trolling motor

[Bassmaster1]

what is the best 12 volt trolling motor to buy? I am looking to replace the one that i have now, its a johnson. I dont know the size of it. I was thinking about a motorguide 54lb thrust.

[elnutsmalljaws]

I just changed from a Minn Kota Maxxum 55 12 volt system for it stunk over to a Motorguide 70lb 24 volt system. Hell this thing pulls my boat faster than my 90 Merc pushes it, even when the Merc is running.

[apextrail]

Don't want to offend any die hard Minn kota fans but I am on my second one in two years and this new one has problems also. Been in the shop more than the boat seems.

[dpage70]

I'm with these guys. Buy a motorguide. 24v is more efficient than 12 by far but i would take a 12v motorguide over a 24v minn kota any day. mines been in the shop 3 times this year.

[Danny]

The best trolling motor I've ever owned was an Evenrude... made by the same folks that made your Johnson.. I believe.

I've owned one Motorguide electric steer 12 volt on my pontoon... loved it!!!

On my Stratos, I had the Evenrude 12/24v... loved it.. no problems ever, and my Triton.. I now have the Minnkota 74lb maxxum.

What else I know... Motorguide used to have some serious problems, but they were purchased, and all problems fixed.

I think both TMs are great... otherwise they could not stay in business with the competition that exists.

If there is anyway possible, get the biggest you can... and if that means 24 volt... that would be better. A 24 volt system is more efficient and easier on batteries than a 12 volt system is, and the same is true when comparing a 36 volt to a 24 volt. I hope my next TM will be 36 volt.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide on.

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

[DJD]

What are some of the problems with your Minn Kota's? I was thinking of getting another T.M. i have a M.K. now but would like to upgrade to a higher thrust. This one works good just kinda small.

[apextrail]

I purchased a 55 lb thrust for my 17 ft Tracker. It replaced a 40 lb which should have been more than enough thrust for an aluminum boat. One problem I have had with both MinnKotas is there is no difference in thrust in the first 4 gears or positions. When you kick it up on 5 it will jerk you all over the boat. Also this new one has been in for repair twice due to a "design flaw" that allows the shaft to be pushed into a bracket that holds the armature and shatters it.I was advised by a authorized repair shop to "use it until the warranty is close to expiring and then sell it".Pretty much letting me know it will break again.In Minkotas defense, I have not called them yet to try and get it replaced. I just keep getting it fixed under warranty.Maybe I just got a couple lemons back to back. I see an awful lot of them out there and don't really know of similar problems.

[MarkW]

All I can say is I have owned OMC T-motors from years back--actually had two of them and somehow I managed to break every piece of both trolling motors combined----there was some design flaws with them too.
Had one Motorguide 24V 56lb thrust came new on my 99 boat. Had the foot switch replaced twice,wiring burnt in the top(head) part of it. Didn't like it at all.
Now I have a 3 year old 74 Maxxum Minnkota and have not once had the first problem out of it. I have been tough on it and it keeps going.
I may have gotten an extraordinary good one, but I am not complaining.

Seemed like for years there--late 90's and early 2000's Motorguide's were basically junk with alot of problems and MinnKota was kicking butt. But, like everything else Motorguide probably solved some of their issues and make a much better motor now.

So--bottom line---you probably can't go wrong buying either one.
One rule of thumb----always buy the biggest motor your budget will allow and you will never be upset with its' performance.
When I bought my MinnKota--I wanted the biggest 24V they made without going to 36V and at that time it was a 74----I think now it is a 80 lbs. Couldn't have been happier---went from 56 to 74 and I really like it.

[elnutsmalljaws]

I know this has been discussed many times over and you are not asking but I found a battery earlier this year that is HEADS and SHOULDERS above the others I have had. I bought it at Carquest the label is Carquest Gold Deep Cycle Marine ($65). Compared to my Interstate, Wally World brand and the one that came on my boat from Bass Pro there is no comparison. I will only use this brand. I bought 1 earlier this year and just went and bought a second when I switched to my 24 volt trolling motor a couple of weeks ago. Fished 14 hours at KY Lake one night last weekend with not a single drop in power. Excellent battery.

[DJD]

Elnut,
What size was that battery? I'm getting a 24volt Trolling Motor so i figure i'll start off with two fresh batteries. Were they over 100amp hours? Thats seems like a great price for deep cycle batteries. Any idea of who makes them for CarQuest? Thanks, Don