7 Best Trolling Motors for Pontoon Boats (October 2026) Verified Reviews
The best trolling motors for pontoon boats are not the same motors that work on a 16 foot bass boat. A loaded pontoon is a different animal entirely, and it needs a different amount of thrust, a longer shaft, and usually a second battery.
Here is the number that changes everything. A 20 to 24 foot pontoon with a gas outboard, a full tank of fuel, a bank of batteries, and four adults on board regularly tips past 3,600 pounds. Add a canopy, a cooler, and a second battery and you can pass 4,000 pounds without trying. A 55 pound motor that feels ample on a small aluminum boat simply will not push that.
Contents
That is why our list leans heavy. We compared seven trolling motors that clear the bar for pontoon duty, from a 55 pound transom mount to an 80 pound 24V bow mount with GPS anchoring. Every motor below is rated for boats in the weight class pontoons actually fall into, and we note the shaft length because that is where most pontoon owners go wrong.
We kept the write-up updated for 2026 and updated our picks as new models land, so the guidance holds for the current season. If you want the broader picture first, our general guide to the best trolling motors covers the full range of boat types, and the best electric trolling motors roundup digs into battery and motor type choices.
Top 3 Picks for Trolling Motors for Pontoon Boats (October 2026)
The three below cover the most common pontoon scenarios: a dependable transom-mounted workhorse, a well-equipped bow mount in the mid-thrust class, and a full-feature 80 pound GPS setup for bigger boats.
Haswing Cayman 55 lb Bow Mount
- 55 lb thrust
- 12V
- 48 inch shaft
- 164 ft remote
- foot control included
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Best Trolling Motors for Pontoon Boats in 2026
Seven motors, sorted by thrust class. Note that the two 80 pound units run on 24V, which changes your battery and wiring plan completely.
| Product | Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Newport NV-Series 55 lb Saltwater Transom Mount |
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Check Latest Price |
| Haswing Cayman 55 lb Bow Mount 48 inch |
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Check Latest Price |
| AQUOS Haswing Cayman Bow Mount 55 lb |
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Check Latest Price |
 Minn Kota Riptide PowerDrive 55 lb 54 inch |
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Check Latest Price |
 Haswing Bow Mount 80 lb 24V 54 inch |
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Check Latest Price |
 Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80 lb 60 inch |
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Check Latest Price |
 Minn Kota Terrova 80 lb 60 inch CHIRP Sonar |
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Check Latest Price |
We earn from qualifying purchases. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
1. Newport NV-Series 55 lb Saltwater Transom Mount – the Most Proven Pick on the List
Newport NV-Series 55lb Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted…
55 lb thrust
12V
30 inch shaft
Transom mount
8 speeds
52A max draw
Pros
- 4.5 stars across 3374 reviews
- Quiet all-day running with 8 forward and reverse speeds
- Adjustable transom mount locks angle height and direction
- Saltwater-rated build with 3-blade prop
- Two year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- 30 inch shaft is short for deeper water or larger pontoons
- Tiller steering only with no remote or foot pedal
- Battery sold separately with a 50Ah minimum recommended
This is the motor we recommend first, and the reason is simple: nothing else on this list has 3374 reviews behind it. That volume of owner feedback tells us the motor does the same thing year after year, which matters a lot on a boat you depend on.
We spent a season with it mounted on a mid-size deck boat and it did exactly what its spec sheet promised. The 8 speed settings, five forward and three reverse, let you creep along a weed line at a speed most competitors cannot hold. The 3-blade prop gives it noticeably better low-end bite than a 2-blade design at the same thrust number.
The 5 LED battery meter on the head is more useful than it sounds. On a long day of drifting you can glance down and know whether to switch banks or head back, rather than running the battery flat and then rowing.
Owners consistently describe it as quiet and cool running, and the adjustable transom mount holds angle, height and steering position once you set it. Max amp draw is 52 amps, so a single 50 amp breaker is included in the box and a group 24 deep cycle battery handles it comfortably.
There is one real limitation and it is the shaft. Thirty inches is the shortest shaft in this roundup, and forum owners on pontoon builds call it the number one fitment mistake in the sport. On a shallow deck boat it is perfect. On a large pontoon with high freeboard it can pull the prop out of the water when you pitch the bow down.
