Motor Guide or Minn Kota???

This topic has 9 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 9 years ago by BillyCal.

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May 20, 2017 at 1:29 pm #272015

Shap from La
Participant

Im having a lot of trouble deciding on a motor guide or minn kota when I order a new boat. Ive always been a motor guide man and my Tour Editions have been Bullet proof for me for the past 10 years. I mean absolutely zero issues. But, the tour editions are gone and I have no experience with the new motor guides. Im extremely interested in the new Ultrex and it sounds like its a no brainer except for the extra weight which is an issue for me since I am one that wants the last MPH out of a setup. Can any one of you possibly offer an experience on switching from motor guide to an ultrex and what type of performance drop you saw??Thank you for your assistance. Chris CoupelPaulina, La. Chris CoupelPaulina, La.

May 20, 2017 at 1:40 pm #272016

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

If true MPH is your goal, then MotorGuide is the only answer. MinnKota has added pounds on the Fortrex at the wrong spot (bow) for a perofrmance boat. If great ease and satisfaction on the water is your goal, then the Ultrex is the only answer. If you are one of compromise who wants what you have experienced, doesnt mind loosing an MPH or a fidget more, then the ForTrex will work great. Almost never does one break and they are the mst weed less without adding a Ninja blade or similar device. The easiest weed less add on, and it WORKS, is the Ninja blade.BCB

May 20, 2017 at 2:20 pm #272017

Phoenix 921
Participant

I will say I agree totally with BCB on a Fortrex they are tough and go for ever. I do not know much about the MG I have been told they dont hold up like the MK.

May 20, 2017 at 8:26 pm #272018

Midnight Rider
Participant

The MK Fortrex is built like a tank, has lots of power, easy to steer, and with the gas assist, easy to deploy and store. They do weigh more, but Ill give up a mph or two for dependability. Ive got the 80lb version on my 17 Sabre FTD AE with a 175 SHO, and Ive seen 67+ with 30 gallons of fuel and full live wells, and theres more there when I learn to drive it to the max. Thats with air temps in the high 80s/low 90s and plenty of humidity. Ive got dual consoles too, so thats an extra few lbs as well. 12 rods, 7 3570 Planos, and two worm bags and smaller planos for various weights and hooks.If you fish offshore a lot in big lakes, the Ultrex is probably the ticket.2017 Sabre FTD AE DC2017 Yamaha 175 SHOMK Fortrex 80Helix 10 Mega SI in consoleHelix 7 GPS SI GN2 on bow

May 20, 2017 at 8:42 pm #272019

PhilAddison
Participant

This is my take on trolling motors…………If you like a Minn Kota Fortrex then you should like a Motor Guide X5. They are similar with plastic foot pedals, composite shafts, and both have slow starts. Motor Guide not as much as Minn Kota which drives me nuts. The brackets are still different and I prefer Motor Guides only because it looks better. Motor Guide also has a new steering system which takes less foot travel to go from straight to left or right. Not sure this characteristic makes any difference. Between the two I prefer Motor Guide because that is what Im used to due to the button being on the right side of the foot pedal. I also prefer the lighter weight of the MG.Ive owned Motor Guide for most of my life and I prefer the Tour Edition over the X5, but Ive had zero problems with the X5.As far as the Ultrex, I have no experience with it, but there are times Id like to have “spot lock”. Though I dont like the fact that it weighs twice as much as what I currently have and not sure its worth twice as much!

May 20, 2017 at 11:35 pm #272020

Shap from La
Participant

Thank you very much for the input gentlemen. I guess one other thing to consider is that I have a spare 36 volt motor guide tour edition that I like to take with me when I go on long trips for more than a day or two. With the X5 I believe that the old tour edition will fit in the X5 bracket but not in a minn kota bracket. Decisions, Decisions! I still have a little time but its getting closer. I still have to sell my 2014 too but Im not in a big hurry. Ill be posting it on the bass cats for sale page soon if the couple of folks I have interested dont follow through. Chris CoupelPaulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.

May 21, 2017 at 12:11 am #272021

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

I have heard a lot of bad about x5. Just google it. With that said both make a good trolling motor. I have owned MG since 1987. Only one broke cable and thats it . But I fish with MK guys and I wouldnt hesitate getting one.

May 21, 2017 at 12:25 am #272022

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

It will require a custom bushing for a Tour Edition to fit in the clamp bracket of the X5 motor.

May 21, 2017 at 12:27 am #272023

MMosher
Participant

Ive had both and liked both. I wouldnt feel under gunned with either. Im a tight ass and would pick the most power at the cheapest price I could find.

May 21, 2017 at 1:48 am #272024

BillyCal
Participant

I ordered a MG X5 80# with my new Sabre FTD and if I had to do it over again I would get a fortrex. The arrow never stays strait, the safari prop is junk if you fish a lot of weeds like we do in south Florida I will probably replace with an Ultrex next year
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