Alright gang. I need some fast help making a desision. I am headed to buy a new trolling motor this weekend and I am stuck between 2 and could use some advise from this knowledgable bunch. I have a 17.5' Nitro and will stick with a 12 volt system. The 2 that I have been looking at are the Minn kota Terrova and the Maxxum. I like the smaller footprint of the Terrova, but have not seen any electric steer motors on the water and question why. I dont know if the failure rate is high or the concept is poor or just has not set well with the masses. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Why would you stick with a 12V? You are just inviting a dead battery. Always better to have more TM than you need. I'm talking from experience. I had a 15 ft. Skeeter with a 12V and it was adequate. I bought a 16 ft Skeeter, put the same 12V TM on it, and within a month I traded it (and lost money) in on a 12/24V. My advice is go to a 12/24.

+1 on the 12v/24v. Can never have too much TM. Also heard that the electric steer has a slow reaction time. Maybe could get you into trouble in tight places.

I was trying to stay away from another battery and changing onboard chargers. The current motor is 43 lbs and handles the boat very well in all but 20 mph winds. If I move to a 55 lb, that is a 22% increase while remaining with 12v.

Which more than likely translates to running your battery down 22% faster. If you are currently running a two bank charger to charge your starting battery and you TM Battery, just add a single bank charger and switch the two bank to the TMs.

Depends. The 43, if its the one I think it is has 5 speeds and is the old technology.

IF you want 12 volt and want to make it run better make sure you get one with the pulse width technology. I think the Maxxum would do it. That would get you more power and a longer runtime with the same battery.

Myself? I own a very light 20 foot boat. Lighter than your 17.5 foot Nitro. I have a 36 volt Maxxum. I like being able to fish in any conditions and not worry about the trolling motor.

Exactly. I have an 82lb MG and I'm gonna replace it with a 102 MK 36V, and I have a BassCat Pantera 4. IMO There is no such thing as too much TM unless you can pull a skier with it.