Motor Guide or Minnkota Bow Mounts?

[Badger_55]

Just bought a nice used boat last week and I am now on the market for a bow mount trolling motor. It came with a big transom mount but I know that I would much prefer fishing from the bow and the type of fishing I would do would benefit from the bow position.

What are the benefits of Motor Guide?

What are the benefits of the Minnkota?

I know a lot of people who have Minnkotas, my boat is a 17' Alumacraft Tourny Pro, would like to believe a 55lb thrust would do but some people tell me to go bigger, that means 24 volts, is that a lot more messing around with that?

Any tips on picking the right trolling motor for a 17' tourny pro with a 60hp yamaha on the back would be greatly appreciated.

[Duffman]

Quote:

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would like to believe a 55lb thrust would do but some people tell me to go bigger

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You always see guys in these trolling motor threads that wish thay went bigger than they did, never smaller. That's a big reason I went with a 24v/70lb thrust bow mount on my 16.5' Alumacraft. Although a 55lb will work just fine in most conditions.

[traveler]

Yup, I'm in the same "boat" only 1 size bigger( 20' fiberglass bay boat)...trying to decide between the 24 volt/70 lb. and going to the 36 volt/101 lbs. Guess where I expect to end up?

[jerkin'm]

Minnkota Maxxum 74# thrust.....Bought one motorguide, never again....

[Central Bassman]

Minnkotas are built for Minnesota with all the weeds and stuff like that!!! They go throw stuff a lot better then a Motor Guide. I also like the foot petals a lot better then the motor guides!!!!

[Whoaru99]

Never had a Minnkota and MotorGuide took care of me really well (as in replaced it for free) when my wireless foot pedal went haywire well past the warranty period.

[fisherdog19]

If you can find the 65lb thrust minn kota, it would be perfect for you. If not, the 70 will work, and 24 volt wiring isn't that much of a hassle. I would take the minn kota over motorguide, I just have had better luck with them.

[Royal Dutchman]

Everyone has different needs (or wants) in a motor but I figure if the 55 won't handle the conditions for my 17.5' Smokercraft, I probably dont need to be there. Never really needed more power & I fish the Rainy River & LOW about 100 days per year.

The foot controls give me trouble but they see a lot of extreme weather in my boat and a shot of WD-40 usually takes care of it.

The Auto-Pilot feature is what keeps me true to MinnKota! Slipping current in the Rainy would be a real challenge without it.

[YummiYammis]

I've owned 2 Motorguides...both have done very well...I use them a ton for slop fishing Bass and they both have gone through some of the thickest weeds.