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| I can't decide on which trolling motor to go with for my Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk. Any suggestions on either the Minn Kota Maxxum or Power Drive Auto Pilot? Either one I go with, it will be a 65 lbs thrust 24 V unit.
AWH |
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| I have used both, and am using an Autopilot now. The advantage is the fact the motor stays pointed the direction you choose with your foot off the pedal and the motor on constant on, and the Autopilot function comes in handy. Both are great motors, I just prefer the Autopilot.[8)] |
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| Steve,
Is there any advantage to the Auto Pilot if you're following an irregular weedline? Or a piece of structure that you aren't totally familiar with? I can see why it would be good if you're wanting to go in a straight line. But with the majority of the water I fish, it would be rare that I am wanting to go in a perfectly straight line for any distance at all.
I have been in a boat with a Maxxum before, but never an Auto Pilot. I was very impressed with the Maxxum, especially it's ability to turn on a dime. With the Power Drives (I have only used one on a motor with just 36 lbs of thrust), the reaction time seems very slow, almost non-existent at higher speeds. With 65 lbs of thrust, is the reaction time on the Power Drives going to be quicker?
I am personally leaning towards the Maxxum, I was very impressed with this motor when I used it. I'm just trying to decide how useful the Auto Pilot would be for me, being that I have never used one.
Thanks,
AWH |
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| Read the new post on the differences between the two. This is my first year with an Auto-Pilot and I wouldn't go back for several reasons.
1. The AP feature allows you to take your foot off the pedal and for me the fatigue factor over a long day on the water is worth it.
2. With the AP on you can concentrate more on your presentation therefore you should be seeing/catching more fish.
3. You want to change directions just step on the pedal...With a small amount of practice you can work a "snakie" weedline with no problem
4. When I guide it allows me to fish in the rear of the boat if I fish at all and I like that feature for only that reason. With a cable I could not do that.
Don't get me wrong cables are great units it just depends on what you think would help your fishing experience the most.
If you can try to find people with both types of units and take'em for a test drive.
Good Luck,
Mark
Musky Adventures
Eau Claire, WI |
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| AWH, I went through the same debate last winter and I decided on a cable steer system (Maxxum) vs. the electronic steers like the PD and Autopilot.
Why?
1. Boat control is alot easier with a cable system. You can turn on a dime instead of waiting for the electric motor to do it for you. I have been told that the 24V PD and Autopilot systems do turn a lot quicker. I have not had the opportunity to see one in action.
I also like that I can "feel" my way with the cable steer while steering the boat without having to look at the head to see which way I'm going. I think that keeps me concentrating on the fish.
Another control issue is that I like the smooth continuous positioning from port to starboard. I can point it exactly. My experience with AP or PD motors is that it's "notchy". You might get it close, but it won't be exact. You then end up trying to correct for it.
2. A cable system does not rob your battery's power to turn itself besides turning the prop. That can be a big factor if you're steering a lot over the course of a day (windy, irregular structure) vs. keeping in a straight line. Add in large gauge, short run power cabling and you can go a long time on a single charge using a cable steer motor.
3. I don't have the "fatigue" issue. I have a bicycle seat on a post and I lean on that while I operate the motor. I have put in many long days in a row and have not noticed a problem physically. The big foot pedal is not fatiguing to me.
What sucks about it?
1. Not being able to hold a straight line on continuous and foot off the pedal but I found myself using continuous less (i.e. not at all). It's still a pain in the butt if you catch a fish with the wind blowing you in and you've got to leave the pedal to follow the fish. It's still not enough to make me want to change.
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I know a lot of guys who like their PDs or APs. I know a lot of guys who like their Maxxums. In the end, it's what works best for your style.
Hope this helps,
Jono
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| I ran a Crestliner 1650 FH with a 24V 65AP on the bow all during this year's season. It's down for a long winter's nap now. The hardest work it did was working windy points on LOTW on one day when the wind was gusting up to 30 mph. It never ran out of thrust that day, but there were some times when I wished it could have responded (changed direction) faster. This is perhaps the condition Jono is referring to in his post. For example: If you've got the 65AP running at 1/2 or higher speed setting, or you're just going fast due to the wind, the directional motor turns at only 1 speed, and in these hectic situations it's sometimes not fast enough.
During the great majority of my time on the water, it was great. I would'nt trade it for a cable steer unit.
