|
|
Posts: 1
| I have an Alumcraft boat that is 17'6" and I am wanting to put a new trolling motor on it. My price range would be no higher than $500. I don't want digital steering (some bass fishing friends told me that they won't steer fast enough for the rocky areas we fish?), so I guess a bow mounted foot controlled cabel motor with 55# thrust is where I want to start. I have two Optima batteries on my boat and fish mainly on two ten horse power limit lakes. I want a strong motor, but not sure whether to go with Minnkota (which is what it has now) or go with a Motorguide. I have new 55# thrust Minnkota Maxxum bow mounted tiller type on my jon boat and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Any suggestion? Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions. Later, MontyK3. |
|
| |
|
Location: Athens, Ohio | Well, Howdy, Monty! Here's a link to bass Pro's trolling motor page:
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.SubClass?hvarDept=200&hvarEv...
As you can see, there's a variety of motors within your price range. Both MinnKota and Motor Guide make good stuff, people have problems with either brand, like Fords and Chevys.
I'd say your best bet is to head over to Cincy for the day and visit the Bass Pro Shop over there. You can also check Dixie Marine on Rt. 4 just north of 275, as well to compare products, price, and service. Look at what they have, talk to the sales guys, and see what looks best for your needs. A lot easier to tell what you are getting in person rather than looking at a catalog or on the internet. There's a good shopping mall at BPS to keep the little lady busy, as well.
Good luck and catch a big one. m |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | Get the BIGGES%T HIGHEST THRUST you can afford... I went with a Maxxum 74lbs thrust HC reconditioned from cabelas for about 550..hc is the bow mount hand control... like it a lot better then foot control.... |
|
| |
|
| Get the 80 pound Minn Kota Power Drive with a 54 inch shaft.
You will love the foot pedal as you can stand on it all day with no back or hip problems.
The hand controls are not that fisherman friendly as you will need to take your hand off your rod/reel on windy days or while working around points or rocks.
Get the 80 pound Power Drive, or at least the 65 pound Power Drive
MIKE HULBERT |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3909
| I've only had two varieties of Minn Kota and so no experience with other brand. I now have a 55# Maxxum Transom on my little 14' alum and I really like it. (I have an extension handle so I can use the motor while standing and casting. Foot control would be lots better, but I couldn't afford that.) I can get a wake out of that motor and it seems to very efficient, i.e., it doesn't draw lots of power from the battery. Last, the "mother board" burned out a months after I bought the motor and Minn Kota had me take it to nearest repair shop. I had the motor back in 4 days and Minn Kota sent the check directly to the repair dude. |
|
| |
|
| Get the Maxxum. All I ever hear from my friends with power drives is that they're in the shop. You also have to figure on another $100 to have a spare foot peddle as well. I know some people like the powerdrive foot peddles, but I think they suck. With a cable drive you can always tell which way the motor is pointed just by putting your foot on it. You have to look at the motor with a powerdrive to see where it's pointed. The rocker front-back on a cable drive is also a natural foot motion vs the side to side on a powerdrive. The powerdrive is also WAY slower turning then a cable drive.
Yes the Maxxum has a gigantic foot pedel. Aside from that, there really hasn't been a downside going with one.
Now if they could have made the powerdrive with the old Genesis foot pedel... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32925
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I have been a Minn Kota guy for over 20 years, but this year I made the move to MotorGuide. I am running the wireless 75# 24 volt, and am VERY happy. The turning speed and amount can be very slow and small, or VERY fast. The foot pedal is nice, easy to use just tapping the switch with your toe for on/off, and left/right. I'm still breaking the habit I have had for years from the Powerdrive pedal, and find this motor one of the best I've ever used. I have a key fob control as well, and can run the boat easily from anywhere in the rig by foot or hand.
I'm really fussy about boat control, and this motor has so far been bulletproof.
Attachments
----------------
 w55.jpg (96KB - 166 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
| I would personally go with as many lbs of thrust as possible like mentioned before. I would also go with at least a 54" shaft and if it was me, I would go with the 60" shaft. Minnkota Power drives are what I like but as mentioned here already, the pedals are not reliable. The best solution for this is to go with the co-pilot system. I got one & I love it. I find it is easier to use than the pedals and in the long run it will cost you less money than having to replace the pedals when they go bad. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 5874
| MK AUtopilot for me. Had one on the last boat for 4 years. Had it calibrated the first year, and it was flawless thereafter. Same foot pedal as when I boaught it. Still going strong. I always put my foot pedal in the front storage when I wasn't using it, so maybe that prolonged it's life?
Maybe, Treats, as I've said before, you are just hard on your equipment! HA!]
