After several years of great service, I have finally completely worn out my Minn kota Maxxum 80# trolling motor. Now I am in the market for a new one. Anybody have any advice about what brand to get- or what to look for? With the prices at around $1000, I am scared of buying a motor I will not be happy with.

Minn Kota Fortrex with built in transducer. Got one last fall and I didn't realize how much motor guide sucks. The hydraulic mount is awesome. Pull the handle and drop it in the water and get after it. It falls in nice and slow and locks.

Yes motor guide sucks! Go with a minnkota

Be sure and spend the $100 on built in transducer. WELL WORTH IT.

Any thoughts on the terrova with i-pilot link.

Sounds like you have had a good experience with Minn Kota. I'd stick with them. +1 on the Fortrex

Like said above....Motor guide sucks, get a Fortrex with built in transducer!

Forget the built in transducer, the us-2 does not give as good of a sonar image as the lowrance puck.

As far as brand I prefer minn Kota, but I have a mg on the boat righ now. When it dies ill replace it with a minn Kota but I don't hate it enough to remove a working troller.

They both have thier pluses and minuses. It's pretty much ford vs Chevy. Gonna find people that rave about either.

If you are used to minn Kota I say stick with it so you don't have to retrain tur feet to the button on the opposite side.

Also I find it easier to roll the speed control with my foot on a minn Kota vs my mg. alot of times I can't get it to adjust with my foot right and I have to be d down. Never have to do that on the minn goats I've had

I put a 112 Terrova with I pilot link on my rig and it is best thing since sliced bread

MK Fortrex.......

I have an 82lb MG tour digital (cable steer) with the gator mount. I've used it for 5 years, year round. I've had no issues with the motor, but I did replace the cables last year as they had stretched a bit. My Dad has the same motor and his is 7 years old running strong.
Overall, I think it is a "luck of the draw" with either brand. I suggest buying the best you can afford.
I have been burnt with my previous 2 minn kotas. They literally burst into flames and both where just out of warranty. One was a powerdrive and the other was a maxxum. Our minn kota before these lasted 20 years.

After fishing a motorguide for approx 10 years with absolutly no complaints, went to a fortex 101 and will never look back. But I came from a 46lb motorguide so may not be comparing apples to apples!

Experienced the same but just smoke, not flames

My Motorguide is about to turn 18 years old. If "a few years of service" is what you get out of a Minn Kota, I'd make the switch.

minn kota for me... I literally tore the top off(my fault) and was EASILY able to rebuild it and works good as new