Best Trolling Motor?

[RICHYD4U]

Well guys, looks like Santa (my wife) is going to let me get a new trolling motor for the new boat this christmas (with my own money, ). I have been reading up on tons of reviews between MG and MKs and have just ended up more confused than when I started. Need some help.

What trolling motor would you all get if you were looking to spend between $600-$700, bow mount of coarse, as much poundage as you can get, for a 17.5 ft boat? I can't decide wether or not to go with the reliable old cable steer, digital steer, or wireless? MG or MK? Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys!

-Rich

[GeoFisher]

Well guys, looks like Santa (my wife) is going to let me get a new trolling motor for the new boat this christmas (with my own money, ). I have been reading up on tons of reviews between MG and MKs and have just ended up more confused than when I started. Need some help.

What trolling motor would you all get if you were looking to spend between $600-$700, bow mount of coarse, as much poundage as you can get, for a 17.5 ft boat? I can't decide wether or not to go with the reliable old cable steer, digital steer, or wireless? MG or MK? Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys!

-Rich

Wow, you opened a CAN here.

I have MinnKota motors, and have ALWAYS had them.. All my boats that have came with motorguide, I've replaced with MinnKota. Not that they are better I guess, but mostly because that is what I was used to.

I think the steering might be looser and easier to use on Motorguide, but my MinnKota's have been through the ringer, and MAN they are tough.

I had a MinnKota Digital Autopilot on my 19 ft tracker. I didn't like it, and sold it to replace it with a MinnKota Maxxum.

I've had 2 Maxxum motors, and I REALLY like them.

If you can afford to move up to a 24 volt system, I'd DEFINITELY do it. A 24 system uses way less amperage, meaning less current draw, let loss of energy due to heat, etc, etc. AND I think they are easier on your batteries. If a 55lb 12 volt system draws 40 amps, then a 55lb 24 volt system should only draw 20 amps........

If you can afford the PCM trolling motors, those are MUCH better than non PCM motors. THE PCM are those with digital speed controls. Digital Speed is significantly more efficient than analog speed control, and that will also probably save you some battery life.

Man.......I hope I didn't just muddy the water even more .

Later,

Geo

[kygorski]

The last 2 MGs I owned spent more time on the UPS truck than they did on my boat. The straw that broke the camels back was a brand new corded model, After all the work of putting it on my 18 ft deep vee, it didn't work, junk right out of the factory. Ihave had the auto pilot MK and it6 lasted about 5 yrs, then it became obsolete, and part were hard to get an expensive. the price range you quote will make it hard to get a bells and whistles model, The cable steer models work great and you could get a 24 volt for about 700 bucksmore or less. auto and digital models run over 900 bucks on sale. The corded models are good but you need to pay a lot of attention because they tend to wander. My present MK is corded and is over 5 yrs old, Have replaced the foot control, but that was my neglgence. My next motor if I win the lottery, MK auto maxuum.

[Les Young]

Rich, I have saw 2nd gear go out of two Minn Kota Maxxums. Humminbird told me this had never been reported, but I definitley reported mine going out when under warranty. My cousins also went out. Mine was a 2003 65lb.Maxxum & my cousins was a 2004 65lber. Mind you that these 2 trolling motors had been put through the mill. Personally I like Minnkota a lot better than Motorguide as my Minnkotas have been a lot smoother to operate to me at least & a whole lot quieter & have better luck all the way around than I have with Motorguide. To me Motorguide motors are loose & less responsive as opposed to Minnkota. The 2nd. gear problem isn't a frequent problem by what I've gathered from talking to other Minnkota owners, but seems kind of odd to me that 2 exact outfits had the same problem. Guess we were just the lucky ones lol.

[GeoFisher]

Rich, I have saw 2nd gear go out of two Minn Kota Maxxums. Humminbird told me this had never been reported, but I definitley reported mine going out when under warranty. My cousins also went out. Mine was a 2003 65lb.Maxxum & my cousins was a 2004 65lber. Mind you that these 2 trolling motors had been put through the mill. Personally I like Minnkota a lot better than Motorguide as my Minnkotas have been a lot smoother to operate to me at least & a whole lot quieter & have better luck all the way around than I have with Motorguide. To me Motorguide motors are loose & less responsive as opposed to Minnkota. The 2nd. gear problem isn't a frequent problem by what I've gathered from talking to other Minnkota owners, but seems kind of odd to me that 2 exact outfits had the same problem. Guess we were just the lucky ones lol.

What do you mean second gear......if you mean second power position, with the Analog models, that might be possible with with the variable PCM models, there are not "FIXED" positions on the dial, just 10 - 100 percent.

