Which MK Trolling motor to buy

Let me start off by saying I have had MK all my life on every boat Ive owned. When I bought this boat last March, it had a MG on it and instead of trashing it, I decided I would give it a chance. Well I've given it a chance and I still hate everything about it. I know Im going back with MK, so my question for you all is this. If you were going to take part of your tax return and spend it on a MK tm, which one would you get and why? Im really likeing the wireless ones but not seeing good reviews on the Fortrex. Dont want to spend 1300 on one either though. Any suggestions?


Thanks, and happy fishing

Robert

How long is your boat, and how do you typically fish? Are you a position fisherman who spend a lot of time casting, or are you a troller?

boat is a G3 Pro165, I spider rig, and when they move shallow I break out the jig poles and head up there with them.

For someone who spends a lot of time trolling, I'd recommend a 24V system. That will give you the battery life to spend a full day (or likely more) on the water without worrying if the batteries will drain out.

The G3 165's bow rides close to the surface, much lower than the deep V's that I'm most familiar with. I'd guess that a 48" shaft would work just fine for you.

I've always been partial to electric steer motors, and when Terrova was introduced a couple years back, I switched to that motor and haven't looked back. The foot pedal design and stow/deploy mechanism is a significant step about the powerdrive line. Complete compatibility with i-Pilot (and the fact that the Terrova foot pedal retains full functionality with i-Pilot installed) is another big reason to consider Terrova.

So....my recommendation would be a short shaft Terrova 80. More than enough power to keep you spider rigging all day, versatile enough to allow for casting applications when the fish go shallow.

I'm going to have to agree with Jason. I had a power drive on my old 17' Magna Tracker and back then they were top of the line. But my foot pedals always wore out after 3 years. Then when I bought my new boat. I wanted a Terrova. I love my Terrova, quick response time compared to the power drive, easy stowage, all around a well built motor in my opinion. I would buy another in a heartbeat.

I also agree with Jason as well....

one other thing.... if you are planning on a DF up front (on the TM)... get the Terrova with the dual beam transducer built in (you wont have to worry about cables getting severed).

It took me all of 5 minutes to install the i-Pilot on the Terrova... 4 screws and one plug.

24volt, 80# thrust, 45" shaft Terrova + i-pilot. If you're going SI on the TM, save ur $ on a built in xducer. :)

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Originally Posted by luvin.fishin

24volt, 80# thrust, 45" shaft Terrova + i-pilot. If you're going SI on the TM, save ur $ on a built in xducer. :)

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I have a SI (798) with the Tx mounted on the TM... moving it off due to the spot lock spinning the TM to maintain station... possible future cut Tx cable as it gets caught in the TM mount if you do not watch it close...

that's why I mentioned the Dual beam in the TM

Lots of guys are telling me to go with the Maxxum b/c of the constant bumping around when I fish in the heavy trees/ above water structure when they move shallow. Any thoughts on that? Also whats all this I keep hearing about the tm sheering the transducer cable? I have a 597 up front and the transducer is mounted to the TM and I will prefer to keep it mounted up front on the new TM


Thanks

Robert

Also my TM on there now is a 46lb thrust so I was thinking of going with a 55. Why do you guys keep suggesting the 80?

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Originally Posted by duckkiller

Also my TM on there now is a 46lb thrust so I was thinking of going with a 55. Why do you guys keep suggesting the 80?

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I am not suggesting you go with an 80 lb thrust. However more power is better on your batteries and trolling motor. You never want to under power a trolling motor. You will have to keep it on high to maintain the boat in the wind, and it will drain your battery faster. Now I recommended the Terrova because it is better in my opinion then the power drive, and I have had 2 brand new power drives in the past and they were slow to respond. Also the built in transducer in the Terrova is nice to have since you won't have any cables dangling down the side of the shaft. These are all nice features but they are extra money. You naturally are the one who will make the decision.....Good Luck

I have a 1650 Lund Fisherman. On my bow I run a 55AP Minnkota 12v with a 54in shaft. Works great.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by duckkiller

Also my TM on there now is a 46lb thrust so I was thinking of going with a 55. Why do you guys keep suggesting the 80?

