The numbers
Newport NV-Series 55 lb at a glance
Fifty-five pounds of transom thrust for the price of a tank of gas. The battery meter and the 36-inch shaft suit a 14 to 16 foot aluminum boat, and it is the most popular upgrade from a 30.
At a glanceCheapest here $150, most expensive $3,500.
- 55 lb for the money
- Battery meter built in
Watch for: Transom mount; no GPS or remote.
Check price on Amazon →Typical street price, rounded, October 2026. The live price is on Amazon. Affiliate links: buying through them pays this site a small commission at no extra cost to you. The picks are what works on Tennessee water, not what pays most.
Head to head
Newport NV-Series 55 lb against its price neighbours
The trolling motors just below and just above it in price, spec by spec. Greyed rows are the same on both.
The cheapest way into spot lock.
MotorGuide’s answer to the PowerDrive: Pinpoint GPS anchoring, heading lock and route recording on a quiet bow mount.
Who it fits
Where the Newport NV-Series 55 lb fits in Tennessee
Aluminum boats up to 16 feet and pontoon tenders on the mid size lakes.
Voltage follows thrust. Up to 55 pounds runs on one 12-volt battery; 80 pounds needs 24 volts and 112 needs 36. That decides how many batteries you carry, which is why the lithium battery comparison on this site exists.
GPS anchoring (Minn Kota i-Pilot, MotorGuide Pinpoint, Garmin’s Force) is the feature that changes a day on Chickamauga or Old Hickory. Press one button and the motor holds the boat on a spot in wind and current while you fish. Once you have used it, you will not go back.
The alternatives
Other trolling motors compared
Minn Kota Endura C2 30
The transom motor on half the jon boats in Tennessee. Thirty pounds of thrust moves a 12-foot boat or a canoe at fishing speed all day on one battery, and there is nothing on it to break.
- Cheap and simple
- Runs for hours on one battery
Watch for: Not enough thrust for a 16-foot boat in wind.
Minn Kota PowerDrive 55 with i-Pilot
The cheapest way into spot lock. Press a button on the remote and the boat holds on the ledge, the dock or the brush pile while you fish. Twelve volts means one battery, which keeps the whole upgrade affordable.
- Spot lock on one battery
- Wireless remote included
Watch for: Cable steer feel; 55 lb is the limit for a glass boat.
MotorGuide Xi3 55 lb Freshwater GPS
MotorGuide’s answer to the PowerDrive: Pinpoint GPS anchoring, heading lock and route recording on a quiet bow mount. The foot pedal is included, which Minn Kota charges for.
- Pedal and remote included
- Quiet lower unit
Watch for: Fewer sonar integrations than Minn Kota.
Garmin Force Kraken 63 in
A brushless bow mount that runs on 24 or 36 volts, pulls like a 100-pound motor, and talks to a Garmin fish finder so the sonar is on the trolling motor and the anchor lock is on the screen. Garmin’s answer to the Ultrex.
- Brushless, runs cool and quiet
- Integrates with ECHOMAP and LiveScope
Watch for: The price, and a tall shaft on a small boat.
Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST 90/115
The trolling motor on the tournament boats at Chickamauga and Kentucky Lake. Brushless, dual voltage, power trim, and i-Pilot Link that drops waypoints from a Humminbird HELIX and follows contours on its own.
- Cable steer feel with electric power
- Follows contours from a HELIX
Watch for: Needs a 24 or 36 volt lithium bank to make sense.
Common questions
Newport NV-Series 55 lb questions
Is the Newport NV-Series 55 lb worth $250?
Fifty-five pounds of transom thrust for the price of a tank of gas. The battery meter and the 36-inch shaft suit a 14 to 16 foot aluminum boat, and it is the most popular upgrade from a 30. Aluminum boats up to 16 feet and pontoon tenders on the mid size lakes.
What is the Newport NV-Series 55 lb best for in Tennessee?
Aluminum boats up to 16 feet and pontoon tenders on the mid size lakes. Thrust first.
What are the Newport NV-Series 55 lb specs?
Thrust: 55 lb; Voltage: 12 V; Shaft: 36 in; Mount: Transom; GPS anchor: No; Control: Tiller, 8 speeds, LED battery meter.
Newport NV-Series 55 lb or Minn Kota Endura C2 30?
Minn Kota Endura C2 30 is $100 cheaper. The transom motor on half the jon boats in Tennessee. The Newport NV-Series 55 lb adds: 55 lb for the money, battery meter built in.
Should I spend more on the Minn Kota PowerDrive 55 with i-Pilot?
The Minn Kota PowerDrive 55 with i-Pilot costs $850 more. The cheapest way into spot lock. Stay with the Newport NV-Series 55 lb unless that is the feature you need.
What is the main drawback of the Newport NV-Series 55 lb?
Transom mount; no GPS or remote. Shaft length depends on bow height.
Where is the best price?
The Amazon link on this page shows today’s price; the figure here ($250) is a typical street price. Bass Pro and the lake marinas carry trolling motors too; the county pages list them.
What control does the Newport NV-Series 55 lb have?
Control: Tiller, 8 speeds, LED battery meter. Shaft length depends on bow height.
Who should skip the Newport NV-Series 55 lb?
Anyone for whom Minn Kota Endura C2 30 already does the job: Jon boats, canoes and the no-gas-motor TWRA and state park lakes. Voltage follows thrust.
Is this an affiliate link?
Yes. Buying through it pays this site a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Keep going
More Tennessee water, and who fishes it
Every guide and charter on this site is listed by the water they run, so you can call the captain direct. Licences, limits and the state record list are one click away too.