MK RT Power drive stowing system. Any good?

[Wee Hooker]

Back in 95' I bought a new 756mx powerdrive for my 14' skiff. Much to my disapointment , I found the process to drop the motor/restow a real PITA. ( To the point that the motor got used all of 3-4 times before I stowed it in the basement and went to a transom mount.)
It's now time to outfit my next boat (16' aluminum) and am looking at a SW bowmount. I see that MK advertizes a new stowage system but I'm worried I'll drop $600 only to hate it again. Wondering if I should just get a tiller /bow mount and live with it.

Any owners of a newer Rip Tide power drive care to comment on it's ease of deployment/stowage? Is it a one or two hand operation? Cumbersum?
Any other gripes/praises welcome as well.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: MK RT Power drive stowing system. Any good?

Although I don't have the RipTide, I have had several MinnKota Power Drives and the current stow/deploy system works well. If you didn't like the previous systems I would suggest it was not so much a difficulty issue but rather simply a dislike for that or any other similar system. Whether you have a tiller bow mount or an electric steer bow mount you still have the same deployment system (sissor or tilt/slide). You didn't say what particular aspect you didn't like.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: MK RT Power drive stowing system. Any good?

Thanks, To clarify, my old motor required that you to slide the shaft up by standing nearly over it), lay the motor down and pop the motor foot into a recess all in one motion. ( As I recall.) VERY cumbersum. Release was the oposite but added a small release lever. Beynd that , I have to admit that the turning speed of the motor was snail like. (Adding to my dislike of it.) I've read that the turn speed has been greatly improved, just didn't know if the stow/deply was still a two hand/cumbersom operation. If i went to the tiller model, I'll likely opt for a more traditional "pull the cord " type ( a la gator mount) Think I'm going to try to find one to test at the next sportsmans show.

 

[SKEETR]

Re: MK RT Power drive stowing system. Any good?

The powerdrive tilt/slide system can be a bear at times. I found that a little silicone spray makes for good maintenence and greatly eases stowing. My 10 yr old can deploy the motor no prob but I usually have to handle the stowing. If you have the room a scissor mount is much easier to use.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: MK RT Power drive stowing system. Any good?

The current PD stow/deploy system is far superior to the old system but still requires that the motor slide up and down during that process so it is still a two hand process as would the MotorGuide equivalent. I've used both electric steer and cable steer units (sissor mount) units and because of the large deck space required and the inabilty to remove the motor for travel the electric steer units much more versatile for my needs. The sissor mount just takes up too much space. Although you can install a sissor mount on a quick release plate, the cable and pedal are still attached so it makes for a real heavy affair to deal with.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: MK RT Power drive stowing system. Any good?

Thanks again, if I do the sissor mount, it would be with a tiller control unit I guess. I'd consider a wireless PD system but I don't think I can get one with that mount. 90% of my fishing is fly fishing. Since the line is constantly on teh floor and /or whipping around, I need to keep the decks clean of snags. Nothing more frustrating than untangleing your line from the peddle every other cast.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: MK RT Power drive stowing system. Any good?

Ever considered a Co-pilot that you steer and control speed with a remote control unit rather than a foot pedal. No cables. It's radio (RF) controlled but it does get you back to the Power Drive configuration but there is no foot pedal or cables.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: MK RT Power drive stowing system. Any good?

Issue resolved. Just got a "can't pass it up deal" on a new sissor bow mount RT55 with hand control. While the copilot sounds tempting, I'm a big fan of the KISS principle for my small boats. ( Which is why I preffer tiller steer on my outboards too.) I've had a tiller steer (transom ) electric on most of my small boats for 35+ years (without a single failure), this will be an upgrade but still keep it simple. Thanks for all your input. It helped my decision process allot.