Trolling motor recommendation

[WoundedOne]

3 hours ago, dtrs5kprs said:

I'd go cable steer and the biggest you can afford, and will fit (given limited battery space). There are a few things in life you can't have too much of, and TM power is on that list. That boat is going to blow around, a big TM will keep you fishing. 

I would have to remove the oil tank  for a 3rd battery. Which is disconnected anyway. so there could be room for 3 batt. I agree with adequate TM power just not over kill. 

[WoundedOne]

6 hours ago, grizwilson said:

I have the Terrova and like Jdoc says it has its weaknesses.  Yesterday the remote simply quit, replaced battery still dead.... found out that I am addicted to the anchor feature fishing brush piles so just came home instead of operating by foot. 

g

How is fishing with the remote vs pedal?

[WoundedOne]

2 hours ago, J-Doc said:

That's what I did when I bought my new boat.  80lb Fortrex. Then I got the 80lb Terrova for multi species applications.  And for spot lock anchoring.   In this case, too much power will over correct and wonder around.  Getting a longer shaft helps because you can raise the head above the mounting bracket.  Ferous metal creates interference with the GPS signal.  So a longer shaft is best for wireless.  I learned this after the fact unfortunately.  

 

Cable steer in as much power as can be afforded is a safe bet for sure.  Just don't do it if you go digital.  

So you are saying go with a longer shaft if going wireless? What is to long?

[J-Doc]

No such thing as too long.  I have a 48" because that's what I got when I ordered the boat.  My Fortrex is 48" and just fine for a pedal steer on my rig.  I learned after the fact that the head of the wireless doesn't like ferous metal such as the frame it's mounted on (parts have ferous metal) so lifting the shaft it performs a but better.  

 

Remote vs pedal takes getting used too.  I miss my Fortrex when trying to untangle a crankbait with a bait retriever when it's windy.  It's aggravating enough to just break off and go on about my day.  With the Fortrex, I can do three things at once more easily.  

Just depends on what you want out of a TM.  If just bass fishing, go as powerful as you can and go on about your business.  If multi species, wireless is really nice.  

[dtrs5kprs]

3 hours ago, WoundedOne said:

I would have to remove the oil tank  for a 3rd battery. Which is disconnected anyway. so there could be room for 3 batt. I agree with adequate TM power just not over kill. 

There really is no such thing as overkill. In college I replaced a 12V on a 17' Tracker with a 24V and it was like I had never actually fished before. Just an amazing difference in wind. Had a 24V on my first Ranger, and going to the 36V on the current barge was the same kind of change.

[dan hufferd]

Both MK and MG are good. The anchor mode will change your life, it is defiantly one of the most innovative things to happen in the fishing world !

I think MK has some really great features that I wish I had on my MG but the MG has a really good spot lock. I think you will be happy with either just figure out what feature will work for you the best.

I have a MG Xi 5 80 on a 2003 tracker 17.5 deep V WT. It will hold me and a friend on a point in an 18 mph + wind very well.

There are 2 major things that I don't like...one: when there isn't much wind the motor will constantly make micro adjustment back and forth to keep you in one place, two: the fob does not give you any info, I am hoping that MG comes out with an upgraded remote.

I guess the MK is better in every way accept for the anchor feature. I would buy another MG unless one of these two improves their short comings before the other. 

I hope this helps both are very good company's I don't think you can go wrong either way    

[grizwilson]

16 hours ago, WoundedOne said:

How is fishing with the remote vs pedal?

I use both, it may be possible, but I do not know how to use anchor feature without remote. Still adjusting to the pedal as with a cable drive I knew the direction by position of my foot, and it has a quicker response.  The remote I use the anchor feature a lot, it is also handy if i am retying while changing spots can just point and go from anywhere in the boat. From what I understand the MG has a better anchor system.  I had done a seminar with the Minn Kota folks and was able to buy mine at 40% off or would have likely went with MG

[Unimog]

20 hours ago, J-Doc said:

 

 

Remote vs pedal takes getting used too.  I miss my Fortrex when trying to untangle a crankbait with a bait retriever when it's windy.  It's aggravating enough to just break off and go on about my day.  With the Fortrex, I can do three things at once more easily.  

Just depends on what you want out of a TM.  If just bass fishing, go as powerful as you can and go on about your business.  If multi species, wireless is really nice.  

I would agree on this. I only bass fish out of my boats and both have mk fortrex on them. When I go with some friends however, they typically crappie fish and troll for walleye and white bass. A handy feature about the wireless is my buddy could sit in the drivers seat with his rod out to the side, watching his gps, and run the trolling motor.  

[WoundedOne]

Thanks for all the advise. I was looking at the pedals and remotes for both units. What a big difference.

[WoundedOne]

One more question is going from MK mounted TM to a MG mount is there any difference in mounting holes?