Concerned about New Trolling Motor

Bud Kennedy · February 06, 2020, 11:16:05 AM

In December I purchased a Minn Kota Maxxum 80 trolling motor. The motor although working just does not seem right. My expectation were that the performance of this motor would be much better than my old Motorguide tour 70 trollers. I can say the new motor installation was fast and easy and required only a change in the circuit breaker.

So here is my concern. It appears the motor just does not have the umph that I had anticipated. I have conducted a full front to back test of the entire electrical system and find a solid 25.6V solid from the batteries to the connector of the trolling motor. The retailer also asked me to perform a load test on the batteries and I have completed that request and the load tester indicates all is well with the two new Interstate batteries. I noticed my plug on the motor had a bit of corrosion on one contact so I replaced it with a new plug. Did a quick run test and all is well with no problems noted. I do recall a few years ago my motorguide running on high did melt the plug a bit but I have never check the socket in the bow panel and that remains on my list of things to check the next time I have the boat here. The retailer has also asked me to perform a voltage measurement at the plug with the motor running just to see if there is any drop off. I will do that as well.

I am convenience that voltages are where they need to be but not sure if I am having a current drop off inside the receptacle.

My concern is I had expected better performance. I currently have to run at 70 % on the Minn Kota speed control to get good movement on the boat. Seems to me that I should be able to achieve this kind of movement between 20 or 30% but that is just how I feel and don't really know if my expectations are realistic. The technicians with the retailer thinks my expectations are realistic.

Just to satisfy my curiosity I called Minn Kota and was not able to get to speak with a support technician and was referenced to their FAQ section on the website. I then tried to perform a chat style communication with their support only to be frustrated about their unwillingness to discuss my problem and only to be referred to the FAQ or take the motor back to the retailer. Well Hells Bells this was a waste of time and very disappointed that Minn Kota does not seem to have someone to discuss problems like this. The retailer has been great however so I am happy about that but they are a thousand miles from me so going there is not an option. If I pull the motor and send it to them it will be 3-4 weeks before it will be returned. Bottom line is the motor works but my expectations were higher. I just don't want to be without a trolling motor for that length of time and I sure don't want to ship it. I am gonna try to get a local Minn Kota shop to have a look.

Ya know what? the motor may be just fine and it is my expectations that are out of whack. I just want to know for sure. The motor is under warranty for 2 years so I have plenty of time to get this reviewed. All I can say is BOOOOOO! on Minn Kota for not having a more active support offering at their main office.

Princeton_Man · February 06, 2020, 01:57:42 PM

I guess my simple test would be to see what the wide open gps speed is in water without a current. Most of mine running wide open were consistantly 3.5- 4mph.

Isn't there an authorized Minn Kota Service dealer within reasonable driving distance?

Bud Kennedy · February 06, 2020, 03:19:18 PM

Jim, there probably is absolutely nothing wrong with my motor and I do plan on taking it to a local dealer for some testing. Probably my expectations are a bit out of bounds. The motor runs fine and I guess I was just expecting more total power than my old Motorguide. The reason I made this post was my surprise and dissatisfaction with the contact with Minn Kota. Just not what I would have expected. You know us geezer types we like to be sure of things and we don't like to be "clerked" like I felt I was at Minn Kota. The selling dealer Jones Trolling Motor however has been excellent and have assisted in taking a bunch of measurements just to be sure.

Donald Garner · February 06, 2020, 06:47:53 PM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on February 06, 2020, 01:57:42 PM
I guess my simple test would be to see what the wide open gps speed is in water without a current. Most of mine running wide open were consistantly 3.5- 4mph.

Jim, I'm getting about the same results with my Minn Kota Fortrex 80lb trolling motor. My motor is a 2011 model and I'm running 31 series Deep Cycle Marine Batteries.

My trolling motor for the most part I run between 4 - 7 on the speed selection. It moves my Stratos around with no issues. If I'm moving from one close location to another or moving around someone fishing in front of me I'll slip it over to 10. When I run my motor between 8 - 10 I'll have to park my butt on the seat and steer it.

Bud, let me ask you this. You spend most of the time out in the river don't you? Is there a lot of current or tide movement during the time you're on the trolling motor? I know fishing in a reservoir is different than on a tidal river etc.

I would think you'd have to adjust your speed control up to a higher level in faster moving water. This would affect a lower performance from the motor wouldn't it.

Bud Kennedy · February 06, 2020, 06:56:38 PM

Don, I think I am comparing apples to organges. You are right current certainly has an impact. Here is my current thinking.

My old Motorguide had 5 selectable speeds. Usually I ran at setting 3 or 4 and sometimes 5 in stiff current. Using this thought this means that each speed on a motorguide is 20%. So, my normal operating speed on the motorguide translated into minn kota equal is 60 to 80 % . Using this line of thought that is about where the Minn Kota is performing. I am probably not being fair with my expectations of the Minn Kota given this comparison. I am sure my motor is just fine, It is just my expectation originally were a bit out of whack.

It still does not forgive Minn Kota for not having a responsive tech support capability however.

Donald Garner · February 06, 2020, 07:28:13 PM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on February 06, 2020, 06:56:38 PM
Don, I think I am comparing apples to organges. You are right current certainly has an impact. Here is my current thinking.

My old Motorguide had 5 selectable speeds. Usually I ran at setting 3 or 4 and sometimes 5 in stiff current. Using this thought this means that each speed on a motorguide is 20%. So, my normal operating speed on the motorguide translated into minn kota equal is 60 to 80 % . Using this line of thought that is about where the Minn Kota is performing. I am probably not being fair with my expectations of the Minn Kota given this comparison. I am sure my motor is just fine, It is just my expectation originally were a bit out of whack.

It still does not forgive Minn Kota for not having a responsive tech support capability however.

I understand where your coming from. I have a Motor Guide on my G3 and I can tell the difference between the two motors while fishing. I think the more you get out and get to know / use that Minn Kota you'll really like it.

Yes sir I'd be ticked off too if I called the Service Tech Support and didn't get the answer I was hoping for.

Oldfart9999 · February 07, 2020, 08:01:45 AM

I agree with your vent about the service dept, if they can't talk when you call they should give a call back. Is the speed the same or more than the MG?
Rodney

Bud Kennedy · February 07, 2020, 08:06:12 AM

Rodney, the motors appear to have about the same power if you compare apples to apples

TNDiver · February 07, 2020, 09:55:02 AM

I have a 80 lb Fortrexx and it moves my 21' deck boat well at about 50% the time I took it out. Had high winds and good current too. So yeah, it could be the motor is not working to optimum performance. I hear you about tech support and I think it is going to be the norm. These companies get other companies to do support and tel them it is better and cheaper, only to find out customer service is severely lacking and the cheaper cost does not equal the quality of service. The nonprofit I work with and the university I work for, gets bombarded with similar pitches, and when I hear the word "Easy" I cringe, because it means more work for me in the long run.

caddyjoe77 · February 18, 2020, 12:50:49 AM

Bud

it seems like you ought to be getting more out of that troller IMO.

I had a 70 pound maxxum on my first boat, a triton 17 footer and it would really move the boat at 70%. Are you sure your batteries are wired right -- it almost sounds like you might be running off 12 volt.

I know you said you checked but it never hurts to double check.