Minn Kota or Motorguide?

[abelfisher]

Ok, I really need some help here.  I do not want to make a mistake, as I am trying to make a decision on which brand and why.  

My important factors are;

-A shaft that won't bend (the reason I am buying a new one)

-Easy to us but good feedback on the footpedal

-Dependable & reliable

What else should I consider, & what are you thoughts on which brand.  And please tell me why.

I need some assistance here.

[cart7t]

If you want a non-bendable shaft the answer is MK hands down. I've banged into plenty of stuff over the years with my MK motors. A power drive, All Terrain and now Maxxum. One encounter nearly ripped the TM off the deck. The shaft never bent nor broke.

I have no recent experience running MG motors, what I can say about MK is this. You've mentioned your TM purchase is budgeted. If you're going with a standard cable drive foot control (my recommendation) there's really only one thing that sticks out. The variable speed motor would be my first choice but those are available on the higher priced units. Typical 5 speed MK TM's run like this. Speed settings 1 and 2 are relatively slow. You'll probably use these the most unless the wind is blowing. Speed setting 3 jumps up quite a bit from 2, I use this most of the time if the wind is really blowing. Speed 4 is an even bigger jump from 3 and 5 is really honking it. In other words, the speed setting increases aren't linear.

Otherwise, the 2 MK motors I've used over the past 20 years have been very reliable (except for the power drive), only a couple minor problems and parts were very reasonable. I purchased a "rebuilt" Maxxum 24 volt motor last season. Other than the shoddy rebuild job done by the guy I bought it from, the motor has been solid.

[Dave D]

I'm a Minn Kota guy and my dad has been for years. He's probably not as tuff on his TM as I am since I bass fish in the crud but he's had very few problems with any of his and he's had a few!  ;D

I've got a PD and it has hit a lot of things and never missed a beat.  I've hit a couple things so hard that I was almost thrown from the boat! She still keeps on ticking!

So my vote is for Minn Kota all the way!

[basscat1102]

I have had both brands over the years and I think both have there high points and there flaws. The last Minnkota I had was repaired 5 times in 2 years and every time it was the shaft pulling loose inside the head. I too use my equipment to its max sometimes. Minnkota does have a great dependable shaft but I think the interior components are not as good as the Motorguide. Motorguide does use a steel shaft and there for it will not come loose in the head but the shaft will bend if you hit something at a higher trolling speed. The tour edition Motorguide I believe is a better choice due to its all aluminum foot pedal, stainless steel cables and higher quality interior electrical components. I have said before, if Motorguide and Minnkota would merge and build a " Motor Kota" it would be the best trolling motor on earth. I to am looking to buy a new trolling motor, I will purchase a Motorguide, due to past experiences.

[HPBB]

here are few question

what type. bow mount or transom?

If bow, power steering, or cable?

Price range?

12,24, or 36 volt?

I have used both brands and have liked and hated each. Right now my favorate is MG DigitalTour series, hands down. Now if your looking for a high power 24-36 volt TM and high $$ motor, than the MG digital tour is the best out there ( in my opinion ) if your limited in the funds and looking at a 12 volt tm than I would go with a MK. If your thining about power steering I would say stay away. I just do not like the power steer. I even have one on one of my boats and can't wait to get rid of it. When it was my main TM on my big boat I had to replace the foot pedal 3 times in 2 years. That is when I replaced it with the MG. I  have had lots of problems with MK PD, and older style MG. I have been running my MG digital tour 109# 4 years now and has never let me down. And I run it hard. the foot pedal is solid and turns nice and eazy ( MG digital tour ) uses a 2 cable pull-pull set up. Its is silky smooth.

I have 3 boats one has a MG digital tour on it, the other two have a MK PD and a MG pro. I can not wait to change them out for a MG digital tour. just need to get some extra $$$.

[South FLA]

I've used both for years, toss up.  I like motor guide on inshore boats and Kota on bass boats. That said I really like the looks/feeatures of the Minn Kota Fortex.

http://www.***.com/descpageMKTM-MKFBM.html

[abelfisher]

Sorry guys, I should have been more specific.  My boat is a 12V system. *18  ft aluminum with 115hp Merc.  

[jimmieO]

I've got a little baby 46lb thrust motorguide on my 17ft. xpress w/ 50HP. It does everything I need it to do.

Both of my buddies in Louisiana have minnkota and love them too though.  None of the three of us have had issues with a bent shaft. The main differences we have noticed on our particular models are the controls. My MG has the "go switch" on the right side of the pedal, while there MK's have a button right in the middle. They don't like running mine and I don't like running their's. So, in my humble opinion....TOSS UP!

[HPBB]

seeing now that its a 12volt sysytem. First off If I was getting a new tm I would look to moving up to 24volt. It just is so much better than a 12 volt. Now that being said, if you stay with a 12 volt, I would have to say MK even though I am a MG guy.

[flippincrazy]

I have had both and abused both. Can't say bad things about either, I have a Minn Kota now, I just like the foot pedal better. Just a thought have you looked at the new one out from BPS for 299.99? Don't know anything about it but its cheap.

[Glenn]

I had a 17' aluminum boat with a 12v MG and had a lot of problems.  The gears on the head kept popping off and disengaging.  I lost count how many times it did that, despite getting it "repaired" several times.  I got pretty good and taking it apart and putting it back together again though. LOL!  

I've had my MK for going on 6 years now without a single problem  In addition, I'm convinced the variable start/stop spooks less fish, plus it's a heck of a lot more weedless than my MG ever hoped to be!  I can go 4-wheeling through weeds like butter.  My father has a new MG on his 16-footer, and I used it last summer.  Sure enough I found myself getting stuck in the weeds more than a few times, in areas my MK would slice through.

[basscat1102]

The gears on the head kept popping off and disengaging.

Thats the same thing that happened to my MinnKota. It happened several times.

[dmac14]

On my motor guide i just had to replace the gear that turns the motor, it is plastic which seems kinda flimsy seeing how it turns the whole thing. The replacement part was metal. But i cannot wait to try a minnkota not sure why i just think of them as the better trolling motor producer.