i live on lake texoma,fish several times a week, and have a 20' falcon. My current TM is a minkota 74lb. thrust with a 60" shaft.To make a long story short,it has bearing problems,and i am looking to upgrade to a motor that is a lot less physically demanding.Maybe even a total hand control motor. I would like to get the most powerfull 24 volt i can. I dont really have room for another battery..mainly i'm just tired of the wear and tear on my legs and arm.Gettin old i guess!!I hear Allstar will take my old 4yr. unit in trade, but i wonder what i could realistically expect. I see some of the same new units on the web for about 100$ less.any feed back appreciated.

rory

Now there are digital steering models that take less effort to steer. Some have sensors that hug the depth or shore you specify. Others have lift assist springs that make it easier to stow.
Check these out....

Newer technology models also have more energy saving circuitry that helps your batteries last longer.

motorguide digital steer models....to 109# thrust

Minn Kota\'s site and their lift assist model

talk to Boris Marine they fixed mind the other day .very happy with service.I was using another place close to my house.it was worth driving to Fort Worth. they fixed it while I waited.and let me in the back of the shop to show me what was wrong.call 817 624-3932.they can fix it right and add a pro-control handle for you. cost you less than a new one.or see what kind of deals they can make.

I have the minn kota power drive with the copilot wireless control........I will not go back the a unit I can't drive from anywhere in the boat.

Odds, I was gonna recommend Rory take a look at a unit like yours, or perhaps one of those Stern clam on trolling motors that you can operate from the main steering wheel.

Rory, not what you are looking for but I put a MK riptide 101 62" shaft 36v with hand control on our 20' Falcon. It is a beast to lift up but I can run around all day with no loss in power and hold off the rocks in high winds. The new ones with the 3x steering are easier to control.

thanks for the input , everyone. I measured my battery space,and i think i might be able to cram that third battery into the battery compartment. I'm intriqued by the stern drive TM idea.The only downside i see to it is not being in a really good "fishing position", that is not having a Butt seat to lean against.I would think it would be difficult to cast from the drivers seat, unless you stand up all the time.I'm not familiar with the pro-control handle. Is that something that converts foot control to hand control?
right now I'm leaning toward the powerdrive with the co-pilot accessory.
rory

From what I understand, if you get much over 70 lb thrust you will need to go to 36 volts...three batteries. Bart

I have a Minnkota Riptide 80 lb wih auto pilot. Its 24 volt. Unit is similar to the one Odds has but with out the copilot. I really like auto pilot it takes at least 50% of the work out using the trolling motor. It atomatically holds the last course that the operator steers to. Also the foot control is electronic and very easy to use. This is my 2nd one as I had one on my previous boat. The only thing I don't like about it is the way you have to pull it out of the watter but its not that bad once you get use to it.