3 Best Trolling Motors for Pontoon Boats

Hey there anglers and welcome to my post where we will check out my best three best trolling motors for pontoon boats to get you over the water this year. For many a fisher, a pontoon boat provides a great way to get out on the water due to their durability and stability on the water. 

Pontoon boats also work well if equipped with a trolling motor that does not generate excessive waves or noise on the water. However, choosing the best trolling motor can be a daunting task.  So to help you out, I have had a good look around and come up with three decent options below.

Let’s check them out…

I will review these in more detail below, but if you just want to get moving without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience: 

10/31/2025 02:03 am GMT

Trolling motors are small battery powered motors that can be attached to boats, kayaks, canoes or sailing vessels. They are commonly mounted at the bow or transom, are battery-powered and controlled by hand, foot pedal, or remote control. 

In short, they can provide the following advantages for pontoon boats:

• More accurate movement to fishing spots (especially against gentle currents).
• Remove the need to attach a large loud motor in smaller lakes
• Good for those with injuries or disabilities.

Note: Some state/local Marine Authorities require users to obtain a boat license prior to operating any vessel with a trolling motor attached. Always check local regulations prior to purchase.

The following factors should be considered as you look around for a good trolling motor for your pontoon boat.

1. Mounting position
2. Thrust
3. Battery use
4. Shaft length
5. Construction design
6. Additions

Mounting position

The first consideration in deciding which trolling motor to buy is where you’ll mount it.  This will be largely dtermined by the boat specifications however there are three main option being the bow, transom (rear), or engine mount.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each, but if you intend to do any actual trolling, I recommend a bow mount trolling motor. Furthermore, bow-mounted motors allow you to control your boat in any situation.  However, as they have more features, bow-mount trolling motors are generally more expensive than transom mount tiller handle trolling motors.

For general movement or if it is the only motor installed, then a transom or engine mounted motor will work best.

Thrust

There is a bit to this, but in short, the trust will determine how much power (and hence speed) you will ger from the motor.  The traditional method for determining how much trolling motor thrust you require is 2 pounds of thrust for every 100 pounds of boat weight.

For example, a typical 22′ pontoon boat loaded with gas, equipment and a couple of passengers will weigh around 3,000 pounds meaning you’ll need a trolling motor with a thrust of 60 pounds.

Battery use

Another vital feature to look for is the equipment’s battery use levels – often referred to as ‘amp draw‘ – as this will  of course determine how long you will use the trolling motor. What you are looking for here is the amount of amps the motor uses at full thrust and then work out h0w long you want to use the motor for.

So for example, if your motor uses 10amps at full speed and you will want the motor to run for 5 hours then you will need at least a 50 amp hour battery (Battery amp hours measure how many hours a battery will last before it must be charged).  This measure will help you more when choosing your battery (or batteries if more than one required) but is good to know of course.

Note: keep in mind that you don’t generally use a tolling motor the entire time you are out on the water either.

Shaft length

In basic terms, the shaft length determines how far down into the water the propeller goes. You’ll need a lengthy shaft if you want your prop to perform well however water depth of your favored location is also something to consider.

For a waterline-to-transom distance of 16 inches, a shaft with a length of 36 inches should be suitable. If the distance from the waterline to the transom is small, say 10 inches or less, a shaft of length 30 inches would be sufficient. Shafts on some versions can even range from 55 to 60 inches.

Construction design

Trolling motors for pontoon boats are submerged underwater which subjects them to corrosion, especially if you are angling in salt water. Hence buying one constructed of sturdy material with an anti-rust and corrosion-sealed housing that prevents water entry is highly recommended.

Materials made of stainless steel work well and aluminum motors are considered the best choice since they are lightweight and offer excellent corrosion resistance. 

Additions

Other potential additions include:

1. Circuit breaker: This electrical safety device protects the motor from damage caused by overcurrent or short-circuit.
2. Selectable drive speeds: This feature offers the fisher speed options suitable for any situation.
3. Sonar image transducer: The gear incorporates fish finder type technology that makes it easier for the angler to see clearly what’s happening with the fish in the water below.

FAQ

Are pontoon boat trolling motors legal?

In general yes, however some areas required the driver to be licensed to pilot a vessel run by a trolling motor.  This is especially true if the trolling motor is the only powered engine on the boat or it you plan on heading out onto open waters.

So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:

1. Newport Vessels Pontoon Series Saltwater Electric Pontoon Trolling Motor

This trolling motor is made from a specific design for propelling large pontoon boats with 86 pounds of thrust and a 55″ shaft length. See its specifications below:

• Brand: Newport
• Shaft length: 55 inches
• Mounting position: Bow or Transom
• Thrust: 86 pounds
• Weight:15.63 kilograms
• Amp draw: 48amps on 24 volt (2 batteries)

Other inclusions:

• 50-ampere circuit breaker
• Mount bracket
• 66″ battery cables
• LED battery meter

Why have I chosen it?

My trolling motor is a long-lasting motor is made for saltwater use, making it an excellent choice for pontoon boats that will spend time in the water. The motor has a maximum thrust of 86 pounds and variable speed control, allowing you to tailor your speed to the conditions and includes a 10-point LED battery meter for monitoring the remaining battery life.  This is a great option for pontoon boats of all sizes – especially if being used in salt water.

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2. Minn Kota 1358733 PowerDrive Freshwater Electric-Steer Bow-Mount Trolling Motor

My second trolling motor is another excellent option with a powerful prop set  that allows the user to enjoy a smooth ride by quickly cutting through submerged grass, marshes, and weed growth. It is foot controlled for ease of use and offers 70lb thrust on a 60″ shaft. See its specifications below:

• Brand: Minn Kota
• Shaft length: 60 inches
• Mounting position: Bow
• Thrust: 70
• Weight: 21.2 kilograms
• Amp draw: Not stated but is 24V (two batteries required)

Other inclusions:

• Electric Steer Bow-Mount Motors
• Compatible with the use of GPS-powered boat control systems like i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link. PowerDrive
• Multiple foot control options

Why have I chosen it?

The freshwater trolling motor has a strong, long 60-inch shaft that is free of excessive noise or vibrations that scare away potential catches.  The motor is managed by a multi function foot pedal or smartphone app as well as a deploy assist lever for ease of deployment as well.  This is a great option for lakes of all sizes.

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3. Garmin Force Foot Steer Trolling Motor

My last trolling motor is loaded with several excellent features including brushless motor, integrated CHIRP-HW/ClearVu/SideVu transducer and wireless foot pedal with 80lb of thrust on a 50″ shaft. See its specifications below:

• Brand: Garmin
• Shaft length: 50 or 57 inches
• Mounting position: Bow
• Thrust: 100 pounds
• Weight: 44.72 kilograms
• Amp draw: Not stated but runs 24 to 36V

Other inclusions it has:

• Integrated sonar and GPS
• Wireless foot pedal and remote
• Built-in pilot

Why have I chosen this?

You’ll have more than enough power to propel your boat with 80 pounds of thrust. It has an Anchor Lock mode that is easily activated with the push of a button to keeps you in place while you use the integrated fish finder to see what’s beneath the surface.  The built-in autopilot locks onto a specific heading and adjusts automatically and continuously to keep your boat moving in that direction whilst you have your line in the water.  Great for high end use in both fresh and salt water alike.

10/31/2025 02:03 am GMT

There you have it, my three best trolling motors which you can fasten onto your pontoon boats this year. I would be pleased to know how this article helped you, and as usual,  let me know of your experiences with them.

Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, or corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.

Until next time.

Have fun

Paul