Opinions on minn kota power drive 24v trolling

[newbiedmv]

I've found a 24v bow mount. It's as shown above

Any comments would be welcome. Minn kotas site says it's electric steer and no foot pedel. I'm so old i don't know what they mean. Is it a hand cable maybe. I've tried to find good pics but the internet stinks today. 

Amy ingo at all please

Thanks

[newbiedmv]

I got the pics and spec finally, moved to an ihop. Looks real good, i remeber some very good comments in the past. I'll still take any feedback

[Russ E]

I hope it works out for you. If there is no foot pedal I would assume it has a hand remote control.

My opinion on a power drive is pretty low. My former boat came with a power drive. Out of owning around 12 bow mount trolling motors, in my lifetime, the power drive was by far my least favorite. The steering was very unresponsive and slow. I hit more objects with that trolling motor than all others combined. After 6 months and a fried control board, I bought a cable drive and never looked back.

My current motor is a Minn Kota Ultrex. It is without a doubt the best motor I have ever owned.

[newbiedmv]

Thanks a ton. The pics an electic foot pedal type. I'll see if i can look at the control board, I spent 15 years doing component level repair, mostly with very limited docs(no schematic).

The steering aspect looks good to me as my MG has horribly fast uncontrollable steering. Hard to start then swings super fast. No constant resistance at all.

Again thanks a lot, never would have thought to check it.

Oh i had a very old minn kpta 4hp 24v. I fried three switches in it until i couldn't get them anymore. But it was nice.

[newbiedmv]

I've been looking on the internet and something doesn't seem right. Look at the pic below, that big square/rectangular thing is new to me and I can't find anything about it. This is an old motor I suspect . If anyone knows let me know

[Russ E]

 

That thing looks old. unless it is super cheap I would walk away. most people sell old trolling motors, because they are near worn out. A power drive is functional in open water. if you fish around shallow cover they suck. Very difficult to control. there is no pedal feedback or resistance. you have to constantly watch the motor to see which direction it is pointing.

Don't know many people that bought a power drive and was actually happy with the purchase.

 

[newbiedmv]

Yeah, it seems super cheap $325.00 and 12 miles away. And I specifically need it for a local lake thats electric only. I need to get out 2.5 miles. With my motor on a calm day it's an hour. In wind forget it I'm not getting back in without the outboard and resulting fine.  I looked them up and it doesn't seem Minn Kota supports them anymore, I saw one place that can fix the foot pedal in MN.

There is a re-manufactured one with a year warranty for $700.00.

Thanks I'm getting less hyped up about this deal. I'll see tomorrow.

Have any idea what that box is, looks like part of the motor and not the mount. My experience has always been with stern mounts. So I ask dumb questions

The looks if it.. hummm your right, if it sat outside all winter for years that motor has ice damage somewhere

[Scott F]

31 minutes ago, Russ E said:

 

That thing looks old. unless it is super cheap I would walk away. most people sell old trolling motors, because they are near worn out. A power drive is functional in open water. if you fish around shallow cover they suck. Very difficult to control. there is no pedal feedback or resistance. you have to constantly watch the motor to see which direction it is pointing.

Don't know many people that bought a power drive and was actually happy with the purchase.

 

I had one for years and was very happy with my purchase. I liked it much better than the cable steer motor that it replaced. Replaced the Power Drive  with a Terrova that functions in much the same way. I wouldn’t take another cable steer if it was given to me. It’s all what you get used to….

 

That box is where the steering motor is. $325 is about $225 more than the motor is worth today. The pedals on the other hand, are worth $100 by themselves. They failed regularly and aren’t easy to find.

[newbiedmv]

6 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I had one for years and was very happy with my purchase. I liked it much better than the cable steer motor that it replaced. Replaced the Power Drive  with a Terrova that functions in much the same way. I wouldn’t take another cable steer if it was given to me. It’s all what you get used to….

 

That box is where the steering motor is. $325 is about $225 more than the motor is worth today. The pedals on the other hand, are worth $100 by themselves. They failed regularly and aren’t easy to find.

Thanks. I guess due to the pandemic everything is expensive. Minn Kotas site saying something about being out of stock on most things. I'll keep your price in mind and see what happens. He did say I could mount it and use it for a bit with a deposit. The lake is only 5 miles from him.

