Minn Kota Trolling Motor Review - Endura Max vs C2

[@krishnaparmer6100]

Two years later this motor is going strong kzbin.infoUgkxBZWgzfpS2Jj7JqIHyaSZjyVHNUgCKCBf Just uploaded a video of it after 2 years. We use it probably a dozen days each year on our small raft.-original review- We got this motor the other day and tested it out. I don't have anything to compare it to, but it seems good to me. It has all the features advertised - the motor housing is metal. We will see how it performs longer term and I will revise this review if needed. Some initial observations:- Good thrust, moves our boat around really well- It comes with a circuit breaker but no switch - so there's no way to kill the motor other than yanking the connection off the battery. I installed an inline switch.- The mount bracket is plastic and I worry it might break- There are a number of plastic parts that I worry about, but the most important ones are metal or some kind of composite

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Newport is also a good brand that is comparable in nearly every way with Minn Kota.

[@paulsophola2090]

*Great little trolling motor **enjoyable.fishing** recommend had it hooked up to my 15 foot old town canoe and it pushed it pretty good with me and my son (220 pounds each).*

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Very cool!

[@gunnycat8393]

​ I just picked up the endura max 40lb

[@epickillers1030]

This is a fantastic little trolling motor!! I have it on a 14ft aluminum boat and have no problem getting around !

[@peterstack2893]

I agree!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I would say that's true of both motors, but I ended up choosing the C2 since it was all I needed for my canoe.

[@ChowTY42]

Just bought one with 100ah battery and the battery power box for my Bote Tandem Kayak. Will do wonders in Lake Washington in Seattle

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Perfect! Thanks for commenting!

[@ChowTY42]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 thank you for the comparison! I couldn’t figure out which one and the smaller one will be plenty fine.

[@JohnSmith-ug5ci]

I own two Minn Kota trolling motors and have owned several other Minn Kota over the years. The biggest problem I have found is that their circuitry is undersized and the wiring gets hot on the high setting as well as the heads and circuit boards which causes early failure.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

You have more experience than I do. Maybe your insight will help others! Thanks for watching and for your feedback.

[@robertpickren4000]

This is a nicely done review, thanks. I would like to add a comment to John's experience with Minn Kota motors overheating. I have used my Minn Kota Endura C2 30 for about 1 year and have been experiencing significant overheating at the top speed setting (5). I would start smelling the dreaded and unmistakable odor of overheating electronics from the head unit after running at full speed. The motor still functions but the top speed has fallen off recently. I finally called Minn Kota Tech Support to describe the issue and received a very disappointing answer. They told me that the Endura C2 30 is "not designed to support extended use at the highest speed". What???? I told them that I could not find that very significant information anywhere in the User's Manual and they agreed and said that they "wished the company would rewrite the manual to add that warning". I told them that my motor draws about 25 amps at full speed and they said that is lower than it should be and probably indicates a damaged controller and pending failure. The Tech said they recommend limiting the time at Speed Setting 5 to only a few minutes at a time. This seems hard to believe but as I do more research I am finding that many people are experiencing this issue. I purchased this motor fully expecting to be able to use any speed setting I needed without restrictions other than battery capacity. This really limits my range on the water if I can't use the high speed to get back to the ramp. I'm posting here to see if others on this discussion have this experience.

[@JohnSmith-ug5ci]

@@robertpickren4000 Thanks for the verification. I was told the same thing by tech. Basically they are over rating these units and under designing them. It has been my experience that the minute you go to high these units start overheating. The wiring to the battery on mine is too light a gauge as it also heats up. There really should be an upfront discloser not to run the unit on high for over 60 seconds.

[@F-N-C]

Great info man. I have a 9ft Colorado XT pontoon and was thinking about getting the Endura Max.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

The Max is the way to go if you can shorten the shaft. Thanks for watching!

[@Av2ene]

I returned it for the endura max and gonna try it tomo on my canoe

[@brendanfaloona298]

Great vid! Thank you so much. My son and I are trying to figure out how much power in a motor we need for our 16’ canoe. Perfect vid for us. Thank you! 👍

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Always encouraging to hear from folks who bother to encourage instead of criticize! Thank you! Blessings to you and best of luck!

[@patrmac04]

Thank you in the help to choose between these two models. I appreciate the effort to make the video. I chose the 40 and I look forward to testing it out this weekend. I am mounting it reversed on the bow of my 14 foot jon boat so I needed a little more kick for the weight. I paid $147 at Walmart for the 40. For my situation I wanted it a bit higher so when I'm on the front deck that was built I can reach the controls easier.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad I could help!

[@guyt29]

How did you get it for 147?

[@dwuletp31]

@@guyt29 because he probably bought the 40lbs c2 model not the maxx

[@Kathryn-n9s]

6:02 hi there! I do appreciate your video. Thank you so very much. here’s a little knowledge I’ve learned…. Hi kayak fish and I started off with a Minco to 30, what I did was go to a Bait shop that deals with minn kota. I cut the shaft down to 28 inches and that is perfect for kayak because you can do a 360 without the blade hitting your kayak also it helps when you get to shallow waters… I have upgraded from a lifetime fishing kayak to a pelican catch 100. I’m currently running a 55 on that yak with a 120 lithium battery.. all my trolling motors are cut down to 28 inches so far I haven’t had any problems with the shaft. It’s just I don’t go fast enough… but all it was a learning adventure now I just need friends to go fishing with……

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks so much for your input! Friends are helpful :) Still, I often go alone so I don't need to account for someone else's schedule :) Many blessings,

[@somethingelsedoesmatter]

I used an older Minn Kota on my Sportspals for years, and the shaft it came with was waaaay too long, like like you said. But you actually CAN cut the shaft down to whatever length you like. I did. And now that I have a jon boat, it's too short. lol So I'm looking for something longer, but more importantly, more powerful.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Very good info on changing shaft length. I didn't bother cutting in case I messed up. Hopefully your insight is helpful for others. Thanks for commenting!

