Minnkota or Motor Guide? Who is better?

I have little knowledge with trolling motors. I do own a Power Drive Minnkota 50# 12V about 6 years old. Not real happy with its ability to pull a 17′ aluminum boat. Other than that nothing. I am looking at upgrading. What do you guys like. Minnkota or Motor Guide?
I do like the shaft of my Minnkota and if I was to stay with Minnkota I might move to a 65# 24V power Drive simply cause I have the quick attach plate on both my boats so I can share the motor.
Any thoughts or experience with these or this?
Thanks

I’ve owned my Minkota 65pd for just over 1 year and really love it. The 24volt system never leaves me short on power.Add the Guest on board charging system and your all set…One more nice add I did was the co-pilot…I don’t have a lot of time on this add but so far so good !!

MinnKota all the way. Durable, compostite shaft much less likely to break or bend.

I had on MotorGuide and just had problems. My 2 Minnkota’s have been problem free and powerful.

Even though you may have to change the bracket, I would think about a Maxxum. They are really nice.

hhmm, I just picked up my Minkota Maxxam 74lb foot control motor from the shop. 2nd time I fried that durn circuit board. $180 bucks a pop.
After that and all the problems I would only feel right telling you that I wouldn’t trade it for the world!!!!
jc

Maybe you wouldn’t keep frying it if you would stop hooking it to a 48 volt system. I know you Triton guys, always looking for more speed!!!

I’ve owned transom mounts from both makers and I’d have to say that I’m a little happier with my Minnkota.

Have to say Minnkota all the way too. I have the #65 Autopilot and it works great. I just replaced the pedal but thats the only problem I’ve had. Nate has the same unit on his boat and loves his too. Add a charger to it as its so easy to charge the batteries that way. Thanks, Bill

I agree with everyone else, Minnkota is the way to go. I have owned both and also Pinpoint. The one thing not mentioned yet is customer service. If you ever need anything Minnkota service techs are there. Trying to get in contact with motorguide, well thats another thing.

I have had several Minnkota bow mounts, both 12 and 24 V and have never had a problem with them. I had a 24V Motorguide, top end motor, and had nothing but trouble with it. Not only trouble but it was a battery hog…I get lots more miles to a charge on the Minnkotas. I’m with all the other guys, Minnkota all the way.

Just to add a little diversity, I’m on my second motorguide; upgraded from a 12 to a 12/24, and have never had a problem that wasn’t my fault.

I had a Minn Kota that was pure evil and will NEVER own another one. I’ve had two MotorGuides since and couldn’t be happier with them.

Dan

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Just to add a little diversity, I’m on my second motorguide; upgraded from a 12 to a 12/24, and have never had a problem that wasn’t my fault.

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Note to self: When fishing in my boat with Gianni, no troller duties for him!

Always a good idea. The first motorguide I had the wiring from the foot pedal to the battery was laying across the floor and continually got caught in the livewell door. Eventually it frayed enough to short, and I didn’t have a breaker on it.

Now I’ve got a 50A breaker, so I don’t worry about it so much.

Minnkota.
The 55 lb PowerDrive works great on my 17′ aluminum boat.
I’ve got a 12v system.

I have a Minnkota autopilot/copilot 65# thrust that has worked good until last week on vacation it went nuts it now has a mind of its own it turns in circles when ever it wants. Now it is going back to Mankato to get fixed.

I have a minnkota maxxum 74 lb and love it. Lots of power, and so problems yet (knock on wood). It seems to cut through grass better than motorguide does based on my experience.

In 9 years I have gone through two minnkotas and am now using a motorguide. The last two motors were 24 volt transom mounts. Each motor developed some problems after a few years of very heavy use and I would rate them all about the same. I like the motorguide as it has the longer shaft and lighter weight, but I think I will probably get a minnkota next time because it has a tilt handle.

Dave Gulczinski

I took my minkota in to Mankato to get it fixed. They said I have the old soft ware, They could tell by the serial #. they are going to update it. I told them it would be nice if they noified customers of their upgrades.

I have owned several like Evenrudes and a Merc. that I never liked and now own a Motor guide which I like a little.The one thing I really hate about M-G is the costumer service line . Dont even try it unless you have a lot of patients and a couple hours to kill

ok I’m going through catching up with topics that were here long before me… I’m interested in this software upgrade thing for my auto pilot…. Hmmmm every so often, maybe once a month is does the little turn in circles/I’m lost thing to me, wonder if mine would bennifit form a software upgrade?

Hit a stump with my M.G. Sunday night and broke the bracket and bent the shaft. Yeah I was going full tilt and when I saw the stump it was toooo late Looks like I will be a Co- angler this weekend.