Aqualift
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- May 20, 2009
- Messages
- 145
I just got done comparing a 55lb MotorGuide Varimax and a 55lb Minn Kota Endura on my 14' fiberglass runabout. Fully loaded, I'm around 950lbs. I wanted extra thrust for the high winds that I usually encounter in Wyoming. I originally was going to go with 40lb models. They both cost $259 at Cabelas and have 42" shafts.
Endura
Pros:
Easy to push Quick flip lever for tilting from within boat when mounted on transom.
More tilt positions than Varimax.
Easier and faster to adjust handle extension. Longer too.
Good thrust.
Quiet except for speed setting 5
Eventhough it's not digital, it was fairly easy on the battery.
Traditional left/right twist throttle and direction control.
Composite Shaft
Lighter weight
Three Year Warranty
Cons:
Not variable speed.
Big speed gap between setting 4 and 5.
Steering and depth adjustment collars are pretty week and use a small set screw with knob for tightening.
Motor would not stay in stowed position with tension collars tight. The motor would flip so that the prop was pointing towards the water and handle up. When moving with it in this position, I got alot of water spray coming back into the boat, as it dragged in the water.
No speed, direction or charging indicators.
With everything tight, there was more slack action in the whole system.
Varimax
Pros:
Digital
LED speed graph and direction indicator lights.
Battery Voltmeter LED (Combination with the above)
Hefty mounting bracket.
Depth collar adjuster and tension collar better built and easy to use.
Stowed postion kept motor in proper position and it didn't drag in water.
Excellent variable power.
Good thrust.
Power cable is sheathed.
Great looking.
Quiet.
Excellent and very detailed manual.
Less slack action.
Head can be adjusted to 8 different positions.
Cons:
Handle extension works good, but it is not adjustable on the fly. You need to take a little time using a locking collar and O-ring to make the change.
Tilt mech is a push/pull button that is a little more difficult to do from within boat.
Heavier.
Non flexible but beefy aluminum shaft. Not sure if this is a con. Only time or an impact will tell.
Forward and reverse take a speck longer to get used to. You use a push/pull method with the throttle handle.
Interferes with fish finder.
One Year Warranty.
Question it's durability as others have mentioned problems.
Well, I tested both for one week and I kept the MotorGuide Varimax. For the same price, I just can't part with the variable speed and indicator LED's for both charge and speed. The other cons I can live with. Fingers crossed. I also like the beefy bracket and adjustment collars.
It came with a three bladed Machette prop. I didn't encounter any weeds so I can't speak for it's weed performance.
There is more that I can write about, but I thought this was a good summary.
Endura
Pros:
Easy to push Quick flip lever for tilting from within boat when mounted on transom.
More tilt positions than Varimax.
Easier and faster to adjust handle extension. Longer too.
Good thrust.
Quiet except for speed setting 5
Eventhough it's not digital, it was fairly easy on the battery.
Traditional left/right twist throttle and direction control.
Composite Shaft
Lighter weight
Three Year Warranty
Cons:
Not variable speed.
Big speed gap between setting 4 and 5.
Steering and depth adjustment collars are pretty week and use a small set screw with knob for tightening.
Motor would not stay in stowed position with tension collars tight. The motor would flip so that the prop was pointing towards the water and handle up. When moving with it in this position, I got alot of water spray coming back into the boat, as it dragged in the water.
No speed, direction or charging indicators.
With everything tight, there was more slack action in the whole system.
Varimax
Pros:
Digital
LED speed graph and direction indicator lights.
Battery Voltmeter LED (Combination with the above)
Hefty mounting bracket.
Depth collar adjuster and tension collar better built and easy to use.
Stowed postion kept motor in proper position and it didn't drag in water.
Excellent variable power.
Good thrust.
Power cable is sheathed.
Great looking.
Quiet.
Excellent and very detailed manual.
Less slack action.
Head can be adjusted to 8 different positions.
Cons:
Handle extension works good, but it is not adjustable on the fly. You need to take a little time using a locking collar and O-ring to make the change.
Tilt mech is a push/pull button that is a little more difficult to do from within boat.
Heavier.
Non flexible but beefy aluminum shaft. Not sure if this is a con. Only time or an impact will tell.
Forward and reverse take a speck longer to get used to. You use a push/pull method with the throttle handle.
Interferes with fish finder.
One Year Warranty.
Question it's durability as others have mentioned problems.
Well, I tested both for one week and I kept the MotorGuide Varimax. For the same price, I just can't part with the variable speed and indicator LED's for both charge and speed. The other cons I can live with. Fingers crossed. I also like the beefy bracket and adjustment collars.
It came with a three bladed Machette prop. I didn't encounter any weeds so I can't speak for it's weed performance.
There is more that I can write about, but I thought this was a good summary.