Trolling Motor Review: Minn Kota vs MotorGuide

If you want the best fishing tips, spots, and strategies, plus exclusive discounts on fishing gear you’re probably already buying, click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/3o725wN
What is the best trolling motor out there?
Minn Kota or MotorGuide?
In this new video, we'll be discussing the pros and cons of the Minn Kota trolling motor as well as the MotorGuide motor!
After positive and negative experiences with both trolling motors, we give you our best insights into which trolling motor will work best for you!
Have you ever had any issues with a trolling motor?
Any success with a specific trolling motor?
Check out the pros and cons of Minn Kota and MotorGuide here!!!
Let us know your questions down in the comments below!
Be sure to leave a comment on our Fishing Tips Blog: bit.ly/3b1j0sK

[@Saltstrong]

Hello, avid anglers!! If you want the best fishing tips, spots, and strategies, plus exclusive discounts on fishing gear you’re probably already buying, click here to join us in the Insider Club: bit.ly/3o725wN

[@adamc2652]

I have the motor guide xi5 36v 60”. Been solid for 6 years about to need replacement wires so new gps module stuff and power wire. Other then that no issues for 6 years. Love it. Sun heat and salt are hard on anything

[@vargashidalgo9602]

Thanks for sharing. So much clarifying. I just got my first trolling outboard, Endura Max 55lb 42in to start

[@jeffreydenson4032]

Thanks guys! This was very helpful. I'm thinking about all of those issues. Currently can't get the Minn Kota Riptide Terrova.

[@kennylove188]

Great discussion on a very important topic for boat-owner fishermen, especially with all the supply-chain issues all industries are dealing with today. The simple full-manual, white, 12V MotorGuide I installed on my 18' Dargel Skout has worked flawlessly since I installed it over 15 years ago; absolutely bulletproof ! "KISS" gentlemen, because saltwater destroys everything it touches.

[@peoriaos6627]

I've looked at parts, for my Minn Kota for the last three weeks... No lie, I was waiting for 5/16. Looked at their site on 5/12 and the date had changed to 12/16. A day later it's now in March of 23. This is the whole reason I'm looking at motor guide.

[@cliffordaguilar1441]

I almost got a motor guide since the terrova was so hard to find... I’m very glad I went with terrova over the ulterra or motor guide. It took me almost 2 months to get my hands on the terrova.

[@williamcarr1678]

minn Kota is the one I recommend. Love it. Spot lock saves so much time. Have basic remote.

[@chrissingleton4196]

I’m not sure if the motor guide has it or not but the follow contour and being able to set tracks are awesome features on the minn Kota

[@tfa8rva]

I have and like the Terrova. And the remote is easy to use by feel.

[@stuarttaylor1710]

I got a new mako 18lts this past spring has a minkota on it 3rd trip out had issues with the motor called em up they sent me pretty much every part of the motor so i could fix it at home since i live 3 hrs from a warranty shop we figured out what had broke i sent back what i didnt need and they were awesome to deal with they shipped everything out relatively fast i will always go with minkota as long as they treat there customers like this

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

That is some good customer service, but it would be nice for it to be years before anything on any of these makes broke!

[@bobjohnson7207]

Trolling a fly for rainbow trout stealth is a key and the Minn Kota is noticeably quieter. I catch the biggest trout on Vancouver Island and believe I wouldn't with my Motor Guide. My Minn Kota is from the 1970's 28lb. Maximizer. I have total confidence with Minn Kota when I go out. Although their are many keys to catching trophy rainbows Minn Kota is one of the most important.

[@custombody4268]

Enjoy the Ulterra…. Went through 2 in 2 days on Lake of the Woods. Both failed to stow (1 broken trim motor, other detached actuator). Got the 1 fixed (took 7 weeks, took the other 3 month for actuator), then broke the shaft while trolling 1.4mph and hitting a stump under water. MinnKota pointed me to the warranty that says that breakage isn’t covered as “the motor was in use….. “ (seriously it’s on the website). $757 and 7months waiting for repair. I got the motor back 1 month ago. Never mounted it and sold it. Motor 2 - I’m keeping for a “back-up”. Primary motor is now Xi5 MotorGuide that will at least warranty a column breakage. On month 4 and so far so good.