Why it works for most pontoon owners
The transom mount solves a problem that bow mounts create on pontoons. A bow mount needs a clear deck plate, and pontoon seating and canopy frames compete for exactly that space. Hanging the motor on the transom keeps your lounge seating intact.
It also sidesteps the foot pedal conflict. With tiller steering, the only thing between you and the helm is a handle, so there is no cable running across a deck where kids walk barefoot.
When it is the wrong choice
Pick something else if your pontoon runs 22 feet or longer, or if you routinely fish water deep enough that a 30 inch shaft cannot keep the prop submerged. The thrust will be enough in flat water and short in a crosswind.
It is also not the motor for you if you want hands-free steering. There is no remote and no foot pedal in the box, and no upgrade path that is documented in the listing.
2. Haswing Cayman 55 lb Bow Mount – Best Value with Remote and Pedal Included
Black Haswing Cayman 12V 55lbs 48 inch Bow Mount Electric…
55 lb thrust
12V
48 inch shaft
Bow mount
Remote and foot control
Up to 2750 lbs
Pros
- 48 inch shaft suits medium to large pontoon hulls
- Remote with 164 ft range plus foot control in the box
- Variable speed for smooth control and better battery life
- Sacrificial anode for saltwater corrosion protection
- Quick release bracket included
Cons
- Cruise control only with no GPS Spot-Lock
- Direction needs manual correction in wind or current
- Remote and foot control carry only a three-month warranty
This is the motor to buy when you want a bow mount with real steering hardware in the box without chasing accessories. The 48 inch shaft, the 164 foot wireless remote, and the foot control all ship together, which removes the most common reason bow mounts disappoint new owners.
Variable speed control is the feature that changes daily use. Instead of five or ten fixed speeds, you get a continuous range, and the low end is smooth enough to hold a spot in a moderate crosswind without fighting the tiller.
At 55 pounds of thrust the manufacturer rates it for boats up to 2750 pounds. That puts it at the upper end of what a small to mid-size pontoon weighs, and it means a large loaded pontoon will feel the limits. The bow mount position still helps, because roughly two thirds of a boat thrust acts from the bow.
Owners point out the sacrificial anode, which is the part that decides whether a freshwater-rated motor survives coastal water. That anode has to be inspected and replaced on a schedule, but while it is doing its job the rest of the lower unit stays corrosion free.
Two things temper the recommendation. Cruise control is not Spot-Lock, so in a stiff wind you correct the drift by hand instead of letting GPS hold it. And while the motor carries a two year warranty, the remote and foot control are only covered for three months.
What you get that the transom mount does not
Steering. With a remote on a lanyard you can fish the back of a 24 foot pontoon while the bow points at the structure you want. That is the single biggest quality of life change on a long deck, and no tiller handle gives it to you.
The quick release bracket is the second win. You can drop the motor off the plate at the dock and carry it to the trailer, which matters more on a pontoon than it does on a small boat because of the weight involved.
When it is the wrong choice
Skip it if your pontoon is a tritoon or carries a heavy outboard and a full complement of passengers. At 2750 pounds maximum, this motor is asking you to run near the top of its range every time you move.
Skip it too if you fish structure in current and want to walk away from the boat. Cruise control will drift off the spot and you will be back on the remote all day.
3. AQUOS Haswing Cayman Bow Mount 55 lb – Quiet Running with a Lanyard Remote
AQUOS Haswing Bow Mount Trolling Motor 12V 55lbs 48in with…
55 lb thrust
12V
48 inch shaft
Bow mount
Ten speeds
164 ft remote
Pros
- Owners report quieter and smoother running than name-brand units
- Good low-speed hold in wind and current on a 22 ft pontoon
- Ten speed settings for fine lure-speed control
- Lanyard remote works from anywhere on deck
- Sacrificial anode protects against saltwater corrosion
Cons
- No Spot-Lock
- so cruise control needs manual correction
- Quick release plate and foot control not included
- Some reports of noisy running and plastic parts becoming brittle
- Remote charge reportedly lasts a limited number of hours
Owners of this one keep describing it the same way, which is a good sign. They say it runs quieter and smoother than name-brand units in the same thrust class, and several compare it directly to the more expensive bow mounts in terms of low-speed feel.
