Thread: Which trolling motor?

To the people who have used both motor guide and minn kota which one did you prefer and why? The minny is about $20 bucks more. This is on a 30# trust motor.

I had a minn kota autopilot on my old boat...loved it...got new boat and it had a motor guide on it....hated it...went out and bought a new Terrova I pilot...haven't used it yet but from the reviews I think I will like it too. Minn Kota for me...but like everything in life some love Chevys..some love Fords....

Minn Kota all the way for me Dude. I had a Motor Guide and just was not happy with it.

I use both now with two boats. Both are good units but the MinnKota has the edge, IMHO. The composite shaft is worth a lot in that range.

For mainly trolling, Minn Kota with either Auto Pilot or I pilot is the only way to go. For other techniques where a cable drive motor is best, it is sort of a toss up between MK or MG...But I am partial to MK.

I have owned a couple minnkotas, am on year 2 with my first motorguide. The MG is working just fine although their customer service sucks super bad and that has pissed me off.

I would go with the minnkotoa.
Considering you said a 30# thrust. I assume your talking the endura TM?

I have a Endura 30# That has been used on 2 boats.
Let me tell you this with 110% confidence! It is a WORK HORSE!
Mine has bounced off, chewed up and chopped up damn near everything that has got in its way!
Its been used in water so shallow, that I had to hold the deploy button with the TM at a 60* angle with half the prop hanging out the water!
Through mud, sand, etc!
If I had to go buy another for my lil boats, it would be the EXACT same TM!
That 30 just WORKS! and doesnt use up my battery!

One night me and 2 buddies weighing in at 220, 240 and my skinny arse at 160 loaded up my 16foot flat bottom jon boat, with aprox 350 pounds of gear, beer and 2 batteries. We rode the current 7 miles down stream using the TM for manuvering only. While running 2 spotlights and a car stereo.

We ended up at the fishing hole with 60% left on batt #1, So I switched over to batt#2 for the ride back. AFTER fishing for 2 hours. Batt #2 was my optima out of my truck. We made it back with 30% left in my optima and the deepcycle stoway (105 amp hour, bare minimum for the 30# MK). This is coming back up stream in a 1.2MPH Current running full speed (well thats what my GPS said we was doing going down stream with the TM off).

This is after getting hung up on stumps, running aground in 2" water, running half prop out of the water. etc.
This was just ONE out of to many trips down that creek to remember!

My MK has been through 7 levels of Hell and smiled the whole way!
LOL I'm still on the original prop!

This same MK will push my 10' Pelican predator fully loaded with gear and a 260# friend up front 2.4 MPH! While being mounted on the FRONT of the boat. We was in a electric motor only lake and I didnt pull my 60# briggs 5HP off the back.. The 30# MK will push my boat HALF the speed of my 5HP briggs! I do 6.2MPH on the brigs with correct weight in the boat.

So, you ask which one would I choose? Minn Kota! is my answer.

Now I have a MK powerdrive 55# mounted up front. Simply because I got tired of leaning over to steer the boat around.. NOT because of performance issues!

Minn Kota for me. I have the Terrova I-Pilot and love it. Before that I had a Minn Kota Powerdrive it was a good motor just wanted the I-pilot and moved up to 80 lb. thrust.
Prior to that I had a MG on another boat. It was dependable but I never really liked it. Speed control on it was not consistant and when I was in shallow water wanting to be as quite as possible on low speed it reminded me of a hay bailer.

Which ever you choose just make sure it is digital. Minn Kota seems to go a lot longer on less battery. But going digital also helps on the MG.

That my 2 cents worth.