Hi, does anyone have any experience with these electric motors? Opinions good/bad/indifferent would be helpful.
I'm after a relatively cheap electric backup motor for my 12ft Portabote, not wanting a rolls royce of motors but something that is reliable and does the job and works at sea as well as in freshwater.
Currently use a 4hp Mercury petrol as main motor.

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers
T-Arcticus

Bordering on s***e
Minn Kota every time
Unfortunately budget motors are re badged under various guises
you pays your money.........................

If its as a drift shifter, maybe different

__________________
BROWN TROUT:THE RED SPOTS HAND PAINTED BY GOD

Hi,
I used a Minn Kota for 20 years, it was a great machine but I did not use it much more than 6 times a year for much of the time. Replaced it with a Bison 2 years ago definitely not as well an engineered machine but more than adequate for the job. Last year my mate and I used the electric a lot more than usual including Menteith and Carron Dam. Due to him breaking his Minn Kota we used the Bison for the great majority of the trips and it never let us down although he thought that it felt **** when he was driving.

Thnaks, from what I can see the Minn Kota's (at least those advertised on e-bay) state freshwater use only or don't give details as to whether they are saltwater compatible. Plus they are nearly twice the price......as you say you pays yer money.
Cheers
TA

For true saltwater use, Minnkota makes the Riptide series that are specifically designed to withstand the abuse of saltwater. All of the electronics are sealed to keep out salt air and humidity, all exposed metal parts are stainless, etc, etc. They are more expensive (by quite a bit) compared to a standard Minnkota.

I've never owned or used anything but Minnkota, but if a generic brand is half the price of a Minnkota, then it's probably about 35% the cost of a Minnkota Riptide. Basically, that should tell you something. There's no way that it's an apples to apples comparison. I don't think Minnkota is charging over the odds, IME it's a case of getting what you pay for. I've owned several Minnkotas, the latest one is now approaching 10 years old. I've never yet had one die or wear out and I use the electric every time I'm out fishing.

You'd have to look up and see what the exact line is with using Minnkota in saltwater. I have a tough time believing it will kill them, my guess is that it's not "recommended".

Grouse

As grouse has said the riptide is the only true salt water Minnkota, You could use the fresh water verity but I wouldn't advise it. It would invalidate your warranty if anything did go wrong with it!

Regards

Adie

Cloan Engineering.