The complete guide
Do you actually need a motor on a belly boat?
A motor isn't essential for belly boat fishing, but for the right angler it changes what a session looks like — as long as the motor is sized correctly for the boat.
When a motor genuinely helps
Covering real distance, trolling a lure over a productive drift, or simply resting tired legs partway through a long session are the situations where even a modest motor like this earns its place. For short, static sessions close to launch, it's less necessary.
Why weight matters more here than on a normal boat
A belly boat's whole appeal is being light and simple to transport. A heavy trolling motor undoes that trade-off. At 2.2kg, this motor adds meaningfully less bulk than motors built for bigger boats, keeping the belly boat's core advantage intact.
Checking compatibility before you buy
Not every belly boat is built to take a motor mount safely — check our pro-motor compatible range (Savage Gear High Rider, Savage Gear Pro Motor, and the Black Cat Battle Boat Set) rather than assuming any float tube can take one.
Getting sensible run time
18lb thrust motors are efficient but still battery-dependent — plan your session length against your battery's realistic run time, and always carry a paddle as backup in case the motor or battery lets you down mid-session.