need to equip my boat with a new trolling motor.  Ive always had off brand "pond prowlers" but am going to spend some money to get what I want. so which is better?

 

 

In my father in laws boat he runs a Minn Kota maxxum trolling motor and we both like it a lot.  I have never fished in a boat with a Motorguide.  I am sure with all the pro's I see with them on their boats they have to be pretty good.

 

Pick one and I am sure you will be happy.

I'm a Minn Kota guy. Lifetime warranty on the composite shaft. Can't say that about Motorguide

I have always had Minn Kota's. Right now I have a Traxxis SC, which has the digital maximizer that is supposed to help battery life.

Ford or Chevrolet, which is "better"?

Have used both, no problems with either.

There was a thread on here not too long ago and there was a few people talking about how the minn Kota cable steer models need new cables a lot. That said I've owned four minn Kota tiller models with zero issues except for one with saltwater use (previous owner) I do know one thing the composite shafts on my minn Kota were bullet proof multiple wacks with a hammer didn't phase them I now own a motorguide just because I got a good deal on it and it feels the same to me except this one is cable steer.

Minn Kota man standing by, Maxxum on my bow.

 

When it came to choosing after reading its a "chevy vs Ford" debate. I thought the Minn Kota looked better style wise to me.

I'm a Minn Kota guy. Lifetime warranty on the composite shaft. Can't say that about Motorguide

What he said!

I have always been a MG guy.  I can't get used to the look of the gynormous MK foot control and they put the power button on the wrong side of it anyway.

Been fishing with Minn Kota for years now. Love and live by them. No issues to speak of here. That said, we all get conditioned to the foot pedals on them so see if you can find a dealer of each, and just put your foot on each separate pedal and see which you like more. (Minn Kota has power button on the right, Motorguide has it on the left)

Been fishing with Minn Kota for years now. Love and live by them. No issues to speak of here. That said, we all get conditioned to the foot pedals on them so see if you can find a dealer of each, and just put your foot on each separate pedal and see which you like more. (Minn Kota has power button on the right, Motorguide has it on the left)

Sorry to correct you, but the MK button is on the left and MG is on the right.  I have a MK and the only thing I don't like about it is the plastic case on the head.  I've had it break on me and my trolling motor guy said he sees this a lot.  MG has a a metal case here instead.  Other than that, love the MK. 

Sorry to correct you, but the MK button is on the left and MG is on the right.  I have a MK and the only thing I don't like about it is the plastic case on the head.  I've had it break on me and my trolling motor guy said he sees this a lot.  MG has a a metal case here instead.  Other than that, love the MK. 

How the heck did I screw that one up haha

Both have their fans and for good reason.

 

All things being equal, I'd go with whichever manufacturer has an "Authorized Service Center" closest to your local.

 

A-Jay

I would have said Minn Kota because of the Ipilot, but Motorguide now has gps integrated into there motors aswell.

MotorGuide here. It's hard to go wrong between the two as they both offer comparable features in whatever price class you're looking at, and both manufacturers build a quality product. 

 

FWIW, rumor has it that the BPS Prowler motors are made by MotorGuide (can't substantiate this, but I've heard it from numerous people including BPS employees.) Those things are built like a tank. I have an old tiller steer one for the canoe that's gone overboard a handful of times while plugged in, crashed into countless rocks, and seen plenty of saltwater use (freshwater motor) and it still works like it did on day one. One of the best buys I've ever made.

I have had the same MG, for 14 yrs now. The only thing I have had to change once is the power switch. 

Minn Kota because of the Ipilot

Minn Kota because of the Ipilot

Not any more, Motor Guide has a version of that now called the X5 with Pinpoint GPS

I have had both and still like the Minn Kota better.

My last two Rangers were ordered with a Motor Guide.  My next Ranger will have a Minn Kota.

I've had both and bassin' life is just better with Minn Kota!  I have had no mechanical problems with either brand but I prefer Minn Kota foot control over the Motor Guides.  Maximizer has been great, they are more quiet and will go through more junk than Motor Guide.  

 

I've got this thing with my little boy, where when we get back into some slop I'll turn around and look where we came from and we both say....."Only with Minn Kota!"  He gets a big kick out of that.

Ford or Chevrolet, which is "better"?

Ford.  It ain't really that difficult. They pay their bills at least.  

MK hands down if you fish in the slop.  The prop design is far superior on the MK for heavy vegetation.  

I have always been a MG guy.  I can't get used to the look of the gynormous MK foot control and they put the power button on the wrong side of it anyway.

What he said! Minnkotas have gotten better over the years than what they used to be, but IMO Motorguides are better. I like the stainless steel shaft on my Tour 82 and the Gator Mounts help to streamline any wires you run for transducers, hydrowaves, etc. Also, take it for what it's worth, in a club tournament I fished in last year on the Mississippi with very strong current four boats had relatively new trolling motors burn out. Could be a coincidence, but all 4 of them were Minnkotas.