Looking for Opinions on a Trolling Motor...

[jamarkwe]

does any body own one of these or have experience with one?. I'm looking into the 24v.

Is the electric steer or autopilot a pain to use? Reliable?

I don't want to invest a grand on headache.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_98451_225001002_225000000_225001000_225-1-2

I have a Alum175 Bass Tracker that has a Motor Guide 43lb thrust. In my experience this motor does not cut it when it comes to back trolling on the Detroit river...

The thing is a total piece of crap.

-Marke 

[cart7t]

...

The thing is a total piece of crap.

-Marke

That's exactly what I use to say about the MK power drive TM I had for around 6-7 years.

[Five-Alive]

I hope others will comment but I have read in another posting that there seems to be a delay in the steering with these units and bass fishermen found that to be annoying.

[Bantam1]

Get one with a regular cable type steering. You will be much happier in the long run.

[Al Wolbach]

My advice: Avoid any electric steer model. It will not respond fast enough for bass fishing except maybe open water fishing. If you must navigate around weeds, stumps, rocks, docks or normal bass habitat stick with the cable steer models.............Al

[Wayne P.]

markwe1, explain the backtrolling maneuver with a bow mounted trolling motor, it must be quite awkward. Since backtrolling is a slowed down procedure, surely your 43 lb thrust motor will go slow enough.

[RoLo]

In the early years of bassboats I ran a 17' Silverline (now defunct) with a Motor Guide electric motor (treadle & pull cord).

Today I'm running a Minn Kota Power Drive - V2/55/AP and it's the cat's meow!

The treadle is stored in the bow pocket and is never used. Both my wife and I have our own remote wireless copilot,

so she can position the boat while I'm busy writing. Though expensive, the remote controls are very small and highly reliable.

I frequently use the wireless copilot in conjunction with my compass and GPS, which admittedly takes a little getting used to.

Roger

[jamarkwe]

markwe1, explain the backtrolling maneuver with a bow mounted trolling motor, it must be quite awkward. Since backtrolling is a slowed down procedure, surely your 43 lb thrust motor will go slow enough.

By saying backtrolling I mean to troll up river against the current keeping my line vertical and on my target area...

My motor is only 12volts and does not have the power I want or need to control my boat on a windy day on the river. The wind and current just kills my batteries in no time.

[J Francho]

I'd think you'd want a more powerful unit with infinitely adjustable speed control, in those circumstances.

BTW, "back trolling" to be is with the transom into the wind, and motor in reverse, controlling your position over a spot.

[jamarkwe]

Another one of my problems with the motor I have now is the slop and play the mount has and no variable speed.... It is just crap.

I have narrowed choices to 3 motors, the MK Maxxum 70, the MK edge and powerdrive V2....

I leaning more towards the Maxxum 70 over the edge because of the variable speed and the beefier mount.....variable speed seems like an absolute must IMO.

[jamarkwe]

I'd think you'd want a more powerful unit with infinitely adjustable speed control, in those circumstances.

Yes I agree...

BTW, "back trolling" to be is with the transom into the wind, and motor in reverse, controlling your position over a spot.

Yeah, I thought it meant trolling against the wind/current, frontwards or backwards...

[jamarkwe]

In the early years of bassboats I ran a 17' Silverline (now defunct) with a Motor Guide electric motor (treadle & pull cord).

Today I'm running a Minn Kota Power Drive - V2/55/AP and it's the cat's meow!

The treadle is stored in the bow pocket and is never used. Both my wife and I have our own remote wireless copilot,

so she can position the boat while I'm busy writing. Though expensive, the remote controls are very small and highly reliable.

I frequently use the wireless copilot in conjunction with my compass and GPS, which admittedly takes a little getting used to.

Roger

Yeah, I have read a few comments on other sites saying that once you get the hang of it, it's a breeze...

But if it has a slow reaction time, I'm not game for it.

Are you able to make very small Minuit adjustments in the steering?

To be able to Turn ever so slightly?

[J Francho]

My buddy has one on his 20' Pro Craft. I didn't like it, since it was difficult to turn and thrust at the same time, but we were maneuvering around docks and lay downs.  A lot of "toe-tapping." Minute adjustments are possible. If I were trolling, or working current, I'd probably go with an electric steer.  Easier to hold a course or position. Its just a different approach to boat handling.

[K_Mac]

My experience with wireless and wired electrical controlled TMs has not been good. They just don't respond fast enough in my opinion. I had a MG with two wireless controls that nearly caused my head to explode every time out. I bought a MK Fortrex earlier this year and life is good. Digital control is MUCH more energy efficient than a multi-speed control and the assisted stow/ deploy makes it very user friendly.

Roger (RoLo) loves his wireless and I hated mine. It is a personal preference thing. Before you spend the money on wireless I would strongly recommend you try one first.

Edit: Another thing that I found with the electrical controlled TM is you don't know what direction the unit is pointed without looking at the head. With a with a cable control you know by the position of your foot. Just my .02 Good luck

[RoLo]

Yeah, I have read a few comments on other sites saying that once you get the hang of it, it's a breeze...

But if it has a slow reaction time, I'm not game for it.

Are you able to make very small Minuit adjustments in the steering?

To be able to Turn ever so slightly?

Frankly, the transition for me was painless, but I'm sure that experiences will vary.

Again, there is NO treadle involved, just a little remote control that fits in the palm of your hand (2-1/4" long x 1-5/8").

Stop - Go - Left rotate - Right rotate - Speed up - Speed down are all operated via five pushbutton keys.

I've been using wireless remotes for two years now, and though they're slow to catch on, I'd never go back to a foot treadle.

It goes without saying, no form of remote control could be as responsive as a handheld lever,

but don't forget, I can operate my electric motor from anywhere in my boat.

Since my wife occupies the bow seat, I operate the bow-mount electric from the helm or anywhere I happen to be.

If an old man pushing 70 can maneuver through heavy cover, I'm sure anyone can.

Roger

[jamarkwe]

I know that I would much prefer the foot control over the hand held remote. I need my hands free for fishing and my foot driving. I like being able to control my boat while retrieving a spinner bait or jigging a jig. Helps me keep 100% focused at the task at hand, like feeling a subtle bite. I can pretty much know where I'm directing my boat just by feel from the position of my foot, without looking or thinking where my motor is pointed. Even using the weak sloppy piece of degraded mounted to the bow of my boat called a trolling motor, I still was good at moving though slop( even though I was cleaning it off the motor every 2 minutes), docks and skiers. Just had to know how to adjust for the play in the mount.

Although I do think the remote is a very cool concept for boat control, and I understand why one would like it over the foot control.

Thank you all for the Great replies and very good helpful information.

Keep it Coming

[RoLo]

Markwe1, you make an excellent point about operating the trolling motor while retrieving your lure.

That's a very strong argument, and one that I should have mentioned.

In my case, I don't have that option because I relinquished the bow seat to my wife

On the upside, I can operate the electric motor from anywhere in the boat,

and since the treadle is stored away, deck space isn't reduced by its footprint.

Best of luck in your choice.

Roger

[cart7t]

As I've said before, the Power drive TMs are a great idea that MK never refined for real bass fishing situations.  They make a great Open water TM or if you're fishing a TM only lake, otherwise,  the head turning speeds, along with some other issues make them a poor choice for bass fishing unless you want to tolerate their downsides.