300 hp Optimax or 275 hp Verado. Which one?

[StatosDadRI]

Nope understood, I was incorrect  & WRONG.

We all know the 250 PRO XS are a more like 275 HP anyway. But the 300 OH MY GOD. Hold on..

[Black Bass]

If you intend to fish BASS tournaments you might want to consider the BASS rule "8. HORSEPOWER REGULATIONS: Maximum horsepower for all outboard motorboats used in official tournament practice and in tournament competition will be 250 HP."

At a club meeting Wednesday we were told BASS was going to start enforcing the rule because of liability issues. There is also discussion about raising the minimum boat length from 16' to 17' like the FLW. We were told it was an insurance issue.

[Keithscatch]

TM, as far as tough and durable goes go with a MotorGuide no question. All you have to do is look at the head of the units to decide which one is going to last longer. Minn Kota is made from plastic. Yep, plastic. Motor Guide digital motors are made out of metal. If we are using a foot controlled unit then the steering cables are held down in that head unit by screws. Do you want screws being held by plastic or metal?

I know I broke my Minn Kota this year. It is fine if you fish up in Yankee land where they have no tree stumps in the water. But if you fish in water where trees live then sooner or later you will break a Minn Kota.

I like the Minn Kota for everything else. If they had a metal head unit I would say Minn Kota hands down. But for ruggednes MotorGuide all the way. The Gator Mount is a superior design anyway for deflecting off of stumps then the big spring MinnKota uses.

I have owned both brands.

[zimmy]

minn kota is the only way , plus going with the remote operator on the fishing pole is the only way. i can stand anywere on my deck an run my trolling motor.

my remote battery went dead up in minnesota and i thought i was back in the stone age using my foot pedal > as far as motor i have a 250 verado super charge and i love the motor. it is the smoothest running an quietest motor i have ever had. ps you can use the hot foot throttle on the verado because i haveit on mine. zimmy

the other plus on the minn kota ,no cable 8-)