[@CanadienNortherner]

Yeah got the C2 myself . I just upgraded the prop and she's doing fine . The prop I used was the Minn kota MKP 06 Weed Wacker . great upgrade !

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

That's perfect. I haven't done any upgrades yet, but it may happen. I just got a fishing kayak and I'll use the C2 on that as well and see how it performs!

[@CanadienNortherner]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 The prop cost me 30 bucks Can , not expensive at all . Got it set up on a inflatable kayak . You don't gain speed , just torque .. so if your fully loaded the craft will get to top speed faster . And chop up any weeds that get in the way ! LoL , 👍👍

[@jerrysmith6438]

Since you're using outriggers on your canoe, I agree not needing the electronic indicator on your Motor head, however, you could raise that seat considerably with outriggers and have the handle down lower, or just a quick fix, cut the shaft shorter. Everyone is cutting the shafts down pretty much to 24". And for the possibility of on a clear calm day and heading back to the dock after all day at maybe 5+ mph is pretty tempting to go with the Max. IMO.... good info thanks.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

All probably true, and if I spent any more time than I do in it, I'd likely consider those ideas! Cheers,

[@bobabooey4537]

Nice review, some good points made, especially the length of the shafts for those wanting it working with a canoe. Personally... I dont mind the height while using the motor. Its right at my shoulder, same as your demo, but for me... I want the endura max for cutting through weeds and battling the wind more than anything else and it does a great job for those two things while fishing.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Good point!

[@markweatherall7437]

Thanks for your video, the 40Ib gives more torque (pushing power) in choppier conditions (stronger currents and winds) which for me personally is a no brainer in helping me getting out of any difficulty that may arise and has arisen because the conditions can change with a drop of a hat. I had the same issue with the longer 36" shaft on the endura max so I reduced it to 31" to the perfect height. 40Ib Endrua Max is a win win in my opinion. PS. There's also the standard 5 forward, 3 reverse 40 pounder C2 available.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for the feedback! Always nice to hear a good ending!

[@markweatherall7437]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 After a final test and seat positioning on boat i cut the shaft down to 26" its perfect now. No more aching shoulders out on boat.

[@IAmBatman1]

Thanks! Just bought a C2

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Good choice! Mine works well and has no issues at all! I'm glad I made the choice given its small size and portability.

[@noyopacific]

Good review! I got the Endura C2 to bottom bounce (very slow) for walleye with a 16' aluminum utility skiff. The transom mount didn't work well for going slow when there was any wind. I often back troll for better control in the wind. I was given an older bow mount Minn Kota 12 volt PowerDrive. The bow mount works better for the way I fish. Running at low speeds is where the pulse width modulated (Digital Maximizer) speed control makes a big difference in battery consumption. The PowerDrive uses less battery power at low speeds. I'm using an 85 AH battery (which is small for this application) because I only fish for a couple hours at a time (and I'm a tightwad.) I actually got a new PowerDrive for next season because I wanted i-Pilot (Spot Lock.) Thanks for the video!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Thanks so much for the comment - it may help someone! Thanks for watching - I love the encouragement!

[@MattBWild]

I’ve been using the MK 30lb 30” c2 as my first trolling motor for about a year but just ordered the MK max 50lb 36” for my canoe

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I'm sure I'll get there in a few years too. I'd like to move "just a little bit faster" :) Thanks for watching!

[@davidhowes3417]

Thanks for the review. I am considering the Newport Vessels trolling motors. 36 or 55 lbs thrust and 24” shaft designed specifically for Canoes and Kayaks.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Good choice! That is better suited to a canoe/kayak for sure!

[@rogeramadon4064]

Excellent video. I just purchased a 9.4' sun dolphin water tender flat bottom boat with a Minn Kota 30# thrust motor and was curious how fast it would go and if I might need a bigger motor. (It's winter in NH and I have to wait until spring).

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I can't give you a definitive answer since I don't own a Sun Dolphin but I'm 90% sure it will similar. Speeds don't change drastically from one craft to another, and some anglers say there is no change from boat to boat but only a "thrust" difference. I don't really know what they mean or how it won't push a small, light boat faster than a bigger, heavier one, but I'm just the messenger! Thanks for watching!

[@rogeramadon4064]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Thanks for your response. The sun dolphin water tender is a 9.4' FIBERGLASS Jon boat that weighs about 110 lbs. by itself. It's rated for about 450 lbs. including people and gear.

[@vovkin1001]

Thank you for sharing. It was helpful. Today I used C2 the first time on my inflatable boat. Reverse speed is slow but it's Ok. I hope it lasts longer than my previous Intex motor.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad it helped

[@lorent0591]

how is it holding up

[@vovkin1001]

@@lorent0591 So far so good. I like C2 lightweight. I don't fish in big lakes, so I have enough speed to move around. Thank you for asking.

[@lorent0591]

@@vovkin1001 Sorry for my bad English. What model do you have? How much pounds of thrust? I just got my intex seahawk 3 and I wonder how much power I need to get some speed.

