

Outdoors Informed is reader supported. We independently research and rate every product. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. However, our opinions and evaluations are our own. Outdoors Informed does not accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more
You are here because you have a boat with available space on your bow to mount a trolling motor. The boat is for saltwater use and you want ultimate control to reach the best spots for angling or other uses. But trying to pick the best bow mount saltwater trolling motors can be overwhelming. Due to the amount of models, sizes, thrust ratings plus high-tech features.
How-To Pick A Saltwater Bow Mount Trolling Motor
Beyond bow mounted and choosing either hand steer or electric steer you have some choices to help pick a trolling motor for saltwater. Below are 4 factors to decide which bow mount trolling motor will match your boat.
- Thrust – Measured in pounds of thrust. This is the power the motor uses to propel a boat through the water. The amount needed depends on the weight and length of your boat.
- Shaft Length – Measured from the top of the bow to the waterline plus 18 inches (45.72 cm) for rough waters.
- Battery Power – Either 12, 24 or 36 volts systems via deep-cycle batteries wired in series. 12 volts for small boats and short running times. 24 or 36 volts for medium/large boats wanting long-running times.
- Corrosion Resistant – Look for materials that are marine-grade, rust-proof, like stainless steel, aluminum, or zinc made to high standards.
To make your reading easy, I wrote this article in two sections. First, there is a tabbed section of comparison tables of all the models covered. Second are single detailed reviews of each trolling motor. Plus, you can click to a specific product or section via the table of contents. Or read the entire article to get a complete idea about which saltwater trolling motor is best for you.
We updated this article in January 2021 to ensure the information in this article is correct for today’s standards. Including re-reviewing each of the trolling motors. Read on to discover which bow mount saltwater trolling motors are going to be the perfect fit for your vessel in 2021.
- Andy Sharp
- January 5, 2021