This post ought to start a war but, here we go. I guide on the Susquehanna in PA and on the Upper Potomac in MD. I have a 17' Express Outboard Jet Boat. The waters I fish, especially the Susky are powerful. We need long lasting and powerful trolling motors to run hard all day. Most of the time there are three people in the boat, me and two clients. I have always ran a Motor Guide 36 volt motor with 82lbs of thrust. One of the other guides purchased a MinnKota 36volt with, I think, is a 101lb thrust. I like the idea of more power because of the way we fish by holding our boats below the eddies this time of year. To the point, I have never owned a MinnKota, I have always had a Motorguide and have never had too many problems even with the beating we give them. I do like the idea of more power though but was wondering about the stamina and reliability of the MinnKotas. I would value your opinions.

I swear by Minn Kota. I also guide the susky and I have a Maxxum Minn Kota 74lb 24volt. I love it. I go all day holding in current on a single charge. They do take a beating but I hav'nt had any trouble. I have always owned a Minn Kota. The 36/101 is a great motor, lots of power. A friend of mine has one, even in fast water it pulls his G3 up river. The best part is there service dept. My old one, about 5 years, I had left the motor down without relizing it and start running the outboard up river and slammed the TM into some rocks. The only thing it did was put a fracture in the shaft. I called Minn Kota and the Fed Ex'ed one free overnight. That's service.

Rob

Thanks Dizzy. I am sure I have seen you on the ol' Susky before. Maybe we will run into each other. I had to laugh about your running with the trolling motor down. I have done the same. At least we admit it,lol. I am going to keep the Motorguide until it dies but, when it does I think I will try a MinnKoto. I was up above Duncannon Campground the other day around Clemson and did fairly well but, it was tough that day. I only had 33 and they were cookie cutters. I ran down to the statue and did real well but it was like a boat marina down there,lol, as usual. I have not been to the airport in awhile. Anything good going on there? Up around the steel mill and the Cabana hole?

I have'nt fished too far south of here in Wilkes Barre. The bite up here is great. Looks like the river is gonna go up alot again this weekend though. It will be another week before it's safe to fish here.

Rob

Your right this will start a war of words. this is just like the a chevy vs. ford fight. That  36 volt Motor guide is only 82#? I thought the 82# was a 24 volt. maybe an older one? I fish the rivers in the western part of Pa. The yough, allegheny. the guys in my club know that if there is a river or bigger creek flowing into a lake we are fishing, 9 out of 10 I'll be there fishing the current. I run a 36 volt 109# motor guide tour. can stand on it all day. Great power. even on down sized batteries.  I only run 24 series batteries. I would love to run bigger ones, but there just isn't enough room for three 29 or 31 batteries in my boat. I still out run and have more lasting power than any of the guys in my club ( they are all using 24volts,or 12/24 volt,  both brands)  On 2 day tournaments , if I really have to, I can get away with out charging between days. Don't like to, but can do it.

I have used and have had both brands. And liked both and hated both. they have made good TM and bad ones to. I looked at both when shopping. the motor guide had some things I like better than the minkota. Now like I said with depthfinders. that was me, someone else might like the minkota. the things I liked on the motor guide was the steering, I also like the petal on the motor guide. On older models I did not like the petal, they felt flimsy, but on the tour series the petal are made of metal and just felt better to me. since that is the part that you are conected to I thought thet it was the better choice for me.

I'll get shot down for this post, guys will say that the motor guide is junk, the only pros useing are paid to use them. I don't know what i am talking about. ect...ect... ect...

if motor guide sucks so bad, how are they still in buisness and selling product?

I guess the people buying them are just stupid?

I'm a chevy guy too.  I know they suck too. I guess only stupid people buy them to.

I to have run Motor Guide and have for most of the 26 Years of Guiding & Fishing Bass Tourny's.

I find them a little noisier then MinnKota though.. I have only had a minor problem once with Motor guide..

owned 3 of them.. I did buy a MinnKota PowerDrive and liked the power... but it was to slow at turning for my needs.

I fish some tourny's with a guy who has a Minnkota cable and do like it. But if I decide to switch, I have to get use to the on-off switch on the other side...

I'm still thinking before my season opens up here in South Eastern Ontario, Canada.. June 2007

P.S. I have always drove a Ford 4x4 of some kind...   ;D

With a cable run that long I would use 6 ga. wire. The wire size could very well be your problem.

Minnkota maxxum pro all the way go for the new 2007 temp probe  and dual frequency built in the sonar

i like minnkotas alot. my buddy got a 65lb minkota which is 24 volt and its wonderful i imagine the 100+ are just as good. ive always like minnkota and every motor guide ive ever seen and used was a POS.  the 65lb lasted all day in a tournament and still have full power at the end of the day and that was working in a good amount of current and running across a lake 2 times.  when i get a bass boat im gettin a minn kota for sure. also i lie there foot pedals

Yea, its 82 because it is older. I run three 27's for thirty six volt. I will be honest, I have never had a problem with motorguide. I put a lot of hard eight hour days in fast water with that motor on trips. I guess when she gives up the ghost I will talk to some of the guys whom bought MK and see. Thanks for everyones imput. Its always good to get other points of view and war stories. Good fishin.

Dizzy, you are above us in Wilksboro, Cool. I am mostly Montgomerys Ferry, Duncannon,Front Street, City Island area. May your clients rods stay bent.

Easy.... Motorguide

Nice chattin with ya jim, I'll be out all day tommarrow, got another tourny. It should be cold in the morning.

Rob