Best Trolling Motors: 5 Picks for Boats and Kayaks
Safety note: Trolling motors draw high current. Install the circuit breaker or fuse the motor maker specifies, use wire of...
By James
Updated November 10, 2026
Safety note: Trolling motors draw high current. Install the circuit breaker or fuse the motor maker specifies, use wire of the gauge the maker recommends, and follow the installation manual; ABYC standards are the usual reference for boat wiring. Wear the kill switch or man-overboard lanyard if your motor has one, keep hands clear of the prop, and disconnect power before working on the motor.
A trolling motor moves a boat or kayak quietly so you can work a shoreline, hold on a spot, or troll slowly without starting the outboard. Transom-mount motors clamp to the back of small boats and are simple and cheap. Bow-mount motors pull the boat from the front for better control, and the best ones use GPS to hold your position automatically.
This guide compares five trolling motors from Minn Kota, Garmin, Newport, and MotorGuide. We compared each maker’s published thrust, shaft length, mount, controls, positioning features, and freshwater or saltwater rating. For batteries, see our lithium trolling motor batteries guide and the boating and kayak gear section.
Our Top Picks
| Best for | Product | FH Score About FH ScoreThe FH Score is our editorial rating from 0 to 10, based on published specs, materials, warranty and value. It is not based on Amazon ratings and is never influenced by commissions. Learn more › | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall |
Minn Kota Terrova GPS Bow-Mount (55 lb, 54 in)
|
8.3/10 | Check Price |
| Best budget transom |
Minn Kota Endura C2 Transom (30 lb, 30 in)
|
7.2/10 | Check Price |
| Best for kayaks |
Garmin Force Current Kayak Trolling Motor
|
7.6/10 | Check Price |
| Best saltwater value |
Newport NV-Series Saltwater Transom Motor
|
7.2/10 | Check Price |
| Best budget bow-mount |
MotorGuide Bow-Mount Hand Control
|
7.2/10 | Check Price |
The Picks in Detail
Minn Kota Terrova GPS Bow-Mount (55 lb, 54 in)
Why it made the list: The Terrova’s Spot-Lock uses GPS to hold your boat in place automatically, so you can fish a brush pile or point without touching the controls. Jog moves your locked spot 5 feet at a time, and it can record and follow paths, drift, and follow contours. A wireless remote with a screen controls it, and a one-touch lever stows and deploys the motor.
Key specs: 55 lb thrust; 54 in shaft; bow mount; GPS Spot-Lock and Jog; path recording; drift, follow, and dodge modes; wireless remote with LCD; one-touch deploy and stow lever; Weedless Wedge 2 prop; Digital Maximizer variable speed; freshwater.
Skip it if: you fish from a small jon boat or canoe. A transom motor is simpler and much cheaper.
Pros
- GPS anchoring frees your hands
- Easy deploy and stow
- Efficient variable speed
Cons
- Expensive
- Freshwater model; salt requires a different version
Minn Kota Endura C2 Transom (30 lb, 30 in)
Why it made the list: The Endura C2 is a simple, durable transom motor for small boats, canoes, and jon boats. It has a composite shaft, a telescoping tiller, a built-in battery meter, a 10-position lever-lock bracket, and five forward and three reverse speeds. The Power Prop pushes through vegetation.
Key specs: 30 lb thrust; 30 in shaft; transom mount; 6 in telescoping tiller; 5 forward and 3 reverse speeds; battery meter in the motor head; 10-position bracket; composite shaft; Power Prop; freshwater.
Skip it if: your boat is over about 14 feet or loaded heavily. Choose a higher-thrust model.
Pros
- Simple and reliable design
- Low cost
- Light for small boats
Cons
- 30 lb thrust is light for heavier boats or wind
- No GPS or remote
Garmin Force Current Kayak Trolling Motor
Why it made the list: Garmin’s kayak motor brings big-boat features to a kayak: GPS anchor lock with multi-band GPS, steering by wireless foot pedals (on select bundles) or a handheld remote, and even smartwatch control. It connects to Garmin chartplotters to follow routes, includes a wireless man-overboard tag that cuts the motor if you fall in, and comes with both an efficient prop and a weedless prop.
Key specs: kayak trolling motor; GPS anchor lock; wireless remote with gesture steering; wireless foot pedals on select bundles; smartwatch control; Garmin chartplotter integration; stow rope and cleat kit; wireless man-overboard tag; two props.
Skip it if: you want a simple, low-cost kayak motor. A small transom motor with a kayak mount costs much less.