One weekend, it was calm, I didn't bring a charger, and I ran it alot, at mostly low speeds and it never ran out of juice for the entire weekend.
All year, I never had a situation where I had to change my tactics due to low thrust, but then, the 1650 is not a huge or heavy hull.
And there's room left over in the front battery compartment for an on-board charger. (Santa, are you listening ??)
Have you taken delivery on your boat yet ? If yes, I'd be curious to read about your experiences with it.
Chuck C. |
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| I've been running a Crestliner 1650 Fishawk with a 55# Autopilot for a few years now and have absolutely NO complaints. After using a cable drive Mercury Thruster for 15 years.... the PD feature and continuous mode are priceless. I will never use cables again.
I've actually found that the autopilot is essential for fishing in high winds with the light hull and high sides of the Crestliner. When the wind gusts from many different directions, it is often difficult to keep the nose of the boat pointed into the waves. Just point the autopilot straight into the waves, adjust the motor speed to control your drift speed, and you know have a wind sock without having a sock in the water. No need for quick turns of the motor head if you never get off course.... thanks to the auto pilot.
Everyone has their own personal preferences, and obviously some people feel the need for cables, but my vote is for the auto pilot. Good luck deciding.
jlong |
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| I have owned motor guides and minn kotas and by far the Minn kotas are a much better motors,
Now for your ques. about wheather or not you should get a Maxxum or a auto pilot.
Well it all depends on what you are use to. I myself have been a long time fan of the cable drive, So when it was time for purchasing for my new Crestliner back in may there was no ques. the boat was going to get the 74lb. thrust Maxxum motor.
Now that does not mean I didn't try the auto pilot, 2 of my friends have them on thier boats.
I found it very hard to get use to, That is why I said it depends on what your use to.
What ever motor you choose you can't go wrong with the minn kota name on it.
Good hunting,Jeff <>< |
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| Just because it's an Auto Pilot dosen't mean it runs only on the auto mode. While the motor is in auto, you can still make adjustments with the foot control. Speed and turning can be manually used even with the Auto Pilot switch on.
When the switch is on, the motor will only turn as fast as the speed is set, but by manually turning it with the peddel, you can turn the motor faster.
The auto pilot is great for keeping you out of trouble while fighting a fish, changing lures or dealing with anything else in the boat.
I've used both the cable steer and the power drive and auto pilot. I wouldn't be without an Auto Pilot on my boat. |
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| The main problem I have found with the Autopilot versus the Maxxuum is the noise level and the limit of thrust available. The powerdrives or autopilots seem to have a weak mounting system so when you engage the motor there is a clunk sound that is made. It drove me nuts. The major drawback for me was the limit of 65lbs. Not enough for a big boat on a windy day on a river. Of course with a smaller such as yours there should be no problem.
One nice advantage to the AP is the ability to have the foot control anywhere in the boat. That gives you great mobility.
Either way you won't go wrong.
Bear |
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| I don't know if you are still looking but here's my thoughts.
If you are running lots of fairly open water with a small chance of running into something that you didn't know existed than go with the AP. If you are going to do a lot of fishing in places like the Canadian shield where depths can change greatly in very short distances than go with the Maxxum. I've use cable model trolling motors for years, with a short try at the auto pilot models. I ran into a lot of rocks with the AP.
The Minnkota trolling motors are good stuff.
Doug Johnson |
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| I have the Maxxuum, just got it at the end of the season and love it. Make sure you get the proper length in the shaft. Al |
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| I have a 1650 FH with the 65lb 24volt Auto Pilot.
I'll give you my most important reason for using this motor:
I like to have both feet on the ground at all times when fishing for these critters.
I have a follow, I can move around and drag my lure around the bow and sides without having to worry about keeping my foot on the motor. |
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| im in the same BOAT!awh, just got a crest. 16 angler tiller and cant decide on the ap or the pd? i just read a thread on musky hunter about this and it seems a lot of guys are having problems with their ap's...this is my first real boat and have never even used a bow foot control motor before.would the ap be harder for me to learn? also, what size shaft, 48 or 54? seems 54 with the high sides of the crest.help me guys! |
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| Thanks for all the input guys. I decided to go with the Maxxum 65 lbs thrust, 24V, 52" shaft. For my fishing purposes, I felt I really needed to go with the Maxxum over the Power Drive. Thanks to everybody's suggestions it became a relatively easy decision for me.
Thanks again! |
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Minn Kota - Maxxum or PD Auto Pilot?