55 lb thrust trolling motors are ideal options for smaller fishing boats, including kayaks, canoes, inflatable boats, Jon boats, and skiffs, due to their lightweight, impressive performance on small boats, and affordable prices.
In fact, 55 lb thrust is the max power you can get without adding more batteries (thus extra weight) to your boat.
If you are unsure whether the 55 pound thrust trolling motor is a good fit for your boat, read our instructions below and the test data of the typical 55 lb thrust trolling motor on selected boats.
If you’ve settled on the 55 pound thrust trolling motor and want recommendations on the best brands and models, you can jump to our best 55 lb trolling motors section for a quick decision.
Continue reading from there, and you will find more expert insights about the 55 lb thrust trolling motor battery to help you finish the trolling motor setup quickly and easily.
Stay with us for a few minutes, and you will learn everything you need to know about the 55 lb thrust trolling motor.
Table of content:
- 55 lb Thrust Trolling Motor: Speed & Range
- Best 55 lb Thurst Trolling Motors (on Kayaks & More)
- 55 Pound Thrust Trolling Motor Battery Guide
- 55lb Thrust Trolling Motor FAQ
- Conclusion
55 lb Thrust Trolling Motors: Is It Good for You
Wondering if the 55 pounds of thrust is worth it for your upgrade or if it provides enough power to deal with the wind and current?
A lot of anglers are concerned about this question when they are considering upgrading from the 45 lb thrust motors or when they are deciding on their first trolling motors for boats.
As much as we want to provide a YES or NO answer to this question, it’s impossible to offer a universal answer since the performance varies greatly in different boats, mounting locations, and boating environments. And different brands of 55 lb trolling motors can bring slightly different performances in real-world applications.
However, you can check out the test result of the speed and range of the 55 lb trolling motor on different boats as a reference to get a rough idea of how it will perform on your boat.
So how fast will a 55 lb thrust trolling motor go?
Take the Minn Kota Endura C2 bow mount trolling motor as an example. It’s tested on the Sun Dolphin American 12 Jon boat with one person onboard in calm water.
This 55 lb thrust trolling motor is estimated to move the Jon boat along around four miles per hour (on the highest speed setting) and can achieve five miles at most, depending on the weight onboard. And the top speed for kayak mount is 5 mph.
If you find it hard to compare the data to your own boat, here is a more straightforward table that allows you to check the ideal boat size to match the 55 lb thrust trolling motor for your quick decision:
| Boat weight max (lbs) | Boat length max | |
| General rule | 2500 – 3000 | 17’ – 18’ |
| Bass boat | 1500 – 2000 | 16’ – 17’ |
| Bay boat | 1000 – 1500 | 14’ – 17’ |
| Pontoon boat | 2000 – 2500 | 17’ – 18’ |
| Flats boat | 1750 | 15’ |
| Deck boat | 2000 | 17’ |
| Deep-V boat | 2500 – 3000 | 17’ – 18’ |
| Fish and ski boat | 2000 | 17’ |
| Center console boat | 2500 – 3000 | 17’ – 18’ |
| Skiffs | 2000 | 18’ |
| John boat | 1750 – 2000 | 18’ |
* This table is adapted from TrollingMotors.net.
If you want better performance to deal with adverse weather, such as the strong wind and waves, or want a bit more power to help you scoot around faster, you can consider adding some extra thrust to this recommendation.
Best 55 lb Thrust Trolling Motors
There are various manufacturers producing 55 lb thrust trolling motors on the market with seemly very similar features, designs, and prices. However, they can be very different in real-world experiences, including the quietness, installation process, etc.
If you are not sure which 55 lb thrust trolling motor to invest in, you can check out our recommendations for the best picks and select the ideal model for your application.
#1. Newport Vessels NV-Series
The Newport Vessels NV-Series is one of the most popular 55 pound thrust trolling motors among users worldwide, and that’s for good reasons.
It’s quiet, efficient, and high-quality, and you can fish for an entire day without worrying about spooking the fish or overheating problems. It’s durable in saltwater use with specially designed corrosion-resistant materials. If anything happens, you are covered with its 2 year warranty.
Featuring 8 adjustable speeds and a telescoping handle, this 55 lb thrust trolling motor gives you high flexibility and ergonomic control for a smooth and comfortable ride.
The transom mount trolling motor comes with an adjustable 30″ fiberglass composite shaft that can easily fit your inflatable boats, kayaks, dinghies, tenders, and aluminum fishing boats. It’s also easy to mount with the wing-nut bolts.
