Info on Vantage motors

[pantherdev]

Is this motor used primarily for backtrolling? I am certain there are motors just as powerful as these. So what is the main purpose of this motor. Thanks fellas. I know you know this stuff.

[mrwalleye5]

I believe it is used primarily used for backtrolling. At least I do. I find it is easier and more efficient to pull a boat with the front trolling motor then push it with the back one. The Vantage is very easy to deploy also.

[4thekids]

I use mine for mostly back trolling. However I have used it moving forward in conjunction with my bow mount to get the desired speed. Obviously this drains the batteries much faster.

[Burr]

Having both the Vantage, and a bow mount to chose from - I use the Vantage most often. In a nutshell, the Vantage is a convenient, expensive, breakdowns anticipated tool.

What the Vantage is to me:

• Convenient - lift and drop electric motor, turn it on, adjust speed, all simple operation with controls right at my fingertips.
• Convenient - 4x steering, small movement in the handle to make the turn. No reaching. The Vector was close to the same with 3x steering, but it's not made anymore.
• Maintenance anticipated - not preventive maintenance, it's just that there are so many electric parts, switches, and the potential to forget it in the down position, I anticipated it would not be the most durable motor when I got it. I was right, it's been to the shop twice for repairs. Once for a wire that broke, and once to replace the lift motor which burned out.
• Convenient, when I'm fishing different spots, I'm fishing in about 8 seconds after turning off the big motor with the Vantage, from the same position in the boat that I was sitting when I drove the boat. In comparison, to run the bow mount, I have to run to the front of the boat, unstrap the front trolling motor, drop the motor in, turn the electronics on, adjust the electronics for viewing, unstrap the floor pedal from the floor, bend over turn the switch on the foot pedal, while bending over adjust the speed control, and within a couple of minutes, I'm fishing. With my back to whoever else is fishing with me, making it just about impossible to visit with them. Then when it's time to move, reverse steps, and in a couple minutes, I'm ready to move. Run to the front of the boat, run to the back of the boat, run back to the front, then to the back. If I've got 25 spots to check out for the day, that's a lot of running...
• Expensive. It's just not cheap. Added to the anticipated breakdowns from time to time, I always figured I would one day be purchasing another transom mount, for that fishing trip when the Vantage was getting repaired. Most likely a Vector. That happened last fall, it was time to head for Canada and the parts had not arrived, I bought another Vantage, now I have 2.
• knock on wood, I have not forgotten it in the down position yet, so I have not had any snapped off shafts. I figured I would have done that by now.
• Anyone fishing with me, first thing in the morning I ask them pretty please to do one job for me all day long. Anytime I start the big motor, get my attention, and ask me if I raised the Vantage for transport. Don't stop asking me until I answer them. When They ask, I thank them for asking... Sounds stupid, but it's working so far. Leaving the Vantage in the down position is stupid, and I know I'll do it one day, just not yet. When it does, it will be $200-$300.

I do backtroll mostly with the vantage, but it will push forward too. If I'm pitching a shoreline, I will still use the bow mount. But for rigging, jigging, I'm mostly on the Vantage.

[pantherdev]

I knew this motor had to be a pain. You have successfully saved me a bundle and my nerves. Thanks Burr

[Burr]

Originally Posted by pantherdev

I knew this motor had to be a pain. You have successfully saved me a bundle and my nerves. Thanks Burr

I tried to really answer what it "feels" like to own one. With all that I said that could be interpretted as negative, keep in mind - when I purchased a second trolling motor for when it was broke and I had a trip planned - I bought another Vantage... I could have bought anything I wanted, and I bought what I wanted.

I like it so much, I wanted a Vantage. But it's got enough moving parts, I know it won't be the most durable choice. The convenience overcomes the lack of durability.

Probably one of the biggest things, I never anticipated when I bought it - is when I'm running and gunning - I've got a line in the water and I'm fishing really fast. If I save 2 minutes starting to fish, and 2 minutes when I'm pulling in to move to another location, and fish 25-30 different locations during the day - I've fished an hour more since I'm using the Vantage at the end of the day...

[Waxy]

Originally Posted by pantherdev

I knew this motor had to be a pain. You have successfully saved me a bundle and my nerves. Thanks Burr

Don't be scared off by that, they're awesome motors, and once you have one, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

Waxy

[JAK]

Originally Posted by Waxy

Don't be scared off by that, they're awesome motors, and once you have one, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.

Waxy

I also was hesitant to buy one of these because of the cost. Since I got my first one in 2001, I can't imagine being without it. It is a GREAT tool!

Yes, I have had to put in both a handle and main board in mine, but that was about 4 year’s ago. They had some QC issues with the early boards. The latest revisions of both boards have been good.

[btebb]

Thank you guys for your comments. I just ordered one and was nervous I would not like it. You made me confident I will not regret it