lew Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 For the bowmount on my new boat, I ordered the MinnKota Maxxum Pro but I got a call this afternoon saying it's not available now, so their gonna up-grade it to the new Fortrex. It's got all the bells & whistles and looks good on paper & in TV commercials, but I don't know anyone who uses this model and wondered if anyone here has any personal experience with it.........good, bad or otherwise ?? http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/tro...nt/fortrex.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted March 10, 2009 Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 The Fortrex looks sweet, Lew. Getting the 80 or the 101? I bought the 24V, 70lb. Edge on your advice last season and it's running really well so I'm not about to change. The Fortrex looks really good though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted March 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2009 I'm going with the 24v, 80 pound unit Roy. I woulda gone with the 101 but that's a 36V and I don't have room for the 3rd deep cycle battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue_Axela Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 The Fortrex is Minn Kota's new cable steer. I don't think many people have it yet since it is new for this season. Lew, any reason why you didn't want the Terrova? Is it because you prefer cable steer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Lew, any reason why you didn't want the Terrova? Is it because you prefer cable steer? In Lew's original post, he said it wasn't available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walleyemen Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) I was at a seminar about them tonite, very nice, they did away with the pivot pins that come loose on the old ones, also they have a feature were you can remove it without taking off the base, as wel as easier to lift out, best feature is the new shaft lengths ,the heads are made of compisite material and they say that you could hit it with a hammer and not break,also never relised humminbird and minn kota were owned by Johnson! Edited March 11, 2009 by walleyemen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted March 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 also they have a feature were you can remove it without taking off the base, as wel as easier to lift out, That was the one feature I was a bit concerned with, cause if they've made it so easy for ME to remove, it would seem that it would also be very easy for the thieves to remove too. Sounds like you just have to pull a pin and off it comes. I'll be at the Sportsman Show next Wednesday and will have a talk with the boys at the Minn Kota booth. They must have some sort of locking device available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyb Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 (edited) I am using the Fortrex 101lb, 62" shaft and am extremely impressed. Running it on a Lund 1900 Pro-V IFS/SE It is by far the most solid trolling motor unit out there, it really feels indestructable. I would suggest anyone already looking at a Maxxum Pro to upgrade to this unit as it is the succesor to the Maxxum. I was trying to find a picture of it on my boat but realized I didn't have any real clear shots of it...oh well here is a bass to look at with the Fortrex peeking in the background... They are new for 2009, but so is my boat and I had them both operational last fall. I think it is like cars where the 2009 models come out in the fall of 2008 for example. As for the theft comment...you can use a padlock in place of the pin to secure the motor. Edited March 11, 2009 by tonyb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 I was at a seminar about them tonite, very nice, they did away with the pivot pins that come loose on the old ones, also they have a feature were you can remove it without taking off the base, as wel as easier to lift out, best feature is the new shaft lengths ,the heads are made of compisite material and they say that you could hit it with a hammer and not break,also never relised humminbird and minn kota were owned by Johnson! They also own Cannon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigeontroller Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 In Lew's original post, he said it wasn't available. Actually Roy, Lew stated the Maxxum wasn't available... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecmilley Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 hey Lew check out www.bassboatcentral.com or bigfatbass lots of guys in the southern us have been using this motor all winter long, should be a couple reviews kicking about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 Actually Roy, Lew stated the Maxxum wasn't available... You're correct Dax...my mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted March 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 I've been reading some reviews on this motor today and so far everone seems more than happy with it and it looks like MinnKota has come up with another winner. Tony, thanks for your opinion on it too and your's seems to be the same as everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lungelarry Posted March 11, 2009 Report Share Posted March 11, 2009 I was thinking about getting a Fortex this year,but after reading this I might wait another year. http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zerothread/...nn-koda-fortrex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Lew Great motor. I am putting a new Fortrex on my Lund this year. This motor is awesome. Charles Sims has been running it down south in the FLW events and can't say enough about them. Great upgrade for ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted March 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 Larry, thanks for that link, it made for some interesting reading. I spose with any new model of any product there's gonna be a few problems but if it's consistant I'm sure they'll do something about it. MinnKota has an excellent reputation and I'm confident this motor will be as good as everything else they produce........hopefully. And Blake, thanks for your reply too and it seems the majority of folks are more than happy with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now