I keep seeing things about cable steer and electric steer trolling motors. I can guess just from the name what each one is but I was wondering if you guys could give me the specifics.

What is cable steer?

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Cable steer is mechanical, you push forward on the pedal, and the TM turns to starboard. push back on the pedal, and it turns to port. There is a button that turns the thrust on and off. The cables are hooked to a pulley at the top of the unit, and connected to the foot pedal. Most have an intermittent and a straight on/off mode for the thrust.

Electric steer is remotely operated. There are little motors that control the steering. Some are just left and right on/off buttons, and some operate like digital analogies to the set up above.

When fishing tight quarters, like docks and laydowns, cable steer is better, since you can react and steer much quicker than the electric version.

If you are in big, rough water, or troll a "line" frequently, then the electric steer is easier. You can set it and leave it. Some even have a key fob remote to operate from the back of the boat. My buddy has an iPilot model that incorporates GPS, and will "learn" a line, anchor you in place, and can be operated remotely.

I'm going to have to disagree somewhat with JFrancho. I have an iPilot on my boat. The signal from the key fob is instantaneous. I can easily navigate stick-ups, docks and lay-downs. The only drawback that I can see is that you can't fish and steer at the same time. You have to take one hand off the rod to use the fob. The unit has a foot pedal the comes with it, but I have to confess I've never used it. I keep the fob attached to a sling that hangs from my neck. It takes only a second or two to grab the fob and redirect the boat. In my opinion, if you are in tight quarters, you are busy trying to steer the boat, instead of trying to cast a line, so that pretty much debunks the cable steer option. That said, I know that there are many, many folks out there who have been using cable steer for years. The foot pedal is almost an extension of their bodies. They can steer their boats without so much as a thought. I include you folks out of this discussion.

So they both use a foot pedal but the electric has a remote option also, and whenever you remove your foot from the pedal of a cable steer unit it returns to the straight forward position?

Cable doesn't self center. It stays where you left it. Electric steer sucks. My new boat came with electric steer. After three trips, I replaced it with a Fortrex. It's awesome.

Bob

Cable doesn't self center.

I've been in plenty of boats that that self center. Mine doesn't, it actually self reverses, LOL.

I'm going to have to disagree somewhat with JFrancho. I have an iPilot on my boat. The signal from the key fob is instantaneous.

It's instantaneous, but not as fast. I run on 100% sometimes, and I can fly hard to port, and push back on my heel 180° to stop the boat. I can't do that on my buddy's iPilot. Like I said, I am envious when we're trying to hold on a wrecked barge in the middle of Oneida with November winds blowing.

That clears everything up, thanks a lot guys.