Thread: Minn Kota Power Drive

They are a pretty good motor except the foot pedal can be iffy if you don’t keep it cleaned underneath and around the switches.

I recently bought one for a new Jon boat, and so far I’m liking it a lot.
I like the long cord as it allows for running the boat from the front or back.
I frankly don’t use it by using my foot, but prefer using my hand as the response is easier and faster for me.
I also feel it takes less abuse by using it that way.
I feel fairly certain that Ed Duke of Southern Tackle runs his boat the same way, if you carefully observe some videos of him long line trolling.
Next best thing to having a remote controlled motor imop.
BTW, i bought mine, a 50# thrust for $500 plus the sales tax on sale at Cabelas, shipped to my house.

On the old Powerdrives, pedals are NLA and any NOS or used pedals are pricey. Newer V2 models don't have that issue.

They are decent motors. Digital speed control on all of them. The stow/deploy setup is a little clumsy on them, but by no means unusable.

A cable drive motor is way more responsive than electric steer. Waiting on that electric steering can be frustrating. But nothing is without compromise, can't run a cable motor anywhere in the boat or have Ipilot unless you spend 2000$ on an Ultrex.

I have used them in the past but a Terrova is a much nicer unit if you're going with electric steer. Better stow/deploy, quieter, etc.

Originally Posted by BluegillHunter

I've owned several of the cable / foot controlled trolling motors, but never used a Power Drive rig.

Please school me on the Power Drive trolling motors.... do they work well and are they reliable?

The smallest one in 12 volt will be all I need for my jon boat.

Thanks

They are good, reliable motors. I've had a 12V 55lb since 2010, put a ton of hours on it, and no issues. I have the co-pilot and don't use the foot pedal. I also have an Ipilot version on another boat. Love em both.
I personally have always despised a foot pedal trolling motor. Much rather have a hand control or remote.

Well my only other experience using trolling motors are the manually controlled type.
Ive never used a cable type foot steer or one having a remote.
I don’t see how it would be possible to have better control of the boat faster than by using a manually controlled motor.
But of coarse the downside is you are always driving the boat.
That said I don’t find myself waiting for this motor to respond when i press a pedal.
Fact is removing my hand pressure so it doesn’t over respond has been a bit of a learning issue for me.
There is no reverse as with my other motors, just let the head rotate till its facing in the proper direction which happens quickly. Actually far more quickly than the response time going from forward to reverse by manually shifting.
The speed can be set with a dial and overridden for more speed with the manual peddle.
You can also opt at a later date to convert over to a full remote setup for a couple hundred dollars.
But you cant have both foot/hand control and remote.
The way i fish and use the boat i cant envision myself ever converting it to full remote control.

Originally Posted by yobuck

Well my only other experience using trolling motors are the manually controlled type.
Ive never used a cable type foot steer or one having a remote.
I don’t see how it would be possible to have better control of the boat faster than by using a manually controlled motor.
But of coarse the downside is you are always driving the boat.
That said I don’t find myself waiting for this motor to respond when i press a pedal.
Fact is removing my hand pressure so it doesn’t over respond has been a bit of a learning issue for me.
There is no reverse as with my other motors, just let the head rotate till its facing in the proper direction which happens quickly. Actually far more quickly than the response time going from forward to reverse by manually shifting.
The speed can be set with a dial and overridden for more speed with the manual peddle.
You can also opt at a later date to convert over to a full remote setup for a couple hundred dollars.
But you cant have both foot/hand control and remote.
The way i fish and use the boat i cant envision myself ever converting it to full remote control.

You really have to spend some time with a cable steer unit to notice a difference. They can go full rotation in half a second, an electric steer takes 2 or 3 times as long. When you're used to that kind of response, it takes a while to get used to a slower setup.

If you have never used a cable motor, then there will be no learning curve, so to speak.

Given the price difference, you'd be better to spend just a little more and go one model higher simply for the lift assist and easier stow/deploy.

The PowerDrive stow and deploy is no fun at all, but if that's all you can afford then it's better than nothing.

I'm a long time bass guy that has always used cable steer, I have the Terrova now, and it's taken a lot of getting used to, with cable steer I didn't ever have to look at the trolling motor head and was easy to use in the dark......night fishing with the Terrova is tough because you have to actually see the trolling motor head to know where you're headed. I will say this though, it's been a trade-off in that I've given up the "feel" of cable steer but I use the spotlock and autopilot way more and it makes the change more than worth it.

I've also gotten to where I rarely use the foot pedal, and many times find myself fishing from the back of the boat just using the remote. I dang near fish from a lawnchair on the back deck and it's so much more relaxing with the remote and ability to just set the trolling motor on a course or spotlock.

Originally Posted by artcarney_agr

Given the price difference, you'd be better to spend just a little more and go one model higher simply for the lift assist and easier stow/deploy.

The PowerDrive stow and deploy is no fun at all, but if that's all you can afford then it's better than nothing.

I'm a long time bass guy that has always used cable steer, I have the Terrova now, and it's taken a lot of getting used to, with cable steer I didn't ever have to look at the trolling motor head and was easy to use in the dark......night fishing with the Terrova is tough because you have to actually see the trolling motor head to know where you're headed. I will say this though, it's been a trade-off in that I've given up the "feel" of cable steer but I use the spotlock and autopilot way more and it makes the change more than worth it.

I've also gotten to where I rarely use the foot pedal, and many times find myself fishing from the back of the boat just using the remote. I dang near fish from a lawnchair on the back deck and it's so much more relaxing with the remote and ability to just set the trolling motor on a course or spotlock.

I think its referred to as (different strokes)
I’m 84 and have no problem deploying the Powerdrive.
But i can see where it might be fun at the launch ramp having one of those dog whistle models. Lol