What trolling motor would you all recommend for a Champion 186?

I just put a new MG - 24 V, 82# thrust on my Triton 186.

Pluses, its very powerful, and I really like the strength of it.

The negatives, learning to deploy it and having to apply pressure with your foot is a pain in the butt.
It sounds like a tank when on anything over about 5 on the speed control, which goes from 1-10.
The arrow will not stay straight, I have had it a week and have had to reset the directional arrow 3 or 4 times and it's off again.

I went with a MG because they have a little more thrust than a 24V MK, and I had a MG on the boat, so I was hoping that I could install this one without drilling holes in the boat.

In the end, I had to drill a few holes, and if I had a do over, I may have went with a MK. But I have been impressed with the power of the new unit for sure.

I recently upgraded to the MK 24V on my old 18ft Winner boat. It has plenty of power and seems to be pretty quiet. My only complaint is with the foot pedal of the newer MK's. The button is in a tough location to press with your foot. I will be hummin along and realize my foot has come of the button. I have no idea if the Motor Guide's have the same issue but might be worth checking out in the store to see if one is easier to operate than the other.

Good point about the foot pedal, that was another reason I didn't change brands, but I don't think that in and of itself is reason enough to choose one over the other

No, just something to consider that I didn't even look at before sticking with MK.

Biggest you can afford.

I'm wanting to stay with a 24V

Let me guess - you have a 65lb thrust?

You will be happy with a 24V 82# thrust for that size boat.

Not much more you can do unless you go to a 36V.

I don't even think it's a 65lb but it is a 24V and I really don't have room for another battery. It is the original trolling motor to the boat 1996

Not to get to far off topic. But on that MK you can pop the foot switch off and adjust it. So that it's more sensitive and clicks easier. Didn't know till someone told me myself.

get a 82lb MK. Alot less likely to bend a shaft.

Really!?! That is awesome, I will be looking into that after work tonight. I think part of my problem is that its too difficult to click down and my foot doesn't keep enough pressure down on it.

Any instructions somewhere for this?

I had a Minn Kota 36v 101 with 52" shaft on my 1995 champion 186.

An 80 lb thrust MinnKota Maxxum or Fortrex with the 52" shaft is still 24v and head and shoulders better than a comparable MotorGuide. I don't know if the Fortrex is worth an extra couple hundred bucks over the Maxxum, but I know the Maxxum is very tough and will chop through vegetation that would stall a comparable MotorGuide. The lift assist on the MinnKota's is a very nice feature too.

Minn Kota Terrova w/ I-Pilot 24v 80# long shaft
one GREAT trolling motor.