Gonna buy a new trolling motor this week. Trying to decide which one.. Whats your thoughts?

I had a maxxum when I bought the boat. And it was fine. I upgraded to a fortrex and it just feels more study. The lift assist is really cool.

Fortrex

If you can find it get the Maxxum with the lift assist, spoke with a couple of riggers down here before buying the Fortex, and they opinion of the Fortex was not very good compared to the Maxxum, stated that the Fortex is sturdy, but has its issues with deployment at times, and has to many darn parts up front. One of the riggers works for Master Repair the largest Minn Kota Trolling motor service center here in Florida.

I have owned MK and MG and never had a problem with either. fortrex is a bit more expensive than the tour. the lift assist is nice, but unless your lifting your motor every 5 minutes is it really a big deal? I sat in the drivers seat of a boat with a fortrex and I could barely see over it while running, but I'm a short guy. I like the pedal on the MG's better. if I went back to MK I think I would save some money and go with the Maxxum.

Yeah forgot to mention what 3 Dees said The FORTEX STICK WAY UP THERE! Passenger can't see anything, not like it matters though.

I have not used the Maxxum. Over the years I have used a variety of MK and Motorguides, including a new 36V MG on a friends boat. I have a Fortrex 80 that is by far the best I have ever used. I think lifting a larger motor many times over the course of a day is a big deal, but I am old and not as healthy as I used to be.

Thanks everyone!! I heard alot about the fortrex sticking up in the way.. Was gonna pick up the maxxum, but when i went to pick it up it had sold. They had a MG tour digital 82 left over that they give me a good deal on so i went with it. It is a lot smaller profile and i do like the footpedal better..

maxxum has a good track record,my 250 mercury has over 400 hours on it,,no telling what the maxxum on my stratos has on it,,,my partner has a fortrexx on his stratos boat,so far so good,,he complains it's a little touchee when steering on higher speeds

I'm not sure if it will matter to you, but I did the same comparison about 3 years ago, The Fortrex mount was kinda long for the front of my boat, but my boat (2002 Tracker Inboard) is kinda narrow. I found the Maxxium Pro mount much more smaller, and even fit the same hole pattern as the previous motor. I had bought a Terrova, but just could not get it to fit right. So we sent it back, and took the boat to Cabelas, and they let us bring the motor right out on the boat and try it. I got the Maxxium Pro 24 volt 80lb. It fit well stowed and deployed. Most of the problem I had was when in the stowed position, the head of the motor stuck was out the side of the boat, so much we could not use the cover. In the almost 3 years we've had this motor, we have not had a single problem. Out of all my Minn Kotas, (5) I have only ever had 1 problem, and that was a steering cable broke. Good luck with your choice.

I'm not sure if it will matter to you, but I did the same comparison about 3 years ago, The Fortrex mount was kinda long for the front of my boat, but my boat (2002 Tracker Inboard) is kinda narrow. I found the Maxxium Pro mount much more smaller, and even fit the same hole pattern as the previous motor. I had bought a Terrova, but just could not get it to fit right. So we sent it back, and took the boat to Cabelas, and they let us bring the motor right out on the boat and try it. I got the Maxxium Pro 24 volt 80lb. It fit well stowed and deployed. Most of the problem I had was when in the stowed position, the head of the motor stuck was out the side of the boat, so much we could not use the cover. In the almost 3 years we've had this motor, we have not had a single problem. Out of all my Minn Kotas, (5) I have only ever had 1 problem, and that was a steering cable broke. Good luck with your choice.

Would have defenately gone with the maxxum pro, but couldnt find one.. I think they must have quit making them.. Thanks for the info..