What is a dependable Trolling Motor ?

[bigpat100]

I have broken 2 Minn Kota PowerDrives that are broke. I think I need to buy another model.

What do you folks think about hand steering ? What do you think of Minn Kota All Terrain ? What about MK EDGE or maxxuum ? I understand cable steering is better than electric steering for durability.

How long do you guys go without breaking a motor ? I fish forty weeks a year in a boat.
My main goal is to have a trolling motor that is dependable. Please post your experiences.

See prior email for my offer for a free trolling motor if you know how to fix them.

If anybody has experience working on Trolling Motors, what do you recommend in a mid price bow mount motor ?



Thanks guys and gals. Have a great weekend !

[mgardner1]

I have 2 Motorguides. One is a Great White 52lb thrust transom mount, the other is an 82lb thrust digital transom mount. The GW is around 5 years old, and used to get heavy usage on a reservoir, but doesn't get used so much anymore since I have a different boat. The Digital is two years old, used for reservoir fishing, works great.

I also have a Johnson (Motorguide?) bow mount foot control that came on the boat. It seems pretty old, but works perfectly well and even use it in saltwater sometime.

On my old jon boat I used a 30lb Motorguide on the bow, but spun the top of the unit around and used the hand control. I stuck a piece of pvc around the control handle to make it longer, and used my knee to control direction. That worked fine.

A long time ago I had a Minn Kota 3HP, which was great when it was new. After a year or two though, it lost most of it's power and then died. Switched over to Motorguide after that and haven't been dissapointed.

Good luck with your new trolling motor,
Mike