt batteries are available in lead-acid, lithium-ion, and AGM models.
- 12-volt model can also handle a 30-lb thrust trolling motor.
24 Volt Trolling Motor Batteries
Do they make a 24 volt trolling motor battery? You can find many 24V trolling motor batteries for sale today. These batteries are more convenient than wiring two 12V batteries together in series. In addition, one 24V battery usually weighs less than two 12V batteries.
24-volt trolling motor batteries are for heavy-duty use and/or longer run-times. You can also wire together two 12-volt batteries in series to create a 24V setup. But if you’re not familiar with series wiring or have limited space, having one 24V battery may be an easier option for you.
Do you need two batteries to power a 24V motor? A 24V trolling motor needs one 24V battery or two 12V batteries wired in series to run properly. So you can hook up two 12V batteries for a 24V trolling motor, but if you use a single 24V deep cycle marine battery you don’t need two batteries.
- A 24V battery doesn’t produce much of a voltage drop.
- It uses fewer wires and space.
- A 24V battery is ideal for motors with over 50-lb thrust.
- But the 24V battery needs at least a 100 Ah rating.
12V vs 24V Trolling Motor Batteries
But how do you know if you need two 12V batteries or just one 24V battery?
What’s the difference between 12 and 24-volt trolling motors? A 24-volt motor produces more power and lasts longer. But a 24-volt motor weighs more and costs extra. Check your kayak or canoe’s weight and use to see what its power needs are before choosing a motor. A 24-volt motor is best when you have more items to run, or you have a larger, heavier kayak or canoe.
A 24V motor won’t produce faster speeds. It only produces power to help get a heavier boat moving at the same speeds as a 12V motor.
A 24V motor draws lower amps while generating more thrust. The design gives you more time in the water before running out of power.
Can you use a 12V battery to run a 24V motor? You can use a 12V battery on a 24V motor, but it’s not optimal. However, many newer 24V electric trolling motors will not turn the propeller if they sense less than 22V supplied from the battery. Regardless, the 24V motor will not be harmed using a 12V battery, it just won’t be as powerful.
36 Volt Trolling Motor Batteries
A 36-volt trolling motor battery is an advanced model. The design provides extra power for more power intensive applications. Large, heavy pontoon boats that require bigger electric motors can typically take advantage of 36V setups.
36V batteries power larger electric trolling motors, designed for heavier vessels, rough boating conditions, or when you’re going to be out for a long time.
An average 36V setups feature three separate 12V marine battery cells in the same base. Three batteries, usually with 100 Ah or more, will power the trolling motor.
We recommend having one 36V battery if you need this model. A single battery may work better than if you wired three 12V marine batteries together in series. A 36V battery is more efficient than three separate 12V batteries.
Having that single 36V battery also simplifies the charging process. You only need to charge one battery.
Lithium-Ion Trolling Motor Battery
Lithium-ion batteries have some unique advantages when used as trolling motor batteries.
Can I use a lithium battery for my trolling motor? Lithium-ion batteries are well-suited for use as trolling motor batteries. A lithium-ion battery holds a higher voltage longer. It can run a motor at faster speeds and last longer before it will need a recharge.
Here are some benefits of running your trolling motor on a lithium-ion battery:
- A lithium-ion battery has a greater peak continuous output current rating.
- The design ensures you have more power for longer to run your kayak or canoe’s trolling motor.
- A lithium-ion trolling motor battery produces longer-lasting power.
- A lithium-ion battery doesn’t lose voltage while being drawn down. It can be drained to nearly empty before it loses voltage.
- A lithium battery will maintain its strength longer. It can be charged and discharged about five times more often than a deep cycle marine battery.
- Lithium batteries weigh about half as much as traditional ones. They still provide the same amount of energy, but with less mass.
But watch for the price when purchasing one of these batteries. On average, lithium-ion batteries cost more. You’ll also need $100 or so to get a separate lithium-ion battery charger. Because lithium-ion batteries require a different charger than traditional batteries use. The good news is, the charger is easier to handle and hook up.
Here are a few other things to note about lithium-ion batteries:
- Provides better fuel economy on average
- Don’t contain potentially dangerous chemicals
- Have minimal risk of leakage
- Take a little longer to charge
12 Volt Lithium Trolling Motor Battery
12-volt lithium batteries can operate from 35 to 100 Ah. You can use one of these on a 30-50 lb. thrust motor.
