Trolling motor selection (mfr sites aren't helping)

[haggard]

Looking for a trolling motor, but product pages at Minn Kota and MotorGuide create confusion and aren't helping my selection process. Using the filtering tool on one site gives results that aren't in the filter I applied; both sites are heavy on product/brand names and generic descriptions with marketing terms, but do very little to facilitate easy side-by-side comparison in terms of features.

 

So as usual I turn to the forum....  Any help is appreciated.

 

Specifically, I'm looking for

- 12 volt, single battery system

- foot control

- digital power management

- cable steer

- (no need for for wireless or GPS)

 

Boat is a 14' jon, max ~1,000 lb launch weight (gear, gas motor, people), being used for pleasure fishing on a ~1,000 ac lake.

 

[gim]

Generally speaking, there are 2 types of trolling motors out there: electric steer and cable steer.  The electric steer models will be ones like Powerdrive, Terrova, and Ulterra.  Cable drive will be Maxxum, Fortrex, and the new Ultrex.  Electric steer generally has a slower response but they have advantages like a long cord that you can move around the boat.  Cable steer is generally what bass boats are equipped with and what pros use.  They have a shorter cord and quicker response for steering.  The Ultrex has qualities of both types like spot lock and cable steer.  You can probably get by with a model that has a lower thrust rating on a 14 foot jon boat.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

I use a Minn Kota 70 edge, 24v, 45" shaft

 

It's on the front of a 16" bass tracker and works flawless. Tough and dependable

 

Personally I recommend Minn Kota edge series, on the cheaper side and dependable. Something around 50lb 12v would work good for ya. I use 24v because I fish river systems and it's a must

[haggard]

1 minute ago, NittyGrittyBoy said:

I use a Minn Kota 70 edge, 24v, 45" shaft

 

It's on the front of a 16" bass tracker and works flawless. Tough and dependable

 

Personally I recommend Minn Kota edge series, on the cheaper side and dependable. Something around 50lb 12v would work good for ya

Thanks NGB - the Edge 55 lb is what I was initially looking at; the only thing I'm wondering about is battery efficiency of conventional controls vs digital controls.

[Tim Kelly]

Bass pro still do a 12v maxxum bow mount cable control with digital maximizer. I know because I bought one a couple of months ago. Minn Kota no longer officially make them, so I'd snap one up quick at Bass Pro before they're gone. Otherwise I think there's a 12v Motor Guide X3 digital, but I believe they're not as solid a motor as the minn kota.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

I ordered mine from tackle warehouse, fast shipping, no tax or shipping cost. 

 

It was 619.00 to my doorstep. Highly recommend TW for your business

[haggard]

The shop I bought my boat from in NH has a MotorGuide X3-55FW in their warehouse. Variable speed digital, 12 V, foot control, 36" shaft (should work for my 14' jon which sits very low up front, and it it's wind and chop, I'm probably not fishing). Good price, no shipping, no tax, pickup tomorrow

 

Thanks for the help everyone.