[@southernexposure123]

My C2 speed control burned out for the reverse speeds. Instead of replacing the $22.00 factory switch put a $60.00 PWM infinite speed controller on it. I removed the factory troller head and replaced it with a PVC thickwall pipe and a 90 degree ell with a short extension. It's possible to shorten the shaft without damaging the wires IF you're extremely careful when cutting the vertical shaft. My final plan is to mount the troller so it can be steered with the PVC handfle AND / OR a tiller at one end of my little 8 foot Pond Prowler boat. I haven't put it in the water yet, but when I do I'll likely record how it works and put on my channel. Within a week I hope..

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Excellent info - hopefully it helps some viewers! Cheers,

[@BGIS2000]

Since you can adjust your speed with C2 it's definitely good one if you fishing kokanee as kokanees like slow speed baits/lures.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Yes, you can adjust speed for sure, but if it matters, you can adjust it more precisely with the larger Endura Max (infinite speeds instead of 5 set speeds). But it's much heavier and has a longer shaft which is not great for a kayak or canoe so you'd have to modify the shaft and pay more to buy it. Thanks for your comments!

[@bennyblanko3]

I have both and run the smaller C2 30 lbs thrust on the canoe, just because it is lighter, and fast enough. But, if you run it on 5 it gets hot on top. But, we usually cruise it on 4, and that if just fine. The bigger the motor works for bigger and heavier boat. I have a 12' aluminum v, and the bigger motor works perfect for that. On my 14', the even bigger 86 lb thrust 24 volt is required, as that is a much heavier boat. Hope this helps someone. All of them seem to go about 4 mph (maybe 4.5 if you are hauling at max battery).

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for the helpful insight! Cheers,

[@tamlyon4435]

Good review but I’d like to know he power draw of each on the water 👌

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Valid point - but I'm not that good! I don't know how to calculate that. I do know that after "many hours" neither motor drained my battery significantly (the Minn Kota Battery Box showed the battery as "full" after several hours with both motors)

[@allans7281]

Awesome video this is the ultimate reality TV! Just took a quick pause can’t wait to see the water test…Great test I know you were rooting for the 30 pound. What battery are you using? is it worth spending the money for the lithium? What’s the make of those canoe stabilizers and where did you get them? How deep do you want the propeller past the water line? ( I’m using it for an old town 146) Thx Allan So Cal

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad you liked it! Good questions. I bought a 90Amp Hour 12V AGM battery, but YES, it's worth buying the Lithium (see -ruggedoutdoorsguide.com/trolling-motor-batteries-canoe-kayak/). The stabilizers are from Spring Creek Manufacturing - the best brand by a long shot - though not inexpensive unfortunately! There's no rule for how deep you want the prop but I like it around 1 foot. That allows me to pass over sunken trees and rocks easier, but because you're going so slow MOST of the time, the depth of the prop doesn't affect performance at slow speed. I'd say anything less than around 12" is a bit too shallow and it won't perform well at top speed. Just my thoughts! Thanks for watching Al. cheers,

[@allans7281]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Thanks for your quick and detailed reply. Yeah I figured your stabilizer was high-end. It looks it. I can’t stand those cheap inflatable ones. Happy adventuring! A

[@camhester4251]

what about the endura max has the built in maximizer which gives you more battery life that's what i was looking at in the comparison , i have the c2 30 lb thrust but it uses the same amount of battery on setting one as it does on high gear that's what i'm curius about but like you i rather have the smaller lighter c2 motor but the max makes your battery last 5 times longer they advertise

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Yes, I read about how the Max lasts way longer. I tried them both for about 1 hour and there was no difference in their power consumption according to the battery power lights on my battery power station, so that test was relatively inconclusive (that's why I didn't include it in my review). For me, I would never use it for more than 1 hour total running time before I can easily re-charge it, so I didn't care that the Max is supposed to last much longer. The size and weight difference was a huge factor. However, if I could go back in time, I might consider cutting down the shaft length on the Max and using it because it can go slower than the C2 can (which I would need for trolling most of my lures). Good observation and I appreciate the question/comment.

[@larsvegas1505]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Well i got a lithium battery and i can view the draw on a app.. a normal motor tends to use a bit more.. but a max 55 can use more power then a c30.. it also makes more power... ur better off investing in lithium battery's... i got a lithium pack and a 55 because i want the variable speed for vertical fishing.. and the power for fishing the whole day...

[@poetofthelight]

It is my first boat with only a trolling motor. I appreciate you taking the time to produce the video with some helpful and anticipated realistic Q&A. I haven't selected which model as yet but had some questions if you wouldn't mind. 1. What are the mounting throat limits as to max-width and max-depth. I have to attach a bow mount board to my double inflatable pontoon boat and I want to be sure it won't be too thick. 2. Does the set of stabilizing pontoons provides you any additional weight buoyancy for your boat. What size deep cycle battery would you recommend if only mid-speed is used to go out about 3/4 - 1 mile and then return to my same starting point using the Endura Max. Txs...

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

The shaft can be adjusted up or down so any normal boat (even a larger fishing motorboat) would be close enough to the water for the C2 to work. The transom itself needs to be a minimum 3 inches deep (top to bottom) to allow the clamps on the motor to attach properly. The maximum thickness of the transom (for the mounting clamps to open up as wide as possible and still work properly is 3 inches as well, though most transoms are nowhere near that thick. I'm not sure what else I can tell you - I hope that helps. Cheers, and thanks for watching.

