Saltwater vs Freshwater XI5 Motorguide

[Rick Stephens]

Contemplating sticking an XI5 bow mount 24 volt trolling motor on my fishing barge. Already have a Lowrance Elite 9 Ti with a total scan transducer. I look forward to networking them together and using the handheld remote for the motor while trolling for salmon. I hadn't considered the Saltwater version of the XI5 since I live inland and only freshwater fish. However, looking at prices on iBoats website, the Saltwater version of that motor is $100 cheaper and while it has 2 less features, they are things I don't believe I will want or need - built in sonar transducer and a foot pedal control.

My question for anyone who has any familiarity with the Salt verse Fresh Water Motorguides, is there something I am missing here that would make it a poor choice to go with the Saltwater model?

Thanks for your experience!

Rick

 

[ajgraz]

I'm studying the same TM for my CC. And I believe you are correct, the big difference (and reason for lower price) is that the saltwater version does not have foot pedal control or xducer--I also DON'T want those. I understand the saltwater version also has o-ring seals where the shaft meets the foot.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I'm studying the same TM for my CC. And I believe you are correct, the big difference (and reason for lower price) is that the saltwater version does not have foot pedal control or xducer--I also DON'T want those. I understand the saltwater version also has o-ring seals where the shaft meets the foot.

Seems we are on the same page. They use some different metals here and there, and seal things up better in the Saltwater version, which can't be all bad. I could just see some sort of gotcha I hadn't considered. The XI5s are the most expensive trolling motors in their class. You don't want to pick wrong. iBoats has the best prices I have seen, and we get a 5% discount on top of that for forum members. Attractive way to dump more Thous into our boats.