5 Design Principles of Trolling Motors

Trolling motors are a necessity for any fisherman looking to make something out of their fishing expedition. 

A Minn Kota trolling motor enables the fisherman to move his boat smoothly without significant water agitation that would otherwise spook the fish, reducing their chance of having a bumper catch.

However, in order to get the most out of your trolling motor, it is good to understand what the manufacturer had in mind during the design phase.

As we will to learn in this article, understanding the design principles of your trolling motor will not only help you to utilize it well, but also assist in addressing any technical or mechanical problems associated with its moving parts.

Stealth

Minn Kota trolling motor is designed to help you navigate the waters with negligible noise and rubble. A lot of resources are directed toward the engineering of the propeller blades, which are the source of thrust in a trolling motor. 

So, what makes the propeller blades of a Minn Kota trolling motor special? 

To better understand the propelling concept, it is good to look at how a propeller creates thrust in the first place. The rotary motion created by a propulsion mechanism (in this case, an electric motor) creates centrifugal energy that tends to displace the propeller from its position.

Additionally, the size and the curving angles are varied depending on the functional requirements of the propeller, whereby a long-bladed propeller with a small curving angle is built for speed. On the other hand, a short-bladed propeller with a sharp twist is built for power and minimal water agitation.

The propeller blades of a trolling motor are smaller and are built to give maximum thrust.

Method of Propulsion

Rather than speed, most of the Minn Kota parts and components are designed to give maximum power. As such, the trolling motor is propelled by electricity primarily sourced from batteries.

However, batteries are very heavy (despite their compact size), and a boat can just carry a few batteries conveniently. 

Connecting the batteries in a parallel arrangement ensures that the voltage output remains the same, and the ampere-hour rating increases with a factor similar to the number of batteries. Four-12 V batteries of the same kind wired in a parallel arrangement will increase the ampere-hour rating by a factor of four, enabling the trolling motor to run four times longer than it would have if one battery was used.

Controls

Fishing activities calls for total fisherman’s concentration. Thus, the control systems of a Minn Kota trolling motor are designed to ensure that the fisherman navigates the water little effort.

A hand-held remote control allows the fisherman to accelerate and turn the boat by pressing a few buttons, while keeping much of his focus on the fishing line. Electrical circuits mounted on a circuit board replace all the manual controls.

Mounting

As highlighted earlier, thrust is generated when the propeller blades turn. In order to harness the thrust from the propeller, the entire trolling motor is mounted onto the boat. As the continuous displacement occurs, the boat will consequently start to move.

A trolling motor is usually mounted in various positions depending on the power and handling requirements of the boat. A transom motor propels the boat from the back while the bow motor drags the motor from the front. The engine mount is attached on the primary gasoline engine.

Efficiency

A trolling motor is rated according to the voltage input and the amount of thrust it can generate. As such, the DC motors are designed to minimize power loss (using thick electromagnetic coils). The armature is connected to the outer casing using a roller bearing on both ends to reduce energy loss through friction.

Conclusion

A good angler is one who knows the ins and outs of their tools. By understanding the design principles of trolling motors, one can select the most efficient one for their boat and reduce the maintenance hustle significantly. 

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