The Minn Kota Fortrex and Terrova are both bow-mount trolling motors, but they are built for different styles of fishing. The Fortrex is a cable-steer, foot-pedal motor built for rough water, the choice of anglers who want direct, instant control with their foot. The Terrova is an electric-steer, GPS-guided motor with Spot-Lock anchoring, wireless remote control and easy stow-and-deploy. Choose the Fortrex for pedal feel and durability in big water; choose the Terrova for GPS anchoring and remote control.
Fortrex vs Terrova at a glance
| Fortrex | Terrova | |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | Cable, foot pedal | Electric, foot pedal or remote |
| GPS and Spot-Lock | No | Yes |
| Built for | Rough water, bass and big v-hull boats | Many boats, with GPS features |
| Listed 80 lb shaft lengths | 45″ or 52″ | 45″, 60″ or 72″ |
| Boats suited (listed) | Medium to large freshwater boats up to about 25 feet | Medium boats including center consoles, skiffs, pontoons and deep-Vs |
Why some anglers still prefer cable steering
A cable-steer pedal moves the motor directly, with no lag and no electronics in the steering path, and many tournament anglers like the feel. There is less to go wrong electrically, and the pedal tells you where the motor is pointing by its position. The trade-off is that you must stay on the pedal to steer, and there is no GPS anchoring. See foot pedal trolling motors.
Why others choose the Terrova
Spot-Lock holds the boat on a waypoint so you can fish instead of steering, and the wireless remote lets you control the motor from anywhere on the boat. That helps on windy days, when fishing alone, and on larger open water. See what is Spot-Lock?
Salt water
Both come in Riptide versions built for saltwater use, with materials and finishes that resist corrosion. If you fish both fresh and salt water, the Riptide versions are the safer choice; rinse the motor with fresh water after every saltwater trip either way. See saltwater trolling motors.
Thrust and batteries
Both 80 lb models run on 24V. Allow roughly 2 lb of thrust per 100 lb of loaded boat weight, and see trolling motor wiring, how to charge a trolling motor battery and trolling motor battery life.
Motors we list
- Minn Kota Fortrex 80: $1,699.99
- Minn Kota Riptide Fortrex 80: $1,599.99
- Minn Kota Terrova 80: $1,899.99
- Minn Kota Riptide Terrova 80: $2,649.99
Browse Fortrex and Terrova motors, and see Fortrex vs Maxxum and PowerDrive vs Terrova.
More guides: Riptide vs freshwater Minn Kota · trolling motors for bass boats.
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