Specs You May Care About
| Weight | 23lbs |
| Shaft length | 30″ |
| Tiller/Handle | 6″ Extenable |
| Battery meter | 5 Point LED |
| Applications | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Mount type | Transom mount |
| Max amp draw | 52A |
Feature Highlights:
- High-quality fiberglass shaft
- Freshwater and saltwater capable
- 8 adjustable speeds (5 forward and 3 reverse)
- Easy to use and mount
- Cost-effective
#2. Motorguide Xi3
If you want a 55 lb thrust trolling motor with spot lock, jog, cruise control, and more high-tech features, the Motorguide Xi3 is your best choice which features precise Pinpoint GPS.
If you are looking for a 55 lb thrust trolling motor for kayaks, this Motorguide model will be your best option due to its 36″ extra short shaft length.
This bow mount Motorguide 55 lb trolling motor makes fishing easy and convenient than ever before, even if it’s a long day of fishing. It allows you to operate the motor from anywhere in your boat with a wireless remote. Stowing and deploying is also made easy with its SecureStep system, allowing you to finish effortlessly by just stepping on the release lever.
The best part of this freshwater 55 lb thrust trolling motor is the GPS function. This allows you to lock your boat to the most productive fishing spot with a single push of the button on the remote, fighting against the wind and current. So you will have more time to fish than controlling the motor.
Note: The base Xi3 model comes with the trolling motor only, featuring only a basic remote with no pinpoint features. Be sure to get the 55 lb thrust trolling motor with GPS model if you want the advanced virtual anchoring, heading lock, and pinpoint track recording.
Specs You May Care About
| Weight | 41 pounds |
| Shaft length | 36” |
| Information Disaply | LED dashboard |
| Applications | Freshwater |
| Mount type | Bow mount |
| Max amp draw | 52 amps |
Feature Highlights:
- Digital Power Management for extended battery life
- Easy to stow and deploy
- Easy control with wireless remote (or foot pedal optional)
- Pinpoint GPS available for advanced features
#3. Minn Kota Riptide Terrova
If you are fishing salt or brackish waters, you need to get a 55 lb trolling motor for saltwater use. The Minn Kota Riptide Terrova is a reliable option in saltwater applications.
This trolling motor features advanced corrosion protection with fully-encapsulated electronics. The lower unit housing is specially protected with two additional layers of coats after they are grit-blasted. This makes the 55 lb thrust trolling motor corrosion resistant and durable for long time use.
The bonus feature for this Minn Kota 55 lb thrust trolling motor is its i-Pilot GPS system. That means you can do spot lock, jog, record paths, autopilot, and many more advanced features with a press on the remote.
Specs You May Care About
| Weight | 55 pounds |
| Shaft length | 54” |
| Information Disaply | LCD screen |
| Applications | Saltwater |
| Mount type | Bow mount |
| Max amp draw | 46 amps |
Feature Highlights:
- Integrated i-Pilot GPS system
- Spot lock, virtual anchor
- Digital Maximizer for extended battery life
- Compatible with Humminbird fish finder
- Durable in saltwater applications
#4. Minn Kota Endura C2
This 55 lb thrust trolling motor is also a popular choice for kayaks, canoes, inflatables, and other small fishing boats. The 12 volt 55 lb trolling motor is super easy to mount, install, and wire, since you only need to deal with one battery.
According to the test in real life, you can expect this Minn Kota 55lb thrust trolling motor to push a 600-pound 17-foot small sailboat at about 5 mph (at top speed). It performs well in fighting 13-knot winds while sailing.
It features a quick-release lever on its 10-position bracket, so you can tilt and rotate the shaft so that the propeller does not drag in the water or pull the release lock to lower the shaft if you get into trouble. The adjustable speed settings (5 forward and 3 reverse) allow you to go faster (higher speed) or troll longer (lower speed) at your choice.
Specs You May Care About
| Weight | 25 Pounds |
| Shaft length | 36″ |
| Tiller/Handle | 6″ Extenable |
| Applications | Freshwater |
| Mount type | Transom mount |
| Max amp draw | 52 amps |
Feature Highlights:
- 6″ telescoping tiller
- 8 adjustable speeds (5 forward and 3 reverse)
- Composite shaft
- Easy stow and deploy
- Quiet and efficient
- Inexpensive
Also, check out the video review to get more ideas about how the 55 lb thrust trolling motor works in real life:
#5. Haswing Cayman
This 12 volt trolling motor stands out as an inexpensive trolling motor that provides a bunch of functionality you may expect from a decent trolling motor. It’s highly rated by both industry experts as well as consumers.
