minn kota vs motor guide help please

[Lowerider]

i'm getting tired of my 2004 MK powerdrive deciding when it wants to work and planning on buying a replacement. the unit i have now will turn left to right no problem but the thrust cuts in and out at will. i've already replaced the circut board because the connector prongs b/w the foot pedal and unit "broke" once before. one of the male prongs decided it wanted to stay in the hole when i disconnected. took it up to the only certified MK dealer in my area near Brookville and he said that's the first time he's seen that.

my dad got screwed when he bought the MK genesis a few years back (a true pile of dog...) i don't know anyone who uses a motor guide so obviously i haven't heard of any problems with them.

my next motor must have auto-pilot with wireless remotes. the terrova "looks" better to me in the magazines than the wireless MG but looks can be deceiving.

before i shell out $2000 on a new unit i need some serious advice. i'm rigged for 24V but have room for 36 if needed. 80lbs of thrust is more than enough for me. i fish out of a big skiff and think i need the 60'' shaft

anyone with any experience with the terrova or the wireless MG please chime in and let me know what you think. hell, anyone with an opinion on MK vs MG please chime in too.

thanks

[fisheater]

Go over to bassboatcentral.com and do a search,theres plenty of arguments[discussions]on the pros and cons and just general info on trolling motors.

[Danny]

I've had both minnkota and motorguide. My motorguide was an electronic steer that I used on my pontoon. I have to admit, I loved it. I have also used the old evenrude trolling motor. I had a lot of trouble breaking the steering cable on the evenrude, but as motors go, it was the quietest for the thrust.

I now have the MK 74lb maxum, and so far, knock on wood, have not had a problem.

I bought the last one in 2002, and at that time, my dealer handled both the minnkotas and motorguides. However they said the motorguides were having some trouble. Since then, my understanding is that all the problems were fixed.

BTW, I wanted a Genisis when I bought my boat, and my dealer urged me not to do it. He said the design was such that the motor hung too far off the front of the boat and really hung on the winch when you launched.

So basically I am saying this, visit some dealers, talk with those guys, get the best information, and get the one that will fit your needs the most. I think both of them are pretty good right now. So I guess the really only way to make the decision is talk to the Pros who sell them, and let them help you decide how they will fit your boat, and go from there.

Good luck,

Danny

[PatientlyWading24]

most of the boats i have been on have had minn kotas, so i feel more comfortable with them. unfortunatly all those motors had the old style foot peddle, thats got the speeds on the sides and, the mom/ con switch below, and the big square to control direction. you don't normally see them like that anymore and that is very unfortunate. i have trouble driving most motor guides where you have to to press forward and back on the foot peddle to turn it, its not really what im used to and that seems to be what MK is going to now. the wireless ones are real sweet and the people i know that have those are very pleased. i also think its a lot easier to get parts for the MK.