I'm seeing local prices of $2,000 to $4,000 for any 24V bow mount. I can't do more than 24V unless I take off the 50HP and gas tank.

[E-rude dude]

Power drive ipilot is an open water trolling motor with a hand controlled remote. It’s popular in the panfish and walleye fishing market because it’s cheaper than higher end TM’s and there is no pedal to take up valuable bow space on small decked boats. Most fishermen in that market sit in a chair while fishing. It’s not a very good choice for standing and casting for bass fisherman. It is possible though. I bass fished with a power drive remote. You just have to fish slower. 
The Terrova is a much better all around motor but costs more. 

[newbiedmv]

Yep, i have a 17 foot panfishing boat. I also fish sitting down and there really isn't a good spot to mount the pedal as it blocks a storage compartment.

Thanks a lot it is starting to make sense now.

Might just wait and maybe check out a local Bass Pro to see what's out there now.

[HenryPF]

You should be looking for a Terrova with no pedal, they deployment and lifting it out of the water makes huge difference - they sell them specifically this way.

 

Here is one with the pedal (wired)

 

 

But here you can buy one without the pedal with the full fledged remote or one with a tiny remote, these two are riptides (saltwater versions):

 

 

In any case, they run around $900-1000 used in great condition.

 

I paid $1600 (no tax, including shipping) for this particular model, so keep in mind how much they really cost vs. the MAP pricing on websites. I thought the powerdrive sucked compared to the Terrova and have had both.

 

[Junk Fisherman]

I had a Powerdrive on my last boat and it was great.  Used and abused that thing for 15 years and it was still working when I sold the boat.  I replaced the petal twice.  

[newbiedmv]

11 hours ago, HenryPF said:

You should be looking for a Terrova with no pedal, they deployment and lifting it out of the water makes huge difference - they sell them specifically this way.

 

Here is one with the pedal (wired)

 

 

But here you can buy one without the pedal with the full fledged remote or one with a tiny remote, these two are riptides (saltwater versions):

 

 

In any case, they run around $900-1000 used in great condition.

 

I paid $1600 (no tax, including shipping) for this particular model, so keep in mind how much they really cost vs. the MAP pricing on websites. I thought the powerdrive sucked compared to the Terrova and have had both.

 

I'll look into it. I wonder how in the world you got a good price. I live next to the most expensive county in the US. There are many Chesapeake boat places, other than that just a Bass Pro and a few Ranger dealers. Forget about dealing price with them.

I check it out in a few hours, taking the boat to make sure it will fit. Right now I'll take the chance if he drops it to $225.00. Hopefully I'll get a year out of it and learn more about what works best on this boat. Also maybe he will go will loaning it out with a deposit. Which makes the most sense now if it fits.

I bought the boat for the storage, after getting it the weight difference really has gotten me bad.

Oh so far it looks like I can get all the electronic parts from a old military electronic parts supply house ( relay's, drivers, control logic, variable resistors , ect) and get others made on a 3D printer.

I'll search Ebay for the above motor also.

Thanks for all the help.  You all have opened my eyes to many things I would have never considered.?

 

[newbiedmv]

For better or worse it's mine now. Worked out a respectable deal for everyone. Checked everything and things seem cool.  Shaft length is perfect and mounting doesn't seem to be that bad.

The overall cost was worth the risk in this area at least.

Man thanks a lot for the info it really saved my bacon.

The guy had it on a 14' jon boat and said it was too much for his needs.

If I get a consistent year out of it I'll be happy.

[gim]

My Father has a power drive on his deep v crest liner fish hawk. He does a variety of fishing using different techniques. It’s still the original that he bought with the boat in 2001, but he’s replaced the pedal 5 times in 20 years now, and one prop. I don’t care for that thing because as some have said it has a loud, slow response when steering and the pedal often wears out. But it’s their base electric steer model so you get what you pay for.

[slonezp]

That's an original Power Drive and probably has the Co-Pilot remote. At least 15 years old or older as I think the PowerDrive V2 came out around 2008ish. The foot pedals are garbage.

[newbiedmv]

I noticed the speed of the steering. Yep it's slow but fine for my needs. I sent out a request to minn kota for the manual and the circuit breaker size.

I have it strapped down to the boat and hope to have it mounted and wired this week.

My arms are a bit told old and short for mounting. Also I'm putting in a backer plate as that motor is very heavy 80 lb thrust.  

