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20 models · Specs last checked July 1, 2026

Which trolling motor should you actually buy?

With no preferences selected: MotorGuide Xi3 70 SW comes first in this spec comparison. The first fit with an Amazon link is Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80.

Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80 · first with an Amazon link

  • Control type: GPS.
  • Mount type: Bow.

Before ordering: Maximum speed settings is unknown; confirm it before ordering.

Check current price on Amazon →

If you choose Up to 54 lb for thrust, the first option with an Amazon link becomes Newport Vessels Kayak Series 36.

20 trolling motors compared; 6 have a verified Amazon link.

No hands-on testingMethod and sources

The picks

Five options for different needs

Each option suits a different need. Bigger is useful only if it suits your setup.

Highest rank before your choices

MotorGuide Xi3 70 SW

#1 of 20 in the spec comparison. 70 lb thrust · 3rd highest of 20 models; 54 in shaft length · joint 2nd highest of 20 models.

Why consider it

  • 70 lb thrust.
  • 54 in shaft length.

Before you choose

Weight is unknown; confirm it before ordering.

Buy it ifYou want 70 lb thrust.
Skip it ifYou need a different option for shaft length; this model has 54 in.
Thrust: 70 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: GPS
See all 9 scored specs
Thrust70 lb
Mount TypeBow
Control TypeGPS
Shaft Length54 in
Voltage24 V
Saltwater RatedIncluded
WeightNot listed
GPS AnchorIncluded
Max Speed SettingsNot listed

7 of 9 specs available · specs checked July 1, 2026 · Source ↗

No verified listing yet — check the maker's site for this model.

Compare these models
First with an Amazon link

Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80

#2 of 20 in the spec comparison. control type: GPS · 4 of 20 models have this; mount type: Bow · 6 of 20 models have this.

Why consider it

  • Control type: GPS.
  • Mount type: Bow.

Before you choose

Maximum speed settings is unknown; confirm it before ordering.

Buy it ifYou want GPS control type.
Skip it ifYou need a different option for weight; this model has 50 lb.
Thrust: 80 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: GPS
See all 9 scored specs
Thrust80 lb
Mount TypeBow
Control TypeGPS
Shaft Length60 in
Voltage24 V
Saltwater RatedIncluded
Weight50 lb
GPS AnchorIncluded
Max Speed SettingsNot listed

8 of 9 specs available · specs checked July 1, 2026 · Source ↗
Amazon listing verified September 4, 2026

Check current price on Amazon →
For Up to 54 lb thrust

Watersnake Assault 54

#7 of 20 in the spec comparison. saltwater rated: included · 13 of 20 models have this; GPS anchor: not included · 15 of 20 models have this.

Why consider it

  • Saltwater rated: included; choose it if you require that feature.
  • Mount type: Bow.

Before you choose

You need GPS anchor; this model does not include it.

Buy it ifYou want saltwater rated is included.
Skip it ifYou need a different option for voltage; this model has 12 V.
Thrust: 54 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: Foot
See all 9 scored specs
Thrust54 lb
Mount TypeBow
Control TypeFoot
Shaft Length54 in
Voltage12 V
Saltwater RatedIncluded
Weight42 lb
GPS AnchorNot included
Max Speed Settings5 speeds

9 of 9 specs available · specs checked July 1, 2026 · Source ↗

No verified listing yet — check the maker's site for this model.

Compare these models
For Transom mount type

Newport Vessels NV-Series 86

#3 of 20 in the spec comparison. 86 lb thrust · highest of 20 models; 24 V voltage · joint highest of 20 models.

Why consider it

  • 86 lb thrust.
  • 24 V voltage.

Before you choose

For your setup, check GPS anchor: Not included.

Buy it ifYou want 86 lb thrust.
Skip it ifYou need GPS anchor; this model does not include it.
Thrust: 86 lbMount Type: TransomControl Type: Hand
See all 9 scored specs
Thrust86 lb
Mount TypeTransom
Control TypeHand
Shaft Length36 in
Voltage24 V
Saltwater RatedIncluded
Weight25 lb
GPS AnchorNot included
Max Speed Settings5 speeds

9 of 9 specs available · specs checked July 1, 2026 · Source ↗

No verified listing yet — check the maker's site for this model.

Compare these models
For Other types control type

MotorGuide Xi3 55 FW

#4 of 20 in the spec comparison. saltwater rated: not included · 7 of 20 models have this; mount type: Bow · 6 of 20 models have this.

Why consider it

  • Mount type: Bow.
  • Control type: Wireless.

Before you choose

You need saltwater rated; this model does not include it.

Buy it ifYou want saltwater rated is not included.
Skip it ifYou need saltwater rated; this model does not include it.
Thrust: 55 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: Wireless
See all 9 scored specs
Thrust55 lb
Mount TypeBow
Control TypeWireless
Shaft Length48 in
Voltage12 V
Saltwater RatedNot included
WeightNot listed
GPS AnchorIncluded
Max Speed SettingsNot listed

7 of 9 specs available · specs checked July 1, 2026 · Source ↗

No verified listing yet — check the maker's site for this model.

Compare these models

Comparing Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80 · Newport Vessels NV-Series 86

Compare

Keep your decision

Compare

The facts that differ

Choose up to three. Facts stay neutral; your choices determine fit.

2 identical specs hidden. Non-applicable dimensions are omitted.

Published specification comparison
SpecMinn Kota Riptide Terrova 80No preferences selected.Newport Vessels NV-Series 86No preferences selected.
Thrust80 lb86 lb
Mount TypeBowTransom
Control TypeGPSHand
Shaft Length60 in36 in
Weight50 lb25 lb
GPS AnchorIncludedNot included
Max Speed SettingsNot listed5 speeds

Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80

No preferences selected.