[@MrShake1013]

Yeah my motor guide xi5 24 volt 48 in trolling motors GPS unit went out a month and a half past the two-year warranty.

[@bigk3381]

Minn-Kota and PowerPole 100% great products and awesome Customer Service.🤙🤙🤙 Tight Lines and Full Limits To Y'all. 🎣

[@twinfish2061]

Funny I just left a comment on another video "100+red fish" about your thoughts on trolling motors.. I'm waiting on parts for my motor guide also.

[@initskater]

Interested in a transom mount trolling motor and the Minn Kota RipTide is first on my list. What are my options? I have a 1436 flounder gigging boat with 15 HP on the back. I set the trolling motor on the bow. What are the alternatives?

[@saltyazn6560]

I have a Rhodan 36v 84" shaft. If it weren't for the excellent customer service and parts availability I would've gone Minn Kota. I've been thru 3 gearboxes and 2 ACMs in 2 years. But my boat sees the water than most. I don't have the patience to wait 2 months for Minn Kota or Motor Guide to send parts where as I can get parts overnight with Rhodan. But, Minn Kota has WAYY more features for the same cost as Rhodan. It's a coin flip what you prefer.

[@laurazavatkay2782]

Does the 72 inch shaft interfere with your foredeck rod lockers?

[@TheHurtlacher]

Minn Kota Terrova owner for two years. I think it’s a game changer for me. I’m actually thinking about getting the same one for my kayak over the motor guide i3. We’ll see…still doing my research. I do know the spot lock feature has me intrigued over the torqueedo option for the kayak

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@MikeJonesBBcom]

This isn't the first time I have heard about the MG issues. I have one that is well over 15 years old that is still running strong, but when I do decide to upgrade it will be the MK based on all of the reviews I have read and watched.

[@airbats801]

I think it goes both ways,. I've heard tons of issues with newer minnkota as well

[@MikeJonesBBcom]

@@airbats801 I’m sure it definitely goes both ways. I’m on a couple boards for each. The worst thing I personally see is the difficulty getting the MG fixed or replaced under warranty. MK “appears” to be getting things fixed/replaced quicker. My MG is way outside of any sore of warranty. I’m just hoping it lasts until I get my boat refinished.

[@jwald6795]

I have a Minn Kota Riptide that's 12 years old. The armature shaft broke at the shear pin. I ordered new armature, brushes, seals, gaskets, bushing, end plate, all for 103 dollars. Parts got here today 3 days after ordering.

[@notyetjp]

Bingo. My experience same. They are quite easy to bench repair--if you can access parts. This is a big deal to me. Had Riptides for 25yrs,

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

Glad you have had luck, but I'm done with the Minn Kota Rip Off. First died in warranty. Second quit working in forward, then it quit working but at one speed, then the top fell off, literally. Settled for a cheaper 70 hand and it's not responsive, but it works so long as you use blue loc tite to keep it from coming loose. Not sure if it will be Garmin or Motor Guide listening to the critics and the price tags.

[@bobcutlip9448]

I have a MG tiller style trolling motor (Great White) about 10 years ago-It is a tank but the white housing cracked in half. Upon searching for a replacement housing I couldn't find the same one. MG went for a more streamlined version. The electronics and motor are fine but I need to replace the white housing with the new streamlined one but I couldn't find anyone here to do that. Did anyone have this problem and have any recommendations?

[@olfishing3185]

hai, i am here for watching this video.

[@steveodonnell2921]

If you ease into the area you won't get the wash out of the area. I have a terrova and yes if you approach the area fast and hit the anchor button it'll try to stop you fast but I know where I'm fishing so I get in slow and it works perfectly

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@philscott9405]

on the issue of fish spooking in shallow flat bay areas, would it hurt if you steer the xi5 motor by hand so to not spook the area?

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for your question! Make sure to ask this over on the actual blog or in the Community where the coaches spend their time. The blog can be found here: bit.ly/3b1j0sK

[@decayinoblivion666]

Just wanted to reach out and leave some feedback about my subscription. I have not found a good reason to cancel. I have learned so much but still have so many uses for it and the rabbit hole deep.

[@tmise50]

Have had nothing but problems with Minn Kota! Terrova and Ulterra couldn’t make 5 hours of total run time without a failure. Control board on both. Way too much money to spend on crap. I’ll sell my boat and buy a dinghy before I’ll buy another Minn kroaka!