[@poetofthelight]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Thank you for taking the time to reply. Your information is helpful. I'm planning on mounting the motor to my bow (which I'm in the process of building along with a few other tweaks) on my inflatable pontoon Colorado boat by Classic Accessories. I found Cabela's had a special Minn Kota 36" shaft with a 34 lb thrust model, with a battery meter, which I just ordered. I already had a DC battery and a plain box.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

@@poetofthelight Sorry I didn't answer your other questions: As far as battery, I own a monster that weighs 75 lbs - I wouldn't suggest it. I'd get the lightest one possible regardless of speeds or distances I plan to travel. The Endura Max will give you maximum flexibility when it comes to potentially modifying the shaft length as well since it starts a lot longer than the C2.

[@poetofthelight]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 As I understand it is still a C2 with just a longer shaft and a couple more pounds of thrust- designed just for Cabela. My intent is to use my Deep Cycle (#58 lbs) to determine how much I need to fish for a few hours at a time. Maybe I can afford to get a lighter lithium battery later. Txs from Idaho.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

@@poetofthelight Not sure about the Max being just for Cabela. That might be true (I didn't look into it) but there is no Cabela's in Canada and I bought it at an exclusively Canadian Hardware/automotive store (Canadian Tire). The Lithium battery is definitely the ultimate target in this case!

[@HeyStripes]

so... the 30lb thrust did 4.3mph...the 40lb thrust did 4.6mph... difference of .3mph the lighter size, shorter pole, cheaper price ($160 vs $335 CDN at time of writing) seems like a no brainer.... only factor that is in question would be the longer the battery life possibility.. but ... who really believes that to be significant .. thanks for this video!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

That's basically why I sold my Endura Max and kept my C2 30lb model! Thanks for watching!

[@themallard1515]

Absolutely excellent video as I want to do a similar set up. My main question is however for the extra half a mile per hour that you’ll get out of the max what is the amperage draw difference? My biggest concern is being able to go out for the longest amount of time. If I have a 100amp hour battery, how much less run time am I going to get out of the Max versus the regular 30 pound C2. I’m willing to sacrifice a little bit of speed if it means I get a lot more runtime. Any advice here is appreciated.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

The one question you have is the one area my review did not get into in any depth. The only advice here I can add is that in my mind, I'll get more run time out of a smaller motor (yes, that logic could technically be flawed but it makes sense to me) so I ended up going with the C2 and I sold the Max. Sorry for not offering a more extensive answer, but it's all I've got! Cheers,

[@themallard1515]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 honestly I greatly appreciate your quick response. This helps me out a lot! I think going with the 30 pound is definitely the way to go to get the extra run time. Obviously that extra half a mile an hour is nice. But I don’t think it pays in the long run. Thank you!

[@peterstack2893]

@@themallard1515 agreed!

[@hirkojs]

My Endura C2 is about 6 years old and it’s a 40lb thrust with a shaft length of 36”. It’s weight is 40lbs so I’m a bit perplexed about yours being smaller in thrust, weight & shaft length?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Not sure what to say other than we're talking about 2 different motors. Here's a link to the retail outlet where I purchased mine and you can see for yourself. www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/minn-kota-endura-c2-trolling-motor-30-lb-30-in-0798580p.html#plp

[@hdtripper1]

I have an Endura 55 and Endura Max . I had just broken off a tab on the transom mount. I think it's because of the way I've been trailering it. I usually tilt it back . I cant get it completely horizontal because of my seat situation. My question is. Should I bring it up as far as I can and leave it perpendicular to the boat on my trailer to avoid the stress on the tabs caused by the trailer bouncing? Too much of a hassle to dismount the motor all the time.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I totally see what you're saying. I would definitely try sliding it up rather than tilting, but I'm not your best source for an answer. For me, I absolutely would remove it after each use. As much of a hassle as it might seem, it's not like I'm using it literally every single day. I only use mine a dozen times (maybe a bit less) per year from May to October so I'm less concerned about hassle, and more concerned about the well-being of my equipment, safety, etc. Not sure that helps, but I appreciate your question. Thanks for watching!

[@hdtripper1]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Thanks for your reply but after doing what I talked about and physically pushing up and down on the body (down tube)it felt more like the bracket was support all the weight well. I just got through replacing the "T" part and am going fishing tomorrow. After watching the video on how to replace the "T" for a few bucks I'll take the chance. Thanks for your reply.

[@capry6565]

Thank you! Great overview!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad you liked it!

[@peterpulpitpounder]

Very helpful review!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for the feedback brother!

[@jaysoutdoorworld]

I have to ask, you went through all the speeds on the C2 30 pound thrust, but you did not do the same for the max .what were the slower speed with the max

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Sorry about that, but the reason I didn't go through the individual set speeds on the Max is simply that they don't exist. The C2 has individual speeds that you click through, while the Max is infinitely variable with no set speeds like 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. It's like stepping on your accelerator pedal in your car - no set speeds, just wherever you want to stop your foot as you press. I know that's probably not helpful, but at least you know why! Thanks for watching!

[@harryvanderveen773]

Thanks for a great explanation

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for the encouragement! Cheers,

[@bigdon2241]

i have a 40 model c2 and a like very much thank you nice video

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for watching!

