Trolling Motor. Old Vs New

[Dylan Peiffer]

Im looking to get a new trolling motor and I was hoping for some input. I fish for fun and tourneys and Im on the water 3-5 days a week. I need a great trolling motor that is going to last a long time. Should I get a more conventional T.M. like a Motor Guide Tour edition, or should I get the "new school" wireless trolling motor. I see that Minn Kota and Motor Guide both offer these "unconventional/new school" trolling motors. Has anyone used both the old style and the new style trolling motors?  What do you suggest I get? I dont recall seeing any of the "pro's" on T.V. using the new style trolling motors.  

[Team_Dougherty]

Personally I would get the simplest motor available. That would be a 5 speed with cable steering. If you rely on it daily the less things it has the less likely it will fail.

[Wayne P.]

The type of fishing you do and the time you spend on the water should determine what motor type and technology you want.

 

The variable speed motors of any type are more battery friendly. They use an electronic circuit to control the motor rpms. The most inefficient motors are the selectable speed models as Dougherty suggested and are less expensive.

 

Typically an electric steer motor is used for trolling with less input from the operator needed. In doing so, the steering motor adds more battery usage and lessens the run time.

 

A cable steer motor is usually preferred by those that want to concentrate on fishing and steer the motor by feel. The cable steering allows for the feel without constantly watching were the motor is pointed.

 

Modern electric steer motors function faster than older versions and can have additional benefits when operated wirelessly or connected to marine electronics. The Minnkota iPilot link is a new system that lets a sonar/GPS unit "talk" to the motor and do the steering automatically by following mapping contours.

Some will also hold the boat's position sort of like a ropeless anchor and some will move the boat in a selected straight line of travel with no steering input from the operator.

 

There is another bow version that some like, a hand steer model. That takes the most effort to control.

 

I have fished with all three types and I prefer the cable steer models since I bass fish and want to watch where I am casting and watch my presentation as I control the boat. I have a couple of Motor Guide Tour Edition models.

[MichBassMan]

Exactly what Wayne said.

[Fishes in trees]

The basic rule for buying trolling motors is to buy the biggest one that will fit on your boat.  Like Wayne & Mitch mentioned in previous posts, I am in the foot control camp.

 

Now as to which brand, everyone has their own opinion.  In the 7 years I fish co-angler in BFL, I had 3 tournaments spoiled because my boaters trolling motor failed, specifically because their foot control cable snapped, trying to reverse course in a moderate to high wind.  In each case, it was a Motor Guide Trolling Motor.  Back when I bought my current boat, in 2002, I was debating between Motor Guide and Minn Kota and I ran into the regional sales manager for Minn Kota.  He told me that if I managed to break a Maxxum trolling motor cable under normal fishing conditions, he'd give me a new trolling motor.   This warranty was made after several beers in a motel parking lot after a long day of pre-fishing and I don't think it is a factory deal, so to speak.   Anyway, 11 years later and counting I still haven't  broken the  Maxxum steering cable.   I think it is out of warranty now,  I haven't fished BFL or seen the guy for several years.   That is my Minn Kota vs Motor Guide story.

[Wayne P.]

Re: steering cable for foot controlled motors.

 

The less expensive and lower power motors have a single cable push/pull rack and pinion type operation. Those are the ones most likely to break under stress. Their failures are usually due to non-use as the cable flops around when stowed for navigation or trailering and it breaks at the head connection.

 

The motors with two cables pull/pull are the best and if kept in good condition shouldn't have any issues.

I only know of one instance where that type broke and it was a Minnkota: in that case it was more user ignorance than material failure.

 

I personally have only had one motor brand in 40+ years that would break a steering cable and that was the OMC which was the single cable steer. 

[K_Mac]

Excellent information by Wayne as usual. The digital speed controls are much more efficient than the multi-speed units, and I would never go back. Some love the electric steer units-I would not have one for the reasons Wayne mentions. The i-pilot feature is very popular with some here.

 

I have had better luck with Minn Kota, but I think it really comes down to what you get used to. I have a MK Fortrex.

[Dylan Peiffer]

Thanks for your help!