I'm about to drop a week's pay on a new troller.  I'm running out of wire ties, and tape for the ole Evinrude (minnkota knockoff) 36#'er.

I am closing in on the MinnKota Power drive, with auto pilot, 55# for my Lowe 160.

Has anyone had luck or problems with this motor?  Any feedback would be apprecieated. Thanks!

I used to own a powerdrive, but never again. I think that cable steering is the way to go. minn kota or motorguide they are both good. i do have some buddies that like the powerdrive/motorguide wireless. I just had a ton of problems with mine but it was kind of old.

Another thumbs down for the power drive.  The thing turns waaay too slow and I'm was never very thrilled about the deployment method they used.  Get a cable control job.  You can pick up one of the new Edge series for around $450 or if you've got money to burn, a Maxxum.

Are those old evinrude or johnson trolling motors worth anything? Got a johnson on mine but havent taken it out yet.

I had heard the power drive was slow steering.   And as with anything else, the more moving parts there are.......

I was looking at the edge, but what attracts me to the PD is it looks like the pedal and cables take up alot less room than the Cable and foot pedal.   The bow on my 160 doesnt leave much room for clutter, knowwhatimean?  Got the same pedal set up on my current motor, and it is a pain...'specially in the cold when the cable gets stiff.

Thank you for the feedback, please keep them coming!  

I had heard the power drive was slow steering.   And as with anything else, the more moving parts there are.......

I was looking at the edge, but what attracts me to the PD is it looks like the pedal and cables take up alot less room than the Cable and foot pedal.   The bow on my 160 doesnt leave much room for clutter, knowwhatimean?  Got the same pedal set up on my current motor, and it is a pain...'specially in the cold when the cable gets stiff.

Thank you for the feedback, please keep them coming!  

Yes, the flat pedal and thin cable make the thing attractive along with being able to move that thing anywhere in the boat with the 16ft long cable but believe me, the first time you move up to the bank to unsnag a lure from a tree or get yourself undone from a snag on a rocky bottom and the winds pushing you into shore you're going to find out fast, just how slow that TM turns.  I can't tell you how many times I had to manually reach down and turn the the head in an emergency situation as I was moving into shallow water and trying to keep from running aground.  If they could get the head turning speeds up I'd definitely think about using another one but as it is, I wouldn't touch one again.

I have had 2 power drives, and yes the streering is to slow. If you are on you trolling motor alot get a cable steer. however if you fish "electric motor only lakes" the power drives do have an advantage. on long runs at high speed you can trun the motor on constant aim it in the dirction and go leaving your foot off the petal. My motor guide will spin around if you take you food off at high speed, the other problem I found is that the petals on the power drive do not last. I was replacing one each year. Bought a Motor Guide tour cable steer two years ago and its the best thing I have very bought. My boat control has greatly improved, and my fishing has also. In my Sea Nymph GLS 175 there isn't that much room up front. I was worried about a cable steer taking up to much room, but mine fits just fine.

Jim