[@jscottchrist5178]

I in the planning stage on motors. I want to be sure I have the thrust for current and wind. also, how low in the water did you have the motors?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I didn't measure how low in the water I put them, but you can get an idea if you watch the video. They were over a foot under the water surface but not much more. If they were any lower, they would cause a problem with hitting obstacles and the bottom of the lake near shore.

[@dave8456]

(Problem with comparing these). I couldn't find the spec's of the RPM's. I would totally bet both motors have the same RPM. Also, the same pitch prop. So, technically speaking, both motors should just about do the same. Although! Adding a little more power to be more efficient will increase speed, and quicker acceleration. So, if one was to step up to an 80lb thrust. Still probably wouldn't see much of a speed increase. It actually might start decreasing due to weight in the boat. But boy-O-boy it sure would take off fast.

[@robertpapps3618]

Wonder if without too much difficulty one could shorten the shaft on the max.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I did have a view tell me it was easy enough to do and I don't doubt it. But, I wasn't so sure of my own abilities to potentially destroy a $300 motor trying an experiment in shaft-shortening! :)

[@jepomer]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 On an older (2008) Endura 50 I experimented with many things while trying to use the Minn Kota to drive a 19 ft. sailboat. It did work well for relatively calm waters especially for mooring. Later I moved the Endura 50 to an inflatable dinghy to get to my larger 22 ft. sailboat on its mooring. The shaft is basically a high-tech plastic tube. The mounting at the motor end is glued into the motor housing. The top portion of the tube had a simple bolt-through connection. My first experiment to shorten the 42" shaft was to cut the tubing near the top end removing the extra tubing and then use a coupling to seal the shaft. That is when I discovered that the top end was simply a bolt-through or clamped attachment. It's been several years since I did those experiments. Some of the details are not fresh in my mind. But I did use that shortened shaft motor for several years. --- As far as the difference between the Endura C2 discrete steps vs. the Endura Max continuous breaks down as follows: The Endura C2 discrete steps connect to three different windings in the motor. The windings have different total resistances. Depending on how the discrete steps are combined, the 5 forward and 3 reverse have different resistances. The more resistance, the higher the energy loss to heat. It is a nice simple way to obtain several speeds. Back in the late 1800s, this was similar to the way the original electric boats worked (except they switched in/out combinations of batteries). The Endura Max on the other hand uses pulse width modulation (PWM) for controlling the amount of power to the motor. The controller responds to the throttle setting by turning the battery power ON and OFF at very high frequencies (usually above 20 kHz). The longer the "ON" and shorter the "OFF" states, will provide an effective higher DC voltage to the motor. This is a very common way to electronically control the rotational speed of a motor. Much less power is wasted as heat for a given speed since the DC voltage from the battery is either ON of OFF. --- I just ordered a new Endura Max 55 with 36" shaft for some more experimenting and backup for my dinghy and 19' sailboat. The primary use is for maneuvering in the mooring field with up to 15 knots of wind. It is not for long distances with the 4-inch pitch on the prop, but it does give me a bit more freedom when I don't feel like rowing.

[@thomasbooth9079]

The Endura Max interferes with the transducer on my Garmin Striker 4 while it’s mounted to it and running, so if you’re going to mount a transducer you may want to mount it somewhere else.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Great info!

[@jscottchrist5178]

good to know. I was planning on getting the max. si issues with garmin striker good to know. What was the issue?

[@thomasbooth9079]

@@jscottchrist5178 it shows a bunch of static/ghost images, depth is wrong…. Basically starting the motor and changing speeds shows up on the screen.

[@samkiepprien3858]

What would you recommend for a solo canoe trolling upstream for camping excursions?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Sam; If I were to choose a canoe where portaging would be minimal or non-existent and I needed it for a slow-moving river to make my way up the river, I'd go for a 16-foot Royalex canoe (made for whitewater - very durable) and a Minn Kota Endura Max on a side motor mount. I may modify the motor shaft to be shallower and I personally don't love the Prospector style of canoe for anything but running rapids down river. However, I don't think you can even buy whitewater canoes that are not prospector-design.

[@allans7281]

I checked out your website valuable information ! I really enjoyed reading through everything. How do you make money and what do you sell? Thx Allan

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hi Allan; I don't make ANY money from KZbin or Ruggedoutdoorsguide.com. I make my money in other ways. In the future, if I get enough subscribers on KZbin and daily visitors on my blog, I'll get a few hundred bucks a month in advertising revenue, but right now, nothing.

[@strumpnissarna]

Hi! Have you had any time to test the battery duration with the max vs c2. I have a c2 and im thinking of upgrading to a max because of the alleged battery saving☺️

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Great question - but because of the other issues, I ended up selling my max. However, my battery with the C2 has lasted for 4 outings so far (only down to 50%) with each outing being 3 hours of nearly constant use at various speeds (about 1-2 hours at full speed)

[@strumpnissarna]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 thats too bad. My 45lb lasts me about 4 hours before its under 50% on a 105 ah battery😁

[@larsvegas1505]

@@strumpnissarna on what speed / amp draw though.. i got a 55lb max i draw about 45 amps on max and 30 when im trolling.. that means i can run my 120 amp lithium for about 4 hours when trolling.. on a lead acid that would be 1-2 hours (less then a hour when ur on max the whole time)..

[@BlueOriginAire]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 this answer helped me out tremendously.. What battery do you suggest ?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey WTP. Super sorry about the late reply. I missed your comment when it came in. I'm in Canada so I ended up with a 92 Amp Hr. battery that cost me over $300. I LOVE this one (amzn.to/3EO43XZ). I'd suggest a 12V deep cycle with a minimum of 100 amp hr. rating, but the one I linked to has 200 amp hrs. Plus, since it's in America, it's super cheap compared to any comparable battery in Canada!

