croixflats Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 OK, I'm done dealing with my minmkota its only 3years old and I have replaced the foot pedal 2 times and I have to replace it again.I am looking at at MotorGuide now and the digital wireless looks like it will do the job. So what are experiences with MotorGiude out there. I'm not looking for anyone telling me that Minnkota had no problems I can make my own judgment off the last 2 I had.Woops sorry meant for this to go in open water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonWBasser Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Only tried one MotorGuide, didn't like it, will never get one again. Have had 7 different Minnkota's through the years... never any trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croixflats Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 I never used one, what did you find troublesome with their unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonWBasser Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 The switch in the foot pedal. Had to replace it 3 times in one summer. The motor came on a boat I bought. I replaced it the next summer with a maxxum 74. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northlander Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I have been very happy with my Minkotas. No matter what brand you get there will me lemons. The only guys I see running motorguides around here are sponsored by them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewyg Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I have had a motorguide 109 ptsv, hated the thing with a passion. Noisy, to many things to mention gone wrong. I bought a terrova and have had not a problem . I had several minnkota in the past but hands down the issues I have had with the motorguide were far greater than all of my minnkota problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croixeyes Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 With the PTS your asking for troubles.But when they work there isnt a better trollingmotor period.But,alas that much tech in something that sits on the bow of a boat is bound to break eventually.Motor guide makes some pretty solid stuff as well as minnkota.I like the motors that just have basic functions,keeping things simple on the bow can save on headaches on the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croixflats Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 That is a good point Croixeyes. I'll keep that in mind.I just wish Minnkota would offer a differant foot pedal. Gets rather frustrating getting on the water and the trolling motor wont work because of something simple like a foot pedal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esox_Magnum Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Get the Terrova , sweet motor and better pedel. I went through 3 in 18 months on my PD to untill they figured out it was the board causimg my problem. replaced that and now on the same foot pad for 2 years. Next will be a Terrova, I have had a few MG in the past and IMO worthless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonWBasser Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 That is a good point Croixeyes. I'll keep that in mind.I just wish Minnkota would offer a differant foot pedal. Gets rather frustrating getting on the water and the trolling motor wont work because of something simple like a foot pedal. Do you have the power drive type pedal on a long cord? I have had these and had no issues but I must say the cable style with the big pedal, like on a maxxum, are really problem free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croixflats Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 The power drive. I guess I'll get the board checked out and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UMDSportsman Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I have a Motorguide Wireless W45 that i have had no problems with. I bought it last winter, and it was a display model with no remotes. I bought a foot pedal and a hand remote off that ever so popular online auction site. I really like the wireless units, i can go anywhere in the boat and i always have the remote on my belt. And if there is somebody else in the boat, they get the footpedal incase i am fighting a fish, or if i feel like not paying attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerchJerker Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I've had 4 or 5 motorguides, the only one I didn't have major problems with was a transom mount tiller motor. The bow mount motors all had problems, some in the first month or two after I had them. Very frustrating. To be fair it's been quite a few years since I had MGs, but I know of guys that had problems with them last year. FWIW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Ek Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I've been running Motor Guides for more years than I want to think about. And most of you know how much time I spend on the water. The only problems I've had is the wear on the rope handle. Otherwise they have worked great and the new Hydrilla Hacker prop is a great improvement for the bass guys. Also if a metro angler is looking for a used motor you can sometimes get a great deal on used or rebuilt motors at the motor clinic in bloomington. I all depends on what they have taken in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quetico Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Everyone I know runs Minnkota with no problems or complaints. The one experience I have had with Motor Guide is very bad. We went to Canada last summer with a friends parents. They had a Motor Guide on their 21' Lund and the switch in the foot pedal kept going out. They kept exchanging trolling motors and replacing switches. If I remember right they ended up switching to a Minnkota. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croixflats Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 Dewyg mentioned the terrova, I yook a look at that one now that looks like a sweet set up. When I bought mine it was just before all this new stuff came out like auto pilot and palm pilot for the power drive.I think by stepping up I can get away from the power guide foot pedal and get the feature of auto pilot.So beware perchjerker be calling you this spring. Gotta get an onboard charger also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quackersmacker Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Croix, for my two cents, I had 1 motorguide, nothing but problems. I was lucky enough to be at a resort who had motorguides, in the shed, because all but one was broken, so they gave me parts to get through the rest of the week. As for minnkota, you could try the co pilot instead of the foot pedal, I have it and love the option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croixflats Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 If I remember right I checked into with what you suggested( good suggestion) last year and the model I had would not except the co pilot but the model introduced later that year did, go figure timing is key with this technology stuff.The more I think about the auto pilot and co pilot combo is a good up grade. Been many times messing with something in the boat and get of course.I really appreciate everyone's input on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bucketmouth64 Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 My boat came with bow mount MG and I hate it. It is the older model, not the new digital series. Can't go thru any weeds w/o clogging and getting inside the prop. First year I had it it broke down during a vacation. Dealer replaced the head. Seems like I've always had issues with the power settings. Power wouldn't be constant at one setting. Now I'm going to be looking at a MK to replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canobeans Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 Ive had both, and the boat i have now came with a motor guide. I HATE IT! Ive even had the cord start on fire! Im getting the new minnkota when i get the cash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quackersmacker Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Croix, one more quick thought. I have heard of a couple situations where after the batteries were charged the foot pedal didn't work, it was something about the foot pedal drawing voltage during the whole charge and basically burning up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croixflats Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 That is a very interesting thought. I can see that. Next time I charge I'll be sure the pedal is unplugged, better safe than sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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