Looking at a factory reconditioned 65lb. 54" PowerDrive V2 to put on my old Ranger. Can get it for what I think is a really decent price $499 and it comes with a 1yr. factory warranty. Does anyone out there have any experience with the PowerDrive motors?

65lb. ?

Yes 65lbs.

Minn Kota PowerDrive V2 65PD Bow Mount Trolling Motor24v-65lb-54 p/n 1358715

It appears to be a discontinued model. Is it 12v or 24v?

most bass boat guys that fish in timber or around rocks these units dont do well because the mounts are cheesy an the eletric motor that runs the steering are not very good .

It is a 24volt motor.

the power drive is gonna be a trolling motor you're gonna start seeing alot more of.

call 903-765-9000
ask for Donna. she can tell you about it.

Just like all trollingmotors, they have a place in the fishing industry. I have customers that wouldn't run anything but an electric steer (Powerdrive or Terrova), some not anything but a hand operated, some only footsteering. It really depends on your style fishing. The electric steer is responsive, but not as quick as the cable steer simply cause you can move your foot faster than the electric motor/transmission can turn the trolling motor.
One thing to consider -- are you going to mount a trolling motor transducer. The electric steer deploys by the entire shaft sliding up and down in the transmission, leaving nowhere to tie a transducer cable. Also, since the electric steer will spin more than 360, if you just leave the tranducer wire loose, it will wrap it aroung the shaft/transmission/mount and break the cable.
Hope this helps
John

Oh hayuuul no! You ever tried to operate one, in a strong wind, and hold on your spot?

Have a friend with one on his boat and that thing is the biggest POS of a trolling motor I've ever run. I love minnkota, but the electric steering sux! Foot-control with cables is the only way to go.

I have the Powerdrive V2 with iPilot and I love it. I guess it just depends on what kind of fishing you do. I don't fish in timber with it, just open water.

the groove down the shaft of the power drive is a great spot for a transducer cable.

Fouzman.. your crazy bro..LOL.

and jones is right.. that's why there are sooo many models to choose from.

btw. the powerdrives are extremely popular up north in the big lakes even with the big wind. those guys never heard of a fortrex..LOL

Steve, the groove is on the Terrovas. The powerdrive is a regular shaft with longer threads on the motor side -- unless MinnKota has just changed. This is the reason to replace a Terrova shaft you have to replace the centersection (buy it as a pair) and on the Powerdrive, you can just replace the shaft.
John

oops.. your right. and from what the tech's were saying up there the grooved shaft on the terrova may be changing??