Minn Kota weight difference Maxxum vs Fortrex

My last boat had a Maxxum, current one has a Fortrex, both on quick release brackets so i can remove them when we're not going fishing. The Fortrex is a lot heavier and I'm trying to figure out why. Is it the difference in the brackets or is the motor? Fortrex is an 80# thrust with the 4" motor, Maxxum had the smaller motor (3.5"?) and was 65 or 70# thrust, otherwise similar shaft lengths and controls. I can't find any published weights online for either the complete TM's or the replacement motors. The difference is enough that I'm actually looking at replacing the Fortrex with a Maxxum because carrying that Fortrex up the dock is a pain. Besides, my wife hates not being able to see over it when I have it on the boat and in stowed position. If the weight difference is due to the larger motor I'll be sure to stay away from a Maxxum that would have the 4" motor.

Thanks

It’s both the mount and motor if I had to guess I would say more the motor but I could be wrong

Visibility has been a big complaint sense the fortrex and continues with the Ultrex

If their smart their new brushless one they have been working on will have a different mount

Finding a Maxxum may be difficult but not impossible

To my knowledge, they no longer make an 80# MAXXUM they all use the smaller 70# motor so you should not have a problem finding the smaller motor.
John Jones always referred to the 80# MAXXUM’S as Ranger models as if they were made for Ranger but they are also used on the MAXXUM Pro bracket which was the first one with lift assist. If you have a good MAXXUM 4 inch you will not have a problem selling it because MK uses this same motor assy on the 80# Fortrex and Ultrex. You can change the bow guard to a Fortrex bow guard and use this as a backup to the Ultrex.
I agree with your wife about the sight line, that is reason I did not put a Fortrex on my RT188 but I had to give it up when the Ultrex came to get spot lock.

Bill, you are correct that the newer Maxxums all use the smaller motor. There's a used 70# 42" Maxxum on craigslist but after a couple emails asking about condition, age, or a serial # so I could determine year, he responds with "I don't deal with your type". What? He's 2 hrs away and I want all the information I can get before making the trip to look at it. My wife is actually pushing me to buy new so I'm shopping around and will check out the board sponsors.

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Originally Posted by drydocked

Bill, you are correct that the newer Maxxums all use the smaller motor. There's a used 70# 42" Maxxum on craigslist but after a couple emails asking about condition, age, or a serial # so I could determine year, he responds with "I don't deal with your type". What? He's 2 hrs away and I want all the information I can get before making the trip to look at it. My wife is actually pushing me to buy new so I'm shopping around and will check out the board sponsors.

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The MAXXUM is a brute, I got many years of use from mine and then changed the bow guard to a Fortrex when I bought the Ultrex so it is a backup for the Ultrex. Still going strong.
I designed this lift assist for the MAXXUM several years ago, very helpful and inexpensive.