Thrust
80 lb
Mount Type
Bow
Control Type
GPS
Shaft Length
60 in
Weight
50 lb
GPS Anchor
Included
Max Speed Settings
Not listed

Newport Vessels NV-Series 86

No preferences selected.

Thrust
86 lb
Mount Type
Transom
Control Type
Hand
Shaft Length
36 in
Weight
25 lb
GPS Anchor
Not included
Max Speed Settings
5 speeds

Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80

Check current price on Amazon →

Newport Vessels NV-Series 86

No verified listing yet.

All 20 models, with reasons

— = no verified listing yet. The published order is independent of links.

All models and their decision specs
#ProductWhy it’s hereDecision specsCompareAction
1MotorGuide Xi3 70 SW6 in less shaft length vs #2.Thrust: 70 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: GPS—
2Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80#2 of 20 in the spec comparison. control type: GPS · 4 of 20 models have this; mount type: Bow · 6 of 20 models have this.Thrust: 80 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: GPSCheck current price on Amazon →
3Newport Vessels NV-Series 8631 lb more thrust · 12 V more voltage vs #4.Thrust: 86 lbMount Type: TransomControl Type: Hand—
4MotorGuide Xi3 55 FW#4 of 20 in the spec comparison. saltwater rated: not included · 7 of 20 models have this; mount type: Bow · 6 of 20 models have this.Thrust: 55 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: Wireless—
5Newport Vessels NV-Series 627 lb more thrust · 18 in less shaft length vs #6.Thrust: 62 lbMount Type: TransomControl Type: Hand—
6Minn Kota PowerDrive 551 lb more thrust · 3 lb less weight vs #7.Thrust: 55 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: GPSCheck current price on Amazon →
7Watersnake Assault 54#7 of 20 in the spec comparison. saltwater rated: included · 13 of 20 models have this; GPS anchor: not included · 15 of 20 models have this.Thrust: 54 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: Foot—
#1 MotorGuide Xi3 70 SW
6 in less shaft length vs #2.
Thrust: 70 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: GPS
—
#2 Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80
#2 of 20 in the spec comparison. control type: GPS · 4 of 20 models have this; mount type: Bow · 6 of 20 models have this.
Thrust: 80 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: GPS
Check current price on Amazon →
#3 Newport Vessels NV-Series 86
31 lb more thrust · 12 V more voltage vs #4.
Thrust: 86 lbMount Type: TransomControl Type: Hand
—
#4 MotorGuide Xi3 55 FW
#4 of 20 in the spec comparison. saltwater rated: not included · 7 of 20 models have this; mount type: Bow · 6 of 20 models have this.
Thrust: 55 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: Wireless
—
#5 Newport Vessels NV-Series 62
7 lb more thrust · 18 in less shaft length vs #6.
Thrust: 62 lbMount Type: TransomControl Type: Hand
—
#6 Minn Kota PowerDrive 55
1 lb more thrust · 3 lb less weight vs #7.
Thrust: 55 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: GPS
Check current price on Amazon →
#7 Watersnake Assault 54
#7 of 20 in the spec comparison. saltwater rated: included · 13 of 20 models have this; GPS anchor: not included · 15 of 20 models have this.
Thrust: 54 lbMount Type: BowControl Type: Foot
—
20 matching models

How we rank and where the facts come from

We compare published specifications, not hands-on experience. Requirements filter the set; the sealed published order is unchanged. The index uses fixed weights and gives missing specs a midpoint. That is an assumption, not evidence of fit or quality. Unknown details cannot qualify a match.

What changed: specs in this snapshot were checked July 1, 2026; listing identities were checked separately through September 4, 2026. This package includes no prior spec revision; changes to individual values cannot be established.

Full methodologyReport a correction
Sources for all 20 models
Show the index and published weights

Weights: Thrust 26% · Mount Type 15% · Control Type 14% · Shaft Length 12% · Voltage 10% · Saltwater Rated 8% · Weight 6% · GPS Anchor 5% · Max Speed Settings 4%.

  1. MotorGuide Xi3 70 SW: 83/100
  2. Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80: 82/100
  3. Newport Vessels NV-Series 86: 78/100
  4. MotorGuide Xi3 55 FW: 58/100
  5. Newport Vessels NV-Series 62: 57/100
  6. Minn Kota PowerDrive 55: 57/100
  7. Watersnake Assault 54: 57/100
  8. Minn Kota Terrova 55: 56/100
  9. Newport Vessels X Series 55: 54/100
  10. Watersnake Venom SXW 54: 53/100
  11. Newport Vessels NV-Series 55: 51/100
  12. Newport Vessels Kayak Series 55: 49/100
  13. Newport Vessels NV-Series 46: 48/100
  14. Minn Kota Endura C2 50: 46/100
  15. Newport Vessels NV-Series 36: 43/100
  16. Newport Vessels Kayak Series 36: 41/100
  17. Watersnake Venom SXW 34: 39/100
  18. Watersnake Tracer 44: 38/100
  19. Minn Kota Endura 30: 32/100
  20. Watersnake Tracer 30: 30/100

Before you buy

Why do some picks have no buy link?

Only exact models with verified Amazon listings receive links. Other models keep their place. A link does not establish current stock or price.

Does the highest rank mean the right product for me?

Start with your requirements, then compare the recorded differences. The published order reflects one set of weights, which may differ from your priorities.

What should I confirm before ordering?

Check the exact model, compatibility, current price and return terms. Published specs do not establish reliability, noise, comfort or ownership experience.