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Tag: Minn Kota Ultrex

  • Best Trolling Motor UK 2026: Bow Mount Buying Guide

    A bow mount trolling motor is the single biggest upgrade most anglers can make to boat control — precise positioning, quiet operation and, on the higher-end models, GPS spot-lock and autopilot-style features that used to only exist on big-budget bass boats. Here’s how to choose the right one for UK waters and what we’d recommend at each budget.

    Trolling Motor Comparison

    MotorThrustPrice
    Watersnake T24 ASP 24lb Kayak Electric Trolling Motor24lb£172.99
    Minn Kota Endura Max 55 Freshwater Transom Motor55lb transom£402.99
    Minn Kota Terrova 55 i-Pilot Wireless Spot-Lock Trolling Motor55lb, i-Pilot£1264.99
    MotorGuide Xi5 80lb 24V Wireless GPS Trolling Motor80lb, wireless GPS£1724.99
    Minn Kota Terrova 80 i-Pilot GPS Trolling Motor – 60-Inch Shaft80lb, 72in shaft£1782.99
    Minn Kota Ultrex Quest 80 — 24V, 60-Inch Shaft, MEGA DI/SI80lb, MEGA DI/SI£2529.99
    Minn Kota Ultrex 52 80lb Quest Trolling Motor with Spot-Lock80lb Quest, Spot-Lock£2644.99

    Best Budget Bow Mount: Watersnake T24 ASP 24lb Kayak Electric Trolling Motor

    At £172.99, the Watersnake T24 ASP 24lb Kayak Electric Trolling Motor is built specifically for kayaks — light, simple, and enough thrust to hold position or cruise slowly without needing a large 12V setup.

    Best Transom Motor: Minn Kota Endura Max 55 Freshwater Transom Motor

    Not every boat suits a bow mount. The Minn Kota Endura Max 55 Freshwater Transom Motor clamps to the transom for £402.99 and gives 55lb of thrust — a straightforward, reliable option for smaller boats and tenders.

    Best Mid-Range Bow Mount: Minn Kota Terrova 55 i-Pilot Wireless Spot-Lock Trolling Motor

    The Minn Kota Terrova 55 i-Pilot Wireless Spot-Lock Trolling Motor introduces i-Pilot wireless control and Spot-Lock GPS anchoring for £1264.99 — hold a precise position hands-free while you fish, without deploying a physical anchor.

    Best 80lb Options: Minn Kota Terrova 80 i-Pilot GPS Trolling Motor – 60-Inch Shaft, MotorGuide Xi5 80lb 24V Wireless GPS Trolling Motor and Minn Kota Ultrex Quest 80 — 24V, 60-Inch Shaft, MEGA DI/SI

    Stepping up to 80lb thrust gives you enough power for bigger boats and rougher conditions. The MotorGuide Xi5 80lb 24V Wireless GPS Trolling Motor (£1724.99) brings MotorGuide’s wireless GPS Pinpoint system; the Minn Kota Terrova 80 i-Pilot GPS Trolling Motor – 60-Inch Shaft (£1782.99) offers Minn Kota’s longer 72-inch shaft for taller bows; and the Minn Kota Ultrex Quest 80 — 24V, 60-Inch Shaft, MEGA DI/SI (£2529.99) adds built-in MEGA Down/Side Imaging sonar directly into the motor head — no separate transducer mount needed.

    Best Premium: Minn Kota Ultrex 52 80lb Quest Trolling Motor with Spot-Lock

    At the top of the range, the Minn Kota Ultrex 52 80lb Quest Trolling Motor with Spot-Lock (£2644.99) combines Spot-Lock, wireless remote and a quiet brushless motor for anglers who want the most refined system available.

    How to Choose a Trolling Motor

    • Thrust: roughly 2lb of thrust per 100lb of fully-loaded boat weight is a common starting rule, more if you regularly fish in wind or current.
    • Shaft length: measure from the mounting point to the waterline — too short and the prop can surface in chop; too long and it drags.
    • Voltage: 12V suits smaller boats and kayaks; 24V and 36V systems suit larger boats needing more sustained power.
    • GPS features: Spot-Lock and autopilot-style tracking are genuinely useful for structure fishing but add cost — decide if you need them before paying for them.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Bow mount or transom mount?
    Bow mount gives better control and is standard on bass-style boats; transom mount is simpler and suits smaller boats or as a secondary motor.

    What battery do I need?
    Most 12V motors run comfortably on one deep cycle or lithium battery; 24V and 36V systems need two or three batteries wired in series — see our marine battery guide for options.

    Is Spot-Lock worth the extra cost?
    For anglers who fish specific structure or drift a lot, yes — it removes the need to constantly re-position. Trolling anglers covering open water may not need it.

    Not sure which thrust and shaft length suits your boat? Our team can help you spec the right trolling motor — browse the full range in our online shop.

  • Minn Kota Ultrex Quest vs MotorGuide Xi5: Best GPS Trolling Motor in 2025?