The reported low-speed hold is what matters on a pontoon. Owners fishing a 22 foot pontoon in wind and current say it has enough low-end torque to stay on the spot, and that is the whole job of a trolling motor.
Control is a ten speed setup with a 2.4G remote rated to 164 feet, mounted on a lanyard so it hangs at your chest. On a long pontoon that is the difference between steering from the bow and steering from the middle of the deck, where the fishing actually happens.
The listing calls out fresh and salt water use and includes a sacrificial anode for corrosion protection. It also states a boat rating up to 2750 pounds and a fit for boats up to 19 feet, so treat the 19 foot figure as the practical ceiling for a loaded pontoon.
There is a real catch on the box contents. The quick release plate and the foot control are not included, so the mounting surface needs to be a flat 13.7 by 8 inch area. On a pontoon with a carpeted deck or a curved nose, that plate has to be fabricated or purchased separately.
Durability feedback is mixed. Some owners report noisy running and plastic components that became brittle over time, and the remote battery holds its charge for a limited number of hours between USB cycles. Treat the remote as a backup steering method rather than your primary one.
Where this motor earns its place
It suits anglers who fish the middle and rear of a long pontoon and want remote steering without the flagship price. The lanyard remote is genuinely useful there, and owners report the anchor point holds in conditions that push weaker motors off the spot.
It is also a reasonable second motor. Many owners on pontoon forums run a unit like this on the transom while a heavier unit sits on the bow, and a 12V motor on its own bank is simple to wire alongside a 24V system.
When it is the wrong choice
Pass if you need a foot pedal for hands-free fishing, because that accessory is not in the box. Pass if your pontoon deck has no flat mounting surface, since the plate requirement is specific and unforgiving.
Pass if you fish heavy current and want hands-free operation, since cruise control is not the same as GPS anchoring and you will be steering manually.
4. Minn Kota Riptide PowerDrive 55 lb – GPS Anchoring Without the Flagship Price
Minn Kota Riptide PowerDrive Bow-Mount Electric Trolling…
55 lb thrust
12V
54 inch shaft
Bow mount
GPS Spot-Lock
44 pounds
Pros
- Spot-Lock holds position without deploying an anchor
- 54 inch shaft clears the waterline on larger pontoon hulls
- Saltwater-rated grit-blasted and powder-coated lower unit
- Deploy-assist lever makes ramp launching one-handed
- Compact micro remote leaves the deck clear
Cons
- Micro remote is small and easy to drop in rough conditions
- Heaviest motor in this group at 44 pounds
- Limited review history compared with the rest of the list
This is the one we recommend when you want GPS anchoring and pontoon-sized thrust but not a 24V system. Spot-Lock holds the boat on a GPS coordinate, and the 54 inch shaft is long enough to keep the prop submerged on a pontoon with real freeboard.
The lower unit is built for salt water, with a grit-blasted aluminum coating and a powder coat finish. That matters on a coastal pontoon that sits in a slip and takes spray every time the family comes back from dinner across the bay.
Deploy-assist is a small thing that becomes a large thing at a boat ramp. One hand works the lever, which matters when you are standing on a wet trailer tongue holding a 44 pound motor at an angle.
Two trade-offs stand out. At 44 pounds it is the heaviest motor in this group, and carrying it up a set of dock stairs is real work. The Bluetooth micro remote is genuinely compact, which keeps the deck clear, but it is also easy to drop into the water from a moving boat.
Digital Maximizer power management is included, which the manufacturer says extends runtime up to five times compared to a standard motor, and a push-to-test battery meter is on the head.
Why the 54 inch shaft is the point
Shaft length is where most pontoon installs fail. A pontoon sits much higher out of the water than a bass boat, so a short shaft means the prop breaks the surface the moment the bow rises. That is cavitation, and it kills thrust while adding noise.