Here’s a great Lithium-ion 12V trolling motor battery
24 Volt Lithium Trolling Motor Battery
A 24-volt lithium battery can last for about two to three years. The lifespan varies depending on how often you charge and discharge the battery. But the battery won’t lose its power capacity with each use.
A 24-volt battery uses smaller wires on average. It also does well with kayaks and canoes that use more electric features. You can operate both a navigation tools and a motor with one battery.
You can order a single 24V battery, or you can connect two 12-volt batteries. But using one 24V battery may be the better option for the tighter quarters on a kayak.
36 Volt Lithium Trolling Motor Battery
36-volt lithium trolling motor batteries aren’t as common, but they do offer more power for longer runs. You can use a 36V battery with 125 Ah in many instances. It can also power motors with 110-lb thrust levels.
A 36V lithium battery may be necessary for heavier vessels like bass boats or canoes that can carry more than 2 or 3 people. It is also for ones that use more tech items at a time. 36V batteries are expensive and can be hard to find. A 36V battery can cost a thousand dollars.
A 36V battery is best for canoes or kayaks that fit multiple people. The powerful battery will handle the extra weight these people can add to the vessel.
Lightweight Battery for a Trolling Motor
WARNING: Hypocrite alert!
So, I know we’ve talked a lot about having a battery with at least 80-100Ah. However, since weight is a big factor on your kayak, and if you’re only looking to troll for a few hours, this super lightweight 12V battery may just be the perfect combination of power, amp hours and overall weight.
Mighty Max Battery ML18-12 – Deep Cycle
At 12V and 18Ah, and trolling at that slow speed average we talked about in the table above (drawing 5 Amps), this battery should last about 3.5 hours, trolling your kayak around a nice flat calm lake.
The Mighty Max weighs in at barely 12 pounds, which makes it ideal for a short troll on your kayak.
How much can a lightweight trolling motor battery weigh? A low-thrust motor that produces less than 50-lb thrust will weigh about 20 to 30 pounds. A high-thrust battery with 80 or more pounds of thrust can weigh at least 60 pounds. Of course, a battery that produces more thrust will weigh more.
Check on your thrust needs when finding a trolling motor battery. You’ll need a heavier battery if you require extra thrust.
Lightest Trolling Motor Battery
What dictates the weight of a trolling motor battery? A battery is heavier if it needs:
- More thrust/power
- More voltage
- Greater amperage hours
- Thicker plates or other construction materials
But not all trolling batteries have to be super heavy. The Mighty Max ML18-12 battery is one lightweight choice to check out. It weighs about 12 pounds. It provides 12V and 18 Ah of power. But it works best if you pair two or more of them in a spot.
Expect the lightest batteries to be more useful if you pair many of them together. Lighter batteries are useful for gentle waters or smaller boats. They especially do well if you’re the only person sailing at a time. But watch how you’re going to get this working if you want to enjoy a good ride.
Small Trolling Motor Battery
Are trolling motor batteries always going to take up lots of space? Not necessarily. A battery can be small enough to secure on one end of the boat. The Mighty Max ML-18-12 has a small form factor, for example. It is 7.13 inches on its longest side.
A Group 27 battery can also work. A Group 27 battery is about 12-1/16 inches long on its longest side. The design looks like a traditional car battery. But as I mentioned earlier, do not use a car battery for your boat. A marine battery with a Group 27 size is best.
The Last Word on Trolling Motor Batteries
I hope you found the details in this guide about trolling motor batteries for kayaks and canoes useful. With so many batteries out there, it can be tough to find something that works. But the odds are you’ll find a trolling motor battery suitable for your purposes.
Every battery has unique features depending on the size of your electric trolling motor and how long and hard you intend to run it. Some batteries operate with heavier duty lithium power. Others can be linked together to give you extra voltage.
But whatever you use, you must ensure it’s weight and power fit your canoe or kayak. Your canoe’s weight capacity is a big determining factor in how heavy a battery you can use. And the more accessories you have the larger trolling motor battery you’ll need.
Check around to see what batteries are available on the market. Look at what your kayak or canoe needs, think about how you’ll use your boat, and see if your battery fits its needs.