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| I'm in the market for a new bow mounted trolling motor. I currently have a twist grip handle Minn Kota on the front. It was OK when I was just walleye fishing but now that I have branched out to fish Muskies I find myself dancing the Watusi and other disco steps in order to hold my position not to mention trying to adjust speed. The sudden turns have left some of my partners airborne but luckily always landing in the boat. My questions are: What is the advantage of the cable drive motors? Will I end up walking funny at the end of the day? When fighting a fish or working a fish close to the boat do you turn the motor off and get off the pedal? If you get off the pedal with the motor running to figure eight a fish does the boat track straight? How long does it take to learn to run the motor, being older I don't know how many years I have left especially with the motor I have now. Are you pretty much locked to the pedal? Would you switch? The PD/AP is my other option, I've heard stories both pro and con. Some people like the feature of the low profile foot pad but marvel as the AP just does its own thing from time to time. I've got a buddy who just has a power drive unit and the foot pad quit on him not a good thing also it doesn't appear the easiest motor to deploy and store? Who has used both and what do you have now?
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I have a cable type Minn Kota now. It works, does the job.. If I have it on constant and take my foot off the pedal mine tends to turn. As such I usually do not run it on constant so when foot is off the pedal the motor is off. I intend to get a Power Drive unit for my next one. Just can't seem to kill this one yet to justify getting the new one... I have heard more bad then good concerning the autopilots. So I will not get one myself. Maybe others here have heard of or had better experiences with them. Two things I like about the PD models are 1st: they have the maximizer with the variable speed control and extended battery life; 2nd: they have the long cord for the foot pedal so you can put it anywhere in the boat. Two things I don't like with the cable models are 1st: cable limits where you can put the pedal; 2nd: most cable models do not have the maximizer so you are stuck with the 5 speeds for power. If a cable foot control is for you I will reccomend the maxxum Minn Kota with the maximizer and varaible speed. Another good thing with the PD's is you can put the Co-Pilot on them. This turns your motor into a remote control. It has the small remote that you can tiewrap to your rod if you like. here is a link to minn kota's website: http://www.minnkotamotors.com/_swf/
Edited by kevin 1/20/2004 11:24 AM
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Posts: 32892
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I have an APD, and really like it. I rarely use the autopilot, but when I need it it does the job. The motor has a low return rate, and is very reliable. As with any electronic product, there will be some built that need repair from time to time, that is why the electric motors out there have a warranty. As for mine, it has had no problems at all. |
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Posts: 1046
| Been through all of them a couple times and then some! If you are going to pound get the 65#/or 74# Maxxum.These motors are carefree workhorses and very,very rarely go to the shop.Everyone and I mean everyone that I know with a PD has had many a problem and lost serious water time and are switching. The Genisis looks good too but out of my range.In 3 seasons with my Maxxum 74# I broke some props on stumps/rocks but throw on the spare and back fishing 5 min. later and that was it!Between walleyes and esox my boat is in the water from late Feb. to Dec.with probably 200 days a season fishing some very rough schmidt!(conditions)That is the main reason I like cables and just my opinion. There are many others that will also bring up valid points but mine are very time tested.Good luck! |
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Posts: 2384
Location: On the X that marks the mucky spot | I personally run a Maxxum because the autopilot was only offered in 65# thrust at the time. The autopilot is sweet, but if you don't take care of that peddle you can have problems. Murphy tends to follow me closely so I'll stick with the proven Maxxum cuz knowing my luck an autopilot would be flawless until I have a tournament or trip planned.
A good rule of thumb, don't let the boat get smarter then you. Let the wisecracks begin  |
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Posts: 326
Location: Plainfield IL | I run the 65lbs 24v MinnKota AutoPilot and think it is a great motor. No problems here with anything on this motor. I have heard the pedals have caused people some problems. In the boating industry there are few products that can exposed to the elements without a bit of maint at the end of the season. Cleaning the pedal from dirt and debris and lubing all the connectors will ensure long use of the product. I beleive they have released a new 74# AutoPilot this year.
Edited by Running_Hot 1/20/2004 12:14 PM
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Posts: 1279
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | Been running a 65#/24V A.P. for 3 years now with 0 problems. Nuff said. |
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Location: Illinois-Indiana | I also run a 65# thrust AP and love it.
I had some problems with the brain on the main board last year and had to replace it (expensive) but like it was said nothing is perfect and my motor gets a lot of wear and tear.
I had an AP on my last boat and will probably get another one when I get a new boat.
The nice thing about the AP is it lets you FISH and not worry about boat control all the time, just point it and go. If you want to change dirrections just tap the pedal and the motor does the rest, no big foot pedal in the way either. |
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Posts: 87
| I have a AP on my current boat and have had trouble with the pedal since it was new. I do like the low profile pedal though. I my old boat i had a cable dr motorguide i like the fast response of the cable, and less to go wrong. I am not sure whitch i would buy next time. |
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Posts: 87
| also the new Ap's and PD's have been made much easier to stow and deploy. |
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| Thanks for all the feedback. I am leaning, no pun intended, to the flat pedaled 74# powerdrive with autopilot. Anyone out there that has use Motor guide? Just curious, I know this is MinnKota country but outside of this area it seems like Motor Guide is the leading seller. |
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| I've owned three Motor Guide's (Brutes) during the time I lived down south and was fishing bass tournaments and all (fished over 200 days per year). After using MinnKota's now, I wouldn't have another Motor Guide, unless they made major changes. They are twice as loud as a MinnKota, and broke down every once in a while just like they all will. MotorGuide has come out w/ a new technology this year, which the sales reps are all jazzed over. Supposed to be much quieter and uses the technology from PinPoint, which was acquired. I'm leary of new technology anymore, and will be waiting to hear consistent positive feedback over at least a couple of years before jumping in.