I have a new 80 lb AP with Universal SOnar coming for the new Tuffy. It's a race to see which one I'll have first. |
|
| |
|
| that size boat you could get away with a 65 lb autopilot. Call your nearest authorized Minn Kota dealer and they can get their hands on "reconditioned" ones..they are basically new with full warranty and you can save about 30% off new.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | 3 boats...3 Autopilots. Love em all!
Having said that I'm curious to see the track record of Motorguide's new unit.
Sworrall, you made me even more curious now.  |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | Hand control is rather easy to work actually... Mine has the 3x steering so no issues to be found with that working points on windy days.... plus you skip the power drive foot control issues everyone mentions or the backache from the maxxum pedal the others mention... Take my hands off the reel?? heck, I use my knee to steer the thing... it takes about a day to get used to the hand control... after that you never want to go back to a pedal...
also with reconditioned its not a Full warranty, I think its a 1 year where new has 3.. but would have to double check that one... Cabelas has best prices on reconditioned that I found, most of the minn kota dealers I contacted were higher by sometimes as much as $100 depending on the unit...
Edited by kevin 8/3/2006 8:28 AM
|
|
| |
|
| A 80 Lb. 24 volt Maxum Pro..Is the Ticket if the wallet allows. I Just Bought a Brand NewRip Tide Bow Mount Foot Controlled Unit by Minn Kota. This was a Auto Pilot, and I updated it to a Co pilot (cordless System) then I added a Quick Realease bracket.... And Went Fishing............... I HATED IT...... I tried it out for 7 weeks,and just could not get used to the steering system...Also This was Very Difficult to put in the water, You have to hold the grip handle and wiggle and push and shake, to get it in the water..The longer the shaft length the harder it is to deploy... The Eletric foot pedal is Loud, and was always hard to get it to steer in the direction you want..I had to put my foot in the sweet spot everytime or else oversteering or understeering always occured. I Guess once you got used to it ,it would be fine But I think the cable push-pull system is by far the easiest to use.. I just sold mine on Ebay and Bought a 80 Maxum pro foot controlled............WHAT A DIFFERENCE This was just my Experience, alot of guys use and love Em..NOT ME |
|
| |
|
| I would recommend going with want your wallet tells you. I'm not an expert. I have a 1750 Crestliner with a Minn Kota 74lb Maxxum Hand control. I talked to the dealer who installed it and recommended nothing less then 74lbs. due to the weight and size of the boat. Hand control or foot it's all up to you. Personally I love the control I have with hand control. I added extenion handles for greater flexability too. Minn Kota offer these and you can cut them down to what size you need.
Good luck with your decision.
Gary |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | If you buy a powerdrive you may end up paying for it more than once. I like the small pedal but will NEVER buy another powerdrive or autopilot. The board inside the pedal does not last long. |
|
| |
|
| I'm with Steve on this one. That new wireless motorguide rocks! Other than the issue i had with the prop falling off (Self inflicted), the motor has been excellent for me. I have the 75 pounder and it moves my 20 foot bass boat with no problem whatsoever. Only thing i can recommend is getting the highest thrust you can afford and the longest shaft. Great for those bouncy days when your motor can spend more time out of the water than in.
Dan |
|
| |
|
Posts: 358
Location: London, England | Can you attach a transducer to the new Motorguide wireless motors? It looks from the picture as if the shaft slides through the mount when you're deploying it, like a transom mount, so it would be difficult to clip the transducer wire to the shaft. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i have seen the light! .... unhappy with some of the traditional products and have stayed with the cables for reliability and durability and just sacrificed the bells and whistles for those reasons. last weekend i ran a friend's boat for awhile with the motorguide 36-volt with the powered pedal ... this pedal satisfies the trained foot for front to back, it's a low profile, it responds depending on how quick you make it turn ... push button for alignment prior to stowing ... looks tough for durability of shaft etc ... i didn't want to get off of it! ... i love that product ... it's going on my boat in the future ... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 111
Location: Big Lake, MN | I went into the Rogers Cabela's last week and one of the sales guys I talked to said to wait until Spring to buy because Minn Kota is coming out with a completely redesigned foot pedal for the PD's. I'm in the market but I think I'll hold off till then and just use my old P.O.S.
Good fishin, |
|
| |
|
Posts: 5874
| Minn Kota is coming out with a new TM this fall. Called the Terrova, it will have auto stow and deploy, and will feature a new foot pedal. AP and US, and up to 101 lbs(36 Volt).
Here's a link.
http://www.southfloridasportfishing.com/prodreviews.cfm?c=v&cn=4&cs...
I'm trying to get one early. No luck as yet, but who knows? This thing should be an awesome TM.
Thanks to moreyes for passing me the info.
