Freshwater Trolling Motor in the Salt???

[thill]

I've been researching, and it seems to be 50/50, with half saying, "Don't do it!" and the other half saying, " I've done it for years with no problems."

What do you think?

In this case, I'm talking about a Minn Kota Power Drive 55LB thrust, Bow Mounted, remote-controlled motor. This thing works GREAT with this boat. But at $599, I don't want to replace it anytime soon!

Let me know what you think, guys. Thanks.

-TH

[South Paw]

The paint will start coming off of it. Rinse it everytime afterwards to slow that down. I have yet to kill a Minnkota. I fished it in salt and fresh. I broke down this year and bought a RipTide with my tax refund. I got tired of looking at bear metal and I wanted variable speed.

Good Fishin

[Coastal1]

Was it every time, spray it down after w/corrosion block. They keep working. R/Chip

[thill]

Gentlemen, thanks for the replies.

Do any of you run a pedal-controlled unit? What I've heard is that the salt spray can get inside the "head" of the motor, (supposedly not as sealed as the motor) and corrode the control circuits and the motor that swivels the unit to steer. Does anyone know if these warnings are true? Sure sounds scary, I know that...

Thanks again.

-TH

[gateman4]

My Rip Tide has put in 15 years of hard work and is still running great. Pay the higher price up front for the saltwater motor, take good care of it and relax. It will be around a lot longer than a comparable freshwater model.

[Spot77]

I have about 6 years of saltwater use on mine....still running fine.


As others have said, the paint will peel off, but I repainted parts of it last year in a few test areas and the paint is holding up fine.


I guess it's possible to ruin it, but I'll continue to risk it based on it's performance and history.

[thill]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like I can do it, but I need to be careful to rinse and spray it down often.

Not sure how much I need a trolling motor in the salt, but if this becomes truly invaluavle, and it eventually dies, then I may replace it with one made for the brine. I guess time will tell.

-TH