trolling motor

gcufisherman

Cadet
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
8
I am a avid saltwater fisherman and i have a problem choosing witch trolling motor that i want for my 14' stumpknocker its a toss up between the Minnkota Riptide 55 pound trust 42" shaft that is composite or the motorguide varimax 55 pound trust 50" shaft that is anodized aluminum but they say its rated for saltwater but aluminum corrodes and i have heard that the minnkotas have lots of problems with them any input would be very helpful good or bad that's a lot of money to put down so i want to be on the best one.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: trolling motor

You were told Minnkotas have lots of problems!!!!! By whom?????? What sort of problems???????? Did you actually try to verify the claim by searching for reviews.
 

1980Galaxy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 11, 2009
Messages
339
Re: trolling motor

You were told Minnkotas have lots of problems!!!!! By whom?????? What sort of problems???????? Did you actually try to verify the claim by searching for reviews.

+1.... I have actually heard more good things about minnkotas than anything.
 

G-Daddy

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 3, 2002
Messages
197
Re: trolling motor

I have had my Minn Kota RT55/S since 2004 and the only problem I have had is that the ribbon cable from the control board to the tiller control corroded from the salt. I had to replace the control board to fix it - but fix it I did. No complaints other than that. It is quite useful for controlled drifts with my 17' fiberglass center console boat.
 

duckland23

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 23, 2012
Messages
175
Re: trolling motor

Some of the older min-kota motors have problems with there sswitches going bad in them and minn kota wont have them anymore . You can use a newer style switch for them that they wont tell you . I had one fixed by a man in west allis wisconsin after all the dealers in illinois and south east wisconsin would not fix it even that they knew it could be done . My min-kota 65 had a bad switch in it and had to be replaced . I also read a post from a man that took the switch apart and cleaned it and it worked . I read that its a paid to do , but if you drill out the rivets and cut the glued plastic away and watch what your doing it can be done . Of course you need new rivets and some tape to take it apart . But most of what you need to do is clean and regrease the old switch and it should work fine . The old one will stick and not turn right , thats why you need to take it apart and clean it in the first place .
 

Star

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
481
Re: trolling motor

One more vote for Minn Kota, Fresh water only here, but a quality product. DO SPEND the EXTRA MONEY For I-Pilot what ever it costs it is worth it!!!!!!.
 
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