Minn Kota PowerDrive V2 Review

Minn Kota is the oldest manufacturer of electric fishing motors in the world with up to 70 years of experience in the lab and in the water.

The Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 is a redesigned foot pedal that includes a new deploy-assist lever and digital electronics which further enhances one of the most trusted trolling motors in the industry.

Its resourceful and ergonomically-designed features help deliver more performance than ever before. The most important feature of this product is indeed the new deploy-assist lever which is a game changer for pursuing fish quickly and easily.

Before buying the Minn Kota Powerdrive V2, you should consider which size – either the 48-inch or the sister size 55-inch shaft – is appropriate for your vessel.

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Because Minn Kota’s digital maximizer technology is able to support up to five times longer run time on a single charge, this aspect really sets the Powerdrive V2 apart from other similar products.

Deploy Assist Lever

This new addition helps put your vessel into motion so you can easily follow fish at a quicker pace. All you have to do is simply depress the lever in order to deploy the motor then you’re ready to take off. As you get ready to move, the Powerdrive V2 stows rather easily and securely, ready to go when you are.

Ergonomic Foot Pedal

This offers precise speed adjustment, right and left steering, and both momentary and constant on/off. It features the industry’s highest IP68 waterproof rating and 18′ cord. Additionally, there is an optional wireless foot pedal available for easier operation.

Autopilot

With Autopilot, you can spend less time steering your boat around and more time actually catching fish. To put it plainly, Autopilot helps to keep you right on target to catch your trophy fish and have a successful fishing session.

CoPilot Compatible

Available as a separate component, the wireless CoPilot remote control accessory gives you command over speed and steering from anywhere on the vessel. With this feature, you have more of a fish catching advantage while maintaining a clean and organized deck, and you don’t have to spend energy being constantly fixed to the foot pedal.

Digital Maximizer

Minn Kota’s digital maximizer can go up to five times longer run time on just one charge. Because conventional speed coil technology spends a lot of energy by delivering a continuing flow of power to the motor – regardless of what the speed is configured to – which results in wasted energy.

First created in 1985, Minn Kota’s inventive Maximizer technology provides the exact amount of power necessary at any setting, in addition with variable speed control. For prolonging battery life and reducing heat damage, the advanced digital micro processing optimizes draw.

Indestructible Composite Shaft

This element has been an industry standard since 1999, and the high-yield composite material has been tested to be three times tougher than steel. It’s virtually indestructible, and it flexes on impact and afterwards returns to its original position.

Contrasted with steel, it will not break, rust, crimp, or corrode, which means you get to have a peace of mind about the product’s durability.

Cool and Quiet Power

To ensure a cooler operation, extended battery power and longer motor life, the extra-large windings and commutators are used to deplete heat. A unique bearing structure generates low rpms/high torque to reduce any noise that can scare off fish, which can prove useful.

Pros and Cons

In light of good reviews for the Minn Kota Powerdrive V2, many have mentioned how they like the easy installation, the motor’s great performance in head winds and rainy weather, the convenience of the long cord, the useful CoPilot addition, the long battery run time, and the new foot pedal control. The motor’s capability is especially highly favored.

Those who have left negative reviews mostly did so because of certain disadvantages that affected their experience. Some noted that it was slightly inconvenient when it came to stowing and unstowing the product for they had to forcefully unhook it and make a big effort to carry the motor over its resting area and into the water.

Others have also stated that the stiff cable gets in the way while trying to operate or stow the motor. Most bad reviews were based around minor hindrances from the product, but nothing really more than that.

Other Configurations

Other configurations of the Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 include the same product but with a 54″ shaft and 70-pound thrust rather than a 48″ shaft and 55-pound thrust.

Conclusion

Most customers who have bought the product have had a good experience using it, mainly due to all of the key features that the Minn Kota Powerdrive V2 has to offer.

Additionally, all Powerdrive V2 bow-mount trolling motors feature Minn Kota’s two-year warranty in case your motor gets damaged.

In correlation with its performance, many have also claimed that it’s worth the price and is sure to ultimately make buyers happy with their purchase.

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