Need to add rear facing prop pair to make this system holistic and worth the price as all electronics have over the air updates now going on forever and so for this price needs the added capability. By way of specific example "dock mode" would set this apart as would some type of trailer mode. The fact remains we don't really need outboard motors anymore for near all types of fishing excepting offshore work. Appears to be a great first effort tho.
Just installed75" white Kraken on my 22' Robalo with Garmin electronics. Did I say ouch$, but looks like a cry once thing? I had an Ultera and the auto deploy became a nightmare so beware, (get xtend warr). Utlerra deploy was so problematic xtend warranty co gave me a full refund for over 2 yr old motor (became too expensive to keep repairing) Also it didn't integrate with Gamin which was always a sore spot, no more missing important goodies. This motor took a bit to become familiar with, like calibrating the remote control etc. What I like, speed, quiet, smooth and rock-solid adjustable anchor/spot lock. Also 3yr warranty instead of MInkota 2 yr. These are the fundamentals for me. Gesture Control seemed gimmicky, but I quickly learned it's a BFD. It's also used in heading mode and anchor lock mode, goes 5' in point direction and locks. Has anchor lock button and more on motor, so bow man can anchor lock when they deploy motor from bow. REMOTE is next level too, with tons of useful info and it floats. Cons: price and no batteries for remote? Also why are white motors so much more than black motors, which come with transducer? $400 more when u buy a white motor and separate transducer, I guess it's the $400 paint? Overall, the performance, features, integration and the remote make this a level up project.
Havent weighed it, but surprisingly it feels like the same weight as my ulterra did. Has to be similiar in weight I remove my motor after use so was a concern but no difference.
The rule of thumb generally is to add 22" to whatever the water line is off the bow of your boat. For rough offshore waters Minn Kota recommends adding 25"-27". 63" should be enough most likely but not a bad idea to give it a measure.
I am getting one of these on a new boat I ordered. Does the gt56 built in transducer have a cable that needs to be connected or is it wirelessly shared to a garmin unit?
Spot lock is not only very good, but you can adjust the gain up or down to hold closer tighter, i.e. fishing in front of a waterfall or rocky reef. Motor is more active and works harder when gain goes up and vice versa, also has blade reverse in calm water.
Make sure to calibrate correctly and may need to be done more than once, even remote needs calibration for gesture control, but after dialed in its on point.
@@randomgamer2427I agree it’s a chance for more stuff to break but on the other hand for older anglers as myself that fish the Great Lakes in rough conditions a self deploy motor is a huge safety feature ! This motor looks awesome and super technology but I’ll have to stay with my Ulterra for the self deploy/stow feature for now 👍👍
B careful what you ask for, the juice may not be worth the squeeze. Physical limitations are a factor for sure, but get an extended warranty. My self deploy was more of a headache than my X. Oh and when it freezes in down position, good luck getting it up in those rough conditions you mentioned. The extended warranty people refunded the cost of the motor, cuz they got tired of deploy repair bills. That should tell you something.
I’ve had an Ulterra, and I just sold it because I bought a new boat. I loved it at first, until it would get stuck stowing and deploying. Imagine launching your boat, boat slides into the water, then you hit deploy, and it gets stuck and doesn’t hit the water. Now your boat floats away. Sorry Minn kota, but you should’ve put more powerful motors to deploy and stow. Not only that, if you add any weight like a transducer mount, it’ll stall much easier.
I read an article by a pro guide who warned of these problems, but I couldnt resist the convenience and cool factor. Pro guide bought a manual motor as a backup to the ultera, that unreliable. Boy was he right, xtend warranty saved my butt. Think of a really cool fun car thats always in the shop and you cant depend on. If your ok with that then take the plunge.
Need to add rear facing prop pair to make this system holistic and worth the price as all electronics have over the air updates now going on forever and so for this price needs the added capability. By way of specific example "dock mode" would set this apart as would some type of trailer mode. The fact remains we don't really need outboard motors anymore for near all types of fishing excepting offshore work. Appears to be a great first effort tho.
Thank you for posting this! Man, looks sweet I just preordered mine, can't wait. Is this the 63" unit or 75"?