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

Feel the same with my Minn Kota Rip Off line.

[@d48gray]

What do you guys think about Rhodan Trolling Motors

[@Saltstrong]

Not sure anyone on the team uses that brand. If you want to check out the full blog on our website, you can post your comment there and our coaching team can respond back directly to you if they have any experience with them or feedback. You can find the blog here: bit.ly/3b1j0sK

[@philscott9405]

so are you still having cs issues with mg? any update on thoughts of product?

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for your question! Make sure to ask this over on the actual blog or in the Community where the coaches spend their time. The blog can be found here: bit.ly/3b1j0sK

[@tarjas]

Rhodan

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

More technology always means more failures sadly. Basic 12V tiller and my TT 40 pedal drives are the only trolling motors that have never failed me.

[@markyoung7470]

I have a 12-year-old V2 with I-Pilot and have had to replace the battery remote twice according to the little battery level indicator on the remote. This I-Pilot is one of the first before minn-kota put a screw-on access door for the battery. I had to remove all 6 screws and split the remote. I was very careful when removing the screws but I still broke 2 of the PLASTIC studs that the stainless steel screws screw into to sandwich both halves together. Very poor design to start with they should have been brass inserts and machine screws. I sent an e-mail to Minn-Kota and it took them 5 days to respond telling me that all parts were available. That's all that they said ugh thanks for nothing no help in getting the correct parts you are on your own. My experience with their customer service was poor at best. I have ordered all of the parts after fighting with their internet site that kept kicking me out, but the battery cover is on backorder ugh. will update after I get all of the parts. The biggest complaint I have with the V2 is it is very hard to deploy and to stow.

[@MrSki-mv2kr]

This is the 2nd major bummer on Motorguide because I really enjoy Garmin fish finders. These 2 products are compatible. So I am being torn because Minn Kota is compatible with Hummingbird

[@Saltstrong]

Good luck on making a decision!

[@sandman7ac]

I have an 2018 xi5 with less than 40 hours that I put on on it. I just replaced the gps harness ($380.00) . Went fishing and heard a thumping noise when in anchor lock. Long story short. I took the motor apart and found water inside and a broken magnet. Called the MotorGuide tech line which took several tries because there system kept kicking me out. The tech guy wasn’t much help. Bottom line is that you can’t get parts to repair it yourself. I’m now looking at a Minn Kota. Don’t waste your money on a Motor guide.

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for sharing!

[@packhousetv]

What would you recommend on a 18ft tracker tournament bass boat ? Motor, and shaft length? Thanks in advance

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu. Note: If you don't see the exact answer you're looking for, just leave a comment in the post that most closely matches up with your search and one of our coaches will respond to your question... our coaches only make time to answer questions that get submitted to our website.

[@steveodonnell2921]

Hey Ed, do yourself a favor and make sure which ever one you get that it's 24 volt. I also have a 18 foot tracker and got 5he terrova with a 60 inch shaft 24 volts. I love the thing and everything works as advertised

[@matthewjohnson9796]

Any experience with Rhodan, hearing good things, but all from sponsored guides (grain of salt).

[@saltyazn6560]

I have a Rhodan 84" 36v. Only thing they have going for them is the excellent customer service and parts availability. If it weren't for those things I'd go MK.

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

Never trust someone that is paid to lie.

[@grantfoster9099]

Minn Kota Better Than Motor Guide!

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@grantfoster9099]

@@Saltstrong most of the charter capts where im at in mississippi have minnkota maybe 3-4 have the motorguide one that should tell ya something.

[@geraldkoth654]

Just an FYI, cavitation is actually boiling the water on a very low pressure area of the propeller. No way a trolling motor is going to have that sort of low pressure area. Catching air from being too close to the surface is ventilation, pulling air down to the prop. On the main motor that plate above the prop is an Anti Ventilation plate, not a cavitation plate.

[@jessemccoy1661]

Wow! This is the most petty and useless post! Thank you Captain Know-it-All!

[@allenbmooresharinginformation]

Minn Kota Rip Off trolling motor has damaged enough fishing trips, stolen enough of my hours taking it in to be repaired over the years, and then again to pick it up. I'm going to start giving my money to someone else.

[@jeffyoung3793]

On and on and on and on and on 👎