Trolling Motor... ????

I need help with the purchase of a new trolling motor.... Have had minn kota & motor guide and have had good service from both... I thought mk had better battery life, but this is from old technology like me.. I will use this on small boat and prefer hand control bow mount.. Any suggestions ??

they both make good products, I have a MK on my boat. IMHO the key to good battery life is a good charger

Thanks RH...I have read the reviews and I'm confused... The reviews are all over the board...

Like RH said they both make good products and the reviews in Trolling motors do vary widely. That could all come down to improper installation, old battery you name it.

Like every one says they both make good products we have hade several of both for me the minkota is my pick!

Although not what you are looking for I have the MK Riptide 101 with the U pilot. It is 36 volt and it is a beast, I am using Optima Blue tops and they seem to last a long time for a trolling motor. Mine is on a 22.5' boat and I usually do not get it past about 2 or 3.5 setting. I have kicked it up to 10 a few times and it will violate the No Wake areas, it will leave one. It has been a great unit for me..

I had good luck with MK just never had the other so I can't say ..I say the Key is Don't skimp on wire size..I say 1 size bigger than you need for that load and length, always..The same goes for connectors, plugs, splices ...Locate battery as close as Possible to TM ...Yea I know sometimes it ain't possible/( Shorter is is better finally) lol

always a good test is after you been operating TM with good load, CAREFULLY touch your wiring/connectors and plugs..If you can touch and its warm OK if its HOT you got a problem/maybe not today but its coming... Probably too small wire for length and load/connector /bad connection/splice/switch

I've had 2 motor guides both of them the speed control went out on diff speed setting's one was a hand control the other was foot control, I have a Minn Kota pontoon on my pontoon for 6 years now with no problems, and just put a powerdrive on my bass boat, we will see if it holds up never had a powerdrive before but so far Love it.

And like CVA34 said wire size is very important bigger is Better, and don't use House type wire, use either the stuff the audio installers use or even welding leads wire will handle a ton of amps,

Both Minn Kota and Motor Guide are quality units, and it ends up being a Ford/Chevy debate.

From what I read when purchasing mine, one of the most important choices to make is to choose a TM with an electronically controlled variable speed motor. These extend your battery life by pulsing the current to the motor rather than the older style that varied the resistance. If I find that article I'll post it up.

I bought lots of electrical from these guys (fast and free ship)Have Quality stuff http://www.genuinedealz.com/

PM Shut up and Fish and give him the particulars of your boat and how you use it and he can advise you on which TM to go with.

Thanks for all your good info... I agree about the wiring... size matters... I will probably go with MK as they have been good for me in the past... I thank everyone again for your comments...