Pounds of thrust is the number most trolling motor listings lead with, but on its own it doesn’t tell you whether a motor suits your boat. Here’s how to actually work it out.
The rule of thumb
A widely used starting point is 2lbs of thrust for every 100lbs of fully loaded boat weight, including passengers, fuel and gear — not just the boat’s dry weight. That figure assumes calm conditions; wind, current and chop all increase the load a motor has to overcome.
| Fully loaded boat weight | Suggested thrust |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,500 lbs | 30-40 lb thrust |
| 1,500-2,000 lbs | 45-55 lb thrust |
| 2,000-3,000 lbs | 55-70 lb thrust |
| 3,000 lbs+ | 70-100+ lb thrust, or dual motors |
Why it’s worth sizing up rather than down
An undersized motor works harder to hold position or make headway in wind and current, draining your battery faster and offering less control when you actually need it — trying to hold position over a mark, or fighting a crosswind on the way back in. Sizing slightly above the minimum guideline usually gives noticeably better control and battery life than sizing to the exact minimum.
Thrust isn’t the only factor
Shaft length needs to suit your boat’s freeboard and transom height, and voltage (12V, 24V or 36V) affects both available thrust and runtime — higher voltage systems generally deliver more thrust per amp drawn, which matters for how long your battery lasts through a day on the water.
Once you’ve settled on thrust, our trolling motor battery sizing guide covers how to match a battery to your new motor. Browse our trolling motor range, or get in touch and tell us your boat’s weight and typical conditions.