trolling motors

[strikeout]

What shaft length are most of you guys using.  52"  60"  62" motor guide or minn kota.  24 or 36 volt.  anyone using transon mount?  or trolling tabs.  I've heard they are pretty loud.  Any and all info would be great.

[ANTIBLING]

Id like to hear some feedback on the few different troll n tabs...

[GoneFission]

60" MinnKota Riptide 70 Autopilot 24V - works great, better setup and wireless is much better than my previous MotorGuide.  

But it's still the age-old question - MinnKota or MotorGuide? I've had both, and I must vote for MinnKota, especially for salt water use. The MinnKota has a composite shaft that won't bend or corrode like the steel MotorGuide, and weighs less. If you wind up with a 60" shaft, the MotorGuide shaft alone weighs a ton! Also, MinnKota now has one of those assist cylinders like MiniVan tailgates have to help lift the motor - a neat feature.

If you are buying a motor with power steering (a really nice feature, especially with a wireless remote), the MinnKota's steering system seems more robust than MotorGuide's. Make sure you are getting a salt-water designed motor - MotorGuide's is called Great White, and MinnKota is called Riptide.

Also, if you are going over 50 lbs thrust, you are probably in 24 volt territory, not 12. So think TWO batteries, not one. You may want to rethink a take in/take out scenario when you consider the weight of two 27 size batteries in the back of the boat and the associated wiring clutter.

I have used transom mount and bow mount, and find bow mount is really the best option. Boats are make to go forward, not backward, and trying to hold a boat with the rear into the current is tough! Pushing a boat from the transom at slow speed requires constant attention - every movement takes you in a different direction. The MinnKota has an Autopilot option with a built-in compass - you set it in a direction and the motor will hold that heading, regardless of wind or current. I've had too many times with a fish on when the last thing I want to have to do is reach over and adjust the trolling motor.

Check out MinnKota Riptides at:
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/ ... _riptidest

MotorGuide's Great Whites are here:
http://sites.mercurymarine.com/portal/p ... ema=PORTAL

Last, but not least, consider getting a propeller upgrade with your motor. You will need a spare prop anyway, so check out a Kipawa. Very efficient, smooth, and very weedless:
http://www.kipawapropellers.com/469960.html

[strikeout]

thanks i will check it out.

[Towerboat1]

I have a deal on a 52 trolling motor package on EBAY that expires tommorow. Look at Mrnowfishing if you are interested! CR

[strikeout]

what is the item number?  couldn't find it

[GoneFission]

There is a nice Riptide 80 package on eBay - goes off in 5 hours - I would not pay to ship the batteries - but pick up in Jupiter could be a deal:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Minn-Kot ... enameZWDVW

I did not see other saltwater models on eBay - and you don't want a freshwater model if you are going to use it in salt!  

[Capt. Rick]

I put the 101lb thrust Minn Kota with auto-pilot on my bow just before tarpon season and have been very happy with it.  It's a 60 inch shaft and 36 volts, so you need three batteries.  I went with the dry cells for no maintence and they advertised they will out last the wet cell three to one.  I can run it from anywhere on the boat with the remote and on auto pilot I just point it where I want to go and start getting things ready to fish.
The biggest problem with the bigger motors, Motor Guide or Minn Kota is they only come with a 90 degree bracket, unlike the sissor or tilt over, so when mounted on the bow you end up with the bracket out side of the rub rail even when the motor is not deployed.  I'm very careful when
docking.  I owned one of the first Motor Guide remote controls ten years ago and their is no comparison to the new ones thank goodness.

[GoneFission]

I use one of the big MotorGuide slide brackets on my MinnKota (!).  It let's me remove the motor if I don't want to leave it on the boat, plus I have 2 settings - one with the motor retracted so it does not extend beyond the rub rail, and one deployed so the motor will go over into the water.  I leave it in the deployed position while fishing, then slide it back for docking or trailering.  

Deployed position:

 

Stowed position: