Minn Kota Including New Quest Technology in Saltwater Trolling Motors

New brushless technology called Quest offers longer runtime and more torque.
Minn Kota trolling motor
Carbon-fiber shafts will be available in lengths of 60, 72, 87 and 100 inches Courtesy Minn Kota

Minn Kota has announced an updated Riptide Terrova and a new Riptide Instinct trolling saltwater motor featuring new technology called Quest. At the heart of the new bow-mount motors is brushless technology that offers 30 percent longer runtime and 50 percent more torque than previous brushed motors, according to Minn Kota.

The motors will operate on 24 or 36 volts, providing up to 115 pounds of thrust (at 36 volts) and 90 pounds (at 24 volts). The lengths of shafts (which are made from carbon fiber) will include 60, 72, 87 and 100 inches for applications on a wide range of saltwater fishing boats. A redesigned and upgraded mount accommodates the additional thrust and torque.

Auto Guidance

The new Riptide motors also feature enhanced GPS guidance, including a new Drift Mode that automatically adjusts speed and direction to keep the boat on a true drift, acting like as a virtual drift sock amid waves and currents. There’s also improved Follow-the-Contour functionality that integrates with Humminbird’s CoastMaster electronic charts. Minn Kota’s Dodge Mode allows anglers to quickly leave auto navigation to manually steer through waves and around objects, then resume navigating without resetting a route.

The Auto Stow/Deploy feature on the new Riptide Instinct Quest allows for hands-free deployment and retrieval of the motors with with a single button press, and a Power Trim system adjusts the motor angle for best performance. What’s more, updated propellers on both motors maximize torque throughout the speed range, according to Minn Kota.

Minn Kota trolling motor
The Riptide Instinct Quest allows for hands-free deployment and retrieval. Courtesy Minn Kota

New Control

A new wireless remote with a simplified keypad, ergonomic design, and four programmable One-Boat Network buttons allow for easy control the motor from anywhere in the boat. In addition, anglers can connect the motors to a Humminbird multifunction display via the One-Boat Network; all necessary adapters required for networking are included. With the One-Boat Network programmable button, anglers can customize presets to include stow and deploy of Minn Kota shallow water anchors, mark a waypoint, or engage autopilot. You can also control the motors with the One-Boat Network app.

Read Next: Trolling Motor Vs. Poling for Shallow-Water Fishing

Battery Monitoring

To stay posted on available power, Real-Time Battery Monitoring lets anglers know “time until empty” at a given speed setting and prompts them to enter a power saving eco mode when batteries reach 20 percent capacity.

The new Quest saltwater motors will be available in both black and white, with availability scheduled for September 2023. MSRPs will range from $3,799.99 to $5,499.99. To learn more, visit minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com.