[@martinwinlow]

How much energy do they use? Surely this is just as important as how fast you are going (so you can figure out how far a specific battery is going to take you?!)!!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I don't have a way to see what the energy draw is, but I can say I didn't see any obvious difference. I can only assume the smaller one uses less power and that's the extent of my thoughts pertaining to the topic of energy efficiency. Sorry I can't be more help on this. Maybe someone else has a better bead on the specifics of how long a battery will last with each one of these. My battery lasted most of an entire day with each of these as I used them personally.

[@hdtripper1]

I happen to have have both. After the Max burned out I went and got the cheaper C2. Since then I got the Max fixed . It had some kind of controler thing in the haead that needed replace About 90 bucks and with 12 hour service .It wasn't cheap. I askedc the service guy his thoughts on the difference in the two. He said he has never had to service the C2's. The Max's last only so long depending how used because of heat problems like what happens if running on highest speed for a length of time. Seems like Minnkota should have by now fixed that kind of a flaw in my opinion.And from What I also have seen others that have compared the so called "longer running time"Most have said the little gained time was minimal and not worth the extra money.I agree. My Max lasted a couple of years but I don't fish that much and didn't haul ass for very long. You have to decide if that variable speed is worth it. Doesn't to me

[@peterstack2893]

Thanks for that insight. It might be able to help other people and I appreciate your feedback.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Great to hear your experience with running time! Thanks for that input.

[@BrianForrest-o6x]

My MAX controller bit the dust after 2 years. Very expensive and disappointing. C2 replacement speed controller is much cheaper.

[@kmrjeep]

I've had my max 55 for about 10 months now and only had one weird issue I used to keep it on the boat in a 45 degree angle when it was in the yard well the motor quit on me one day and I found water seeped in the top cover and had went down the shaft and filled the motor up once I took it apart and cleaned it it's been running fine. I run the max about 1.5-3 miles on my trips usually not running much over 75% only run 100% on my way back once you get up to 100% the frequency drive is bypassed and draws as much amperage as any normal motor but I can say the efficiency is very good when at lower speeds compared to a regular motor running through resistors because amp draw is the same on regular motors no matter the speed the resistors just soak up the extra power as it keeps the motor running at slower speeds but with the max I can run strong all day and have plenty of juice left for my return trip with a 110ah battery on a 12ft Jon boat loaded with gear it averages 3.0-3.5 mph. Amp draw at 50% is 20 amps and speed is around 2.5mph and 100% I had right under 50 amps and would top out at 3.8 mph but still hits above 3 mph between 60-70% and amperage stays well below 40 amps. I'm happy with it but I did consider the max 45 before I bought this because the little extra thrust the 55 offered I really don't think makes a big difference on my boat my old 30lb used to push the boat about 3.4mph and the 45max could possibly be a little lighter in weight and of course less overall amp draw out of that smaller motor would help even more with battery efficiency. I did make a rudder out of thick cutting board material that attaches to the top of the motor like the ones you can buy for $40 it helps out tremendously with control and even just floating in a current you can rudder the boat without using the motor. I will be cutting down the shaft eventually because it is too long to be practical on my boat.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Wow - I appreciate your detailed feedback and I hope this helps people other than just me!

[@WoodboogerFishing]

Good review. Thanks👍

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for watching!

[@SocialRanger]

The shafts are easy to cut down to the height that you want.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

So I've heard. I just have a built-in resistance against hacking into any expensive item I've recently purchased! :) I need to get over that! cheers,

[@floridavideosbyjeffreyscot6910]

I just bought the 55lb thrust . I’ve never owned one before I’ve never done any boating. I got an inflatable boat that I’m going to use it with. Whenever I connect it to the battery… is it OK to test it by turning it on if it’s not in water? With the area around the propeller clear of course.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Yes. An electric motor does not need to have water pumped through it for cooling as does a gas outboard. However, there's no reason to have to "test" it longer than a few seconds to see if it actually works.

[@floridavideosbyjeffreyscot6910]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Ty👍🏻

[@andersha]

Would you reccomend them for a Fishcat panther pontoon boat to use in saltwater?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

They would work, but if it were me, I'd suggest getting a motor made specifically for salt water like the Watersnake (amzn.to/3FXalpH). The one in the link is a great deal (only $150) and offers 24 lbs of thrust which makes sense for a small bass pontoon boat. That's just my opinion! Cheers,

[@phenixmed8513]

Thank You Sir, your review was really helpful

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

My pleasure

[@michaelmahoney1205]

The 56 pounder pushes pretty good in a rubber boat against a little wind and Tide I recommend the 60 lb thrust is even better spend an extra hundred bucks

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

If it's not too much heavier I'd be good with that! I already ditched the Endura Max because of the inconvenient weight.

[@Texasbroski512]

What do you think is better the c2 50 or edits max 45

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I'm not sure there is a "better" but I've had VERY good luck with my C2. I ended up selling my Max so I can't comment on its longer term qualities. Cheers,

[@madam497]

I have the 30lb endurca c2. I I want to mount my transducer so I'll end up getting a max model in the future.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Yes, the Max is better for a transducer for sure!

