The Right Garmin Trolling Motor For Fishing Boats And Tenders

See freshwater, mixed-water, and saltwater-rated Garmin trolling motors in one place.

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Garmin Trolling Motor Benefits On The Water

These are the outcomes owners notice first, long before they think about specifications or mounting hardware.

• Quiet Boat Positioning: Brushless motors run quietly above and below the water, so fish stay put while you work a spot, and they generally deliver longer run times than brushed motors.
• Anchor Lock: GPS-based anchor lock holds the boat in place against wind and current without a physical anchor, which keeps you on the fish while you cast.
• Chartplotter Integration: Compatible Garmin chartplotters connect wirelessly, letting the motor follow routes and tracks while you fish, and our Boat Outfitting Trolling Motors collection groups the current lineup in one place.
• Built-In Sonar: Several models include an integrated transducer, so sonar coverage follows the bow and stays aligned with where you are casting.
• Remote Control: Floating remotes with point-and-go steering let anglers control the motor from anywhere on the boat, and compatible Garmin smartwatches can control steering and anchor lock from the wrist.

Choosing Shaft Length, Thrust, And Voltage

Shaft length should keep the propeller submerged in chop without dragging in shallow water, and the right pairing depends on your deck, your water, and your helm.

• If Your Boat Has High Freeboard Or Limited Bow Space (Open Water And Coastal): The Kraken's 48-, 63-, and 75-inch shafts and pivot-style mount are designed for that layout.
• If You Fish From A Bass Boat Or A Lower Deck (Lakes And Inshore): The Force Pro's 50- and 57-inch shafts and scissor-style mount suit flatter, lower decks.
• If You Need More Thrust: Thrust reaches 80 pounds at 24 volts and 100 pounds at 36 volts, so voltage choice affects both performance and battery planning. Higher voltage gives more thrust and better run time for heavier boats, but the 36-volt setup needs three batteries.
• If Your Helm Runs Another Brand: Wireless integration is designed for compatible Garmin chartplotters, so mixed systems may lose features, and our Garmin vs. Raymarine for boat navigation comparison helps you decide which ecosystem fits before you commit to a motor.

Recommended Garmin Trolling Motor Kits By Boat And Water

Each motor below connects wirelessly to compatible Garmin chartplotters, so start with the water you fish and the deck you have, then choose the tier that fits.

Good: Garmin Force Freshwater Trolling Motor

Best for freshwater and river anglers who want GPS anchor lock and built-in sonar on bass boats and smaller fishing boats.

• It pairs a brushless motor with a wireless foot pedal that steers like a cable-steered pedal, which keeps the learning curve short for anglers used to traditional pedals.
• The built-in autopilot, with an integrated heading sensor and GPS, provides anchor lock, heading hold, and cruise control, and it works wirelessly with your Garmin chartplotter for route following.
• Integrated CHIRP traditional sonar plus Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü scanning (down and side views) come standard, although full sonar support is limited to GPSMAP 8400/8600xsv and ECHOMAP Ultra displays, so confirm your display first.
• A floating remote with gesture steering, a stabilizer, and a 3-year warranty with a limited lifetime warranty on the shaft are included.

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Better: Garmin Force Kraken Trolling Motor With Built-In Sonar

Best for boats with high freeboard or limited bow space fishing rougher, open water.

• The 48-inch Black model delivers up to 100 pounds of thrust at 36 volts from a brushless motor designed for rough open-water conditions, with 63- and 75-inch shafts available for higher decks.
• It includes the GT56UHD transducer, and the brushless design keeps sonar noise low, while the shaft can also route a LiveScope cable (accessory required). Our Down and Side Imaging Transducer Kits collection covers imaging options for the main helm as well.
• A floating remote, smartwatch integration, and anchor lock come with it, and owners who already run separate sonar can choose the 75-inch White version, which ships without a transducer. Add the 75-inch White version to cart.

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Best: Garmin Force Pro Trolling Motor

Best for bass, flats, and saltwater anglers who need maximum thrust and multi-band GPS anchor lock in fresh, brackish, or salt water.

• Multi-band GPS improves anchor lock accuracy, and reverse prop spin and calm-water cable unwrap help reduce motor activity while you hold a spot.
• Up to 100 pounds of thrust, dual gas springs, and a pull cable make deployment and stowing easier on lower decks, and the motor carries an IPX7 water rating.
• The built-in GT56UHD-TR transducer supports high-wide CHIRP traditional sonar plus ClearVü and SideVü scanning at 455 kHz, 800 kHz, and 1 MHz.
• A wireless foot pedal, a floating remote with gesture control, a stabilizer, and a 3-year warranty with a limited lifetime warranty on the shaft are included.

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LiveScope And Trolling Motor Accessories

Live sonar shows fish moving in real time, and it needs a secure mount to aim correctly.

Panoptix LiveScope LVS12 Trolling Motor Shaft Mount

Fits all common shaft diameters, including Minn Kota and MotorGuide.

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Trolling Motor Barrel Mount for Panoptix LVS32

Attaches to the motor barrel with molded teeth for easy aiming.

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Garmin Force Trolling Motor Remote

Adds point-and-go steering and control from anywhere on the boat.

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See our Trolling Motor Accessories collection for remotes, mounts, and hardware.

DIY Install Notes And Warnings

A trolling motor touches the deck, the electrical system, and the electronics, so a little planning prevents the most common mistakes.

Reasonable DIY:

• Existing Garmin chartplotter at the helm and basic tools.
• Deck has clear mounting space and access to the battery compartment.
• You are comfortable drilling the deck and running marine-grade cable.

Call a pro when:

• Deck needs reinforcement or a new mounting plate.
• You are running new high-current cable from stern batteries forward.
• Battery bank or charger needs redesign to support 24V or 36V.
• Space And Location: Measure the deck area, clearance from cleats and rails, and the motor's stowed footprint before you choose, since a mount that interferes with anchoring or line handling creates daily frustration, and plan stabilizing hardware so the stowed motor stays supported underway.
• Batteries And Cabling: Both 24-volt and 36-volt setups need dedicated batteries, correctly sized wiring, and a breaker matched to the motor's draw, since undersized cable reduces thrust and run time and can overheat under load.
• Tools: Expect to need marine-rated cable and terminals, a matched breaker, the supplied mounting hardware, and a drill or driver sized for the deck.
• Calibration: A new motor needs heading sensor calibration, chartplotter pairing, and remote setup before anchor lock and route following work as intended, followed by a water test of sonar returns at different motor speeds.
• Estimated Time: Plan on roughly a full day for mounting, wiring, and first-run calibration, and longer if the deck or battery bank needs changes.

Buying from a dealer that also installs and supports the equipment helps keep the motor, transducer, and display compatible from the start, and our Best Prices on Garmin Marine Electronics guide explains how owners avoid the costly mistakes that come with mismatched equipment.

Prefer professional installation? South Florida customers receive a 10% installation credit on all shop purchases with Concord Marine Electronics at Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center.