Trolling Motors Motorguide Or Minnkota

[retiredbosn]

Right now my boat has the original motorguide 28lb thrust, from1990. Going to replace it, which one should I go with mg or mk? About 100 difference in price.

[Wayne P.]

You can't go wrong with either--choose the one that fits your budget and your preference for the momentary ON button position. You'll get biased opinions on both just like the Ford vs. Chevy argument.

[J Francho]

I've had both, take your pick. My favorite pedal was on an old OMC unit.

[Wayne P.]

I've had both, take your pick. My favorite pedal was on an old OMC unit.

Mine too.

I had 4 of those motors, wore one out, had two mounted on different boats at the same time and a spare.

[FD.]

I have one of each on 20 ft boats. The only significant difference is the props. If you are fishing in heavy vegetation, go with the MK and weedless wedge. If you fish open water, it does not matter.

[retiredbosn]

Thanks definitely get in the salad here

[Long Mike]

What was said above. I've had both. If you are often fishing in salad, go with the MK, but you will still have to pull the TM out of the water from time to time to free it of the really heavy stuff. Plus, I like MK's lifetime warranty on the shaft. Also, go with the largest amount of thrust that you can afford.

[bigfishbk86]

Another vote for minn kota, and yes, the weedless wedge prop is remarkable.

[Fishes in trees]

Fishing as a co-angler I've had 2 tournaments spoiled when the boater that I drew for the day trolling motor broke. It was fixable, but not within the hours alloted for tournament fishing. Once it was a steering cable, the other time it was a wiring issue. Both times, it was a Motor Guide trolling motor that broke. I can't say anything nice about Motor Guide trolling motors.

My boat was new in 2002, I haven't torn up the Minn Kota Maxxum trolling motor yet.

[Wayne P.]

Fishing as a co-angler I've had 2 tournaments spoiled when the boater that I drew for the day trolling motor broke. It was fixable, but not within the hours alloted for tournament fishing. Once it was a steering cable, the other time it was a wiring issue. Both times, it was a Motor Guide trolling motor that broke. I can't say anything nice about Motor Guide trolling motors.

My boat was new in 2002, I haven't torn up the Minn Kota Maxxum trolling motor yet.

I have experienced the same with Minnkota owners and Motor Guide Owners----"Stuff Happens"

[J Francho]

Yup. Also, I don't recall either being any better in the slop. Maybe it's just the Eurasion Milfoil up here. I seem to get a big ball of in wrapped on my prop no matter the brand.

[MarkH024]

Yup. Also, I don't recall either being any better in the slop. Maybe it's just the Eurasion Milfoil up here. I seem to get a big ball of in wrapped on my prop no matter the brand.

Eurasion Milfoil is the devil. I have a MinnKota Powerdrive V2. The motor itself is a beast. The foot pedal that goes with the PowerDrive series is a POS. That is my only complaint about that. I have no experience with Motorguides, but I would certainly not take a peak at them.

[Olebiker]

Every time I have occasion to use a Motorguide I wonder how the company stays in business. Everyone I have ever used has been noisy and the steering is imprecise compared to a Minn Kota. I have an MK Maxxum 80 pound coming.

[Bluebasser86]

I've had both and the Minn Kotas have outlasted the Motorguides every time. To their credit the motoguides were not the higher end models and my Minn Kotas have all been Maxxums. I've really been impressed with the Maxxum I have now except it's a 5 speed, won't make that mistake again. The difference between the amount of power on 4 vs on 5 is huge. Still a very minor issue to have to deal with compared to how tough and dependable the motor has been for me. I have a 24v 70lb Maxxum on a 16' aluminum so it moves my boat around very nicely.

[ww2farmer]

My boat came with a 46 lb 12v Motor Guide. I had no real problems with it. Replaced it with a 24v 70lb Minn Kota variable speed Maxxum. Much better. But that is not a fair comparison. My buddy has a an 82lb Motor guide tour on his boat, and I honestly can say it's a very good motor, he fishes a lot and has had zero trouble with it. Pick one, they are both good.

[scrutch]

I went from a MG 41# thrust to a MK 101# thrust Terrova with iPilot. As you can imagine, I like my Minn Kota. Can't really compare the two motors as they're in totally different thrust classes, but I've been very pleased with my Minn Kota. They have WAY more cool features available. Once you try the ipilot, you won't go back.

[South FLA]

I have both a Minn Kota and a Motorguide, both 24v higher end models with about same amount of thrust and both work fine, the Motorguide is relatively new. I have a couple of issues with the Minn Kota and the Motorguide, but both are great. I think it is a Ford vs. Chevy deal.

[cody161]

To me it's Minn Kota no questions asked. The motorguides I have had experience with have both been loud and a lot harder to turn than the Minn Kotas. I have had trouble with MotorGuides in weeds, but have not had a Minn Kota in the same type of vegetation so I cannot compare there.

[Sun Fish]

Correct me if I'm wrong here but nobody has mentioned this.

I believe MG and MK both use different plugs therefore if you switch to a MK you will also have to purchase a different receptacle to plug it into. Just something to keep in mind if simplicity is important in your upgrade/installation.

[Wayne P.]

The power cord plug is a boat item, not a trolling motor item. It has to match the boat receptacle.

[J Francho]

Yep, any trolling motor I've bought didn't come with a plug.

[jignfule]

I have one of each on 20 ft boats. The only significant difference is the props. If you are fishing in heavy vegetation, go with the MK and weedless wedge. If you fish open water, it does not matter.

X2 ....good advice

[DINK WHISPERER]

MK all the way! Never had any luck with MG at all. My 74# with twhe weedless wedge II is sweet.

[Sun Fish]

I just got a new boat the other day which has a Motor Guide Tracker Pro Series 24v 50lb and it has plenty of power but is horrible in vegetation at any speed. My other boat has a 36lb 12v Minn Kota that has no issues going through vegetation at all at any speed.

[Christian M]

My vote goes to MK, I've had 4. The first was a MK Endura Transom mount that I beat on more than you can imagine & it still runs like new. The second is a MK 55lb transom mount that I had paired up w/a bow mounted all terrain, I replaced the all terrain w/a power drive & my only complaint is the crappy foot pedal.