I run the AP model MinnKota's rather than the cable version since that fits my fishing style better. If I were still a bass-head, probably would lean more towards the Maxxum where the cable allows quicker turning and better control in tight spots.
Had only one problem with the three AP's I've owned, which was the head spinning thing. Got it fixed under warranty and it's run perfectly since. If I had my choice of motor on a musky boat today, it would be the MinnKota AP 74lb. Just wish they would improve the bracket lift design to make it easier to get out of the water. Lots of guys on the walleye boards are giving big thumbs up to the co-pilot add-on, too. So something to think about.
BrianF.
Twin Cities |
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Posts: 27
Location: St. Cloud, MN | Thanks for the advice. I was thinking of going to the boat show on Saturday and talking to the Motor Guide and Minn Kota reps. I know what you are saying about the bracket. I've watched guys struggle to get the motor out. I wish they would use a scissors bracket like they do on the Maxum then it would be a no brainer. Do you use the AP feature alot and can you override it without turning off the AP. For instance if you are going along a reef and suddenly you notice the rocks looming large can you compensate without damaging the AP compass? Is the AP feature worth the extra money compared to a plain powerdrive unit? I also walleye fish and I have a Vantage on the back that is a great motor so this motor would be pretty much for muskie fishing. |
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| I use the AP feature alot, that's why I like the unit. Probably 75% of the time the motor is in use. But, other guys are different, so it depends on how you like to fish. Me, I'm on big reefs, flats, and long breaklines/weedlines much of the time, so it works well there. If you're in and out of big shallow rocks, or weaving around stumps or boat docks all day, you won't want to use the AP feature and will find that the unit turns too slow for that style of fishing. Quickly get frustrating when you need to make lots of fast, tight turns - or else. Think cable units if that is the case.
Rocks? If you're surprised by a big rock dead ahead, you'll be scrambling to turn the motor and kick up the speed to avoid them. You may or may not have to kill the AP feature, depending on the situation. You won't ruin the motor or AP though, even if you've hit a rock or pulled the motor up while its in the AP mode (been doing that for years w/out problems). Also, difficult to raise the motor in situations where it is too late and you've run up onto the rocks. Nod goes to the scissor mount units there. Quick up, quick down. Still, I just don't put myself in those situations much, and find the AP feature much more of a benefit than the scissor mounted, cable units - most of the time. Again, depends on how you fish.
BrianF.
Twin Cities |
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Posts: 27
Location: St. Cloud, MN | Brian,
That's good to hear. Sounds like we probably fish alot alike. I like working down a weed line and the breaks on reefs. The way the reels are today and the lures are tuned to fly you generally don't have to be right on top of the structure. I want to spend more time fishing than driving. I think the decision will be an AP probably the 74# with the 60 inch shaft. The thing about the scissors bracket is something I'm going to ask the MinnKota reps at the boat show. I don't see why they couldn't utilize that technology on the powerdrive/AP model. |
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Posts: 27
Location: St. Cloud, MN | One last question, I run a ProV 1775 what shaft length would you get? |
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Posts: 688
Location: Northern IL | I also have a couple. What do you guys know about the 65PD/US "universal sonar"? Are they reliable, If the sonar unit fails down the road are they replaceable? |
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Posts: 5874
| I have the universal sonar on my 65AP, and it is great to have. Now sonar cable to worry about pinching, stretching, cutting, twisting. It works, and I wouldn't have one without. |
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Posts: 688
Location: Northern IL | Thanks Shep,
But If the sonar unit fails down the road are they replaceable?
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Posts: 1936
Location: Eau Claire, WI | The universal transducer for "your brand" of sonar is a replacable part. Been fishing seriously for well over 20 years and have never had a transducer go bad...except for the one I crushed
Goalie50...
I used to run a PD/AP for years... only problem I ever had was on one of my last units the on/off switch for the AP feature went bad on me. I could still use the motor just not the AP feature. One call to Chuck at Sportsmans Repair and he sent me a new switch for like $10... 1/2 hour in the garage and I was good to go again.
Try to answer your earlier question on use of AP feature. Let's say you have the AP feature turned on and are running a reef and come across a rock/stump you want to stear clear of. Just step on the pedal in the direction you want to go (without turning off AP) and when you are clear of the object or want to change your course of direction just let off the pedal with the head pointed in the direction you want to go and the AP feature resumes and stears by itself again.
For what you are describing as your style of fishing, age, etc. It would be my recommendation you purchase the PD/AP with integrated transducer.
The new mount is much easier to deploy than the one from about 3 years ago. Spray a little silicone on the shaft or wax the shaft and you will be able to deploy it with two fingers.
Good luck. |
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Posts: 27
Location: St. Cloud, MN | Thanks,
My mind is made up. There is going to be a 74#pd/AP/US adorning my ride this spring. Now I have to figure out which GPS unit I want to get. |
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Posts: 184
Location: Rockford Il 61108 | Minn kota maxum 65 pds only way to go |
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