Switching Motorguide to Minn Kota?

This topic has 9 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 4 months ago by Bob La Londe.

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February 8, 2015 at 5:34 pm #290787

MrDamo
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Hi, I have a 2014 Cougar AE and I am wanting to switch brands of trolling motors. Right now I have an 82lb thrust Tour Edition Motorguide and I want to switch to the 112lb thrust Minn Kota Fortrex. Is switching brands going to cause any problems? Also if I were to get a longer shaft length what would they have to do with my fishfinders sonar cables? Would they need longer ones?Thanks

February 8, 2015 at 6:06 pm #290788

catdude28
Participant

The holes should line up. I believe you have to remove the starboard side plate on the MK to expose more holes that will line up. If you have an externally mounted transducer on your troller, the cable is about 20 feet long and is tucked into the gunnel through the hole for the wiring, so you can just pull out a little more for the longer shaft. You may have to move your graph or ram mount it because the pedal for the MK is larger than the MG, depending on your graph size.

February 9, 2015 at 12:56 am #290789

P4SHOcat
Participant

You might want to check and see if you will still be able to get into your port rod locker with the longer shaft. Ive read that it makes it tough because it hangs over the rod locker. Ed

February 9, 2015 at 5:18 pm #290790

Jeff W from TX
Participant

You are also going from a 24 volt to a 36 volt trolling motor. You are going to need to install another battery or use your starting battery as the third trolling motor battery.

February 9, 2015 at 8:47 pm #290791

catdude28
Participant

P4SHOcat wrote:You might want to check and see if you will still be able to get into your port rod locker with the longer shaft. Ive read that it makes it tough because it hangs over the rod locker. EdYes, it will interfere, and you will not be able to open it fully when in the stowed position.

February 9, 2015 at 9:20 pm #290792

BIGCATTER
Participant

Have fun getting used to the switch being on the left of the pedal instead of the right . — 20 years of M/G use , and now M/K for the last 4 years , and I STILL try to push the right side of the pedal to make it go . ——– Sheesh !!

February 10, 2015 at 2:02 pm #290793

BamaCat
Participant

I did the same thing a year ago. I attached the quick release bracket first. It was easier to mount as you will have to drill a couple of different holes. Just remove the BCB metal plate and you can access the area under the TM fairly easy. Be sure to allow for the length on the front of the boat. The motor attaches to the release plate and simple push in the metal rods. You can use a lock if you lock. But if you ever want to remove it is a simple process.

February 10, 2015 at 10:00 pm #290794

Bob La Londe
Participant

I dont know about the Minn Kota, but I ran a 60 inch shaft Motorguide for a while when I was fishing Havasu, and I dont recall any trouble getting into my rod locker. It was big and in the way though with a huge loop of cable hanging out when it was deployed. I went back to shorter shaft trolling motors, and put the long shaft in the corner of the shop only to be used on trips to Havasu. Bob La Londehttp://www.cncmolds.com–Bob La Londe Forums, Free Lures, Product Reviewswww.YumaBassMan.com CNC Molds N Stuffwww.CNCMOLDS.com

February 11, 2015 at 11:14 pm #290795

Corey C
Participant

Bought a 14 eyra in sept and went from motorguide to minn kota , dont care for the minn kota , sits higher , much louder , and pedal feels cheap (plastic) . Only had it out 3 times but thinking of selling and getting a motorguide . And yes button on other side messes with you

February 13, 2015 at 4:30 pm #290796

Bob La Londe
Participant

I dont care for the Minn Kota plastic pedal, and I particularly like the dual cable (push/pull) feel of the Motorguide all metal pedal on the Tour Edition motors, but I didnt really have a problem with the switch position. My first bass boat was a Baker Custom Tunnel that had a single cable rack and pinion Motorguide that I hated. I replaced it with a Minn Kota right away, so maybe the hours on the Minn Kotta made a difference. Anyway, Ive had Motorguide Tour Editions since I put one on my aluminum boat in 2003, and my Cougar came with the TR109 in 2005, so I have been using Motorguide for ten+ (10+) years. A lot of my friends and fishing buddies have Minn Kotas because the one boat shop we had here for ages sold Minn Kota. When I fish with one of them and I have to cover the front while they are messing with something it only takes me a minute or so to get used to the off side power button again. So I dont put us into the brush or worse I just concentrate on keeping the boat under control for the first minute. It seems almost automatic that I start fishing when my muscle memory kicks in. That being said, if I get a little out of sorts sometimes it takes me a second with either pedal to realize its not going because I am stomping on the wrong spot. LOL. Bob La Londehttp://www.cncmolds.com–Bob La Londe Forums, Free Lures, Product Reviewswww.YumaBassMan.com CNC Molds N Stuffwww.CNCMOLDS.com
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