It's a good starter motor i hope.

[newbiedmv]

This is a 2005 Model, waiting on the circuit breaker to arrive. A place in MN repairs that particular model of foot pedal or did. The motor also has Auto Pilot which would be cool if it works. Should be fun finding out if and what it will do.

This forum is a real benefit to newbies like myself, thanks

[newbiedmv]

On 5/17/2021 at 12:02 AM, HenryPF said:

You should be looking for a Terrova with no pedal, they deployment and lifting it out of the water makes huge difference - they sell them specifically this way.

 

Here is one with the pedal (wired)

 

 

But here you can buy one without the pedal with the full fledged remote or one with a tiny remote, these two are riptides (saltwater versions):

 

 

In any case, they run around $900-1000 used in great condition.

 

I paid $1600 (no tax, including shipping) for this particular model, so keep in mind how much they really cost vs. the MAP pricing on websites. I thought the powerdrive sucked compared to the Terrova and have had both.

 

Yeah sir, you are right. I got it mounted so that if it rips out the boat will be torn apart. 4,  5/16 bolts with 2" washers on the bottom of the plywood/aluminum top..

Anyway,  yeah it's a little cumbersome to pull up and stow, i put on a small rope and handle which helps. The steering is slow but for my use i can live with that easy. It has Autopilot which i hope works.

I can kinda use it now but have  the 60 Amp breaker ordered, be here in about 5 days. I know I'll want to open it up when i take it out. Besides i need a few days to recover, I'm not 20 anymore.

If it actually works in water it's a good learning motor at a decent price. Thanks for everyones opinion it all helped greatly.

[HenryPF]

14 hours ago, newbiedmv said:

Yeah sir, you are right. I got it mounted so that if it rips out the boat will be torn apart. 4,  5/16 bolts with 2" washers on the bottom of the plywood/aluminum top..

Anyway,  yeah it's a little cumbersome to pull up and stow, i put on a small rope and handle which helps. The steering is slow but for my use i can live with that easy. It has Autopilot which i hope works.

I can kinda use it now but have  the 60 Amp breaker ordered, be here in about 5 days. I know I'll want to open it up when i take it out. Besides i need a few days to recover, I'm not 20 anymore.

If it actually works in water it's a good learning motor at a decent price. Thanks for everyones opinion it all helped greatly.

 

The foot pedal on the powerdrives is why i hated them - 3 went out and the Terrova's spring lifted assist is why I recommended that. Your 60 amp breaker should have been like $15-20. Amazon carries a ton of em.

 

But since you purchased and mounted it already, enjoy it! Even if you upgraded to an Ultrex or Force, at the end of the day it a trolling motor.

[E-rude dude]

On 5/17/2021 at 4:29 PM, newbiedmv said:

For better or worse it's mine now. Worked out a respectable deal for everyone. Checked everything and things seem cool.  Shaft length is perfect and mounting doesn't seem to be that bad.

The overall cost was worth the risk in this area at least.

Man thanks a lot for the info it really saved my bacon.

The guy had it on a 14' jon boat and said it was too much for his needs.

If I get a consistent year out of it I'll be happy.

Even if it breaks you can fix it cheaper than buying new. Sometimes you have to take a risk on a bargain because that’s what your wallet allows ?

[newbiedmv]

My thoughts exactly.  I'll risk $200 and a little bit of work now verses $1,600-4,000 and a long backorder wait.

 

My 46 lb cable motor just flat out wasn't even a close fit for that boat.

 

It goes out today after i remove 100 pounds of gas.

[newbiedmv]

It worked pretty darn good. It got me out and back in headwinds about 5.5 -6 miles total at 4- 5mph out and 3-2mph in. Took  about 30 min to get a decent hang of it. Oh....NEVER USE THE OLD AUTOPILOT... that thing is wacky. I can see why people don't like the steering. It's much better than my cable steer bow mount was, but horrible compared to tiller steer. I just took it out found a likely spot and dropped anchor. Caught a few Yellow perch.

The rope and handle made life much easier, I can see why people didn't like it that much.

 

[newbiedmv]

A 112lb fortrex just came up. $400.00 but I don't have the money for 3 of those $1000.00 batteries. I have the space. Besides I need to use this one more.

The cicada storm has passed so maybe this week.