Experience with Minn Kota; Power Drive, Maxxum and All Terrain

[loebs93]

I understand the differences between the three, but was just looking for your experiences with the make you have.

After looking around on the web all day long I am thinking about getting the 55lb thrust, 48 inch shaft, Power Drive with auto pilot. This will be for a 14 ft Grumman boat. Any thoughts on this decision? Any experiences?

Also is it worth the extra $80 to get the Universal Sonar feature for a vexilar, or should I just get what vexilar sells for mounting on a trolling motor?

[GullGuide]

I ran PD/AP's almost exclusively for 5 years. Last year I went to an AT, would have went to a Maxx if I could have afforded it...lol...and will never go back to an PD/AP again.

Reasons-

1) You will get A LOT more time on a full charge with a cable drive than you will a PD and adding the AP will drain your batts even quicker. Now, if you only go out for a few hours at a time and you charge your batts every night after you are done, than you will be ok, but if you do a lot of long days and you are constantly on the motor, then I say go with the cable drive.

2)Motor reaction time. I LOVE being able to push down on the pedal and have the motor point in the direction I want to go NOW instead of waiting for the PD steering to take it's time to get where I want to go. This is extremely valuable if you fish in areas with rocks and stumps where you need to make quick adjustments.

It all comes down to your style of fishing, so use that to make your decision.

[Rost]

I run a Maxxum 74 lb with a 60" shaft and love it. It works perfect for my style of fishing.

If there is one thing I would not skimp on is the shaft length. For just a few extra bucks you can get a longer one. Believe me, you won't regret it.

[rangr]

I have a Maxxum 74 with a 62" shaft and love it, had the same motor on the last boat. Have had both the AP and the PD both ran great. They lacked in the endurance dept and I didnt like listening to the motor when you went to turn it. Plus the reaction time with the Maxxum is alot quicker.