Pros
- Hands-free control on a kayak
- GPS anchor lock
- Man-overboard cutoff
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires a kayak mount and battery
Newport NV-Series Saltwater Transom Motor
Why it made the list: Newport’s NV-Series is a low-cost transom motor built with corrosion-resistant parts for salt and fresh water. It has an LED battery meter, five forward and three reverse speeds, and comes in thrust options from 36 lb for kayaks up to larger 24V models. Newport offers U.S.-based support.
Key specs: transom mount; saltwater and freshwater; LED battery indicator; 5 forward and 3 reverse speeds; 2-blade prop on the 36 lb model; thrust options from 36 lb to 86 lb (24V). Check the thrust and voltage you select.
Skip it if: you want GPS anchoring. Choose a Terrova or Garmin.
Pros
- Saltwater rated at a low price
- Battery meter
- Several thrust options
Cons
- Basic features
- Shaft length varies by model
MotorGuide Bow-Mount Hand Control
Why it made the list: A bow mount gives better boat control than a transom motor, and this MotorGuide model keeps it simple with a hand-control tiller. The twist handle extends for comfort, the composite shaft carries a lifetime guarantee, and the 3-blade Machete prop is built to be quiet.
Key specs: bow mount; extending twist-handle control; composite shaft guaranteed for life; 3-blade Machete prop; freshwater. Thrust and shaft length vary by option.
Skip it if: you want hands-free control. A foot-pedal or GPS motor frees both hands for fishing.
Pros
- Bow-mount control at a lower price
- Lifetime shaft guarantee
- Simple, no electronics to learn
Cons
- Hand control means one hand on the motor
- No GPS features
Trolling Motors Compared
| Motor | Mount | Thrust | Control | GPS anchor | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minn Kota Terrova | Bow | 55 lb | Wireless remote | Yes | Fresh |
| Minn Kota Endura C2 | Transom | 30 lb | Tiller | No | Fresh |
| Garmin Force Current Kayak | Kayak | Not stated | Remote, pedals, watch | Yes | Not stated |
| Newport NV-Series | Transom | 36 to 86 lb options | Tiller | No | Fresh and salt |
| MotorGuide Hand Control | Bow | Varies | Hand tiller | No | Fresh |
How We Picked
We did not run these motors for this guide. We researched each one and compared the specifications published by the makers. Our criteria:
- Thrust and shaft length for common boats.
- Control: tiller, foot pedal, remote, and GPS.
- Saltwater or freshwater rating.
- Durability of shaft and mount.
- Value and warranty.
The FH Score in each product box is our editorial rating, built from five weighted criteria: performance for the job, build quality, versatility, warranty and value. It is not based on Amazon ratings. See how it works on our How We Review page.
How to Choose a Trolling Motor
Thrust
More thrust handles heavier boats, wind, and current. Kayaks and canoes need little; larger fishing boats need much more. Follow the motor maker’s sizing chart for your boat’s length and loaded weight.
Shaft length
The prop should sit well below the surface in waves. Taller bows need longer shafts. Measure from the mount to the water and follow the maker’s chart.
Mount
Transom motors are cheap and simple for small boats. Bow mounts pull the boat and give better control for casting. Kayaks need a specific kayak mount.
Fresh or salt
Saltwater motors have sealed electronics and corrosion protection. Freshwater motors used in salt will corrode.
Voltage and battery
Smaller motors run on 12V. Larger bow mounts often need 24V or 36V. Match your batteries to the motor.
Related Guides
- Best Lithium Batteries for Trolling Motors
- Best Fishing Kayaks
- Best Fish Finders
- Best Kayak Anchor Systems
See more in our Trolling Motors section.
FAQ
How much thrust do I need?
It depends on boat weight, wind, and current. Use the maker’s chart for your boat, and size up if you fish in wind or current often.
Is GPS anchoring worth it?
For anglers who fish structure from a bass boat or kayak, many find it changes how they fish. For casual fishing, a manual motor is enough.
Can I use a freshwater trolling motor in salt water?
It is not recommended. Choose a saltwater-rated motor for coastal fishing.
Final Thoughts
The Minn Kota Terrova is our top pick for its GPS Spot-Lock and easy controls. Choose the Minn Kota Endura C2 for a simple, low-cost transom motor, the Garmin Force Current for a kayak, the Newport NV-Series for salt water on a budget, and the MotorGuide hand-control bow mount for bow control without the cost of GPS.
About the author
James writes reviews and buying guides for Fishing Hacking, covering rods, reels, line, lures, and the gear anglers rely on. His work focuses on clear criteria, balanced pros and cons, and practical advice to help readers choose equipment that fits how and where they fish.