MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

[karrick]

I was set to buy a MK PD55#54" troller and talked to a few guys at the Bass Pro Shops Fishing sale in Cincinnatti, and they said that these motors stink for bass fishing because they do not respond as quickly due to the motorized shaft rotation. One of them claimed its best used when trolling over long distances, not in and out of cover like a person would use it for Bass fishing. My next option is to go for a Motor Guide Pro Series52#50" Both motors run around 430-440. Thanks for the input

 

[JB]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

Hi, Karrick.<br /><br />I fish musky a lot like a typical bass fisherman fishes bass. . . in and out, around cover and bars, etc.<br /><br />I have used a PD, an AP with power drive and a Genesis with power drive. I never needed any of them to turn quicker than they turn.<br /><br />Could be that the guys you talked to just needed to justify what they used.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[karrick]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

Thx for the input and congrats on your 10k mark!<br />I don't intend to get the Autopilot or co-pilot so I leaning more towards getting a conventional cable steer troller over the Powerdrive model. The more research I do, the better decision I will make in the end.

 

[kalan2000]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

I use my PD55AP for bass without a hitch. I especially like the AP feature when working along a shoreline. The AP is also invaluable when I'm alone in the boat fighting fish. Just wish it was selectable (on/off) from the copilot remote.

 

[richg99]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

I've got one PD and another on order for a second boat. I never had any trouble getting into or out of any place I needed the boat to go. <br /><br />Another GREAT feature, (which came up just the other day) was... I was fishing with a friend. He DID NOT want to be in charge of the speed nor direction of the TM. He handed me the foot control panel (18 feet of cord) and I controlled the TM and boat from the rear, while he fished out of the front seat. Worked well for our situation. <br /><br />On another occasion, I fished with a guide. He gave me the front seat, and controlled the TM from his position in the stern. Pretty slick...I think. RichG

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

they do not respond as quickly due to the motorized shaft rotation

Karrick, What exactly does that mean? Are they saying it doesn't work as good because it is a couter clockwise rotating shaft?

 

[Jwill]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

What kind of boat are you putting it on?<br />If you ask me electric steering is junk. Turns to slow and you have to look at the pedal.<br />Cable steering is the only way to go if your strictly bass fishing. How many pros do you see with electric steering? None.<br />If your uncoordinated or if your fishing open water than you might want to get electric steering.<br />Electric steering will suck more battery juice.<br /><br />The best trolling motor is a 74# thrust Minn Kota Maxxum.

 

[karrick]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

My plan is to outfit my 71Starcraft Alum-V with a troller. <br />I was told the steering was not quick enough for the quick changes needed when in tight places

 

[JB]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

I wonder if JS ever used a PD.<br /><br />Control it from anywhere in the boat. With a CoPilot, do it without standing on one foot.<br /><br />With AP, set it and fish.<br /><br />As long as I have a choice, I will use a Power Drive, AutoPilot Minn Kota.

 

[Jwill]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

When the powerdrives first came out in 80's I had one and they were slow. <br />After the power drive quit I went to cable steering. It took a few trips to get used to it but I liked the cable steering much better. I used cable steering for about 10 years than I found a great buy on a Minn Kota Genesis a couple years ago.<br />First trip out with the Genesis I was running into everything. I felt like I didn't have any control over it. It did turn fast but it was a $1300 trolling motor. The control pedal was almost worthless so I had to use the/left right increment buttons to steer. I ended up selling it on Ebay. The Genesis really doesn't apply to your situation because it is a unique trolling motor.<br /><br />I think your choice depends on your style of fishing. If your style of fishing is slow than the power drive would be fine. If you fish fast like I do than the cable is the way to go.<br /><br />In the Bass Pro Shops catalog it says the turning speed on the power drives are 40 percent faster so maybe that issue is resolved.<br /><br />On real cold days for some reason the power drives have a hard time steering from left to right. The power drive and the Genesis would turn slow (genesis not every cold day) until the day warmed up. I don't know if that was a problem just for me but I would definately check into that.<br /><br />I wouldn't go back to electric steering unless I was fishing primarily in open water. I would get the auto pilot feature and the wireless copilot controller looks nice.

 

[karrick]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

Thanks for the input everyone Its interesting to hear everyones experiences. The salesman did mention that the new PD turning speed was faster. I'm leaning towards a cable steer motor the more I find out about the PD.

 

[chuckybaby]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

My comment would be to go with Minn Kota regardless of the type of steering youy choose.<br />I've fished bass tourney's for 10 years with a Minn Kota MX699 with the original flat foot pedal.<br />It's ok bit the newer style are better. I find the cable drive foot [pedals are a pain in rough water...too much play in the cable an the whole thing starts to oscillate, also, if you hit the go switch with the power cranked up the danm thing will torque around and launch you.<br /> <br />The 699 is about done and my next unit will be an 80+ lb Minn Kota hand control with infinitely variable power setting.

 

[NBE]

Re: MinnKota PowerDrive Turning speed??

I have a MinnKota 40PD and I doubt that I could turn my old trolling motor, with the foot pedal/cable steering, any faster than my powerdrive with the electric steering turns. I like it a lot better than my old one and it takes less effort to make the motor turn.