Upgrading trolling motor

[frenchbritt]

Thinking about upgrading my trolling motor. My boat has 12volt system and presently have an older Motorguide 46lb thrust bow mount motor. Planing on upgrading to new X3 motorguide 55lb motor. Is it worth extra money for digital? I also have been reading that the directional arrow is poorly made and breaks easily. What are your thoughts. Thanks.

[fishinwrench]

The X3 is a good old school unit.  Yeah the pointer will snap off if you're rough with it, but they are cheap and easy to replace.  Digital circuitry extends battery life but IMO nobody really needs it.  I personally don't like the way digital motors take time to get up to speed, it's irritating when you are trying to get out of a tight spot (like when manuvering between docks).  I don't care if I blow a backwash..... I'm done fishing it anyway, and I just want out of there. 😁

I'm just an old school fart that appreciates simple mechanical things though.   😊

[frenchbritt]

Thanks for the advice Wrench. I am old school also. I fish around docks also and it is nice to have instant power when a big boat comes buy and pushes you close to a dock.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Are you upgrading just because?  I am looking for a bow mount 12v. 

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

Ive ran 80lb X3 for the last year and it has been great to me. Ive banged it all over docks and have had no issues except it almost cut m dads fingers off, but thats a whole other story

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, aarchdale@coresleep.com said:

Ive ran 80lb X3 for the last year and it has been great to me. Ive banged it all over docks and have had no issues except it almost cut m dads fingers off, but thats a whole other story

Yeah if they want to add something useful to a trolling motor they should skip the digital circuitry and add a switch that keeps it from running while it is in the stowed position.   There's been a lot of blood shed at boat ramps while guys are climbing over the bow to launch/load.

[frenchbritt]

Daryk I am upgrading for more power. There is nothing wrong with the motor. There are days when in the wind I wish there was more power. 85% of the time the 46lb thrust does just fine. I am willing to sell mine now.

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

8 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Yeah if they want to add something useful to a trolling motor they should skip the digital circuitry and add a switch that keeps it from running while it is in the stowed position.   There's been a lot of blood shed at boat ramps while guys are climbing over the bow to launch/load.

Yep that is exactly what happened, My last boat had a fancy motor that would turn off when stowed. With this one i purposely put the prop to the inside, the prop will now hit the boat if the button is hit.    My dad is on blood thinners, so it was a total bloodbath at the launch ramp, and then he waited 12 hrs in the ER at Cox in Springfield

[fishinwrench]

Yessir, I've done it to myself twice and seen others do it countless times.  It's never pretty.

[frenchbritt]

Thanks for the input everyone. I went with Motorguide X3 55 lb non digital. Had it out once and was very happy.