Minn Kota Edge Foot Control Motors, Tell Me The Good And Bad.

[tnriverluver]

I purchased the Edge 45 a couple of months ago to eventually mount on my 15ft jon boat if I ever get the modifying process started. I have owned many Minn Kotas over the last thirty years and have been completely satisfied until my latest Endura 40 that is currently on the boat. I still have my first which is a little 10lb thust that while pretty usless still works great today. I got a very good price on the Edge thru Amazon. Motor is still in the unopened box. Just wondering if those that have them are happy or if these motors leave alot to be desired. Seams every boat I ever owned had a Johnson or Evinrude foot control motor and I couldn't kill them.

[Wayne P.]

Well, like the OMC motors, the Edge is a select speed model and not a variable speed. That means it is not as battery friendly. The composite shaft is a plus if you crash into stuff a lot. Otherwise pretty much the same as any other motor in that catagory.

[KevO]

I had the previous version of the edge (all terrain) on my boat. It was ok but like Wayne said its select speed and speed 1 and 2 were useless, 3 and 4 were ok if there was no wind or a light breeze. 5 was useless because it was so strong it would throw you out of the boat. I upgraded to a Maxxum and the difference is amazing. The battery life seems like it doubled and variable speed is so smooth.

[tnriverluver]

Argh that is one of the things I was afraid of. That Is what I hate about the Endure as the first 4 speeds are useless and then 5 is like someone hit the nitruos button. The reverse on the endura might as well not even be there as the prop has no reverse bite.

[KevO]

I never had any problems with the motor it worked great. It just sucked in the wind, going into winds over 20mph was pointless. It would hold my place but it wouldn't go forward.

[ChrisAW]

Sounds like most of you are trying to save money by using an underpowered motor for your boat.

The general rule of thumb is 4 pounds of thrust to every foot of boat. This isn't really as necessary for smaller aluminum boats, but putting a 55 pounder on a 17+ foot bass boat isn't going to cut it.

I bought a 45# Edge to put on the front of a friend of mines 12' fiberglass boat, and 5 was definitely too powerful but the bottom four speeds were more than useful. I hardly ever went into 3 or 4 unless I was just trying to get out of a spot or move somewhere else pretty quickly.

I've been using the same motor for a 14" aluminum boat now for a little while and again, I have a use for all speeds and have absolutely ZERO problems using the number one speed setting while fishing or being able to fight winds on the higher settings.

You need to match the motor to the boat.

[KevO]

I had a 24v 70# on an 18' tin boat and replaced it with a 24v 70# maxxum. Everything being considered the same the variable speed maxxum blows the 5 speed out of the water in all regards.

[tnriverluver]

In my case this is replacing a 40lb Endura which is more than plenty motor on my 1542 Tracker. It will pull my boat nearly 4 mph on #5 but the other speeds are not very useful in even the slightest breeze. I was really hoping the Edge speeds would be more equally spaced. Sounds like it has the same speed controller. I really like Minn Kotas and I don't know when the 5 speed settings got changed on these motors. Guess I should have gone variable and will on my next one if I outlive these.

[Wayne P.]

Sounds like most of you are trying to save money by using an underpowered motor for your boat.

The general rule of thumb is 4 pounds of thrust to every foot of boat. This isn't really as necessary for smaller aluminum boats, but putting a 55 pounder on a 17+ foot bass boat isn't going to cut it.

I bought a 45# Edge to put on the front of a friend of mines 12' fiberglass boat, and 5 was definitely too powerful but the bottom four speeds were more than useful. I hardly ever went into 3 or 4 unless I was just trying to get out of a spot or move somewhere else pretty quickly.

I've been using the same motor for a 14" aluminum boat now for a little while and again, I have a use for all speeds and have absolutely ZERO problems using the number one speed setting while fishing or being able to fight winds on the higher settings.

You need to match the motor to the boat.

There is no such thing as too powerful of an electric motor---too little, yes.

