Contemplating selling my current Vexus and setting up a new Vexus with aluminum trailer and seadek rather than carpet. I’m a bass guy 95% of the time but there are times I miss the old blue wave and would love to take my boat inshore fishing. Already spoke to Vexus and they assured me the boat is rated for salt setup like this.
My only concern is trolling motors.
1. I don’t think the ultrex is rated for saltwater
2. White trolling motors on a bass boat doesn’t really get me going.
3. Saltwater trolling motors (terrova and ulterra) don’t have foot pedals.
4. I can’t find any info on whether the ghost or force are rated for saltwater.

So what are my best options here? Having a backup trolling motors for occasional salt use?

You can buy a foot control for the Minn Kota RipTide series. I have a Terrova with the Foot Control.

I actually prefer this pedal to the Ultrex Foot Control, but going to make the switch to Ultrex so I can install 360 and Live.


When I lived in Louisiana we used "freshwater" trolling motors in the salt all the time. Don't recall any major issues, although at that time we weren't spending much more than a few hundred bucks on a trolling motor.

Rhodan trolling motors on Florida

Saltwater is hard on anything. I have the Terrova on a 22 Majek Extreme. I wouldn’t think a Ultrex would hold up long In Saltwater. Depends on the salinity of the water and how well you take care of it.

I planned to get an Ultrex too and switch them with a quick mount so I could have a foot pedal. Never did it as I mostly fish saltwater.

I have a Riptide hand control on my 22 Xtreme.

The boat had a regular black Maxxum 70#, because the previous owner fished fresh 98% of the time. That saltwater ate that black trolling motor up in no time. Ate up seals, shaft, internals, etc… put that Riptide on there and absolutely no problems

So if you plan to use it in saltwater at all OP, just get a white trolling motor. The salt destroys the black ones

I agree by the way Fishspanker. I’d love a foot control because I spend more time bass fishing than anything, but there’s just no realistic mounting location for it… unless you wanna bolt it down on the anchor hatch or front storage hatch.

I have the foot pedal for the Terrova. Friend gave it to me. I have used it once. Don’t see me ever using it again. Not quick enough in the response.

By the OP

If you want your floor to last, forget Seadek and go to Safe Floor. Seadek is just a 3M sticker with colorful foam on top. Safe Floor uses a patented epoxy, and that stuff last's FOREVER. I've seen boats that are over 20 years old with the original Safe Floor still in them. It's cheaper too

Seadek is good for pleasure craft.. On a fishing rig that's gonna get slimed up and beat up a little bit, Safe Floor is the no brainer.

^^^^^^this is the trolling motor most people use in the salt.

make sure you do not under power your trolling motor

Good luck with these. I just looked at Rhodan's website. The only TM they had available was the HD GPS ANCHOR ® Trolling Motor, 36V, white with a 60" shaft.

I have fished saltwater pretty extensively from Venice to Port Mansfield. I have never seen a Rhodan on a boat. Minnkota dominates the saltwater trolling motor market.

I would stay away from the Ulterra. Just more to break. When I was at the repair shop the other day 80% in for repair were Ulterra. The guy said 90% of those were because they deployed it in shallow water before the boat stopped moving. It’s easy to put the Terrova up and down. However, I have to admit when my buddy puts his Ulterra down from the drivers position it’s like “that would be nice”.

At one time I was for a hand control. My theory in saltwater is “the less to break and maintain the better”. Got the Terrova. No way I would go back. The GPS functions such as Anchor and Track are the cat pajamas. The other day while wading I went back to get the boat. Just put a heading in and let it go pick up the other guys. Made a sandwich and got a drink then stood up on a cooler on the front deck to see what was there. We didn’t catch anything on this wade. That wasn’t because they weren’t there.

I would love to have Seadeck on just the front deck of my Majek 22 Extreme for the cushioning. It’s priced crazy high. I have the helm pad which is nice. Crazy price for Foam and 3M sticky tape.

80# is fine for 22 Majek Extreme. One less weight of battery. Get the most amp hour battery you can get. I have the Deka Gropu 31. Heavy but 105 amp hours.I got them at Sam’s.Good price on them.They are sold under the Duracell Brand. Johnson outdoors owns the company that makes them. Johnson Outdoors also owns Humminbird and Minnkota.