Later,

Geo

[RICHYD4U]

Thanks for the quick responses guys! Sounds like you all prefer MK over MG. I had heard similar complaints about MG online, however I also heard that Van Dam fishes with MG and many other pros? Confusing. However, I had been leaning towards the MK Maxxum (it had the overall best reviews), and it sounds like that might be the best option. I'm still up to more opinions however. I currently fish a 24 volt system, so I would definitely prefer to stay that way. Thanks!

-Rich

[Dave Stewart]

The MG on my boat has been there for 4 years...24V 82lb .....you can imagine how many hours my trolling motor has on it guiding every day 9 months a year. I have replaced the steering cables a number of times....I just wear them out, wouldn't matter if it was a MG or MK on that part....when you are putting about 5 hours a day on one like I do, those cables will only last so long. I would recommend that no matter which unit you buy, put a bounce buster and tie down strap on it. Rough water is the worst enemy of a trolling motor when you are running. The MG is lighter than a MK and without the bounce buster you will be sending it to the shop if you fish rough water.

[kygorski]

Rich, maybe you should consider buying a reconditioned MK they come with a one year warranty, and you can get more bang for your buck that way, But there are not a lot of them available at times.And yes tie em down when they are not in use,

[RICHYD4U]

Rich, maybe you should consider buying a reconditioned MK they come with a one year warranty, and you can get more bang for your buck that way, But there are not a lot of them available at times.And yes tie em down when they are not in use,

I thought the same thing and looked some up at Cabelas, they just don't have hardly any in stock. I've looked at so many different trolling motors here lately, my head is starting to hurt! I'd better hurry up and decide or Mrs. Claus might change her mind!


-Rich

[kydonky]

One word (two words?) AUTOPILOT, AUTO PILOT!!! I have the MK Terrova with AP. (poweer drives also have AP) the Terrova is much easier to deploy and stow than the power drives, although the difference is not that big of a deal. The big deal is the autopilot. the AP setting will take care of minor steering adjustments so you can fish, tie a knot, grab a soda or bait a hook. Not to say they will steer themselves (although some do with the newest gadget the ipilot, a GPS interface that you can program a track into) but they will keep you on a straight line for 100s of feet if not yards without having to make those minor adjustments. I have had both the standard and the AP models and would not consider a model without AP. Both the Power Drives and the Terrova can be upgraded to the new Minnkota Ipilot GPS interface ($399.00 for the Ipilot system). So you do know Santa comes around again next year.
Better shop Ebay, lot of new in the box motors on ebay. (use common sense and paypal for protection). I got my 55 lb terrova on ebay, has
AP & US2. Priced at $1050.00 in Bass Pro, Cabellas, Sportsman guide. Got it new in the box on Ebay $650.00. Have seen many MK Power Drives new in the box on Ebay at real bargin basement prices (40% off list). You have to be a little patient and really follow the listings daily till a bargin comes up (not all listings on ebay are bargins).

[BPenrod]

Minn-kota

[GeoFisher]

One word (two words?) AUTOPILOT, AUTO PILOT!!! I have the MK Terrova with AP. (poweer drives also have AP) the Terrova is much easier to deploy and stow than the power drives, although the difference is not that big of a deal. The big deal is the autopilot. the AP setting will take care of minor steering adjustments so you can fish, tie a knot, grab a soda or bait a hook. Not to say they will steer themselves (although some do with the newest gadget the ipilot, a GPS interface that you can program a track into) but they will keep you on a straight line for 100s of feet if not yards without having to make those minor adjustments. I have had both the standard and the AP models and would not consider a model without AP. Both the Power Drives and the Terrova can be upgraded to the new Minnkota Ipilot GPS interface ($399.00 for the Ipilot system). So you do know Santa comes around again next year.
Better shop Ebay, lot of new in the box motors on ebay. (use common sense and paypal for protection). I got my 55 lb terrova on ebay, has
AP & US2. Priced at $1050.00 in Bass Pro, Cabellas, Sportsman guide. Got it new in the box on Ebay $650.00. Have seen many MK Power Drives new in the box on Ebay at real bargin basement prices (40% off list). You have to be a little patient and really follow the listings daily till a bargin comes up (not all listings on ebay are bargins).

I liked my Autopilot for that VERY FEATURE, but if you fish rough water at all, and need to TURN on a dime.....forget the autopilot.

It could literally take 2-3 seconds to turn the head 180 degrees, which simply was WAY TOO MUCH TIME.

I pulled the autopilot and put a MK Maxxum 75 on my boat had have never looked back.

BUT that Autopilot feature in not so rough water, was GREAT for peeling a bank. I guess it kind of depends on what you plan on fishing.

Later,

Geo