Remote trolling motors

justin111379 · Post by **justin111379** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:40 pm

Does anyone have or have used one of the remote steering trolling motors?
I am currious as to how they hold up in Salt water and how loud the little steering motor is?

There is not much differnce in price, hand steering and remote steering. I am a hard core fisherman and would like to keep my hands focused on fishing and my feet on steering the boat.
It really stinks that you can not try this $1000.00 things out before buyin.
You would think that BassPro Shop/ Acadamy / Cabelas would have one hooked up so you could play with it in the store.

Cracka · Post by **Cracka** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:43 pm

Justin, I have had Minn Kota Auto Pilot bow mount electrics on my last 2 boats. Mate I really like them for the auto pilot function, point your boat in the direction you want to go, press the auto pilot button and its total hands free fishing unless you want to change your speed. They are also great for holding your position in a current to fish some structure.

As far as the noise goes, I wouldn't say they are deadly quiet but they are not overly noisy either, its a bit hard to try and compare it to something but it has never been a problem for me. The steering is controlled by an electric servo in the head unit so you do get the noise of an electric motor each time you change direction.

If you want total silence you could opt for one of the cable steer motors. Instead of the steering being controlled by an electric servo they have push/pull cables in the foot control to the top of the motor which does the steering. These in my opinion are a bit harder to control but I think that's just because I'm use to the other type. They are bulkier and they also dont have the auto pilot function.

The Minn Kota motors I have used have been the white coloured salt water series and I haven't had a problem. The cable steer version in the Minn Kota is only freshwater but I know the majority of the blokes down here who fish the Bream comps use them and just make sure they wash them with fresh water after use in the salt. You might be able to get cable steer saltwater series in other makes but I'm not really sure.

Mick.

justin111379 · Post by **justin111379** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:01 am

Thanks,
I rally the idea of the digital steering. I think you have solved one of my stressing questions looming in my mind. I am building a ph15 and wanted to put one of the remote steering motors on it but I have only used the cable steers so I was a bit skeptical.
However you have gave me hope on the newer auto pilot motors.

Thanks

Happy fishin, sure beats good chicken, sure wish I was fishin!
Justin.

Chris Sopotnick · Post by **Chris Sopotnick** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:05 pm

just a heads up on the remote steering models - they have multiple control boards which can equal additional issues when and if something goes out. I would have liked to have bought the remote but I opted to stay with the manual control with an extension tiller..

Minn Kota 80lb on an XF 20 pushes it as long as you want at a good clip - great overall purchase.

Fred in Wisc · Post by **Fred in Wisc** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:53 pm

If you get a chance to play with new MinnKota Terrova motor, they are awesome. Expensive though. If I spent that kind of money on a trolling motor my wife would not be very happy. In fact she'd probably do some things to me that the police can't, not even in China.

I have owned the MinnKota electric steer units and the Motorguide cable steer units. Like the flat pedal on the Minnkota and the fact that you can position the pedal anywhere up to about 12' from the motor. The cable steer unit is quicker to respond to steering input, but the pedal is tall and makes my leg sore after a while, plus you can only locate it 3' from the motor and in a specific orientation due to the stiff cables.. That just does not work out well on the front deck of my current rig.

If you go to the boat showroom at Bass Pro, the boats are often prerigged with trollers. Probably a good place to play with them, see how they stow and deploy, check the foot pedal for comfort in use, etc. You may need to be "interested" in a whole boat to get access.....

Fred in Wisc

justin111379 · Post by **justin111379** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:44 am

Thanks, Fred.

I tried the Bass Pro shop in Jackson, MS and they were no help. They didnt have any powered up. I will go by faith in motor guide and probably buy one and try it out. Its just alot of money to throw around on a try. Hopefully the saltwater will be kind to the thing.

comfyoldshoe · Post by **comfyoldshoe** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:24 pm

Hey Justin,
Where in Mississippi?

Mike

justin111379 · Post by **justin111379** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:42 pm

just north of Picayune, in the country.
You in Hattiesburg?

You building a boat?

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