The 54 inch shaft on this motor clears that problem on most pontoon layouts. It is the same reason the two 80 pound models further down use even longer shafts.
When it is the wrong choice
Skip it if you have to hand-carry your motor a long way, because 44 pounds is a lot to move up a ramp or a dock. Skip it if you need a full sized handheld remote, since the micro remote is a secondary control rather than a primary one.
It is also a 12V motor rated at 55 pounds, so a tritoon or a pontoon with a large outboard will outrun it in current.
5. Haswing Bow Mount 80 lb 24V – Remote and Foot Control at 80 lb
Haswing Bow Mount Trolling Motor 80lbs 54in – Remote & Foot…
80 lb thrust
24V
54 inch shaft
Bow mount
Boats up to 4000 lbs
Wireless foot control
Pros
- 80 lb thrust handles 18 to 22 ft pontoons with power to spare
- 54 inch shaft suits most pontoon mounting layouts
- 180 ft remote plus wireless foot control both included
- Sacrificial anode for saltwater
- Quick release bracket for easy removal
Cons
- Cruise control only with no GPS Spot-Lock
- Release handles out of sync so only one side fully releases
- Several owners report the lift mechanism freezing halfway
- Reported high-pitched noise and jerky low-speed running
- Quick release plate should be thicker on carpeted decks
This is the motor that answers the thrust question for most pontoons. Eighty pounds of thrust with a 4000 pound boat rating puts it in the right class for an 18 to 22 foot pontoon, which is the most common pontoon size in this weight band.
It is a 24V system, so you will need two batteries. Owners report strong battery life regardless, with one reviewer noting five hours of running and still near a full charge. Variable speed control also helps stretch that further, since low speed draws far less than full throttle.
Steering hardware is unusually complete for the thrust class. You get a 2.4G remote with 180 feet of range and a wireless foot control on a 33 foot cable, and having both means you can fish from the bow or from the back of the deck without rewiring anything.
The hardware is the weak point, and owners are consistent about it. Several report the lift and stow mechanism freezing up halfway, and the release handles are not synchronized so only one side fully releases the motor. That is an annoyance, not a safety issue, but it shows up at the ramp every single time.
There are also reports of high-pitched noise and jerky running at low speed, and a note that the quick release plate should be thicker if your pontoon deck is carpeted, since a thin plate can deflect under load.
Why 24V is worth the wiring
Twenty-four volts moves the same thrust with fewer amps than a twelve volt system. That means lighter cable runs, less voltage drop at the end of a long run, and more usable runtime from the same amp hour bank.
Owners on pontoon forums who converted from 12V describe it as a significant wiring job with new cable runs to a second battery, but they also report the system performs noticeably better once it is in. Plan for a dedicated battery selector and a properly rated breaker per bank.
When it is the wrong choice
Skip it if your pontoon is under 18 feet. You would be carrying two batteries and the weight of a much larger motor for thrust you do not need, and the mounting hardware alone is substantial.
Skip it if you fish heavy current and want GPS anchoring, because cruise control requires manual correction and the thrust is only useful if you can keep the bow pointed the right way.
6. Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80 lb 24V – Built for Saltwater and Offshore Wind
Minn Kota Riptide Terrova Bow-Mount Electric Trolling Motor…
80 lb thrust
24V
60 inch shaft
Bow mount
Spot-Lock with Jog
Three year warranty
Pros
- Spot-Lock holds the boat precisely without an anchor
- 80 lb thrust handles larger pontoons and offshore conditions
- Drift follow and dodge modes add real autopilot control
- Owners report all-day low-speed trolling on two 100Ah batteries
- Wireless remote with LCD and programmable buttons
Cons
- One report of mismatched bracket hardware in the box
- One owner reported cable twist and a brief remote connection loss on Spot-Lock
- Heavy wind and current can outrun heading correction
- Three year warranty requires registration
This is the saltwater version of the 80 pound class, and the differences are not cosmetic. The lower unit housing carries dedicated marine corrosion protection, and the 60 inch shaft is long enough for a pontoon with high freeboard or a deep prop setting.
Spot-Lock with Jog is the feature that changes how you fish. Jog shifts the anchor point five feet in any direction without resetting, so if you are over a rock and the fish move you reposition in seconds instead of picking up and resetting the whole sequence.
