MinnKota

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.

For more information contact Minn Kota Motors, P.O. Box 4008, Mankota, MN 56002, 800-227-6433.

Minn Kota is the world’s leading manufacturer of bow- and transom-mount trolling motors, and carries a complete line of battery chargers and marine accessories. Trolling motors in the Minn Kota line includes Maxxum Pro, Maxxum, PowerDrive, Edge, Vantage, Vector, Endura, Riptide Pro, Riptide, Engine Mount and E-Drive models. Minn Kota motors are manufactured and marketed by Johnson Outdoors Inc.