Tracker Pro team 175 txw Trolling motor

[Keneds]

recently purchased a 2016 175 txw which comes stock with a Minnkota Edge 45. Im looking to move to a more powerful Minnkota. I also have the Tracker (Dowco) boat cover and i have been told that the cover will not work with a larger trolling motor. Does anyone have any experience with this? I really need to upgrade the motor but the cover was around $500 and i need the cover to work. Thx, Ken

[A-Jay]

I do not have a Tracker but have recently purchased a new boat along with the custom travel cover for it. 

The MK Fortrex 112 I upgraded to would not allow the cover to fit correctly over the trolling motor.

Solution for me was to install the MK Quick Release bracket. 

I do not use the travel cover every trip but when I choose to it's an easy deal to simply unplug the TM,  slip it off the bracket, and place the whole unit on the deck in front of the seats.  It still travels in the boat & under the protection provided by the cover.  An additional benefit of the quick release bracket is this same procedure can be used if / when the TM is in need of any repair; rather than unbolting it from the deck.

There are several bracket models.  You can contact a MK dealer for the correct one for your particular application.

A-Jay

[WIGuide]

Your cover will not work with a physically larger trolling motor. Depending on what you get, it should fit unless the bracket makes it sit higher or the shaft is longer. I would upgrade tm's regardless and either go AJ's route with the quick release plate, or take the boat and cover in to an upholstery shop and have them alter the cover to fit. It shouldn't cost that much and then you've got what you need.  

[gim]

My boat came equipped with that Minn Kota Edge 45 model too and I immediately upgraded it.  My boat is not a tracker (its a ranger rt178) but its similar in build and weight to yours.  I have the Minn Kota Maxxum (70 pound thrust) now and it works well for the boat I have.  Rarely do I ever have to use it on full power but I think its better to have the power if I ever need it.  I would do what WI Guide said and if you want the cover to fit over the new bow mount, then retrofit the cover for it.  The Fortrex is a beast and probably isn't necessary on a smaller tin boat like yours.

[Keneds]

Thanks for the input fellas, very helpful!