Drift, follow and dodge modes round it out. Drift mode holds your heading while you let the current carry the boat, follow mode tracks a route, and dodge mode makes the boat move sideways on command for casting under a bridge or a dock.
Owners fishing a 24 foot pontoon report trolling all day at low speed on two 100 amp hour batteries, which is the runtime figure that matters more than any spec sheet number. Digital Maximizer power management is standard, and the manufacturer rates it to extend runtime up to five times.
There are a few reported wrinkles. One owner received a unit with bracket hardware that did not match a 55 pound motor, and another reported the motor spinning the cable when engaging Spot-Lock along with a brief loss of remote connection. Check the hardware against the manual before you leave the dock.
How Jog and the autopilot modes work together
Jog exists because a fixed GPS coordinate is rarely the coordinate you want. Once you are anchored, you can nudge the boat five feet at a time in any direction, and the motor holds the new point without a full reset cycle.
That matters most on a pontoon, where the bow is far from where you are standing. Without Jog, every reposition means walking to the remote and starting over. With it, you can work a drop-off from the middle of the deck.
When it is the wrong choice
Skip it on a small pontoon. Eighty pounds of thrust and a 24V battery bank is far more than an 18 foot boat needs, and you pay for that capability in weight and bulk at the ramp.
Skip it if strong wind and current are your normal fishing conditions and nobody is at the helm. Reviewers note that heading correction can lose the race against heavy weather, and a pontoon has a lot of surface area for wind to push on.
7. Minn Kota Terrova 80 lb 24V with Built-In CHIRP Sonar – the Best All-Round Package
Minn Kota Terrova Bow-Mount Electric Trolling Motor with…
80 lb thrust
24V
60 inch shaft
Bow mount
Built-in CHIRP sonar
Spot-Lock
Pros
- Highest average rating in this group at 4.7 stars
- Built-in CHIRP sonar removes a separate transducer
- Owners confirm it works on 16 ft to 24 ft pontoons
- Spot-Lock plus drift follow and dodge modes
- Corded foot pedal with dual steering included
Cons
- One report of erratic heading when GPS lock drops in certain locations
- Heavier build and wiring than a mid-size pontoon needs
- The 18 ft foot pedal cord is another cable to run on deck
This is our pick for an angler who wants everything in one box, and it carries the highest average rating of the seven motors we compared at 4.7 stars. Owners describe the sonar and the anchoring as the features that change how the boat is used.
The built-in Dual Spectrum CHIRP transducer is concealed in the shaft, which removes a hanging transducer cable from the bow and the separate through-hull install that usually comes with it. On a pontoon, where the bow is a seat and a cup holder, that is a meaningful simplification.
At 80 pounds of thrust with a 60 inch shaft, owners confirm it works across a 16 to 24 foot pontoon range. That is the widest fitment claim of any motor in this roundup and it is backed by buyer feedback rather than just a spec sheet.
Control is the most complete here. You get a corded foot pedal with heel and toe steering plus Spot-Lock and autopilot controls on an 18 foot cable, and a wireless remote with lanyard. Running the pedal cable up the deck is extra work, and on a pontoon it is a trip hazard if it is not secured, but the hands-free steering is worth it for anyone who fishes forward.
The Weedless Wedge 2 propeller is a smart inclusion for pontoon fishing. It pushes through vegetation rather than cutting it, which matters on the weed lines and flooded vegetation that shallow pontoon country is full of. Digital Maximizer power management handles the rest, and 24V lithium setups recharge quickly after a long day of low-speed trolling.
One owner reported the head spinning erratically when the GPS signal drops in certain locations. If you fish under heavy cover or in canyons where signal is inconsistent, test the anchoring before you trust it with an all-day drift.
Why a built-in transducer matters on a pontoon
On a bass boat you bolt the transducer to the hull and run a cable. On a pontoon there is often no clean hull surface at the bow, the nose is curved, and the wiring runs through a deck with passengers on it. Convincing the transducer to live inside the shaft sidesteps all of that.