    If you’re choosing between the Minn Kota Ultrex Quest and the MotorGuide Xi5, you’re shopping for the best GPS-enabled trolling motor money can buy. Both have legions of loyal anglers. Both integrate with major fish finder brands. But they take very different approaches to boat control, and the right choice depends on how you fish.

    Quick Verdict

    The Minn Kota Ultrex Quest wins for Humminbird users, anglers who prioritise hands-free boat control, and those who want the most advanced steer-by-wire technology. The MotorGuide Xi5 wins for anglers who prefer Garmin integration, want a more affordable entry point into GPS trolling, and fish primarily in open water scenarios.

    Design Philosophy

    The Ultrex Quest uses Minn Kota’s acclaimed Universal Sonar 2 integration and features their redesigned brushless motor system delivering 112 lbs of thrust. The Quest model added significant improvements to the motor, cable management, and control interface over the original Ultrex.

    The MotorGuide Xi5 uses a 55 lb, 80 lb, or 105 lb thrust brushless motor with Pinpoint GPS technology. It’s available in 24V and 36V configurations and connects directly to Garmin chartplotters for full integration with Garmin’s ActiveCaptain and Force ecosystem.

    GPS Accuracy & Anchor Performance

    Both motors offer GPS anchor modes — hold your boat in position without a physical anchor. The Ultrex Quest’s Spot-Lock Jog feature lets you move your anchor point in precise 1.5-metre (5-foot) increments using a remote or through the Humminbird head unit — incredibly useful when you need to reposition slightly on a snag pile or rock structure. The Xi5’s GPS anchor is equally reliable in calm to moderate conditions, though in current or significant wind, the Ultrex Quest’s higher thrust and advanced motor control gives it a slight edge in holding power.

    Ecosystem Integration

    This is the most important factor for most buyers:

    • Minn Kota Ultrex Quest integrates natively with Humminbird fish finders via One-Boat Network. Control Spot-Lock directly from your Humminbird screen, share waypoints instantly, and use your fish finder’s mapping to navigate the trolling motor — all without a separate remote.
    • MotorGuide Xi5 integrates natively with Garmin chartplotters via the Garmin Marine Network. Control the motor from your Garmin ECHOMAP or GPSMAP display, follow routes, and use Panoptix data to guide the motor toward fish.

    The takeaway is straightforward: if your fish finder is Humminbird, the Ultrex Quest is the obvious choice. If you’re running Garmin, the Xi5 is the natural pairing.

    Steer & Noise

    The Ultrex Quest uses a universal mount with integrated steering — the motor steers via an internal mechanism rather than a cable-pull system, making it quieter and more precise. The elimination of cables also means fewer maintenance headaches over time. The Xi5’s prop-steering design is also well-regarded for quiet operation, particularly its brushless motor in newer versions.

    Thrust & Power Options

    SpecMinn Kota Ultrex QuestMotorGuide Xi5
    Max Thrust112 lbs105 lbs
    Motor TypeBrushlessBrushless
    Voltage24V / 36V24V / 36V
    GPS AnchorSpot-Lock + JogPinpoint GPS
    Fish Finder IntegrationHumminbird One-Boat NetworkGarmin Marine Network
    Price (105–112 lb)£2,299 – £2,699£1,799 – £2,199

    Both motors run from 24V or 36V battery banks — ask our team about lithium battery systems and 230V shore-power chargers specified for UK/EU marine electrical systems.

    Remote Control

    The Ultrex Quest ships with a Bluetooth remote that controls Spot-Lock, speed, and steering. The Xi5 includes MotorGuide’s Pinpoint GPS remote. Both are solid wireless remotes — but the Ultrex’s deeper integration with Humminbird screens reduces how often you even need the remote once you have a head unit controlling everything.

    Who Should Choose the Ultrex Quest?

    • Humminbird XPLORE, APEX, or SOLIX users who want seamless One-Boat Network control
    • Competitive lure anglers who need the highest precision Spot-Lock for structure fishing
    • Anglers willing to invest in the most advanced steer-by-wire trolling motor available
    • Boats 5.5–7.5 metres (18–24 feet) where maximum holding power in wind and current is essential

    Who Should Choose the MotorGuide Xi5?

    • Garmin ecosystem users who want chartplotter-controlled trolling motor navigation
    • Anglers looking for excellent GPS anchor performance at a more accessible price
    • Zander, perch, and open-water anglers who drift slower and need reliable positioning
    • Smaller boats where 105 lbs thrust is sufficient

    Final Call

    The Minn Kota Ultrex Quest is the most advanced GPS trolling motor built for Humminbird-equipped boats. The MotorGuide Xi5 is the best GPS motor for Garmin-powered setups at a more accessible price. Both are stocked at Pro Marine Electronics with a full manufacturer warranty completely valid for local servicing and technical support within the UK and Europe — contact our team for help matching the right motor to your boat and electronics setup.