It comes with a wireless remote control and foot pedal, offering various ways for you to control the boat while fishing. With cruise control, you can keep your boat at any desired speed, so you can stay focused on fishing instead of adjusting the speed all the time. The specially designed ergonomic lifting handle makes transporting the 55 lb thrust trolling motor effortless.
Note that, similar to the Motorguide, the Haswing Cayman has several models, and only the Cayman GPS features anchor, spot lock, and other advanced features. Make sure you get the right option before purchase.
Specs You May Care About
| Weight | 46.6 Pounds |
| Shaft length | 48″ |
| Applications | Freshwater & Saltwater |
| Mount type | Bow mount |
| Max amp draw | 45A |
Feature Highlights:
- Clean & quiet
- Remote control & foot pedal
- Cruise control
- Freshwater & saltwater
- Ergonomic lifting handle
- Quick release bracket
55 Pound Thrust Trolling Motor Battery Guide
Have selected the best 55 lb thrust trolling motor for your kayak, canoe, skiff, etc?
That’s only halfway done. You will still need a trolling motor battery to finish the whole setup.
The good news is only one battery is necessary, thanks to its 12V motor voltage, and there is no need for complicated wiring, although you can add extra batteries for extended runtime and range (mind the extra weight also).
There are two things to consider before buying a battery for your 55 lb trolling motor:
#1. Battery Type
The deep cycle or marine battery is recommended (basically required) for trolling motors because it’s designed to release small amounts of energy slowly over time so you will have enough juice to keep the motor running for hours.
More specifically, you will have the option of AGM batteries, Lead Acid Wet Cell batteries, and lithium batteries within the category of deep cycle battery types:
| Weight | Battery Life Span | Price | Maintenance | |
| Lead Acid Wet Cell Battery | Relatively heavy | 2-3 years | Cheapest | YES |
| (Lead Acid Sealed) AGM Battery | Relatively heavy | 3-4 years | Middle range | NO |
| Lithium Battery | Lightweight (70% reduction) | Up to 10 years | Most expensive | NO |
Either type of battery can be used on your 55 lb thrust trolling motor and you may select according to your needs.
Note: Remember never opt for a crank battery or starting battery (as opposed to deep cycle batteries) for your 55 lb thrust trolling motor, which is more like a car battery. It’s designed to release a lot of energy all at once, which is what you need to start the engine and can ruin your trolling motor.
#2. Battery Capacity
So what size battery do you need for a 55 lb thrust trolling motor? The battery size will decide how long a 55 lb thrust trolling motor will run.
It’s recommended to get a 100 amp hour rating at least (usually group 27 size battery) for decent runtime and range of your 55 lb thrust trolling motor.
The rule of thumb is that the higher the amp hour rating, the longer runtime you can expect, but you need to take the weight and dimensions (space) into consideration, especially if you are fishing in a kayak, canoe or other smaller boats.
Tip: You can calculate the runtime through some simple math. Click here to check the details.
#3. Battery Recommendations
Combined with the two essential factors, we will recommend the following batteries and brands which will match all the 55 lb thrust trolling motors mentioned above perfectly.
| Brand | Battery Type | Capacity | Price |
| Weize | AGM Battery | 100 Ah | Check at Amazon |
| VMAX | AGM Battery | 120 Ah | Check at Amazon |
| PIONERGY | Lithium Battery | 150 Ah | Check at Amazon |
Further reading: For more information about the trolling motor battery and secret tips to make it last longer, check out our complete trolling motor battery buying guide.
FAQ
#1. How many horsepower is a 55 lb thrust trolling?
55 lb thrust trolling motors have a roughly equivalent power of about 0.6 horsepower. Click to learn more about how to convert thrust to horsepower.
#2. What’s the highest lb thrust for trolling motor?
The highest lb thrust trolling motor that’s generally available is 112 lb thrust introduced by Minn Kota. For example, the Fortrex model and the Riptide Terrova (for saltwater use). This information is collected in 2022 and can be updated as technology evolves day by day.
Conclusion
55 lb thrust trolling motor is the strongest (highest lb thrust trolling motor) you can get that works with 12V, and it means a lot to small boats, especially kayaks and canoes, since it reduces the weight and space for extra batteries required for 24v trolling motors otherwise.
The 55 lb thrust trolling motor can go as fast as 5 mph on small fishing boats and can go really slow and steady on large boats such as the 2.2 tons sailing yacht.
You will find the 55 lb thrust trolling motor worth it if you are underpowered with lower thrust trolling motors. It’s nice to feel free from the wind, isn’t it? However, if you already have enough power to fight the natural elements, perhaps you won’t feel any noticeable difference.