Trolling Motor Question

[Billy Dee]

Hey there,

I need a trolling motor for next year and I have been doing a little looking around and I like the Minn Kota line. I am thinking about spending a little extra for the Maxxum model and I wonder if any of you have any experience with them. Do they actually work for 5 times longer? Has anyone ever compared against a regular Endura model to find out? Is the battery meter reliable?

I am a student so I have to be sure that I get a good product because I can't afford a lemon.

Thanks,
Billy Dee

PS I miss boating already!

[beachburger]

I wish I was able to afford a new trolling motor when I was a student.....

It's pretty hard to go wrong with a Maxxum. I replaced the original Motorguide on a 20' bass boat three seasons ago with a Maxxum 80lb w Universal Sonar. The motor is used every Sat and Sun from mid-May thru end-Oct and I have no complaints. I have run it into more than a few submerged trees and take it through lots of heavy slop and the motor is no worse for the wear.

Is it 5 times better on the batteries? I have no idea and it probably depends on the condition of the batteries. I don't find the motor to be a battery pig compared to the old Motorguide. It is no problem to do a couple of days on the motor starting from fully charged batteries and averaging 30% power. I use Interstate batteries and the current set is now 4 seasons old. I think I will use them for one more season and then move them over to power the trolling motor on the tinny.

The battery meter is reliable enough to let you know when you are about to run out of juice.

HTH

[Billy Dee]

Hey,

Thanks for the info. I'm still looking and hoping for an off-season sale.

About being a student, OSAP stands for Ontario Sport-fishing Assistance Program. Just kidding. I have been saving my pennies for a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time.

Later.

[Mr.J.]

For my 16 foot boat I have a maxxum

For my canoe a regular Minn-kota

Using the exact same battery I get

15 + hours in my boat

4 -5 hours in my canoe

Proof is in the pudding

[Billy Dee]

WOW!

Thanks Mr.J.

That just about seals it for me. Now, if they would just go on sale somewhere.

BD.

[rickr]

I'd like to know how many more functons MinnKota Maxxum has comparing with All-Terrain, if they're both 24V/65 pd thrust, cable-driven, no univeral sonar.

[karma]

I've been using a 40lb thrust MK Maxxum all season and never ran out of power once. It's the only motor I have on my 12-foot Porta-Bote. Couple things I would recommend: get a true deep cycle battery and not a combo "crank/deep cycle" battery, and get the Weedless II propeller and not the Weedless WedgeI and you will even use less electricity. You'll also have less build up of weeds on the lower unit when pushing through slop.

[Billy Dee]

Hey Karma,

Thanks for the info. I had an idea about the battery but didn't know about the difference in props. Glad you told me.

Thanks,
BD