Just installed75" white Kraken on my 22' Robalo with Garmin electronics. Did I say ouch$, but looks like a cry once thing? I had an Ultera and the auto deploy became a nightmare so beware, (get xtend warr). Utlerra deploy was so problematic xtend warranty co gave me a full refund for over 2 yr old motor (became too expensive to keep repairing) Also it didn't integrate with Gamin which was always a sore spot, no more missing important goodies. This motor took a bit to become familiar with, like calibrating the remote control etc. What I like, speed, quiet, smooth and rock-solid adjustable anchor/spot lock. Also 3yr warranty instead of MInkota 2 yr. These are the fundamentals for me. Gesture Control seemed gimmicky, but I quickly learned it's a BFD. It's also used in heading mode and anchor lock mode, goes 5' in point direction and locks. Has anchor lock button and more on motor, so bow man can anchor lock when they deploy motor from bow. REMOTE is next level too, with tons of useful info and it floats. Cons: price and no batteries for remote? Also why are white motors so much more than black motors, which come with transducer? $400 more when u buy a white motor and separate transducer, I guess it's the $400 paint? Overall, the performance, features, integration and the remote make this a level up project.
I believe the white motors are painted with corrosion resistant paint for salt water. I guess that is the price difference?
Hm that makes sense, except they are both rated and warrantied for saltwater the same. @@phil-1115
What size Kraken length shaft did you go with? Do you find it still too short under chop?
How heavy is the kraken to stow compared to a regular trolling motor?
Havent weighed it, but surprisingly it feels like the same weight as my ulterra did. Has to be similiar in weight I remove my motor after use so was a concern but no difference.
What length is the one on your boat. i have a similar size boat and am looking to get this motor but not sure about size?
The rule of thumb generally is to add 22" to whatever the water line is off the bow of your boat. For rough offshore waters Minn Kota recommends adding 25"-27". 63" should be enough most likely but not a bad idea to give it a measure.
@@stevehenry9053 thanks . looks like the 63 should be good then
I am getting one of these on a new boat I ordered. Does the gt56 built in transducer have a cable that needs to be connected or is it wirelessly shared to a garmin unit?
12 pin connector
cable connection
You didn’t cover spot lock accuracy that’s my number one thing I am on my second Garmin and not impressed at all I nick named it Damien
Spot lock is not only very good, but you can adjust the gain up or down to hold closer tighter, i.e. fishing in front of a waterfall or rocky reef. Motor is more active and works harder when gain goes up and vice versa, also has blade reverse in calm water.
Make sure to calibrate correctly and may need to be done more than once, even remote needs calibration for gesture control, but after dialed in its on point.
I thought for sure they would have come out with remote deploy and stow by now. What gives?
I can see the need for it but personally thats just more moving parts to break
@@randomgamer2427I agree it’s a chance for more stuff to break but on the other hand for older anglers as myself that fish the Great Lakes in rough conditions a self deploy motor is a huge safety feature ! This motor looks awesome and super technology but I’ll have to stay with my Ulterra for the self deploy/stow feature for now 👍👍
B careful what you ask for, the juice may not be worth the squeeze. Physical limitations are a factor for sure, but get an extended warranty. My self deploy was more of a headache than my X. Oh and when it freezes in down position, good luck getting it up in those rough conditions you mentioned. The extended warranty people refunded the cost of the motor, cuz they got tired of deploy repair bills. That should tell you something.
I’ve had an Ulterra, and I just sold it because I bought a new boat. I loved it at first, until it would get stuck stowing and deploying. Imagine launching your boat, boat slides into the water, then you hit deploy, and it gets stuck and doesn’t hit the water. Now your boat floats away. Sorry Minn kota, but you should’ve put more powerful motors to deploy and stow. Not only that, if you add any weight like a transducer mount, it’ll stall much easier.
Pass. That thing deploys and stows like those minn kota powerdrive and Terrova which is not made for bass boats. It's a pain
Not geared to bass guys
😂😂reason #402 why nobody should ever buy a bass specific boat
I read an article by a pro guide who warned of these problems, but I couldnt resist the convenience and cool factor. Pro guide bought a manual motor as a backup to the ultera, that unreliable. Boy was he right, xtend warranty saved my butt. Think of a really cool fun car thats always in the shop and you cant depend on. If your ok with that then take the plunge.
5k,no remote deploy