Best Trolling Motor

[offduty]

Well I had to troll across Casitas on high to get back to the ramp after a starter solenoid failure. In doing so I used that Motorguide tour 107 till I drained the batteries. I stopped at the store on the way home and it was running in the stowed position when everything was off, so I had to unplug it. I got the outboard fixed and plug the trolling motor back in and it does it again and smokes and shaft gets hot so I unplug it.

I have another tm of the same type that was given to me when I bought the boat to use for parts. It is not plug and play and the speed dial is not hooked up nor is the steering cable attached at the pedal.

What should I do, send them both to the Trolling Motor Doctor and have them both repaired so I have a spare? Or maybe buy a new one and get one fixed for back up.

what are the Minn Kota's like are they quiter and do they run longer? I have a 21' Triton so I want a 36v 100+ thrust motor. Will Minn Kota's and Motorguides both fit in the same mount?

I have always had Motorguide's and know nothing about the Minn Kota's. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Rich

[sTony]

I send 'em both off to the Trolling Motor Doctor for sure. Having a good working back up is great insurance.

sTony

[biteme]

Im not sponsored by anyone and have owned both. Minn Kota wins hands down!

[YZKEN250]

Im not sponsored by anyone and have owned both. Minn Kota wins hands down!

I agree. I have owned both and loved the Minn Kota. Took a little getting used to after using Motorguide for so long, but in the long run, Minn Kota is the way to go.

[offduty]

Why do you like the Minn Kota better? Is it quiter and does it last longer? Does anyone know when Motorguide quit making the 107 model with hyperdrive. I have found one for $600.00 and the guy claims it is new but it is mounted to a boat and now it seems they have the 109 model as the one that replaced the 107? I have to ask myself how new can this be , it looks new but why is it mounted to a boat.
Thanks, Rich

[Team Fugowee]

If it sounds too good to be true, .................

[201Pro]

Im not sponsored by anyone and have owned both. Minn Kota wins hands down!

+100

[offduty]

What is so good about Minn Kota, seriously I am very curious? I am kind of impatient and just bought a Minn Kota Fortrex 101 36v 45 shaft for $1084.00 on Ebay with free shipping, guess I may have to wait to find out.

I cant stand to be out of service, I work for the FD in Riverside fri, sat & sun and fish Casitas 5 mi from home the rest of the time. Major turn over right now but I need to get on the water when I'm off to keep my sanity.
Rich

[offduty]

*NM*

[201Pro]

Why do you like the Minn Kota better? Is it quiter and does it last longer? Does anyone know when Motorguide quit making the 107 model with hyperdrive. I have found one for $600.00 and the guy claims it is new but it is mounted to a boat and now it seems they have the 109 model as the one that replaced the 107? I have to ask myself how new can this be , it looks new but why is it mounted to a boat.
Thanks, Rich

On my previous boat, I came with an older MG. Instead of replacing the mount, I decided to put a TE82 on it instead. After 6 months, I replaced it with the MK Max80!!

Previously I had own MK Max74 ... so when I went to the TE82, I noticed that the MG is significantly louder during operation. I also think that the MK motor runs longer on a charge than the MG. On my old 18.5' Skeeter, I could run the MK MAX80 for close to 3 days on a charge. On the MG, I noticed a significant lost of power by the end of day two.

Furthermore, the shaft on the MK is UNBENTABLE/breakable ... well, you'll probably throw the mount off your boat before the shaft breaks. The MG ... I've seen many shafts bent.

The Lift-Assist on the MK is SWEET ... How many times did you have to jump on the MG to get it to deploy??

[YZKEN250]

What is so good about Minn Kota, seriously I am very curious? I am kind of impatient and just bought a Minn Kota Fortrex 101 36v 45 shaft for $1084.00 on Ebay with free shipping, guess I may have to wait to find out.

I cant stand to be out of service, I work for the FD in Riverside fri, sat & sun and fish Casitas 5 mi from home the rest of the time. Major turn over right now but I need to get on the water when I'm off to keep my sanity.
Rich

I like the smoothness of the MK. The MG was a little to jerky.

[Ricky-S]

I run a MG and love it. I do not like the delayed start of the MK or the pedal. Both make good motors.

With that said-they both can and do break-PERIOD.

I have had zero problems with my MG and I put it to the test season after season.

[offduty]

Thanks I'm glad I went with MK this time, I thought I heard they were quieter. I would think that would be a big deal in So Cal heavily pressured resevoirs.
Rich

[rickd]

I've only had one, Minn Kota and will never change.

I beat the $hit out of that thing every weekend and it still runs, I'm amazed at the thing.

I do like the cool feature of the MG tho, doubling as a shish kabob cooker

[jimmy87]

I have owned more than 1 of each brand and prefer motor guide.

minkota just seems to be built cheaper.
I have had alot more problem with the minkotas. The switches and cables have failed.

no problems with the motor guides yet.

[Bassinlee]

I'm a huge MinnKota fan. I've had four MKs, and 2 MGs. The MG is a fine motor. But I could tell what speed it was going by just listening. That dude was loud! That said, it didn't seem to spook the fish. I liked that it would spin instantly (cable controlled), but didn't like the fact that I was trapped at the front of the boat whenever it was deployed. When it began refusing to go any speed between 0 and 5 out of ten, I had Gene take a look at it. He crossed himself, and said fixing it would cost more than what I paid for my first two cars.

With my MinnKota, I can fish from anywhere in the boat with the remote control (Co Pilot). Got plenty of power too-101 36v. Actually took me from Little Mandeville back to Russos when I blew my XRi 175. (nice Christmas present) Trolled all the way back, catching 4 largies along the way LOL. Made the grenaded engine sting a little less. But on a windy day, the MK is worth it's weight in gold with the autopilot feature; if you have to retie, you can set it to just hover over a spot, and go to a locker and get terminal tackle, and retie without being blown onto the rocks when you're not looking. Only downside of the Terrova is that it sticks out at the front of my Ranger. But, I can live with that. I could go on talking smack about this great motor, but I'd be accused of being a pro staffer. Which I unfortunately, am not.

-Bassinlee

[offduty]

Anyone got a Minn Kota Fortrex yet and if so what do you like or dislike about it?

[offduty]

Anyone got a Minn Kota Fortrex yet and if so what do you like or dislike about it?

[Phil]

I have a brand new Motorguide PRO70 24 volt is leaving to go back to Bass Pro Shops Monday. Customer just did not like it, thought first and fifth speed were to close to the same ?? I have one on my boat and works fine for me...............If someone would want it today, they could have it for $ 500.00, saves you $ 80.00 plus dollars.........Warranty card has already been sent in, Its a never used customer return.

JIGS

[finebassfisher]

i have a motorguide and it is a piece of crap. it shorted out multiple times had to get it fixed ....twice. it is very weak and jerks the boat left and right. everyboat i have been on has a minnkota and they are powerhouses and go through anything.