Motor drive Trolling Motors Info Needed

[John_S]

I have started the quest to research trolling motors. I will be buying new in the 1stQ of 2008. Yep, lots of time! My experience to date, has been low-end transom mounts. I am tired of dealing with the bent shaft on the one I have, and have pinched my fingers deploying/retrieving it, numerous times. After some poking around, I think one of the motor drive (positioning) bow mount motors would be best for the water and types of fishing I do. List price range of $500-600, and choices from Motor Guide and MinnKota only. The good news is both have composite/bendable shafts. I have a number of initial questions/info:

I would like to hear from anyone with a motor drive unit, and how it has held up over the years. I am a little concerned about the positioning failing long before the trolling motor.

How well does the wireless units work? I have visions of early TV remotes. If this is not near faultless, it would probably drive me back to a wired unit.

Right now, from a features/value point of view, I am leaning toward the MotorGuide.
- Wireless is less cost.
- Removable mount standard.
- Easy deployable system - video on website.
- Not sure if infinite variable speed is equivelent to MK maximizer (battery charge life)
- Spare props may fit from my transom motor, but need to check.

Any input from current motor drive owners is appreciated.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Motor drive Trolling Motors Info Needed

First off I am a die hard Minnkota fan. I have tried Motorguide including their top of the line P2sv model and it was a nightmare.

I currently use a MK 70lb motor with the auto pilot and co-pilot. I prefer the motor driven steering because it is much easier on my leg. You don't have to keep your foot on the pedal all the time. Plus the auto pilot makes it even easier. It is a little slowing in turning than a cable driven one but you get use to it and its not a problem. The co-pilot is great too as you can control the motor from anywhere in the boat and you can take the pedal off if you want and store it. The only disadvatage with the co-pilot is you are limited to 10 speeds where you have an infinate number with the pedal. For most people this isn't a problem.

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: Motor drive Trolling Motors Info Needed

I to have a MinnKota Powerdrive V2 w/ co-pilot. I didn't see any point in me getting the Auto Pilot feature since I fish a lot stump fields, and that would be a waste of money for me.

As for the comparable Motorguide system I think they are a bit behind in the game. I looked at them before purchasing my MinnKota, and read many reviews speaking with some owners in the process. The wireless Motorguide system is behind the game in my opinion. Not only is the remote somewhat cumbersome, but the quality of the brace or mounting bracket is not up to par in my opinion.

I have used my MinnKota on several occasions since installing it 2 weeks ago, and I am VERY pleased. I can sit at the stern of the boat and use my wireless remote which is the size of a large watch at most. Very easy to use, and I trolled at full speed for 20 minutes and it never even touched my battery level. I think you would be better of buying a MinnKota, but that's just my opinion.

 

[John_S]

Re: Motor drive Trolling Motors Info Needed

Thanks for the input so far. Please keep it coming.

While I never had a problem with my Motorguide, from reviewing numerous posts, it apppears that their customer service may not be up to par. I also saw a review on BassPro, where someone had broke the shaft, and it wasn't covered. I am also checking with my discount supplier, while Minnkota is supplied, I am awaiting confirmation on Motorguide. That alone may make it a perminent knock-out.

I am interested in how well the wireless works in adverse conditions, such as, wind spray, rain, cold (near or just below freezing), and allot of direct sunlight. For that matter, how the electric (wired) foot pedal does under same. Walleye fishing is not a fair weather sport

Also interested in how these work. Are they friction wheel drives? Some sort of belt, etc? It is not obvious from looking at them on the racks.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Motor drive Trolling Motors Info Needed

I had them both Motorguide and Minkota, I could not really see a difference. I also had the cable driven and the power driven. Both have it's pro/cons. For ME the cable gave me the advantage of stearing without having to look at the motor. Which was great, I still get a bit lost if im not looking at my power driven unit. What I like the most about the power driven unit was the ability to uncoil the cable and let my guests fish the bow while I take the transom. I would like to play with one with the remote someday. I reckon you can put a small belt to attach it to your rods and stear that way.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Motor drive Trolling Motors Info Needed

i have a 2 year old Motor Guide 45 wireless, i totally love it. i hate stuff on the deck to step over, i my foot control is in the storage locker, and all i use is the key fob control. i can fish from any where in the boat, and control every movement of the boat. i've had it on an 18 ft center console, and is now on a 15 foot. seeing i sold the 18. deploying is easy, one nut and the whole thing is removed. they have a cover plate from the base mount.

 

[John_S]

Re: Motor drive Trolling Motors Info Needed

There are many times (especially if its windy and cold) we prefer to sit in the middle seats, vs casting decks. We are either trolling, vertical jigging, or drift rigging. Currently, we end up using the main motor for this, which is problematic to try run at slow speeds. The power drive type trolling motor seems perfect for this. I would be better off with an upgraded transom mount, vs going to cable steering.

Thanks, you provided info in one of my concerns. "Why do the Bass Pros prefer the cable steering vs PowerDrive?".

TashasDaddy, thanks for your input, and for the numerous posts that you have on the forum on this. The Motorguide seems like a very nice unit, and the videos provided on website help with understanding. I will know by the end of the week if Motorguide is still an option for me. Street price vs a 30% discount would sway it to the MK.

I currently run a 40lb transom motor. This is plenty for positional fishing and slow trolling on our 14' boat. I usually don't use the high settings unless the battery is starting to get low. When the battery is fully recharged and you run the highest setting the motor shakes/vibrates. Is this the case with the powerdrives? I will probably go with a 55lb thrust that should handle the heavier river current.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Motor drive Trolling Motors Info Needed

I have two Motorguide motors here right now, I have yet to find any info on them on the web and they are not of much help via phone either. They only seem to be interested in having you return the entire unit for repairs to your local repair center. I have seen several lately with burned up speed coils in the motor and burned out switches. Especially on the lower end models.
Myself, I've tried many trolling motors, I was always a die hard MK guy but after I had a few burn up due to the permanent magnets coming unglued and shorting out the armature, I began trying several others, what I found is that only those with the maximizer feature are worth having, the others drain the battery too fast for the type of fishing I do, and the MK units do seem to hold up better over time. They seem to be better sealed and more durable overall.
I can't say much for their threaded plastic tension screws on the lower end motors, but a stripped thread there is much better than a burnt motor or switch.

I have had two motor drive motors, one MK and one MG, I didn't like either, I never could get used the delay in reponse, but the absence of a foot pedal was nice. I did how ever go back to my older MK 36 lb thrust Turbo though after the power drive on the MG failed.

 

[John_S]

Re: Motor drive Trolling Motors Info Needed

Thanks for the input.

I have confirmed that the mid-range MotorGuides, like the wireless, will not be available for the discount program. A few lower-end transom models, like what I have, still are.

So, now it is just MK, and will continue researching power drives. Fall-back can always be a transom mount Maxxum, which has maxumizer and composite shaft. The auto-pilot feature, while expensive, sounded intreguing. Given the posts I've read on it, I don't think it will work well on my boat. I would not be able to maintain perpendicular to the water within 5 degrees. Bow angle changes too much from when person is on casting deck vs mid-ships.

Outside of the bent shaft, I've never had a problem with the motor guides. Bent shaft was my fault, having the motor converted to back troller, and mounted to bow. Hit a rock, and nothing to give, but the shaft. We even have an old Heters elec motor. It might be 17lbs thrust, but maybe less. Replaced control a number of years ago, but will still push a canoe along fine.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Motor drive Trolling Motors Info Needed

after my first bow mount, i would never go back to a transom mount. i have one clamp on transom mount, that i put on boats for the first test run, as a way to get home if the test run is bad.