Minn Kota Powerdrive V2

[bgraham91]

I just got a new boat with a minn kota powerdrive v2 on it and I'm just wanting some reviews and opinions on it.

[slonezp]

Great motor. Foot pedal sucks only a little less than the pedal on the original Powerdrive. It's a lot easier to control with the iPilot hand controller.

[bgraham91]

Yea it came with two remotes and one foot pedal. I like that the foot pedal is slim but it looks a little tricky.

[Christian M]

I have the original Powerdrive, its definitely a good motor.

 

The electronic foot pedal is a trade off, the pros are you dont have to keep your foot on the pedal all the time like you would a cable steer motor, and you can control the motor from anywhere on the boat. The cons are the electronic steering is rather niosy and its a bit difficult to make those slight corrections that you can easily make with a cable steer motor.

 

The main issue I have with the powerdrive model is that you have to mount it with about 6" hanging over the bow of the boat. Other than that its a good motor for the price, when my powerdrive dies I'll most likely be buying a V2.

[Comfortably Numb]

On my older powerdrive it was near impossible to run a trolling motor transducer cable.

[Downeaster2010]

On my older powerdrive it was near impossible to run a trolling motor transducer cable.

I have a v2 powerdrive unit, with the built in transducer.  You can match them up to what ever unit you have.  I matched mine

up to a Garmin Digital unit on the bow.  Works perfect.  Mine is the 24v 70 lb class.  After 30 years of using the foot controlled

up and down, it took me 2 years of continuous use to adapt myself to the new version.  I am now use to it, and find it kind of

an advantage.  In tournaments, the rider in the back gives me back the bow of the boat in less than 30 minutes, after he tries

to adapt, and gets frustrated.  All the while I am just fishing away.  My advice if you have the electronic foot control, keep the

speed low, and make only short burst of power.  After a day of fishing, the batteries are still at the 3/4 state.  I like it now.

[bgraham91]

Thanks for the info and I think that built in transducer is one of the best things about it. But hopefully I'll get my stickers before Friday so I can try out this weekend.

[Downeaster2010]

If you decide to go with the built in transducer, you can pair it up to most digital sounders on the bow.  You will need

to purchase a small cable from MK that matches up your digital sounder to the MK trolling motor.  It is cheap, maybe

15 dollars, and is only 15 inches long.

[Maggiesmaster]

I've got a Powerdrive V2 on my 14 ft. jon-style bass boat.  The cable control malfunctioned but Minn-Kota sent me another one under warranty.  My greatest gripe is that it's got a 48" shaft, which is about 12"  too long for my boat.  Mounting the transducer required drilling a 1 1/2" hole in the handle, but it works well.  Variable speed is nice;  I leave the switch on 'continuous' and control the speed with my foot.  This way makes it a lot quieter.  If the shaft were 12" shorter it would be great.  Makes a noticable sound when the head turns, though.

[bgraham91]

Thanks for the info and I got lucky because the previous owner already had one set up on the front. I'm now in the process of switching the on at the console with my new down imaging.