Electric Motors

[Rono]

Does it make a big diference if you use a electric moter with the hand style control apposed to the foot control style when fishing. Is there any graet advantages to a foot controled. I am looking at buying soon and would apreciate any feed back on them.

[matyvee]

Definetely foot control mate. Especially around piers and oyster leases. It's a must have for quality bream fishing with lures. They take a little getting used too. But after a while they are like second nature. Wait a bit longer and save your pennies for an electric with a foot control.

[Rono]

Thanks for that I will wait a bit longer and buy the foot control

[madsurfe]

Hi Rono

if you get around to pricing the motors you will find that the cheapest $ are the tiller control then next up the scale will be the cable foot control models and the most expensive are the electronic control saltwater models. Now having said that you will find that Motorguide are cheaper than Minn Kota for comparable products i.e. equivalent type models. These brands are both American and Minn Kota has been at it longer. The name Minn Kota is derived from their location which is Mankato Minnesota.

Just a bit of background info cos' a lot of people think Minn Kota is an asian brand. I have had a cable steer Minn Kota for 18 months and it is a solid unit. The only problem I had was with a sticking momentry switch that was caused by a weak copper spring. A nuisance but still fishable and fixed by replacing the switch. All the motors suffer problems from time to time with dodgy foot controls due to lack of maintenance or misuse i.e. corroded circuitry or a loose nut or bolt which may cause loss of steering.
They are very reliable for the abuse that they receive. When you think about it a little more you come to realise that you spend a lot more time fishing on the leccy than you do using the outboard. I have days when I don't even use the outboard. It's a relaxing way to fish.

If you want trouble free running just rinse the motor after every use when you flush the outboard and spray some Inox over everything every couple of outings. I recommend that you buy the most bang for your bucks (most features). So you will then feel rewarded by getting value for your $. If you have the money and quality is of utmost importance then look at the Minn Kota Maxum cable steer or the Riptide Saltwater. The Motorguide equivalent is the Saltwater Great White cable steer.

Minn Kota (http://www.minnkotamotors.com/index_flash.asp)

Motorguide Aust (http://www.motorguide.com.au/)

[Rono]

Thanks for the imformation madsurfe it gives me another thing to take into consideration and I apreciate it.