New Trolling Motor Thoughts

[Jones TrollingMotor]

Personally, I will stay with the Ultrex.  I’m not that impressed with the brushless trolling motor – maybe I’m to old to accept change but I just don’t believe the hype.  I set here typing this listening to a 3yr old ceiling fan motor humming (yes, I realize it’s not DC but it is brushless) as most 110V brushless motors around the house do.  If something happens to a Garmin lower unit, you replace the entire lower unit (Garmins answer to repair) instead of going inside and replacing parts needed.  Lowrance’s motor is serviceable, but we yet to know how serviceable.  In my 17yrs as a Trolling Motor Repair/technician, the only time I’ve seen brushes needed is where water had intruded and allowed the sand in the water to prematurely wear the brushes.  The trolling motor brushes use a hard carbon/graphite in their construction and do not wear quickly.  I’ve gone into 5yr old motors because of a bad armature or broke magnets and still find good brushes.  Yes, it’s the latest technology, but sometimes the latest aren’t isn’t always the best. JMHO

John

[Bass Cat Boats]

There will be more to come… though it’s all as we said, just depends on when your ready.. We do like the brushless offerings and we have been inside of several motors that needed brushes prematurely. The brushless motors are very strong in comparison and we wouldn’t be concerned on 24 volts.

We assisted Jimmy and Joe on tour rebuilding MG trollers and we’ve seen armatures and brushes both.

BCB

[Redngoo]

Im still iffy on all the “new” products on the market. Ive never been the first to buy products that are new to the market. This includes motors, graphs, trucks or etc. I like proven products. Seems like about the time the bugs gets worked out something new appears. Take graphs for example, ” spend big dollars today only to find out its obsolete or not compatible with this or that in a yr. As much as i like the new 4 stroke mercs they are just not tried and proved yet! With trolling motors i agree with some we definitly need some competitions with the market. So when the time  comes once my  fortex  gives up ill make the decision wat direction to go. I use lowerance product since 1989. Even though their customer service is just not that great currently. I do like the current troller. The any of the new trollers just dont have enough service time yet! So i guess time will tell on these products

[Dwayne]

One point that has not been addressed

The various Trolling Motors are supported by the electronic gps/graphs.

If you switch to a Humminbird Trolling Motor then to get the most out of the autopilot you need Humminbird linkable graphs.

That gets expensive if you have a good system and have to switch everything.

Unfortunately non of the electronics are plug and play.  It is kind of like Android and Apple. The different brands do not work well with each other.

My insight and understanding leads me to think that I would look at Garmin if I had to equip a new boat.

[BillBo]

I wonder about the durability, which would seem to favor the MG. I often fish lakes with standing timber where it is a must to bump into the trees and stobs to get bit.

[SteveD]

My thoughts

[PMantle]

Any of you have any inside info on Tour Pro release? Any clue what retailer would get them first?

[Bass Cat Boats]

We don’t know any details on Motorguide, it could be a while yet on their redesign.

[1stinLA]

After having a Tour Pro paid for for almost a year, and getting the old maybe another month, or two from Motorguide for that year, I decided on the Lowrance Ghost a few months ago. I have never been happier with any troller I’ve ever tried, it’s anchor lock is amazing especially in current and wind. Last weekend with a front coming through and 15-25 mph gusty north wind and a heavily falling tide it had no problems on 24 volt, fishing cuts into the marsh. I was sitting in the back of the boat, casting to every object in reach, and then move it forward on my phone and anchor off again hitting everything I could reach with a cast. I do not think the motor was ever higher than 4 and it would push the boat against the current and wind. My old tour would have been over 1/2 to 3/4’s of the way up to go against the wind and current together. Except for the light steering motor noise, the motor itself is the quietest I have ever seen, or used. My only gripe and not a big one is the prop, it could be better in heavy weeds but I am going to try some mods for that.

[Bass Cat Boats]

For anyone that has not yet updated their trolling motors, we would wait. You’re into winter now and there are new products and developments coming to the front.

 

If your just upgrading you rig, we would wait at least three months to see what’s coming from other brands that aren’t out yet.

 

On a new rig we wouldn’t worry as the choices are there that suit you. If your worried then go analog old style and upgrade on the rig in 12 months. Though in a new boat we think all present offerings are within range of what the new motors do.

 

There’s no difference in operation between all coming new product. Just some tweaks that makes it worthwhile to those upgrading sit back an wait as they have already been waiting, or they would already have a electric anchoring troller.

[himmelrr]

I took my time buying a spot-lock trolling motor.  A lot of personal choice goes into it.  I use HB products and regularly work a bank trying to keep a certain depth.  Follow the contour feature of the Ultrex is what sold me.  Also, I prefer the head moving vice just an arrow.  I can use peripheral vision to see where its pointed.  It has been trouble free so far.

There are a lot of great options and another is on the horizon with the Power Pole trolling motor coming soon.

[Author]

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