Edited by Shep 8/29/2006 8:23 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 32925
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | To answer the question about the MotorGuide Wireless 75, yes, you can attach a transducer no problem. I have mine clamped on the foot of the motor, and the wire attached to the top of the shaft. No problems. |
|
| |
|
| i have seen the light! .... the motorguide 36-volt with the powered pedal ... this pedal satisfies the trained foot for front to back, it's a low profile, it responds depending on how quick you make it turn ... push button for alignment prior to stowing ... looks tough for durability of shaft etc ... i didn't want to get off of it! ... i love that product ... it's going on my boat in the future ...
http://www.motorguide.com/index.pl/motorguide_tour_es
Motorguide Digital Steering
buy it and be happy.
i'm on my second one...first one took a crap after 4 years. that's an acceptable timeframe considering how often i am using my trolling motor. never had an issue with the pedal.
i prefer this over either the Motorguide wireless or MinnKota (both with side/side pedals) because i like the front/back pedal operation combined with electric powered turning. the pedal is low-profile, so no backaches, and the motor turns slow if you do a small adjustment, fast if you do a big adjustment - don't believe the myths that you need cable steering for fast turns in emergencies.
whatever system you prefer, if you have the space in your boat, you might look into jumping up to a 36v system. tons of power available if you ever need it for fishing in the wind - and more importantly you can run for 3 days without worrying about recharging. |
|
| |
|
| I think that new minn kota will be the cats *ss....
I think the autopilot feature is probably the absolute best feature for better boat control to have...bar none.
yes it fails from time to time but for the 99% of the time it works it is unbelievable |
|
| |
|
| I just replaced my old Minn Kota AP, to a newer more powerful 24v system, and all I can say is this motor is great.
My old motor ran great for 8 years without a problem, it was just time for a little more power. |
|
| |
|
| I personally prefer a cable drive system. However there are certain conditions where a power drive type system has an advantage. Especially if you want to run the boat from the back of the boat. The cable drive systems are much lower maintenance. For the set up that you are describing I would run a 74lb thrust 24 volt minnkota maxxum cable drive. You already know how good your 55 is. Just my 2 cents.
Rick |
|
| |
|
Posts: 333
Location: menasha wi 54952 | Steve,
I see the Motor Guide has a quick release mounting plate. How easy is it to take the trolling motor on/off your boat?
With small kids and thinking about a custom cover that would be a HUGE plus.
MR |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I have been running auto pilots for about 12 years, and really like them. However, I am on my third motor(normal I think for the amount I abuse them), but on at least my 10th pedal. I have not gotten more than two seasons out of a pedal yet, and I do stow them on a trip. I have been getting about 1 year to the date from a pedal, so that part I wish could be improved upon from Minnkotas quality control center. That said, I also have trouble with the auto pilot quite frequently and have to get it recalibrated often. I fish in rivers about 60% of the time and have found that banging the motor around in the rocks, is the death of the compass setting in the auto pilot feature. I still love it, but am thankful that Chuck Brods sportsmans repair shop is just up the road.
That said, I have a couple more questions about the new motor guide. Is the speed adjustment also on the key chain pad? Is the speed adjustment easier to maneuver with your foot than the slider on the minnkota? Is the fastest turning setting, faster than MinnKotas steering? I will look seriously into one of these motors next year when upgrading. Will anyone be in the WI Rapids area soon or Green Bay this fall, and have one that I can look at? If so, i have a GP Thumper spinnerbait for you for your troubles. Thanks a ton! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 7083
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | That said, I have a couple more questions about the new motor guide.
Is the speed adjustment also on the key chain pad?
*I dont know, but I believe so. Steve has the FOB, I dont, but I can answer a few of the below.
Is the speed adjustment easier to maneuver with your foot than the slider on the minnkota?
*If the MK slider were a 10 in difficulty to adjust, the Motor Guide is a 1, its that much easier. You simply tap the + or - symbol, then hear a beep for every adjustment you have made. There are 32 adjustment levels from no power, to full power. On 32, my boat (Tuffy 1700) is going about 7MPH, and that isnt an exaggeration.
Is the fastest turning setting, faster than MinnKotas steering?
*I can only speak from personal experience that it is MUCH faster than an Auto Pilot or Power Drive.
I will look seriously into one of these motors next year when upgrading. Will anyone be in the WI Rapids area soon or Green Bay this fall, and have one that I can look at?
*No, but I can be convinced to fish that area with a little direction.
If so, i have a GP Thumper spinnerbait for you for your troubles.
*Free baits are always good.
Thanks a ton!
*You're welcome.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Thanks man. Good solid info. tough to come by these days. The speed adjustment part really intrigues me. I'd love to see your Tuffy too. Is it a tiller? I need to fish out of one before making my decision for next season. Till then, the brown streak will remain craft of choice.. 
Stop in and jump in the rig(wait you need to bring yours so I can se the trolling motor) some time soon, or the Fox late fall. River is starting to turn a corner for better, and the cool that is setting in will only help more.
Edited by Reef Hawg 9/8/2006 7:21 PM
|
|
| |
