cwpowell Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 (edited) Hey guys, This question may have been asked before. Looking to throw a bow mount trolling motor on the boat. It's a 16' Starcraft Aluminum. What should I be looking for? Mostly fishing conservation areas, erie near dunnvile, hamilton harbour, smaller bodies of water, maybe the odd trip to the kawarthas. So motor guide or minnkota, what are the pros and cons of each, I'm thinking 55lb thrust. Thanks in advance guys, and gals. Edit: Also electric steering or mechanical cable? Edited April 11, 2010 by cwpowell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 I think you have to decide in YOUR mind what you want to do with it. Stuck sitting in the bow running your motor with a pedal and a cramp in your ankle.... or would you prefer to be elsewhere in the boat. I love downrigging for Lakers silently ..... running my Motorguide wireless while standing on the back deck.. or from the key fob anywhere in the boat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwpowell Posted April 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 I think you have to decide in YOUR mind what you want to do with it. Stuck sitting in the bow running your motor with a pedal and a cramp in your ankle.... or would you prefer to be elsewhere in the boat. I love downrigging for Lakers silently ..... running my Motorguide wireless while standing on the back deck.. or from the key fob anywhere in the boat! What model motor guide are you running? The fob sounds really nice. What size boat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 24volt.. 75 lb thrust Wireless... 70" shaft... Pulling a 2150 Baron at up to 4.7 MPH ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calender Don Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 Motor guide I believe is made in China, Minnkota is made in the states Minnesota. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 Don't mistake "packaged" with "made" Don. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PERCHER Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 What is a Motor Guide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PERCHER Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 I had seen a few good deals on some used 55lb Minkota Power Drives in the OFC classified's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PERCHER Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 Or go new Terrova with I pilot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADB Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 (edited) A guy I used to work with at Le Baron said if it was up to him, he would have them drop Motor Guide altogether. He didn't really get into specifics, but I guess everyone has their own preferences. Edited April 12, 2010 by ADB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish-miester Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 I preffer Minkota. I baught a 40lb PowerDrive for my 14' and well I love it.. and lets just say the minkota "wont ever break" Composite shaft sure comes in handy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 I'm on my third Minn Kota over the last 30 years....why change something that works. BTW I sold the other two to upgrade to the one I have now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 I've had a few of each over the years, both MinnKota and MotorGuide, cable steer & PD units, and both companies put out quality products, and you'll hear both good and bad with either brand so you'll just have to sort thru it all. Personally, I prefer the cable steer but that's just my opinon I'm currently running an 80 pound, 62 inch MinnKota Fortrex and it's by far the best trolling motor I've ever had, but again, that's just my own opinion. Bought my boat new last year and it came it a Terova, but I had the dealer swap it out for the Fortrex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunker Larry Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 A buddy of mine bought a wireless Motor Guide and had megga problems with it. Back and forth to the repair centre. Motor Guide has had major circuit board issues...all being made in China. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 Although I have a wireless MotorGuide on my boat, (everything pretty much owned by Brunswick these days), with both the wireless foot control and the key fob control, I prefer Minn Kota. Most Minn Kota models are actually "made in" Mankato MN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 Motor guide I believe is made in China, Minnkota is made in the states Minnesota. Nice shameless plug there Don, I agree with you.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbouck Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 I have had two Minnkotas, one I still have, been having some issues with it the last year. I also have a 55# Motorguide wireless which has had 0 problems. As Irish stated it's nice having the key fob in your hand at the back of the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limeyangler Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 I bought a new 55# Terrova with the auto pilot and co-pilot (key fob remote control) I absolutely love it, it deploys effortlessly unlike the Minnkota Powerdrive which is a royal pain in the ass to deploy. The only thing i would say i dont like about it is that that speed increments on the remote control are too crude otherwise it is an awesome unit, more than enough power for my 16' Alumarine. It also has a transducer built into the prop head, it works flawlessly....now i just gotta save for a Lowrance HD unit for the back and connect my X67c to the Terrova at the front. I'd recommend the Terrova.......Cabelas Canada (winnipeg) had the best price on them last year, even when the Loonie was at par and above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwpowell Posted April 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 Thanks for the info guys. Heres the down and dirty; $800 to spend 16' Starcraft Aluminum Want a bow mount Want a fob 55lb thrust 12 volt prefer Minnkota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwpowell Posted April 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 I'm thinking the Powerdrive V2 bowmount 55lb thrust. It comes with a mail in rebate for a free co-pilot fob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobzhang Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 Well, I think no matter where it was made, both of them sbould be good. Some Pro stuffs like Motor Guide, for example Kevin Van Dam and other prefer Minni Kota. According to In-Fishermen magazine, Minni Kota is the most powerful trolling motor of the world. But, it is more expensive than Motor Guide. So, it is up to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFSC Kevin Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 I'm thinking the Powerdrive V2 bowmount 55lb thrust. It comes with a mail in rebate for a free co-pilot fob. That co-pilot alone retails for like $150. Pretty decent deal since it is for a brand new motor. But the deal ends on April 15, so better get it quick if you do decide on that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NANUK Posted April 12, 2010 Report Share Posted April 12, 2010 I have a Minn kota PD with a co pilot, I like the fact that I can use the wireless remote from anywhere in the boat to operate my TM or have the choice to use the foot padel with 20' cord(also from anywhere in the boat) in case I run out of batteries or something goes wrong with my wireless remote. MotorGuide wireless does not give you that choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwebb Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 I'm thinking the Powerdrive V2 bowmount 55lb thrust. It comes with a mail in rebate for a free co-pilot fob. No problems with my 55lb 12volt powerdrive .But it is a pain to deploy. Grimsby tackle has good pricing if you are in that area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scugpg Posted April 13, 2010 Report Share Posted April 13, 2010 (edited) Go with a Terrova, 10x better than the powerdrive! Better pedal, steering, autopilot functionality, and stowing ability. Forget about the co-pilot and get an I-pilot model Edited April 13, 2010 by scugog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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