Min Kota vs. Motorguide

Aussie_Basser	Hi, I'm new to this site and look forward to tossing my 2 cents worth in every now and again. But first a question I am in the market for a electric trolling motor my main fishing is the lakes and mostly sheltered estuaries. I run a 12' tinnie so is quite light. Target specie Australian Bass, Golden Perch, Cod, Flathead, Bream, Mangrove Jack etc. I am after a Bow mount 55lb thrust auto pilot with a maximizer to run from a 12 volt system. Options outside of this if better please say thanks. The motor will be used in both salt and fresh. As we in Down under have really only had the Minn Kota to select from I now find just recently Motorguides are starting to hit the market. So I am hoping to get a better insight into which is better and why. Hopefully you can help and thanks in advance	2002-08-22
crab bait	WELCOME to the 'show' AUSSIE... in short / 'in-a-nut-shell.. stay with MINNKOTA...they are sweet... motor guide ,on the other hand are absolutely horrible.. a rattling piece-o-crap. The one weed will stall it.. it's the most inefficient fishing gizmo ever invented.. and offend wonder how they are still in business.. or a 'class action law suit levied again them an a judge forces them to cease production ... but that just my opinion..	2002-08-23
Aussie_Basser	So using my powers of deduction and your ability to call a spade a spade and not beat around the bush. Minn Kota is a work of art and the Motorguide is a dog bone. Minn Kota 1 Motorguide -1 Thanks for the welcome and the reply Not sure if I should ask why you called crab bait	2002-08-23
bKelly	I prefer Minn Kota also. There shafts are composite so they don't bend or rust. They can take abuse and keep going. I have a 36# auto pilot on a 14' jon boat and a 55# on my 15.5' bass boat. The maximizer is great. I can fish all day (8+ hrs) with my Minn Kotas. I wouldn't have anything else. I know some guys who have the "other" and they seem to have problems with theirs all the time, like bent shafts and discharging batteries fast. just my $0.02	2002-08-23
495v	Well, I have always owned Minn Kotas and they've always performed well, and if I ever buy a new motor it will be Minn Kota, BUT, my boat which I bought used has a Motorguide gator mount 50# thrust and it performs just fine. Have not had any problems with it. I run a 24v system and can run this thing for day's before I'm out of juice. In my opinion, the Minn Kotas have better technology built into there motors such as auto pilot, and pinpoint. Just my .02!	2002-08-23
mountainboy	Greetings from New Mexico!! I have a Motorguide 34# transom mount and I have been very pleased with it so far. It has been trustworthy and works like a champ. The great thing was that I found it at Wal-mart for $70.00! I can troll around lakes all day with it and it does the job. MB	2002-08-23
ndominy	I have a Minn Kota Transom also. I chose it because of the composite shaft. While the shaft does seem to vibrate a little, which I would expect the metal one Motorguide uses would not, I figured, Sometime, I would forget to put it up while running the gas motor or hit a stump and then bend the shaft. Now I have a 10 year old who will be using the motor and I am extra glad I have the composite shaft. Never had a day of problem with mine.	2002-08-23
okiecarp	I hope you guys with the small boats check this site again, because I really need you help. I am getting an inflatable 8 1/2' boat. I weigh 220#. The boat and stuff will weigh about 125#. I want to be able to go a minimum of 7 or 8 MPH. How much thrust do I need?	2002-08-24
Fishbusters	Minn-Kota hands down. I destroyed 3 motor guides in the space of 3 months and finally got another Minn-Kota. The other Minnie lasted well over 10 years and even had a tree dropped on it. BTW Minnie#2 is 4 years old now and been through heck and back and still running strong.	2002-08-25
Aussie_Basser	Ok it looks like the Minn Kota is the winner. Now for bit more info. Do you have a maximizer ?........ What size battery do you use ...... as I was looking at least a full weekend trolling about 20 + hours. That would not be full power just about 1 - 3 as I would be tossing spinnerbait, fly, grubs etc. I was looking at 2 x 130 amp deep cycles batteries.	2002-08-25
Fishbusters	Yep and since you have already mentioned the best set up I can't add anything else. I have a set up that charges my trolling battery when I run my big motor and would recommend it for anything longer than what you mentioned.	2002-08-26
495v	Peterfishbuster, with that setup, what amp are your trolling batteries charged at? Are you not worried about premature wear with the quick turnaround rate. Do your batteries get used down before they get charged by the outboard and what capacity is used? Sounds to good to be true, I'm not familiar with that setup. Tell me more.	2002-08-26
Aussie_Basser	I know this does not help while on the water but my mate on return from his outing plugs his into solar and it is charged that way. Not sure how he has set that up but one I will be looking at that for sure. I would also be interested in the set up to charge via the main motor. Thanks for all the posts to guys Brian	2002-08-28
bKelly	Both of my Minn Kotas have the maximizer feature. I run two marine trolling 115 amp hour deep cycles on my 55#. I have fished two full days without any worries about dead batteries.	2002-08-29
Moose_Miller	X	2002-08-29
Aussie_Basser	Well thanks all, I have bitten the bullet and as the local boat show was on I made my move. I am now the owner of a 55lb Bow Mount Riptide Saltwater Auto Pilot with a quick release bracket. As for the batteries I will be getting two 130 amp Deep Cycle although not sure how I will set them up either as a joint set or a switched so I can move from one to the other. I guess now all the fun come in just setting my rig up Next I'm about to secure a Garmin 12 GPS. Brian	2002-09-01
topwater_jerkbait	Well, I got to jump in here and say, that I have a Motorguide and it causes me no problems as of yet and it is going on 7 years old. As far as keeping the batteries charged, I have a extra wire in my trailer wiring harness that is hooked up to a switch on my dash and to my truck alt. When I feel they are getting low, I just kick the switch on and charge them. Works for me.	2002-09-02
Fishbusters	My set up is designed to be turned on and off as I desire so I am not charging the trolling battery all the time. I basically ran a jumper off the starting barery to the troller and put a switch inline. I usually only use it if I forgot to charge the battery or if it is run down while on the water and I am still fishing. I know In-Fisherman magazine discussed this in-depth. The system is known as a Lazarus system. I don't use it that often preferring to charge at home with a 2amp trickle charge but it works when needed. I have found my deep cycle batteries need replaced after 2 1/2 to 3 years regardless and so far the system I use has not reduced battery life.	2002-09-02
derwoodjr	my batterbank is 2 500 amp agm batteries weighing 150 each (300 pounds) on a harkon track system in the bilge, I can use the batteries to help with ballest, if I let go of the controls for the battery track it locks in the middle of the boat, it is usually in the middle it is charged by 3 solar panels, a custom-made generator (an old outboard that I gave a new life to, the generator extremely quiet), an alternator on my motor, and sure Power I have a 55 inch ocean series Trolling motor up front (65 pounds thrust) the controls are in the cockpit, so I can use it like a Bow Thruster, when docking, I can run it for 6 hours before I have a switch disconnect the current draw from it if you want I can give you info on the generator	2002-09-02
derwoodjr	sorry about all that bad a$$ spelling..... spelling is not my strong area. I was never good at it, never will be... funny how I want to be an engineer	2002-09-02
BassMan283	Well, with a 55# I'm guessing you ought to get about 25 knots out that tinnie. Minn Kota rocks. I'd be inclined to try it with one battery unless you're depending on the troller to get you home. I've got a 44# Maxxum on a 16 1/2 Lund and I can't run it down.	2002-09-02

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