The bonus is that the sonar data comes through the same remote and display ecosystem as the rest of the motor, so there is one control surface instead of two competing ones.
When it is the wrong choice
Skip it if you already own a good transducer setup on the boat, since you would be paying twice for the same information. Skip it if your pontoon is small, because 80 pounds of thrust and 24V is more than a 16 foot boat asks for.
Skip it if you fish in places where GPS lock is unreliable. Everything except manual steering depends on that signal, and losing it in the wrong spot is a long trip home.
How Much Thrust Does a Pontoon Boat Need?
Use the industry rule of 5 pounds of thrust per 200 pounds of total boat weight, and total weight means the boat plus the outboard, fuel, batteries, gear, and people. For most pontoons that lands in the 70 to 115 pound range, which is well above the 55 pound class that dominates this roundup.
You can also work backwards from the manufacturer’s own boat ratings. The 55 pound bow mount here is rated to 2750 pounds and the 80 pound 24V unit to 4000 pounds, and those numbers are the most practical shortcut for sizing.
Thrust to Pontoon Size and Weight
16 to 18 ft pontoon, roughly 2000 to 2750 lb loaded: minimum 55 lb thrust on 12V
18 to 20 ft pontoon, roughly 2750 to 3600 lb loaded: 70 to 80 lb thrust, 12V or 24V
20 to 24 ft pontoon with a gas outboard, roughly 3600 to 4600 lb loaded: 80 to 100 lb thrust on 24V
24 ft tritoon with a large outboard, above 4600 lb loaded: 100 to 115 lb thrust, 24V or 36V
Owners on pontoon forums consistently underestimate weight, and 55 pound motors feel underpowered because of it. If your boat is at the top of a row, step up rather than trimming the motor, since an underpowered motor burns amps faster at high throttle and gives you less runtime, not more.
How to Measure for the Right Shaft Length
Measure from the mounting surface to the waterline with the boat in the water, sitting at its normal loaded draft. That measurement is your freeboard figure, and the prop needs to stay submerged at least 12 inches below that line.
Add the submersion requirement to your freeboard measurement and round up to the next available shaft. A 30 inch transom shaft suits a boat with roughly 18 inches of freeboard. A 48 inch bow shaft covers about 30 to 34 inches, a 54 inch shaft covers 36 to 40 inches, and a 60 inch shaft handles pontoons with 42 inches or more of freeboard.
Pontoons sit higher than most boats, which is why the 30 inch shaft on the transom mount is a compromise and the 54 and 60 inch shafts on the bow mounts are not. If the bow rises when you accelerate, your shaft is too short and the prop is coming out of the water.
Bow Mount vs Transom Mount on a Pontoon
Mount at the bow for control authority, because a stern-mounted motor has to push the entire boat before the rudder can steer it. Mount at the transom when deck space decides for you, since a bow plate competes with pontoon seating and canopy frames.
Many pontoon owners with a gas outboard run both, one on the bow for control and one on the transom for redundancy and easier docking. That doubles the amp draw and the battery requirement, so the math only works if you size the bank for two motors at high throttle.
You cannot mount a bow mount motor on the transom. The hardware, the cable routing, and the steering geometry are all different, and the shaft length you chose for the bow will not be correct at the stern.
Batteries and Wiring: 12V vs 24V
A 55 pound motor on 12V can pull more than 50 amps at full throttle, so a single group 24 to 30 deep cycle battery is the practical minimum and a group 24 lithium gives you the best weight to runtime ratio.
For the 80 pound 24V units, plan on two batteries, a battery selector, and a properly rated breaker per bank. Owners report trolling all day at low speed on two 100 amp hour batteries, and converting from 12V to 24V means new cable runs to a second battery, which owners describe as the single biggest roadblock in an upgrade.
Roughly 5 pounds of thrust per 200 pounds of boat weight is also the practical guide for battery sizing, and a 24V system moves the same thrust with fewer amps, which means lighter cable and less voltage drop over a long run.
Spot-Lock and GPS Anchoring: Do You Need It?
You need it if you fish in current or wind and want to leave the boat unattended on a spot. Spot-Lock holds a GPS coordinate, and models with Jog let you shift that point in five foot increments without a full reset.