[@macbook802]

Outrageous prices and they are not brushless

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Perhaps not brushless, but I'd have to respectfully disagree with the "outrageous prices" assertion. They are VERY affordable for "normal people" (as opposed to wealthy folks) unlike the brushless motor from Garmin ($3,500) or no-name brushless Chinese motors on Amazon for around $500 - $700. I'll take the Minn Kota :)

[@macbook802]

@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 the $3500 Garmin, the $3500 Lowrance, and the $3500 minn kota. All 3 have spot lock, gps navigation, and more than 100 lbs of thrust. The minn kota is the only brushed option. I don't know if you understand motor technology, but it should be criminal that minn kota hasn't switched to brushless. Brushless motors are faster, more powerful, more efficient, more reliable, the only downside is price which Brushless systems are super affordable compared to 10 years ago. I saw the motor the most expensive minn kota uses, it costs 50 cents to produce and if you use it every day it'd be toast in a year or two.

[@ChrisWhite.fishing]

well done content.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Positive feedback always appreciated! Many blessings to you!

[@allans7281]

Do they ( or anyone) even make an electric motor that’s 40 lbs thrust with a 30 shaft? Thx

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

If you mean 30" (inch) long shaft, I doubt it. Most 40 lb motors have a 36" shaft. I've been assured by several viewers of my videos that it's not too difficult to cut the shaft shorter, but I've never done it.

[@BigAlFishingAddiction]

What app are you using please?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Big Al! You can get all kinds of speedometers for your phone, but I happen to use a free version of "Speed Tracker" from the Apple App store. Thanks for checking in!

[@BigAlFishingAddiction]

@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Thanks I appreciate it.

[@garywelker8398]

5 mph is max for ALL trolling motor. just depends on the foot pounds on how fast you you want to get there and weight of boat

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I did read somewhere online that 5mph is max speed for all trolling motors but I didn't experience that. Can you believe that a 30 lb motor attached to a bass boat would move as fast as a 70 lb motor attached to a kayak?

[@Ibian666]

Heard that before, would like to see some evidence.

[@billpalmer4152]

Thanks for the info

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Any time!

[@billwiley7216]

The biggest advantage for the max over the c2 is at lower not full power application speeds is the difference in power draw or efficiency of the max digital maximizer circuitry over the c2. At less than full speed the c2 is still drawing the same amount of power but wasting the extra unused or unneeded power drawn at lower speed applications as heat for the power being pulled from the battery but not actually used to run the motor. The max though is using a "pulsed" power draw which is rapidly cutting the motor on-off and hence drawing and using a lot less power from the battery than the c-2 in all phases except full power maximum speed. Since most people are using these motors as much if not more for maneuvering around fishing at much lower speed settings the max will give much longer run times between battery recharging than the standard c-2. Also many people on canoes, kayaks and small aluminum boats the larger max motor housing will work for also mounting a fish/depth finder transducer eliminating the need to need a second mounting option for the transducer again just another advantage for the max. As far as the shaft length like you said even the c-2 on a canoe the shafts on either motor are better shortened and cut down and again this is not a really hard job to accomplish for a person with ant mechanical skills at all. There are plenty of you tube videos that will walk you through the process. The max is definitely worth the added cost over the standard c-2 for someone that uses the motor for their main propulsion power and wants to fish and not always be running wide open and wants their battery to last as long as possible.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Bill; Thanks for your insight and for taking the time to write!

[@cheeseheadfiddle]

The most helpful info in my entire search. Thanks!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

@@cheeseheadfiddle thx Matt! Positive feedback is always appreciated!

[@robertpickren4000]

Bill, I appreciate your comments on this discussion but your statement that "At less than full speed the c2 is still drawing the same amount of power but wasting the extra unused or unneeded power drawn at lower speed applications as heat" is not correct for the current Minn Kota C2 30 units. The behavior you describe may have been true for older C2-30s but testing my Endura C2-30 and many other testers on KZbin confirms that the amps drawn by the motor are proportional to the Speed setting on the unit. My power draw goes from about 8 amps on Speed 1 up to about 25 amps on Speed 5. It appears however that the C2 has the undesirable characteristic that it is not designed to operate at Speed 5 (max power) for more than 2-3 minutes according to Minn Kota Technical Support. The controller will overheat and I have experienced this on my unit. It's not clear yet how much damage has been done but the heat and burning odor from the head unit is obvious.

[@arlenmentonable]

Great video

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for the visit!

[@sutv6754]

Well I liked you video but you left out the reason I clicked on it. The single most important thing. Battery LIFE. Does the dura max really use much less battery. Not word about battery life.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Sorry about that. Too much info to communicate! From my experience (and that of others) it appears that battery life is not significantly different from one to the other. Cheers,

[@sutv6754]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Thanks for getting back to me. Do you have any idea what the MAX means?

[@thebrock12]

I have a 30 pound thrust one and it’s brand new and it seem to get a bit warm does anybody know if that’s normal never had one before

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hmmmm.... I don't notice that with mine, but perhaps if I ran it for longer I would. I only run mine (usually at full power) for 1 - 10 minutes at a time and then rest it for an hour or two other than a 5-10 second burst every few minutes.

[@aaronmcclain1279]

My C2 gets warm aswell. I use mine on a 12' Jon boat .

[@Canadarago]

In the C2 and other standard MK motors: When you’re at any speed lower than 5, part of the battery power is run through one or more resistors in the control head, which convert the excess power to heat. The motor is always pulling “5” level power from the battery No matter what speed you’ve got it set to. On an Endura Max, there are electronics that reduce the amount of power being pulled from the battery rather than generating waste heat. I built a box using a pwm (pulse width modulation) circuit -much like the Endura Max - that goes between my battery and my old MK Turbo 65. Have tested it a few times on the water and it seems to decrease the battery drain significantly.

