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Minn Kota Engine Mount Salt Water

Trolling Motors

From $669.99

Overview
Models & Pricing
Features
Accessories
More Engine Mount Info
Trolling Motor FAQ

Engine Mount Saltwater

Saltwater Engine Mount motors let you take advantage of the corrosion-resistant power of Riptide without cluttering your deck with a traditional mount. The Saltwater EM motor discretely gets you in the game, turning any boat into a fishing boat at the flip of a switch.

Available Thrust Levels 55, 80, 101, 160, 202

Specifications

Control	Outboard/Engine Steering
Shaft Length	N/A
Prop	Weedless Wedge 2
Composite Shaft	N/A
Digital Maximizer	Yes
Cool, Quiet Power	Yes

Engine Mount Guide

Use this chart as a guide for the minimum clearance required from the spine of your outboard to the end of your cavitation plate (see diagram), as well as from the cavitation plate to the waterline (13" minimum).

engine mount selection chart

ENGINE MOUNT Saltwater Models

Available Models	Max Thrust	Volts	Shaft Length	Mount	Control	Speeds	OUR PRICE
RT55 EM DM	55	12V	N/A	Single Composite	Outboard/Engine Steering	Variable	$669.99
RT80 EM DM	80	24V	N/A	Single Composite	Outboard/Engine Steering	Variable	$869.69
RT160 EM DM	160	24V	N/A	Single Composite	Outboard/Engine Steering	Variable	$1,069.99

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

ENGINE MOUNT Saltwater Features

Durable, Corrosion-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 mount is made for everyday operation with rugged reliability and superior corrosion resistance. 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

MK 110P Marine Portable Charger

Take the power with you. Brings your batteries back to their proper charge quickly and conveniently. Offers recovery time of 4-6 hours. 7" length x 9" width x 7-3/4" height. Weighs just 6.5 pounds.

Fully automatic 3-stage charging (bulk, absorption and maintenance) so you get a full charge every time
10 amps total output
LED display indicates power ON, charging, full charge and check connection
Short circuit and reverse polarity protection prevents the charger from operating if improperly connected to the battery a real safety feature
For use with 12V/6-cell batteries (50-130 amp hour rating) that are flooded/wet cell, maintenance free or starved electrolyte only
FCC compliant
UL listed to standard 1236
3-year warranty

portable charger

$75.99

MK 220 On-Board Charger

Get a fully automatic, "set it and forget it" proper charge every time. The MK 220 offers recovery time of 4-6 hours with 20 amps total output. 13-1/2" length x 7-1/2" width x 4" height. Weighs 15 pounds.

2 banks • 10 amps output per bank • 20 amps total output

Fully automatic 3-stage charging (bulk, absorption and maintenance) so you get a full charge each and every time
Automatic temperature compensation delivers fast charging recovery, even in extreme temperatures, while protecting your batteries from overcharging
For use with 12V/6-cell batteries (50-130 amp hour rating) that are flooded/wet cell, maintenance free or starved electrolyte (AGM) only
Waterproof, shock- and vibration-resistant construction
Short circuit, reverse polarity and ignition protected
Saltwater tested and fully resistant to corrosion
FCC compliant
UL listed to marine standard 1236
3-year warranty

2 bank charger

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MKR-18 Trolling Motor Plug & Receptacle

Universal design for 2 or 3 wire configurations on 12 to 36 volt systems
Watertight sealing cap and corrosion-resistant, plated brass electrical components
Locks into receptacle for a watertight seal
Requires a standard 1-1/8" diameter mounting hole

plug & recepticable

$27.49

More Fishing Advantages for Saltwater Anglers With Minn Kota’s New Engine Mount Electric Motors

January 2006

RACINE, Wis.–

Saltwater anglers now have a new trolling motor alternative to improve and expand their fishing tactics with the introduction of Minn Kota’s Engine Mount (EM) electric motors.

These electric trolling motors mount on the cavitation plate of an outboard or stern drive gas lower unit, so they are completely out of site. Because there is no stowing or deploying required, the Engine Mount motors are always ready for use. When the boat is on plane, the EM rides completely out of the water so it will not affect the normal performance of the boat or engine.

“A great example of utilizing Minn Kota’s Engine Mount motors in saltwater is on 20- to 25-foot bay boats,” said Captain Sam Heaton, field promotions manager for Minn Kota. “Many times there just isn’t any room on the bow or transom to mount a trolling motor, especially on some of the models that have a deep bow. In the past you were limited to fishing offshore with those types of vessels. Now, if you have a Minn Kota EM motor, you don’t have to worry about losing a day of fishing if the wind keeps you from offshore fishing. You will have the option of going back into the inlets, rivers or coves and troll for redfish, snook or trout.”

With a range of thrust offerings from 55 to 202 pounds, the new Minn Kota saltwater Engine Mount motors also offer a great opportunity to convert 14- to 26-foot boats normally used for recreational purposes into fishing boats.

“This is really great for the guy who has a runabout that he would normally use to ski, wakeboard and just cruise,” said Heaton. “You can install an EM motor on that boat and turn it into an inshore fishing boat.”

The Minn Kota saltwater Engine Mount models feature a composite mounting bracket for optimal strength and corrosion resistance. The electronics are completely sealed in an aluminum enclosure to keep them running cool and protected from water intrusion. Additional saltwater protection includes corrosion-resistant paint and a sacrificial zinc anode on the prop shaft that protects the motor from galvanic corrosion.

The remote hand control on the saltwater Engine Mount motors offers a full range of variable speeds in both forward and reverse. The control can be mounted on the stern or used handheld for more mobility around the boat.

Heaton points out that the EM motor can also be used in tandem with a Minn Kota bow-mount trolling motor. “If I have the EM motor on the outboard in addition to my trolling motor on the bow, it’s like having afterburners on board. I’m going to have a lot more power without any additional noise. I can easily move in front of a pod of fish I am chasing without spooking them,” he said.

Depending on thrust size, the Minn Kota saltwater Engine Mount (EM) models come in single or dual motor configurations, and run on a 12-, 24- or 36-volt system. All models come with the patented Weedless Wedge 2 prop, Maximizer technology (provides up to 5 times more battery run time) and two-year warranty.

Specifications for Minn Kota’s saltwater Engine Mount motors:
Model	Motor Configuration	Maximum Thrust	Volts/Max. Amp Draw	Recommended Boat Length
RT202/EM	Dual	202	36/98	22' – 26'
RT160/EM	Dual	160	24/116	20' – 24'
RT101/EM	Single	101	36/49	18' – 22'
RT80/EM	Single	80	24/58	16' – 20'
RT55/EM	Single	55	12/50	14' – 18'

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.

Minn Kota Engine Mount Salt Water

Trolling Motors

From $669.99

Engine Mount Saltwater

Available Thrust Levels 55, 80, 101, 160, 202

Specifications

Engine Mount Guide

Durable, Corrosion-Free Composite Mount

Sealed Electronics

Remote Speed Control

Digital Maximizer

Engine Mount Advanced Corrosion Protection

Weedless Wedge 2 Prop

Cool, Quiet Power

Two-Year Warranty

More Fishing Advantages for Saltwater Anglers With Minn Kota’s New Engine Mount Electric Motors

January 2006

Bow Guide

Transom Guide