The key difference between a 12v and 24v trolling motor is the amount of thrust it generates. In general, a 24v trolling motor will provide double the amount of thrust as a 12v model, allowing it to handle larger boats with bigger loads more effectively. However, this increased performance comes at an increased cost for purchasing and operating the 24v model. For smaller boats with lighter loads, a 12v model may be preferable to keep costs down while still providing the necessary thrust.