Shallowminded6 Posted April 13, 2020 Report Share Posted April 13, 2020 So whats the real difference between the two?? Is it just the exterior hardware, like shaft and screws? The motor and everything has to be sealed regardless. Just bored and curious if anyone has ever used freshwater in the salt, and if they last if you did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makomark Posted April 15, 2020 Report Share Posted April 15, 2020 I have been using a Minn Kota Terrova for a couple of years with no issues in salt water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redzone1 Posted April 15, 2020 Report Share Posted April 15, 2020 This is a good question that I have wondered myself. with all the grey color schemes and black powder coating going on boats these days a black trolling motor would look sharp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shallowminded6 Posted April 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2020 1 hour ago, redzone1 said: This is a good question that I have wondered myself. with all the grey color schemes and black powder coating going on boats these days a black trolling motor would look sharp. Thats part of why I am wondering. All my other trim pieces, rub rail, motor, etc are black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shallowminded6 Posted April 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2020 21 hours ago, makomark said: I have been using a Minn Kota Terrova for a couple of years with no issues in salt water. Do you use it exclusively in salt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnarlydog Posted April 16, 2020 Report Share Posted April 16, 2020 I own a Riptide model so I don't have any experience using a freshwater model in salt, but the info below comes directly from their website: We designed a special line of motors for use in salt or brackish water. The Minn Kota Riptide trolling motors have a number of "saltwater-engineered" enhancements, including stainless steel hardware, sealed electrical connections and an advanced painting process for improved corrosion protection. Using any of our standard Minn Kota motors in saltwater may dramatically reduce the life of the motor and voids the manufacturer's warranty. To extend the life of your Minn Kota Riptide saltwater trolling motor, thoroughly rinse the motor with freshwater after every use in saltwater and store indoors. Never leave the motor submerged in saltwater when the boat is moored. https://www.minnkotamotors.com/support/faqs/can-my-freshwater-minn-kota-trolling-motor-be-used-saltwater 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coto Posted April 16, 2020 Report Share Posted April 16, 2020 That sums it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted April 16, 2020 Report Share Posted April 16, 2020 Yep.....looks like the proof is in the pudding. 🎣👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted April 16, 2020 Report Share Posted April 16, 2020 5 hours ago, gnarlydog said: advanced painting process My ***! I believe everything else except that, I have had to redo every one of the lower unit's I've owned multiple times. Ironic though is the boat I bought has a white saltwater trolling motor and was only used in freshwater and the lower unit paint is still perfect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 On 4/16/2020 at 3:14 PM, MuddyBottomBluz said: My ***! I believe everything else except that, I have had to redo every one of the lower unit's I've owned multiple times. Ironic though is the boat I bought has a white saltwater trolling motor and was only used in freshwater and the lower unit paint is still perfect. So I have a question for you. I have never had a paint issue on my minn kotas. but it seems like everyone else I see does. I just got a new one in November, and when I went to install it, I noticed it had two prop nuts, one that was a zinc anode and one that was not. The non anode version was on it. I almost completely missed it but caught it at the las minute. I wonder how many of these paint issues are a function of the wrong prop nut being used? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 I have had two Motorguides, each seven years old. A great white and now a varimax. Never had problems with paint or rust. Have seen many newer MK’s with rust and paint problems. Have looked at used MK’s and everyone looks like they been rode hard and put away wet. Not downing MK at all, will be my next Tm due to local repair shop. 😀⚓️🙏 fin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shallowminded6 Posted April 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 13 minutes ago, fin-addict said: I have had two Motorguides, each seven years old. A great white and now a varimax. Never had problems with paint or rust. Have seen many newer MK’s with rust and paint problems. Have looked at used MK’s and everyone looks like they been rode hard and put away wet. Not downing MK at all, will be my next Tm due to local repair shop. 😀⚓️🙏 fin I saw some people are Line-x ing their trolling motors to keep them nice. I wonder the same as Whichway with the anode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 All nuts should be made of a zinc Anode, MG has a big one at the base of there shafts which I assume helps it. My problem has been salt creep under the paint, a chip in the paint on the MK and salt builds under the paint on the cast aluminum body and just keeps spreading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernieNC Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 Have never had a paint/corrosion issue on a MK. But than again I do try to avoid plowing thru oyster beds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 44 minutes ago, bernieNC said: But than again I do try to avoid plowing thru oyster beds. But that's where the fish are!🙃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonV Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 Reminds me of the old days when OMC had their saltwater engines white and Freshwater blue. I asked the dealer what was the difference in the SW versus FW, he said which paint shop it went to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 1 minute ago, DonV said: eminds me of the old days when OMC had their saltwater engines white and Freshwater blue. I asked the dealer what was the difference in the SW versus FW, he said which paint shop it went to. Add zincs to a blue motor and BOOM, it's saltwater ready! My brother-in-law would tell me the same thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 31 minutes ago, DonV said: Reminds me of the old days when OMC had their saltwater engines white and Freshwater blue. I asked the dealer what was the difference in the SW versus FW, he said which paint shop it went to. I was a Johnson fan back in the day before Yamaha came around. Always assumed Johnson (white) and Evinrude (blue) were the same, but asked an Evinrude dealer if there was a difference. His answer was - "OMC does a test startup of the motors when they come off the assembly line. If they crank right up, they paint 'em blue. If they're hard to start, they paint 'em white" LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 On 4/15/2020 at 4:00 PM, redzone1 said: This is a good question that I have wondered myself. with all the grey color schemes and black powder coating going on boats these days a black trolling motor would look sharp. Rhodan TMs are made for salt water, coated with Line-X, and come in Black or White. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makomark Posted April 23, 2020 Report Share Posted April 23, 2020 On 4/16/2020 at 9:20 AM, Shallowminded6 said: Do you use it exclusively in salt? Yes fish Flamingo and Chock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplec Posted April 23, 2020 Report Share Posted April 23, 2020 On 4/15/2020 at 5:51 PM, Shallowminded6 said: Thats part of why I am wondering. All my other trim pieces, rub rail, motor, etc are black. Getcha a Rhodan. Made for the salt. Available in black. Love mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linesider 159 Posted April 25, 2020 Report Share Posted April 25, 2020 I can personally say the steering components on a minn kota terrova are different between the fresh and salt water motors. After about a year of saltwater use the freshwater ones can have the steering stick a bit. I have a freshwater ulterra on my boat and expect a year or so out of it. My boat is all black so it matches well, and I added a saltwater anode on the prop to offset corrosion as much as possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC 66 Posted June 5, 2021 Report Share Posted June 5, 2021 If I want to use a small freshwater TM in saltwater, and if I intend to install an Aluminum anode to it.....where would I affix it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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