I recently bought a Minn Kota V2 PowerDrive trolling motor. After mounting it on the bow and wiring in a Minn Kota plug and receptacle, I put it to work on a few different lakes and rivers.
Observations:
1. I have a 14' aluminum Lowe fishing boat, with side console and a 35 HP Johnson on the transom. The salesman said the 45 lb would be ample, the MK website steered me to the 55lb. Since using the motor, the 45 lb is very ample, pulling the boat with 2 big guys and equipment at 2 knots in light winds.
2. Consider buying the optional wireless remote; the foot pedal is fine, but very sensitive. As a result, you can oversteer and I found I was often correcting back and forth to get the direction I wanted. The wireless remote put the control on a keyfob that I wear on a lanyard, so its conveniently at waist level for quick access. Since I have much more dexterity in my hands than my feet, I steer much better with the hand control over the foot control.
3. Battery life with this unit is amazing. I was on the lake yesterday, light winds, and except for crossing the lake a few times with the outboard, I used the electric motor from 10:00-14:30, to move along the shoreline trolling, to move into shore to work the shoals, making frequent course corrections to avoid rocks, to manouver around islands, to work weedbeds. I used the helpful battery guage on the unit at the day's end, and found I still had 3/4 battery left (12 volt battery, dedicated to the trolling motor; my other batter is for engine cranking, fish finder, horn, etc).
4. Some have said that the deployment and retrieval of this unit is poor, but I have no problems with this. You just have to be foreceful in pushing the launch lever to thrust the unit from its mooring and out for deployment. Same with retrieval, you just have to be forceful in pulling it back into the holding mechanism. I launch and deploy frequently when I put the anchor in to avoid the anchor line wrapping around the trolling motor shaft.
So far, its a powerful and handly device. Time will tell on durability. I already inadvertantly hit rocks with the prop, and the prop only has a few minor marks, the shear pin never broke. And, a replacement MKP2 prop is only $14.00.
It has enough power to get you off a lake if your outboard fails, and it sips electricity so you can use the device all day. Too bad the cordless remote is so pricey, my main gripe.
Best,
Chris
Observations:
1. I have a 14' aluminum Lowe fishing boat, with side console and a 35 HP Johnson on the transom. The salesman said the 45 lb would be ample, the MK website steered me to the 55lb. Since using the motor, the 45 lb is very ample, pulling the boat with 2 big guys and equipment at 2 knots in light winds.
2. Consider buying the optional wireless remote; the foot pedal is fine, but very sensitive. As a result, you can oversteer and I found I was often correcting back and forth to get the direction I wanted. The wireless remote put the control on a keyfob that I wear on a lanyard, so its conveniently at waist level for quick access. Since I have much more dexterity in my hands than my feet, I steer much better with the hand control over the foot control.
3. Battery life with this unit is amazing. I was on the lake yesterday, light winds, and except for crossing the lake a few times with the outboard, I used the electric motor from 10:00-14:30, to move along the shoreline trolling, to move into shore to work the shoals, making frequent course corrections to avoid rocks, to manouver around islands, to work weedbeds. I used the helpful battery guage on the unit at the day's end, and found I still had 3/4 battery left (12 volt battery, dedicated to the trolling motor; my other batter is for engine cranking, fish finder, horn, etc).
4. Some have said that the deployment and retrieval of this unit is poor, but I have no problems with this. You just have to be foreceful in pushing the launch lever to thrust the unit from its mooring and out for deployment. Same with retrieval, you just have to be forceful in pulling it back into the holding mechanism. I launch and deploy frequently when I put the anchor in to avoid the anchor line wrapping around the trolling motor shaft.
So far, its a powerful and handly device. Time will tell on durability. I already inadvertantly hit rocks with the prop, and the prop only has a few minor marks, the shear pin never broke. And, a replacement MKP2 prop is only $14.00.
It has enough power to get you off a lake if your outboard fails, and it sips electricity so you can use the device all day. Too bad the cordless remote is so pricey, my main gripe.
Best,
Chris