Your favorite trolling motor

[Jim Marshall]

My eight year old MinnKota Autopilot finally gave up the ghost out on the water today. I got the green light (us married guys know what that means!) to buy a new trolling motor.



What would you buy?



Think 12 volt, $400 range, for a V17 w/a 45 Merc. I've loved the Autopilot, but I can't afford a new one. Idea lbs. thrust for that size boat?



Thanks!



Jim

 

[Bill Smith6]

Have you thought about having your auto pilot rebuilt?

Might be less expensive and you'll still have the one

you like. You won't have to go through the trouble of

mounting or re-wiring either. If you do buy new, buy

all the thrust you can afford. You can always turn it

down to save battery power until you need extra thrust.

Also be sure that it has variable speed control rather

than fixed settings. These models feature pulsating

power draw instead of constant (Minn-Kota system was

called Maximizer} and use battery power much more

efficiently. I've used Minn-Kota and Motorguide both

and they were all good. I've had good luck used

Motorguides also. Lots'a options out there! I'm sure

your post here will draw a lot of response so stay tuned!

That just my .02. Good luck Bill Smith

 

[Mark Hofman]

Cabela's Master Spring Catalog has a Minn Kota All-Terrain 55 for $366.95. 12-volt, 55 pounds of thrust, 42" shaft. The catalog number is CC-01-4999 and the catalog code (yellow box) is CC-112-B. We've had an AT motor on our other boat for seven years. Awesome, sturdy trolling motor for the money.



You get a free Plano soft-side tackle bag with the order.



Mark

 

[Jim B]

I agree with willystrike. A good shop can rebuild that motor and make it good as new for a fraction of the cost of a new one. I would call Minnkota and see if they can point you to a factory autherized shop in your area. If you cant find one let me know. I can give you a phone number sof one in my area thats super. You could ship the motor to him.