minn kota maxxum question

[illinoisbassfishin]

I have a 1983 ranger 330v 17' boat and right now it has a 70 lb maxxum on it. It seems to do really good but if it's really windy it seems like you have to have it in high speed like 70-90 to hold or make forward progress. I'm wishing I would have bought the 80 instead and not worried about saving a couple hundred bucks. If I were to get the 80 lb maxxum would I really notice that much of a difference between 10 lbs of thrust or should I stick with the 70 and not worry about losing any extra money? Also if you are running with good batteries and it seems to stay charged up all day even if you do have to run it on 80 or 90 in the wind does that hurt the trolling motor in any way to run it in that high of a speed? Any opinions would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Imavol]

You would notice a difference but it would not be huge. Before you swap trolling motors though. Get a Kipawa prop and try that. I changed mine last year and it made a huge difference now I run the trolling motor on 30 or 40% instead of 50 or 60%. Best $40 I ever spent on my boat.

[illinoisbassfishin]

Thanks a ton Imavol!!! I was just getting ready to ask if a kippewa would make any difference at all but now I don't have to ask. My buddy has a kippewa prop but he also has a 20 foot ranger with a 36 volt 101 lb thrust maxxum. He said he even noticed a difference with that big beast of a trolling motor but I wasn't sure about mine because there is a big difference between 70 and 101. I just might have to order the kippewa in the next couple days. Thanks again.

[SPAZ]

I have a kipawa for my 101 but I have not used it yet. On my 18.5 fiberglass boat I was able to hit a top end speed of 2.4 mph(72lb motorguide) With my 101 Fortrex I'm able to touch 3.6mph (avg is about 3.2-3.4).

[Imavol]

I have a 201 Stratos with a 80lb minn kota and it made a huge difference I would not have believed that a prop could make that much of a difference but I fished a tournament with a friend a couple of years ago who had the same boat and trolling motor as I did but his had alot more pull to it. After the tournament I had to check out his prop because I could tell it was different than what I had. I went home and ordered one that day. Like I said it was the best $40 I have ever spent on my boat.

[SPAZ]

Good to know. I will install mine soon then.

[Hyintegrity]

At $35.99 on kipawa's website sounds like a good deal.

How does this prop compare to the wedge in cutting through weeds? I've noticed out of certain 3 blade trolling motor props that they tend to not chop through them as easy.

[Imavol]

That is a good question there is not alot of weeds on the lakes I fish an a regular basis maybe someone else will chime in and let us know.