[@Ibian666]

All electronics convert some of the electricity to heat due to inefficiency.

[@PimentaOP]

I don’t care if it’s slow as long as the battery lasts. I’d give up on speed for more battery life

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I agree!

[@ÇETİN.b.e.i]

Pil uzun ömürlü hangisi

[@BigCityCountryBoi]

Half a mile advantage?...I learned it's atleast a 1 mph advantage from watching this exact video which makes it an approximate 33% difference 🙄...thats quite a difference which we saw with the wake the max produced.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey, your feedback is much appreciated! Cheers,

[@philbo65]

The longer shaft allows you to feel like your riding a motorcycle with ape hangers !!!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I would agree! :) cheers,

[@toddkohut5993]

As far as speed and weight you can get the c2 in a 40

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback and for watching!

[@Av2ene]

The c2 did 6.9 mph and I didn’t see any wake

[@Plotfotegg]

Thankkkk youu

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

You got it!

[@TeamJesusOutdoors]

His Creation is Magnificent! Praise God!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

You've got that right!

[@ambroulard]

So the larger one on a smaller boat would work fine if you have a raised seat,,, that’s my judgement on this…. Not good for a canoe …

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Perhaps, but small boats (especially canoes) can be dangerous if a passenger has a high center of gravity.

[@RedfishInc]

The max gives you up to 5 times the battery life over the C2. That's a huge deal for folks like us who use the trolling motor as the only source of locomotion on our boats.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for the insight.. I didn't do a head to head on battery power so I can't really comment.

[@Ibian666]

No it doesn't. It's bs marketing. How they would legally spin it is that it has 5 gears and the highest gear uses five times the power of the lowest one. Other than that it is made up.

[@ji2898]

Cut the shaft down . It's very easy to do!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I didn't think it would be. I'll have to check into that - thanks!

[@Av2ene]

Going 4.9 mph does not do awake

[@chuckbert3117]

I don’t understand, two different size motors, kinda of apples to oranges.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Chuck. The idea was to show potential buyers if it is a better deal to buy a larger size motor or a smaller one. I compared price and performance to help people see that in my experiment, the less powerful motor offered a better "value" since the speed difference was so tiny, but the size and weight difference along with price was big. So the whole point was to compare two different sized motors. Cheers,

[@chuckbert3117]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 👍

[@swamprat9018]

it's nothing to cut the shaft down.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

So I've heard. I didn't research it much - just reviewed them for what they were the way they were manufactured! Thanks for watching!

[@stevelevesque3274]

you can't compare apples to oranges

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Steve; If you're referring to the Minn Kota C2 vs. the Minn Kota Endura Max, then I might gently and respectfully disagree. You see, there are lots of comparisons between the Toyota Corolla and the Toyota Camry. Obviously the Camry is larger, more powerful, more expensive, etc. but the comparison focuses on the value and what the difference actually is. Perhaps the lower price of the Corolla makes it a way better deal for someone with less money but someone who still wants a great, reliable small sedan and doesn't care about the less powerful engine. It's actually quite easy to compare apples to oranges and then allow someone to decide which one is better based on priorities, budget, preferences, taste, etc. Thanks for the feedback!

[@ambroulard]

Also,,,, you should just sell that whole mess you’ve got there and buy a sportspal canoe-- no need for those goofy pontoons then.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

HAH! Sounds like a plan for someone, but I just can't bring myself to do that. Sports Pal's are so incredibly low-end and they are not useful for wilderness tripping as I often use my canoe for, so this setup works best. It's actually more stable that a SportsPal with the pontoons (though not as roomy) but it's infinitely more versatile than a SportsPal. :)

[@2DC24]

You got me all intrigued, until you brought 'gods creation' up... I know 'Merica is brainwashed.. but it took me by surprise

[@2DC24]

Nature... What is wrong by calling it Nature...

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks Simon; I'm not trying to offend anyone, but there's no denying that God exists. How does a human eye create itself? God created nature - no question. But the wonderful thing about America (for now) is that you can disagree with me and I won't call you a God-denier and Christian-hater, etc. Believe what you like, but I believe in the God of the Bible who created all nature. By the way, you're spot on CORRECT when you say America is brainwashed. No truer statement could be said of it. My hope is to break through the brainwashing with a bit of hope and truth. Blessings bro.

[@peterpulpitpounder]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 I just reached in my pocket and took out a quarter. Hmmm, it says, "In God We Trust." I really like that thought. No statement is any wiser or prudent than that. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord! And blessed is the person who is not ashamed of God's Word, nature and name. :)

[@watchman9198]

Gods creation!! Amen! The heavens declare the glory of God!!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

That's the truth brother! I get a bit of pushback from viewers that tell me to say "get out there and enjoy nature", but I cannot deny God and indeed we all know there is an intelligent creator (the Bible says it's written on our hearts) but everyone wants to ignore that innate knowledge because we love our sin too much to admit there's a God who has given us RULES by which to live. We hate rules and love sin! Blessings to you,

[@watchman9198]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 yep your exactly right! That’s Romans 1 right there! Thanks for the video

[@andrewharding9810]

What the hell has god got to do with an electric outboard!... Very funny...

[@peterpulpitpounder]

Amen and amen!