Yes
No
Unsure / need to think about buying another
Hey all ..... just reading Foxy's issues with his Kota reminded me of the woes that I've had with mine during its first year ( & a bit) ....... Its always a point of concern when I go away on a trip ( will it play up or not).
So after hearing on going issues with many a Kota ....... I was wondering if you would buy another when or if the need arose
Nagg
I'll start it off ...... I'm undecided!
When the Kota is going ... its the best ! ... I love the autopilot.
The Kota (Riptide) is tough as ...... I 've hit oyster racks , rocks & snags at speed with no issues
The breakdowns have been a total pain ..... Once while away & another was 1 week out from going to N Qld ............... The reliability is a real concern ....
The technical / service support from BLA has been exceptional ...... However once the warranty runs out ..... Who knows ???
So I'll sit back & see what happens with the new models before I commit!
Nagg
Yes I would. I've got a 55 Riptide with AP and it's been great. It's done a lot of work in 12 months, never let me down.
Only problem I've had is with the Anderson plug corroding very badly on the positive wire, other than that she's been a ripper.
Jeff.
Last edited by ffejsmada; 18-02-2008 at 05:28 PM.
Had my Kota for 6 months, on my second foot pedal. BLA have also been great, new foot pedal in 2 days.
The Devil you know is better than the Devil you dont!
I've been down the motorguide road not again. My kota is A1 without a single hiccup and as soon as the money turns up im buying a co-pilot remote control for it.
Minn kota have released recently a new lineup of saltwater trolling motors that look the goods even tho they are quite exy.
Jack.
Originally Posted by tunaticer
Jack .... I'll be interested to hear from you ... if the co-pilot removes the issues associated with the foot controls
Nagg
Untill something better comes along definately kota for me.
Just can't do without a/p and knock on wood the one I've got hasn't played up since I bought it 3 years ago!
Hi jeff,
there seems to be a common problem with the positive wire and johnson/anderson plugs. The ap55 draw about 50 amps flat out and i'm not convinced the smaller plugs are up to the task.Im going to either remove the plug altogether or go to the big 175 amp ones as i have already had to replace the red wiire right to the motor.
chewy...............
My problem was the red wire from the battery to the Anderson plug. I picked up a new plug today, they told me to disconnect positive wire from battery pole when not in use to stop the charge going through to the plug. Makes sense I suppose, I'll disconnect from now on and see what happens.
Cheers Jeff.
I think motor guide is the yamaha of elec motors so i would go that way.
my RT55 has been playing up bigtime of late, steering motor issues. sent it back and it came back very promptly apparently fixed...well it wasn't. back it went, came back and they fixed the steering motor, in the process though the autopilot stopped working! back it went for a 3rd time, seems ok now. can't fault BLA's service just wish they could make the autopilot more reliable....keen ot have a look at the new terrovas, hopefully these kinds of issues are fixed
Hmm ...... Owners of Motorguides are a silent bunch though ( dont say much ..good or bad
Nagg
I have a top of the line Motorguide digital steer on the Stratos and a Minn Kota RT55 AP on my Hornet. I will never own another Motor Guide. I will be replacing this one with a new Terrova in the very near future. Cable steer is not an option for me, I move around the boat too much.
I've had 2 cable steer motorguides and found them very frustrating
Maybe I'm just unco-ordinated but I hate the heel/toe foot control - don't mind a bit of heel and toe in a car on a racetrack but that's different!
I read on another post somewhere where someone reffered to it as having to be like the karate kid - summed it up perfectly I thought
I have a 80lb motor guide cable steer and i wont go pack to a foot control minn kota. They are too slow for turning for me and the response of the cable steer is awesome and silent. i hate the drowning noise of the riptides. I have had alot of trouble with my riptide on my smaller tinny foot pedal problems and trouble with the AP.
Im not saying i wont buy another minn kota just not a AP mechanical steer.
Whytey
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