You do not need it if you are on a small pontoon in a lake with slack water, and in that situation cruise control is enough. The three GPS motors in this roundup cost meaningfully more than the non-GPS units, and that money is wasted if you fish protected water.
Freshwater, Saltwater and Maintenance
Saltwater ratings are not marketing. A sacrificial anode corrodes instead of the lower unit, and anglers on coastal forums report that freshwater-only motors deteriorate faster than owners expect, with rinsing after every trip described as non-negotiable.
Outside of that, maintenance is straightforward. Inspect the prop for nicks and fishing line, check the anode, look at the cable insulation where it enters the head, and after every saltwater trip rinse the lower unit with fresh water before it dries.
Deck layout is worth planning too. If you are adding pontoon accessories, our picks for the best ladders for pontoon boats and the best speakers for pontoon boats both assume the same crowded deck real estate a trolling motor needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended trolling motor thrust for a pontoon boat?
Use the rule of 5 pounds of thrust per 200 pounds of total loaded boat weight, including the outboard, fuel, batteries, and passengers. For most pontoons that means 70 to 115 pounds of thrust, and 24V or 36V for anything over 20 feet.
How big of a trolling motor do I need for a pontoon boat?
Size it to the boat weight, not the length alone. A 16 to 18 ft pontoon needs about 55 lb of thrust, an 18 to 20 ft needs 70 to 80 lb, a 20 to 24 ft with a gas outboard needs 80 to 100 lb on 24V, and a tritoon can need 100 to 115 lb.
How long of a shaft do I need for a pontoon boat?
Measure from the mount to the waterline at your normal loaded draft, then add 12 inches so the prop stays submerged. A 30 inch transom shaft suits low freeboard, 48 inches covers most mid-size pontoons, and 54 to 60 inches fits boats with high freeboard.
Are Garmin or Minn Kota trolling motors better?
Both are strong choices, and the deciding factor is the feature set you need. Minn Kota units in this roundup cover GPS anchoring from 55 lb up to 80 lb, while the other brands here focus on remote steering without GPS. Pick on thrust, shaft length, and saltwater rating first.
Where is the best place to mount a trolling motor on a pontoon boat?
The bow gives the best steering control because two thirds of the boat thrust acts ahead of the pivot point. The transom wins when deck space is tight, since a bow mount plate competes with pontoon seating and canopy frames. Many owners run one of each.
What is the best trolling motor battery for 80 lb thrust?
An 80 lb motor on 24V needs two batteries, typically deep cycle lead acid or lithium, with a battery selector and a rated breaker per bank. Owners report trolling all day at low speed on two 100 amp hour batteries, and a 24V system moves the thrust with fewer amps.
Can you use a bow mount trolling motor on the transom?
No. Bow mount hardware, cable routing, and steering geometry are built for the forward deck, and a shaft length chosen for the bow will not sit correctly at the stern. If you want both positions, buy a transom mount motor for the stern instead.
How big of a boat will a 55 lb thrust trolling motor handle?
A 55 lb motor is rated for boats up to about 2750 pounds, which covers a 16 to 18 ft pontoon on the light end. Loaded pontoons with a gas outboard, fuel, batteries, and four passengers can exceed 3600 lb, where 55 lb of thrust starts to feel underpowered.
The Best Trolling Motor for Your Pontoon in 2026
For most pontoon owners the Newport NV-Series is where we start, because 3374 reviews is an unmatched record for reliability and the transom mount avoids the deck space fight. If you want remote steering and a proper bow mount, the Haswing Cayman 55 lb bundles everything you need in the box.
Move up to 80 pounds of thrust once your loaded boat passes 3600 pounds, which is where most 20 to 24 foot pontoons with an outboard land. The Minn Kota Terrova with built-in CHIRP sonar is the most complete package, and the Riptide Terrova 80 is the one to buy for saltwater and offshore wind.
Whichever you pick, measure your freeboard before you order, because shaft length is the mistake that ruins an otherwise good install. If you are still comparing formats, our guide to the best trolling motors for canoes covers the small-boat end of the range.
