MINI KOTA OR MotorGuide?

[Haji]

I WILL BE FITTING AN ELECTRIC MOTOR TO MY NEW BOAT AT SOME STAGE AND AM TOSSING UP BETWEEN THE MINI-KOTA AND THE MOTORGUIDE UNITS.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE OF THE MOTORGUIDE UNITS. EG, CORROSION RESISTANCE IN SALT WATER, EASE OF OPERATION, SERVICE BACKUP, MOUNTING FEATURES ETC?

ANY COMMENTS/ADVICE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

CHEERS

HAJI

[quintrex101]

i would go the motorguide haji .... little bit cheaper and being wireless is good for a new boat ... no need for ugly cables all over the boat !!

[beats]

I Have used them all Haji & currently have a MotorGuide Great White on mine that is a 24v, 82lb salt water cable steer, I love my cable steer for 3 reasons,
1 the only battery power it uses is for propultion, so I can go away without needing charging for 3+ days easy if need be.
2 turns immediately, so unsurpassed in confined spaces, racks, wharfs, trees, creeks etc & fighting fish.
3 no servoes turning the shaft so its silent.

for salt water use either a MotorGuige salt water cable steer or a MinnKota Rip Tide salt water. Experience says, boats to 3.5 - 5m = 55 -85lb thrust, boats over 5m = 24v - 36v, 85 -110lb thrust.

The cordless MotorGuide IMHO is hopeless & an absolute pain in the rear to use & beeps its head off every time you touch a pedal, drives ya mad, I'd give it a miss.

Batteries, don't mess around & get big ones, minimum 75 AH, deepcycle lead acid, 90 - 115 AH are best, AGM's even better & get a good charger 10amp min & smartcharger is recomended for extended battery life & a must with AGM's & Gels. (Gels need a specific charger)

A good big deepcycle battery & a smart charger, charging every time you get home should last you no probs 5 years+, unless you crack a plate.

[Haji]

Now that's what I call getting comprehensive advice.

Great stuff Beats, very gratefull for the info as I was thinking of the cordless unit. The Beep would also drive me nuts!

My new boat has a battery box built into the front casting platform, It looks pretty big in the pictures that the manufacturer sent me so hope that I will be able to fit the big batteries for a 24V supply.

Cheers

Haji

[beats]

Bit like an outboard don't over power it, but DEFFINATELY don't underpower it.
Can't comment on the new JM Watersnakes haven't used them but reports so far say ok. maybe a cheaper alternative & I think they are saltwater use.
Dont forget to check what shaft length you need to suit your boat as there can be 2 or 3 in most makes & models of bowmounts.