"Rick Cortese" wrote...

FWIW: If anything I think the older MinnKota model numbers reflected amps.
Figure 85 amps would roughly translate to 40ish lbs of thrust.

I don't think so. Current motors are on the order of 1# thrust per amp at 12V.

Also, 85 amps is a HUGE continuous load! I wouldn't want to wire a boat for
that!


40 lbs of thrust is nothing to sneeze at anyway. I think the min
recommendation for trolling motor is something like 5 lbs thrust for every
1,000 lbs of boat and passengers. 40 lbs in some circles would be good'nuff
for a 30' sailboat with lead keel.

I don't think so here, too! My MinnKota 42EX (12V, 42# thrust, 36 amps) pushes
my 21', 1200# sailboat at about 3.5 kt in flat water -- with an aftermarket
prop. In any kind of headwind or sea, a 40# thrust motor wouldn't keep headway
on a 30' boat!