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You asked! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by duckkiller

Lots of guys are telling me to go with the Maxxum b/c of the constant bumping around when I fish in the heavy trees/ above water structure when they move shallow. Any thoughts on that? Also whats all this I keep hearing about the tm sheering the transducer cable? I have a 597 up front and the transducer is mounted to the TM and I will prefer to keep it mounted up front on the new TM


Thanks

Robert

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With the i-Pilot in spot lock mode, the TM tends to spin direction to re-orient to the lock location... with a cable tie-wrapped to the TM shaft there is a possibility that it can get caught in the mount. I have had mine (Terrova) spin more than 360* holding over structure.... I left ALOT of slack around the section of shaft that is held in the mount to allow for spin, but I still found the cable binding in the mount. the possibility exists for the cable to get cut or stretched there.... I am going to move my TX off of the TM because of this... just peace of mind... less to have to keep an eye on instead of watching for strikes on the lines in the water. I'd hate to have to buy another SI TX because of a cut cable when it can be avoided.

When using the foot pedal, co-pilot, or auto pilot.... the risk is much less and I'd just leave it the way it is.... the i-Pilot is another matter with the spot lock... IT(i-Pilot) is in control of TM rotation.... not you.

JMTCW

Doug

Got you;) Thanks guys. The more I keep hearing about it, it makes me think I might can use the Terrova(wiht foot control) in the tight stuff back home in Ms lakes and rivers. Im going to try and find a place close by down here in Fl that has a Terrova in stock so I can go look at the foot control in person and actually see how it works(if in case it steer's any diff than the old all terain I use to have).

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Originally Posted by PaddleFishing

With the i-Pilot in spot lock mode, the TM tends to spin direction to re-orient to the lock location... with a cable tie-wrapped to the TM shaft there is a possibility that it can get caught in the mount. I have had mine (Terrova) spin more than 360* holding over structure.... I left ALOT of slack around the section of shaft that is held in the mount to allow for spin, but I still found the cable binding in the mount. the possibility exists for the cable to get cut or stretched there.... I am going to move my TX off of the TM because of this... just peace of mind... less to have to keep an eye on instead of watching for strikes on the lines in the water. I'd hate to have to buy another SI TX because of a cut cable when it can be avoided.

When using the foot pedal, co-pilot, or auto pilot.... the risk is much less and I'd just leave it the way it is.... the i-Pilot is another matter with the spot lock... IT(i-Pilot) is in control of TM rotation.... not you.

JMTCW

Doug

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If I remember right (Which I dunno 'bout) you're running a HB SI on the TM? If so, where you gonna move it to?

I could be wrong but I was told the shortest shaft you could get on a terrova 80lb thrust w/Auto pilot is 54"

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Originally Posted by luvin.fishin

If I remember right (Which I dunno 'bout) you're running a HB SI on the TM? If so, where you gonna move it to?

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Either to a clamp on mount or a rig like Cane Pole's

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Originally Posted by Hoover

I could be wrong but I was told the shortest shaft you could get on a terrova 80lb thrust w/Auto pilot is 54"

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I bought a reconditioned vanilla 55# Terrova.. no nothing on it... 48" from Cabela's ($499) and added the i-Pilot

Nope you can get Terrova 55lb thrust with auto pilot

Terrova | Freshwater Bow-Mount | Trolling Motors | Products | Minn Kota Motors

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Originally Posted by Hoover

I could be wrong but I was told the shortest shaft you could get on a terrova 80lb thrust w/Auto pilot is 54"

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45".

MK pn# 1358812 for 45", 80#, 24 volt, no US2 or AP or CP....Just trolling motor

MSRP $1,019.00 and you can find 'em cheaper. Just Google

Black Bear has 6 or so in stock now for $985 or so.

You can add i-pilot for $330 or AP for $180 yourself. Just do some online shopping around.

Cabela's had em

Terrova 80 54" 80 lbs. 24 Weedless
Wedge II No Reg: $879.99
Sale: $829.99 **
sold out

they still have the one w/ the universal dual beam built in
Terrova 80/US2 54" 80 lbs. 24 Weedless
Wedge II Yes $909.99 **

Check Gander Mountain. I bought one in Ashland Va last week for 899 with autopliot and Universal sonar. Was the last they had, but other stores may have some left.

Duckkiller, why you muckin' around over here when I done tolt you the answer over there. :)

Wannabe...

HAHAHA B/c I asked here before you started flinging all that poo over there

Poo? Heck, that was straight up solid info right there, suitable for framing even.

Wannabe...

The poo was just a bonus. LOL.