Engine Mount Guide

ENGINE MOUNT Freshwater Models

DM=Digital Maximizer   US2=Universal Sonar 2   AP=Auto Pilot

ENGINE MOUNT Freshwater Features

Interference-Free Composite Mount The EM discretely mounts on the cavitation plate of your outboard or I/O unit, with no stowing or deploying required. The motor stays out of sight, won’t interfere with your I/O motor, keeps your deck clear and rides completely out of the water once you’re on plane.
Sealed Electronics EM electronics are housed in a fully waterproof control module mounted below the deck of the boat, and they’re sealed in marine-grade polyurethane to provide corrosion-proof protection. The extruded aluminum housing features specially designed fins that dissipate heat to keep things cool under high rmp use.
Remote Speed Control Control your EM’s speed with this 18' corded remote. It can be mounted or handheld, and offers infinitely variable speed control in forward and reverse. Features neutral (off) detent position. The motor can be steered using the boat’s steering wheel or outboard tiller.
Digital Maximizer Digital Maximizer™ controls and optimizes power to extend battery life and reduce damaging heat. You’ll stay on the water up to five times longer on a single charge.
Engine Mount Advanced Corrosion Protection Our engine mount motors are impervious to corrosion, thanks to premium-grade marine alloys and aluminum upper arms. Metals undergo a rigid multi-step cleaning process before being anodized or coated with a special zinc dichromate armor plating. All components are then finished with a durable 5-mil TGIC polyester, powder coat paint. When it’s all done, you’re left with unequaled corrosion protection.
Weedless Wedge 2 Prop Push weeds away and take on the thick stuff without battery-draining chopping and hacking. Weedless Wedge™ 2 features swept-back, flared blades for unrelenting, reliable prop performance. Available on select models.
Cool, Quiet Power Nothing runs cooler or more quietly than a Minn Kota. Our extra large windings and commutators dissipate heat, resulting in cooler operation, extended battery power, and longer motor life. And our unique bearing system reduces friction to cut fish-spooking noise. So quiet, they’ll never hear you coming.
Two-Year Warranty This motor is backed up with Minn Kota’s two-year warranty.

ENGINE MOUNT Freshwater Accessories

• What about shaft length selection?
  

  Choosing the correct shaft length is important so that the angler’s electric motor does not cavitate, creating fish-spooking noise. The rule of thumb is that the center of the motor section should be submerged 9". In general, shaft length selection is more critical with bow-mount motors versus transom-mount motors. Most boat transoms are similar in their distance to the water, and Minn Kota’s standard transom shaft lengths should be adequate. With bow-mounted motors, there is much greater variation in shaft length requirements. Measure down from the mounting surface of the transom or bow to the water level. Add 5" to waterline measurement for fishing in rough water. Add 12" to waterline measurement for steering a hand control motor while standing. Use this measurement and the tables below to find the appropriate shaft length.

• Bow Guide

  

  Bow to Waterline	Recommended Shaft Length
  0"-10"	36"
  16"-22"	42"
  22"-28"	48"-52"
  28"-34"	54"-62

  Transom Guide

  

  Transom to Waterline	Recommended Shaft Length
  0"-10"	30"
  10"-16"	36"
  16"-20"	42"
  Over 22"	Consult Factory

• Electric motor power ratings are in pounds of thrust. How do I determine the thrust requirements for my boat?
  

  Thrust requirements are determined by the size and weight of your boat. As a rule of thumb:

• 40 lb. thrust max boat size 17 feet
• 50 lb. thrust max boat size 20 feet
• 55 lb. thrust max boat size 21 feet
• 65 lb. thrust max boat size 23 feet
• 70 lb. thrust max boat size 23 feet
• 80 lb. thrust max boat size 25 feet
• 101 lb thrust max boat size 25 feet

However if you frequently fish in heavy winds, rivers or adverse weather conditions, you may want to consider a higher thrust electric motor. It’s always better to have too much power than not enough!

Minn Kota has a trolling motor selection guide on their web site where you can enter specifics about your boat and it will recommend a model that fits your input. You can access that site by clicking HERE.

• How important is battery selection for electric motor usage?
  

  The battery is a critical element of your electric motor system. A high-quality deep cycle marine battery should always be used. Unlike automobile batteries, deep cycle marine batteries are designed to be run down to a discharged state and then recharged. (To extend the life of your battery, always recharge after use. Most trolling motor batteries fail due to lack of proper charging.)

• What are the benefits of a bow-mounted electric motor?
  

  Boats do not tend to go in a straight line. Because of this, it is much easier to pull a boat than to push a boat. It is also easier to move the bow of the boat sideways compared to moving the transom. Therefore, a bow-mounted electric motor allows for much greater boat control and positioning. If quick-response boat control and positioning is what you are looking for, a Minn Kota bow-mount electric motor is a must.

• Can my freshwater Minn Kota trolling motor be used in saltwater?
  

  We designed a special line of motors for use in salt or brackish water. The Minn Kota Riptide trolling motors have a number of “saltwater-engineered” enhancements, including stainless steel hardware, sealed electrical connections and an advanced painting process for improved corrosion protection. Using any of our standard Minn Kota motors in saltwater may dramatically reduce the life of the motor and voids manufacturer’s warranty. To extend the life of your Minn Kota Riptide saltwater trolling motor, thoroughly rinse the motor with freshwater after every use in saltwater and store indoors. Never leave the motor submerged in saltwater when the boat is moored.

• Digital Maximizer Benefits
  
  • Extended trolling time (up to 5x longer on a single charge).
  • The Digital Maximizer speed control saves valuable power over a conventional speed coil motor.
  • The Digital Maximizer allows more fishing time on your battery charge, up to five times longer run time per battery charge, compared to the 5-speed switch.
  • With variable speed control, the Digital Maximizer allows for proper speeds to be set and maintained while trolling lures for proper presentation.
  • Virtual speed adjustments for changing conditions.
  • The Digital Maxmizer allows for fine-tune speed adjustments.
  • The Digital Maximizer allows the user to control boat speed more effectively in changing environments.

 

• How does Digital Maximizer compare to a speed coil?
  

  How Speed Coil Motors Work

  • Electrical loads are hooked up in series with the motor so that power from the battery is split between supplying the motor and supplying the additional loads (speed coils).
  • Power from the battery is fairly constant regardless of the speed setting. Therefore, on speed 1 for example, more power is diverted to the speed coil than is supplied to the motor. This makes the overall motor assembly less efficient (vs. variable speed/Digital Maximizer).
  • Extra power consumed by the speed coil produces heat, much like an electrical heating element. The heat is then transferred through the motor housing to the water.
  • That is why speed coils are located in the lower motor unit.

• Speed Coil Analogy
  
  • You are driving a car at full speed. To slow down, you brake with one foot while continuing to keep your foot down on the gas pedal. By doing this, you continue to burn gas (power) while causing the brakes to heat up.
  • Same theory applies with a speed coil motor. The power supply is still constant, but is diverted to the speed coils for the lower speeds which reduces efficiency and run time.

• Will the CoPilot work with my cable steer or hand control trolling motor?
  

  No, CoPilot is designed only for electric steer motors.