[jimmykm21]

I have the 45 pound thrust on a 14 foot grizzly tracker .

I use 1 and 2 speed for using a bottom bouncer and it works out great.

3 and 4 works well on windy days to hold or keep my boat in position .

5 is just for moving a little faster if I don't feel like using the gas motor.

[jimmykm21]

In my case this is replacing a 40lb Endura which is more than plenty motor on my 1542 Tracker. It will pull my boat nearly 4 mph on #5 but the other speeds are not very useful in even the slightest breeze. I was really hoping the Edge speeds would be more equally spaced. Sounds like it has the same speed controller. I really like Minn Kotas and I don't know when the 5 speed settings got changed on these motors. Guess I should have gone variable and will on my next one if I outlive these.

You wrote pull?

So it's bow mounted on the 1542 ?

If it's a transom mount all light aluminum boat like the 1542 would be hard to keep straight in any type wind ,no matter what pound thrust is used.

A bow mount would make your boat track better .

[ChrisAW]

I had a 24v 70# on an 18' tin boat and replaced it with a 24v 70# maxxum. Everything being considered the same the variable speed maxxum blows the 5 speed out of the water in all regards.

I wont disagree that the variable is better.

[tnriverluver]

Yes the Endura is currently bow mounted. It actually works great on my little Bass Hunter and I can rarely use the #5 setting on that boat because it causes waves to crash over the bow. It will be relegated strickly to this little boat once I ever get around to mounting the new foot control motor on my 1542 Tracker. The big problem we have had this year that I have never experienced in my 51 years of living in west Tn is the wind has blow 15-25 nearly everyday since at least last Sept. Usually after April or so it lays down over the summer but not this year. I have always hated spring fishing just because of all the wind and it is magnified by these Aluminum boats for sure. My Stratos 201 would barely move in 15 mph winds where as 5mph blows the tracker like crazy. In my old age with a bad back I just prefer dealing with light weight Aluminum boats now over the heavy glass boats.

[KevO]

Yes the Endura is currently bow mounted. It actually works great on my little Bass Hunter and I can rarely use the #5 setting on that boat because it causes waves to crash over the bow. It will be relegated strickly to this little boat once I ever get around to mounting the new foot control motor on my 1542 Tracker. The big problem we have had this year that I have never experienced in my 51 years of living in west Tn is the wind has blow 15-25 nearly everyday since at least last Sept. Usually after April or so it lays down over the summer but not this year. I have always hated spring fishing just because of all the wind and it is magnified by these Aluminum boats for sure. My Stratos 201 would barely move in 15 mph winds where as 5mph blows the tracker like crazy. In my old age with a bad back I just prefer dealing with light weight Aluminum boats now over the heavy glass boats.

When I upgraded my trolling I opted for the longer 52" shaft just for that reason. The wind has been ridiculous this year in TN. My tin boat still gets blown around in the wind but the long shaft and stronger motor has really made it better.

[tnriverluver]

The Tracker only has 16in sides so the 36in Endura is more than long enough. The new foot control motor I have has a 45in shaft. Most of the lakes I fish such as Lake Graham are nothing but trees and stumps so running a motor deep is NOT a good idea on them. I rarely take this boat out on rougher waters (have another boat for that) so having the motor come out on large waves and such is not an issue.

[ChrisAW]

There is no such thing as too powerful of an electric motor---too little, yes.

When it will almost roll the boat, yes, there is such a thing as too powerful

[Wayne P.]

When it will almost roll the boat, yes, there is such a thing as too powerful

If you don't comprehend the proper application if mechanical power, maybe even a paddle is beyond your operational skills.

[ChrisAW]

If you don't comprehend the proper application if mechanical power, maybe even a paddle is beyond your operational skills.

Wow, that was pretty rude. A simple conversation turned bad- why? I'd never used the foot control on such a small boat before that time. Believe me, its only happened once.

Way to be, Mr. High and Mighty.