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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Well since so many guys are so opinionated on trolling motors in the muskie world, I thought it would be interesting to see just how many of you out there have had problems with the Minn Kota Powerdrives? I think the powerdrives are great when they work and I know they both have there advantages but overall I think the powerdrives have had more problems between the two. So I just thought it would be interesting to see just how many people have had problems with the PD. I'm not against the powerdrives but I sure hear a lot of guys that complain about the pedals going out on this site and so I just wanted to hear what people have to say.
Edited by Merckid 5/22/2006 5:35 PM
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| The PD foot pedals will fail after a couple of hard seasons of use but that is an easy fix. I have never had a problem other than with the foot pedals. Knock-on-Wood! |
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Posts: 814
| I will have to say that on all 3 of the boats that I have owned they all had Autopilots on them and they have performed
flawlessly each and every single one of them. One tip that I think helps keep my pedals good is when I am done for the day
I store them in the boats storage compartment, so they aren't left out in the heat,wet,or any other nasty stuff. Also what I think
kills the pedals is the guys who leaves them connected and laying on the deck to be bounced or tossed around when trailering down the road at 75 mph. just my 2 cents Mike Leombruni |
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Posts: 359
Location: In the slop! | Foot pedel problems seems to be a Minn-Kota thing. My current motor, a maxxum, had to go to the shop for the foot pedel. Went through two or three on the genisus the maxxum replaced. I've also heard lots of stories about powerdrive and auto-pilots going bad. I wish I knew what the answer was, the trolling motor always seems to be the biggest source of problems on the boat for me. |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | Universal sonar failure |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | I would suggest NOT using universal Sonars. Get and use the transducer that comes with your unit.
It is like this:
If your Honda car calls for special Honda break fluid, put in the Special Honda break fluid, don't put in the $.99 can you can buy at the local gas station.
Use what was supposed to be used.
I usually go through about 4-6 foot pedals a year, but I still love the PD's. Plus I have to have it so I can guide out of the back of the boat. |
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Posts: 2361
| MikeHulbert - 5/23/2006 6:55 AM
I would suggest NOT using universal Sonars. Get and use the transducer that comes with your unit.
It is like this:
If your Honda car calls for special Honda break fluid, put in the Special Honda break fluid, don't put in the $.99 can you can buy at the local gas station.
Use what was supposed to be used.
I usually go through about 4-6 foot pedals a year, but I still love the PD's. Plus I have to have it so I can guide out of the back of the boat.
4-6 foot pedals in 227 days of part and full day fishing does not sound like an ringing endorsement of a products durability, but that may just be me. I thought the things were more durable than that.
I use a maxxum and have found it to be extremely durable in rough use, with wood collisions. I am just thinking that I would have been through at least 4 foot pedals by now with Mr. Hulbert's results. As it is I keep an extra prop on my boat at all times, I would hate to have to carry a new or rebuilt foot pedal too at all times due to anticipated failure. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | maybe it's more like one guy who just compains A LOT about the powerdrives .... i think they are perfectly fine. maybe one day i'll have a PD up front and a Merc on the back ... or maybe not! |
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | Had three PD's up until 2003 when I switched to Maxxum's. Had one AP switch go bad and one foot pedal over all three units. I still have a PD on my small boat and so far it's been ok.
That being said I had the momentary switch ( the one you step/touch) on top of the maxxum pedal go bad on my last unit in the second year.
I like the scissors style launch of the Maxxum and the instant control of the cable steer. I wish they had a universal adapter plate and I would have one of each. Then when I guide I could be in the back with the PD/AP pedal.
I actually purchased a Motorguide DS series about 3 weeks ago, took it out of the box and after looking at it, decided to return it to the store. Just didn't care for the pedal design and a few other things.
Minn Kota... PLEASE bring back the Genisis in a more reliable design or at least make the PD on a scissors style launch. |
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| 5yrs of hard,hard use on my maxum,,not one problem |
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Posts: 366
| PD's have more working parts that can go bad and therefore do. Maxxum's are quite mechanical and their design makes them hold-up to more physical abuse. That being said they both have their place and NEITHER motor is perfect for every situation. It makes a huge difference what type of water you fish, how much you fish, who you fish with, how you store your boat (or foot pedal), and for many people how the nerves that run from your brain to your foot are routed in terms of controlling them. I've ran them both quite a bit and for my combination of variables Maxxum is my first choice, but there are times when I would like to have a PD. There is a list of pros and cons for both.
Fishwizard
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | Mr. Hulbert, with the quote above, I assume you did not read the recent article in BWB magazine that tested the universal sonar against OEM transducers and found NO difference in sensitivity?
You failed to mention that using the OEM transducer rather than the universal sonar you have to deal with pinching your OEM transducer cable every time you stow your motor because the wire dangles freely from zip ties the entire distance of the shaft.
Edited by Luke_Chinewalker 5/23/2006 9:19 PM
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Maxxums problems Vs. Powerdrive problems