I've got a 6hp 4 stroke mercury as a trolling motor on a 19' Klamath. It's a very lightweight boat and I think the 6hp has been fine as far as power goes. However, I'm looking to replace it for a numbers of reasons, and I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for a trolling motor that is quiet, is enough power for trolling salmon in the sound, and can also go slow/low revs enough for trolling kokanee/sockeye in lakes.

Thanks!

What about an electric motor? Surely the saltwater capable Minn Kota should be able to move your Klamath at ideal trolling speed.

Get a big ole Minn Kota “Rip Tide” bow mounter with ipilot, and never look back !

I put one on my 17 ‘ smoker, dumped the gas kicker years ago, and it’s been one of the best investments in my fishing gear. Hands off fishing for one armed paper put’rs and , really great with a boat load of kids and fish to be caught...

Hmmmmmmmm!

04/04/2021

MPM:

Depends how much you want to spent.

No doubt an electric motor is the quiet choice but lots of trolling requires "on board" batteries for the long term trolling bit.

I had a 55# Minn Kota, loved the quiet bit but when I tried to "pull plugs" in a river, the power just wasn't there.

I bought a 8HP Yamaha, electric start and power tilt, in 2003. Its doesn't make as much noise as some smaller gas motors. The only problem I've had is with the power tilt.

Good luck.....I'm sure there are lots of people on here, with 24 and 36 volt electric motors, that could comment.....good luck!!!!

There's a reason everybody runs Yamaha 9.9s

For that size boat you don't necessarily need the high thrust model, so you'll save weight and money. Most of the current 4 strokes in that size will be fine though.

I have a Minn Kota Terrova 80# bow mount, GPS, hands free, all that stuff. It's fantastic in lakes for Sockeye, Kokanee, trout, walleye, etc. But for salt water tolling, or in rivers with much current, I use the gas kicker.

Not sure an electric will have the power you need for serious trolling in the sound with tidal currents and wind. Nice to have a bit more power for backup purposes as well. 9.9 should troll down for kokes.

I could see an electric motor being great, but I don't think I'd want it as my only backup motor out in the salt or Lake Washington.

As far as gas 4-stroks go, does anyone have input on different brands or HP models as far as noise goes? Or on the ability of a larger (9.9hp) motor to go slow/low revs?

Tohatsu makes Mercs small motors ( or did ) and most brands are reliable just some require more care than others. Having had Merc, Evinrude, Tohatsu, and Yamaha I think I can say that the Yamaha is the best all around and service is part of all around. Noise level is not a issue with 4 strokes being the current thing.

We've had a 4 h.p. 4 stroke Tohatsu for 15 years now, never let us down, I did have to replace the shaft lock on it, but was able to do it myself. Always starts, never had to paddle back (we use it on an Old Town canoe with a transom, it's rated for a 5 h.p. max. It's a pretty quiet motor, whether trolling or running wide open.