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Posts: 196
| I'm in the market for a new foot controlled trolling motor. I have a Minn Kota 40 lb thrust power drive. This is going on a 17 foot cajun bass boat. The 40 was ok, but I want a bigger one this time. I hate the pedal on my power drive and don't want that style again. Please give me your feedback on what motors you have had good luck with and what to avoid. Thanks...looking to spend around $500 |
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Posts: 156
| I put a Minnkota Edge 55 on my boat. They are right around 500 bucks. No problems with mine functionally. Not the best for fishing into really heavy winds or waves. Works fine for smaller water/normal conditions. Only complaint is that the low settings don't have enough thrust, and the jump in thrust from 4 to 5 is too big. I hardly ever set it less than 3, so basically 1 and 2 are pretty useless to me, which isn't too big of a problem. The bigger complaint is that when it is a little windy 4 isn't enough and 5 is too much. It would be nice to be able to adjust the exact power lever of each setting. Overall I'm happy with it. |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | Go with the Edge 70...its only $50 more than the 55 and you will have a 24 volt trolling motor. I used powerdrives for 8 years and liked that the footpedal was small, but now that I have a maxxum with a pedal recess I will never go back. Its much easier to stow and deploy and steering is instant...never too slow. |
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Posts: 247
Location: Uxbridge Ontario | When you say foot control, do you mean with a pedal vs hand control or Electroic (side to side) steer vs. cable (upand down) steer?
I really suggest that if you have not tried a cable steer to try it out (on a boat) before you buy. I also have a Minnkota 55v2 power drive with electric pedal and recently ran my buddies 101 motorguide cable steer. Let me tell you, I hated it. We we actually bass fishing, flipping docks and structure. It was quite windy and the waves were rolling us pretty good. I was constantly off balance as you are literally standing on one foot. If you have pressure on the cable steer pedal you are constantly over and under steering, on and off the throttle and I still had to constantly put my foot down to readjust my balance. The other thing I did not like was every time if lift your foot from the pedal, the waves would turn the motor head and you would have to resteer it every time you got back on it.
Maybe its just something you have to get used to. I just find the electronic pedal mush more comfortable and will never buy a cable steer after running this one. |
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Posts: 393
Location: Hopefully on the water | Which style foot control is going to be important as HoeTime stated. it is what you are use to or willing tobecome accustom to. I on the other hand will only use a cable stear foot control. But that is what I started with and have become accustom to. Other only want the power drives and that style. I have seen some Edge's on sale at Ganders and Fleet Farms on close out for the season but you just have to watch the shaft length, trust, and 12 or 24 volt. The Maxxum in a 50-70 lb thrust and 24 volt would move that boat along just fine. Good luck shopping. |
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Posts: 196
| well, I would be willing to try either kind, I just want something with a little more umph and something that is dependable unlike what I have. After the few pedal issues, I can't trust it....a couple of the small lakes that we fish are electric motor only, so therefore when that pedal craps out, both times, we had to be done fishing, which I'm not a fan of. I don't think I want a 70 because my buddy just got a motorguide 70 and the motor is awesome other than each time you go when in waves on the high setting, the motor pushes so hard that it flexes the bow of the boat ( on top )...I think this might eventually wear on the boat, especially since mine is already old ( a 91 ). Thanks |
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Posts: 572
| "each time you go when in waves on the high setting, the motor pushes so hard that it flexes the bow of the boat ( on top )..." If that is a fiberglass boat, I'd be concerned about it too....like, how well the boat was built.
Since a couple of lakes you fish are electric motor only, I'd look for a trolling motor that won't use a lot of battery. I'm a little out dated, but the Minnkota Maxxum with variable speed might be worth looking at. Not sure of cost, etc., but I wouldn't go with anything less than a 70. |
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Posts: 54
| Cajun, you have a PM..
Bryan |
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foot controlled trolling motor