Decide For Me
NM Tiger
Posted 6/6/2006 11:46 AM (#195144)
Subject: Decide For Me





Posts: 22


Location: Albuquerque
Hello, just bought a used 18 foot Tuffy Pike Rampage that is going to need a new trolling motor. I've narrowed my choices down to two, but I will have to order on-line and I have no experience with either one. Which of the two would be the best fit for my boat?

1. Minn Kota 74 PowerDrive with 18 foot cable - 74 pounds of thrust - 24 volt - 54" shaft
on sale for $579.99

2. Minn Kota Maxxum 65/SC Bow Mount - 65 pounds of thrust - 24 volt - 52" shaft
price is $539.99

Neither of the two come with autopilot or co-pilot or any of that stuff as far as I can tell from the description on Cabelas web-site. I'm just curious which one is more bang for the buck in comparison to the amount of potential problems I could encounter with either one.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Jono
Posted 6/6/2006 3:12 PM (#195189 - in reply to #195144)
Subject: RE: Decide For Me




Posts: 726


Location: Eau Claire, WI
Hi NM Tiger, you're going to get a hung jury on this one. I think both motors will work great on that boat. it boils down to an issue of cable vs. electric steering, footpad styles and whether you have the need to control the boat from the back.

I have a 74# maxxum on my boat and I love it. turns on a dime, has more than enough power and I can always tell which way I'm steering without looking down at the head of the motor. I have a butt seat on the bow, I lean on it and keep my foot on the pedal. I can go all day like that. I'd go with the maxxum.

Jono
John23
Posted 6/6/2006 3:58 PM (#195195 - in reply to #195189)
Subject: RE: Decide For Me


I'm down with the Maxxum. The powerdrive has a lot of footpedal durability. If you get the powerdrive, the suggestion I've heard is to get the hand control device, copilot it's called I think. That will preserve your footpedal.

John
John23
Posted 6/6/2006 3:59 PM (#195196 - in reply to #195195)
Subject: RE: Decide For Me


Whoops, I meant "footpedal durability issues." Maxxum is bulletproof and I love mine.
Fred J
Posted 6/7/2006 10:39 AM (#195325 - in reply to #195144)
Subject: RE: Decide For Me


You will find very few people with Maxxum motors with complaints. Motor seems to be pretty bullet proof. Only complaint I have is that unless you are using a butt seat you are always standing on one foot and prone to losing your balance.

Myself, I prefer the PowerDrive motors. The PowerDrive models I have had have all worked very well with the exception of the footpads. Footpads seem to last around 1 year and then become problematic. I solved that by purchasing the Co-Pilot. Once I got used to the Co-Pilot I have the footpad along only in case of the Co-Pilot taking a dump. My Co-Pilot has worked flawlessly for 3 years.

Fred