tigon Loc: IN

Looking for opinions on foot pedal or handle on a bow mount trolling motor on a 14' Whaler Dauntless. I have never had a handle model but there is not much floor space so considering a hand version.

CoreG0nUS75 Loc: SE NC

I vote for hand controls. I have one boat that came with foot controls but I found I was always having to look at the motor (or the arrow on top of it) to see what direction it was aimed. With hand controls, whether I am sitting or standing I can reach for the handle and know exactly how to move it to go where I want to go. Yeah, it takes one of your hands off the fishing rod briefly. A neighbor had a trolling motor with remote control. We were fishing one day and asked me to run it. I finally gave up fishing and had to concentrate on running the motor around the docks and in the narrow creeks. To be sure, running one all of the time would give me a certain level of comfort and precision. But how long would that take a klutz like me? Beside, the hand units tend to be cheaper. So, that's my story. I have used trolling motors on the bows and sterns of several of my boats and I prefer the hand control for steering ease and fine tuning the speed control. The only option I might consider are motors mounted to the cavitation plate of an outboard. You control it by turning the steering wheel, though it's been a decade or so since I drove one on a friend's boat and I can't remember how power was applied with his model. It must have been easy since we didn't crash into anyone and I have forgotten how I controlled speed. Also, I live on 4-mile long canal with good fishing so I get to see a lot of fishing boats with all sorts of electronic stuff, including fancy trolling motors. After years of observation, I will stick with my old-fashioned tiller run motors. They rock. Coregonus SE NC.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

I've got both. Tiller on my pond boat. Works well. Foot control on the tracker also works well. Once you get familiar with them you don't have to look at the arrow

CoreG0nUS75 Loc: SE NC

Glad to know that. I hated the foot control so much that I never gave myself the time to learn it It didn't help that it broke 3 or the first 4 times I used it. That's when I gave that motor away and got a Minn Kota (one of 4 I own or have owned). Blessings on you for sticking with it on your Tracker.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

I have both, but due to the floorspace constraints I would recommend a hand controlled unit on the stern.

Billy Bob Loc: Terre Haute,IN

I have a 20 ft bass boat with a hand control on bow. I also have 3 buttons on floor of front deck. All you have to do is step on any button to turn on and control direction by hand. Other than very high winds it works fine for me. The buttons are located on each side and the middle so no matter which way you are facing you have a on button.

runandgun Loc: East Texas

I hate bending down to grab the handle. Two times in rough water, I went over board. Almost did one time on foot control too. But my "final decision" is foot control. Once I get the arrow lined up with the motor, no problem knowing which way to "rock" your foot. Just my nickels worth.

agatemaggot Loc: iowa

Handle version has less to go wrong with it and can set tension on shaft so it will not turn until you want it to !

buzboat

Wireless remote

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Remote wasn't one of the options offered. That is cheating.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Foot for me if standing on a stable heavy bass boat. hand control for most other situations

farmer tom Loc: stockton california

I have both controls . I use the foot control for casting and the remote for trolling.

tigon Loc: IN

Thanks, makes sense.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Tigon if you can find one that is wire control you'd be good foot pedal is small n the cord is long enough you could control front or back. The pedal is only about 1"/1-1)2" high.

Billy Bob Loc: Terre Haute,IN

Runandgun

I can see the problem you are relating to. My hand operated trolling motor has an extension handle on it. I never need to bend down. It also is design so that I can swivel the motor 360 degrees so backing up is no problem either. That way no need to bend over to flip reverse switch.