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I mount my trolling motor on the starboard side about 4 feet from the bow. I like using a hand control and I feel the 4 foot difference from the rods helps. My question is, is a motor with digital maximizer better than or no advantage over the fixed speed models? Do you prefer Minn Kota or Motorguide? Reasons? Taking the 30 lb motor off my 16 ft flat and going to probably a 55lb motor. Thanks.
Crappie fishing - The foot controlled variable speed is best IMO. In the marsh bass fishing, I prefer the hand held. The variable speed will work better because sometimes even 1 is too fast when there is NO wind. I have used both the Minn Kota and Motorguide. IF you do any salt water fishing, I would go with the Minn Kota Riptide, other than that it is purely what an individual prefers. Hope this helps some.
Variable speed for sure. Better speed control like Shadow said, plus the maximiser is much more efficient giving you much longer battery life.
Definitely variable speed
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Agree with comments above....I have a Minn Kota variable speed foot control, I’ve always had a Minn Kota
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The fixed speed motors pull full current at all speeds. They use resistors in series with the motor to slow it down. It pulls as much current at low as it does at high. Digital motors pulse the electricity to the motor to get the correct speed thus pulling less current. Your battery will last twice as long and you can set the speed at 5% intervals on most motors. I use a Minnow Kota. It has better warranty service and I think it's a better product.
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If Cray and Southern Shooter said it you can take it to the Bank ---- with A 16 Footer you could probally just use 45 Lb thrust --- My Brothers boat was 19 1/2 with 90 hp motor used 45 thrust with that big heavy boat { Alum}
S. Chuter,
No offense, but I know of no modern-day name brand trolling motor that uses series resistors to control speed.
I stand corrected. I've let a lot of technology pass me by. They're now analog or digital. The fixed speeds are analog and full voltage is pulsed to the motor to get correct speed. The variable speeds are digital and the voltage is adjusted to get correct speed. The digital generally is smoother, runs cooler and results in a longer battery life.Quote:
Originally Posted by cajun
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I have a minn kota powerdrive with ipilot. I love it. Before I had a hand controlled motorguide, which was a great motor, but would eat my batteries up. With the ipilot I can fish several days on fully charged batteries without having to recharge. And the crazy thing to me is that I use it a lot more than I dis the motorguide fixed speed. In windy conditions I use the spot lock and it holds me where I can fish an area and it's working the whole time. But only using the battery it needs to stay in place. I don't really know how to use all the features, but I love the spot lock. When I find some spawning perch, I can lock in and fish them without having to worry about being blown i to them or away and fighting all that. Simply lock and fish. Especially nice when I have the kids with me. I can hold in 1 spot while I untangle their lines lol.
This is kind of what I am thinking. I currently have a 30 lb Endura on it.. It has a 30 inch shaft. Has worked well except in high wind. Was fishing out of a 19 ft custom bay boat with a 70lb Riptide on it. Was a bear to load/unload by myself and limited me to wide open fishing only. Sold it and I am rigging up the flat. Loved the Riptide I had. I may drop down to a 45 and buy another Riptide for occassional redfish trip in the marsh. Deciding between 36 inch and 42 inch.
If you are fishing any shallow marsh, you may want to go with the 36" but with that being said, I am not sure what mine is! I will try and remember to measure when I get home.Quote:
Originally Posted by dwr353
Thanks to all for their input. I bought a 55 lb 42in shaft Minn Kota Traxxis. Has variable speed and digital maximizer.