Motor Guide Wireless

[Flint River Pirate]

I just put a Motor Guide Wireless trolling motor on the front of my boat. Does anyone have any experience with these, good or bad?

[Squall Line]

I put one on my boat a few weeks back. So far so good. The only thing I am not too wild about is the beep function, but otherwise I am pleased.

[Flint River Pirate]

I agree, the beeping is very annoying. The other thing I have found is that I forget which speed I leave it on and sometimes I almost fall over backwards because it was left on high. It is very different that a standard foot controlled. But the more I use it the more I like it. I haven't used it in salt water yet, do you think it will hurt it? I have never really cared before but this one wasn't cheap. Thanks

[Squall Line]

This goes against the typical wisdom, but I bough a 'freshwater' unit for my boat, which is used primarily in salt... I check out the unit in the store, and was pleased to see that all of the hardware/ fasteners were non ferrous. The only additional things I have done are use corrosion block on the electrical items, and I will soon be adding an anode off the sw unit. I did the same with my last trolling motor; it wasn't the salt that killed it, the plastic mount broke after about 7 years... Just keep her clean, and if you scratch the paint, go over it with something more robust.

[kimmysan]

Now you will have to consider I fish primarily at night chasing blues and flatheads in northern Alabama, But I love the beeps. I can fish at the rear of my boat(in front of my big depth finder), listen to a ball game or what not, And I can still function the trolling motor with the sounds. Just get into the habit of turning your motor on its lowest power setting BEFORE YOU TURN IT ON EVERYTIME. That can not be stressed enough. Those babies need a kill switch attached to them. The mounting bracket will look like it not going to hold up, but I use mine in the tailwaters of dams on the Tenn River and it has taken the abuse just fine. Mines a 70thrust/24 volt, its not going to amaze you with a top speed, but it has plenty of power to get you moving against even the strongest currents. Maybe the most surprising thing for me is the prolong battery life I have, the duracell bunny ain't got nothing on these things.To sum it all up, I don't know how I made it with out it for all these years.

[Mook!]

mojokoko has one of these on his 180 bay scout. I think it came with the pedal control and he paid extra for the wireless perhaps... he and I have both given the wireless remote and the pedal several tries, after which we agreed that the pedal not only allows you much better control of the boat, but has the additional advantage of leaving both hands free for more important things like fishing.

Now, the one exception is when using autopilot. Once or twice we set the motor to slow speed and activated autopilot, which near as either of us can tell maintains a compass heading at the set speed. While autopilot is active, the remote can be utilized somewhat more effectively for making minor course and speed corrections while trolling a grassline, or when gusty wind blows you off course. For such an occasion, attach the remote to a clip and clip it to the alleged 'rod holder' on your PFG shirt.

My overall opinions on the remote are that the pedal is almost always better, but that it's not completely useless when using autopilot from the stern. There's still the downside that autopilot is engaged/disengaged from a button on the motor itself, and that even when using autopilot, the remote has a tendency to overcorrect compared to the pedal control. Both mojokoko and I agreed that using the speed lock 'cruise control' on the pedal and steering with your foot results in MUCH better control and fishability than the autopilot/remote combination, although it's super-keen technology and impresses the ladies when you stand on the poling tower and drive the boat with the keychain remote.

On the beeeeeeep beep-beep-beep issue, my opinion is that it's both annoying and extremely useful if not necessary. Due to the tendency of the remote to oversteer, it helps to know asap that the thing heard and executed your control command.

[Reel Cowboy]

My dad has one on his 170 Sailfish and he likes it. I was supposed to have one but the boat place (not going to mention any names) ordered the tiller/hand control style and installed itbut I still like the motor guide.