You tell me

I have a 1995 Motor Guide 41# thrust on a 17' tracker that is just plain wore out. Am thinking: Motor guide FW75FB ($575) or Minn Kota Edge 70 (530) ? OR better suggestion.

I have a 17'6 tracker deep-v and I put on a 24v 71# motorguide /5 speed. I hated that thing; even at the lowest speed it was just too fast. The key problem here wasn't the 24v but the 5 speeds. I believe both of these motors are fixed speed motors. I sold that thing after a year and a half and put on a 12v digital motorguide tour. I still run 2 batteries and for me the 12v is a better choice. Spend a few more dollars and get a variable speed, you'll be much happier. Brand doesn't matter if it's MG or MK is a personal choice. I personally like a cable steer so I wnt MG, some guys like the power drives but as long as it goes where you want it doesn't matter, it's a personal choice.
Do a search here, lots of guys trying to slow down 70# fixed speed TM's. They suck on light boats.

Very GOOD point crappiemax!!!!! Thanks! I'm thinking about going to a 70lb 24vand I've got a Tracker175!

Never considered that point of view. Thanks

Just a few more thoughts.....

Generally I'm not into trolling but at times it's what seems to put fish in the boat so I do it. It was almost impossible to slow the boat down enought to get my baits down deep enough to be effective. Any of the infinate variable speeds will be easier on the batteries than any straight 5 speed from my understanding.
My current TM is a MG Tour 55# 12v. Could I use more thrust somedays? Sure I guess so but I have to say if I had to do it all over again, I would go back to the same set up. I tried my 70# TM at full speed once...I thought it was going to rip itself off the front of the boat and it was super hard to controll. I did have to put bolts with fender washers on them as the regular TM expansion type plugs simply pulled out of the alum. I also asked my self, if it were that windy would I even stay and fight it or would I move to look for calmer waters anyway. Most times I would move. If I had a really really heavy glass boat, I could see it. As far as aluminums go, no way. Bigger ain't always better.
One thing I like about my 12v with 2 batteries is if my starting battery gives up the ghost from running all the electronics, livewell, bilge and lights, I can pull one of my TM batteries and use it as the main battery and keep on fishing. I've never had a problem with going all day on my set up. My set up re charges fully over night so no problems there.

Glad I could be of some help.

i have a motor guide pro series 75# 5 speed im going to sell its ben in the water twice. going to a variable speed also

My next one will be a variable speed....However, I am still using my 5 year old Minn Kota RipTide 55# Thrust 12volt. Pushes my 16' X 52" Jon Boat pretty good.

why wait for variable speed when you can have it now. check out speed controller's at motion dynamics. pretty slick unit as a add on for variable speed. can be used from 12 to 48 volt

I would get a Minn Kota Maxxum. I had one on my last boat and my current boat has the MK Edge on it. The Maxxum is hands down a better motor IMO. It has the variable speed control and a much better mounting bracket and shaft. I will say that my Edge is slow enough on settings "1" and "2" to troll with though. IIRC setting "1" gets me about 0.4 to 0.5 mph and setting "2" get me about 0.7 to 0.9 mph by my GPS readings. I don't like Motorguide and don't use them so I can't speak on their current offerings.

I have a 175 bass tracker ,it came with 46 lb thrush, that was enough ,but wanted variable so I change to 24 volts MK maxxum 70,love it .To me cable is the only way to go. I do a lot of dock shooting and a lot of jigging over brush which can not be done well with grear motors,too slow to steer