MotorGuide Trolling Motors (Updated List)

With years of experience, MotorGuide has developed some of the most reliable, quiet and powerful trolling motors on the market.

From the small and maneuverable trolling motors perfect for fishing kayaks to the large and powerful bow mount motors made for bass boats, there is a MotorGuide trolling motor for almost any angler.

The names of different MotorGuide models can get a little confusing, and I hope to make it much clearer with this article.

Let’s get started.

Brief History of MotorGuide

The history of MotorGuide started in 1964 when G.H. Harris invented a foot-controlled trolling motor. It was then called the Guide-Right Trolling Motor.

The company was also the first to promote the idea of bow-mounted motors.

In 2009, MotorGuide was acquired by Attwood Marine.

MotorGuide Technology and Features

MotorGuide has been designing and manufacturing trolling motors for over 50 years. Today, all MotorGuide trolling motors are made in Lowell, Michigan.

Here is a quick overview of the most popular features found on MotorGuide models:

Digital Power Management

It’s MotorGuide’s name for a variable speed motor with smooth power delivery in forward and reverse.

Motors with Digital Power Management draw less power than those without it, especially at lower speeds. No energy is wasted, and you get more run time off your battery.

PinPoint GPS

It allows you to stay on your fishing spot, even in high winds and currents.

The Pinpoint GPS anchoring system uses a satellite receiver, two digital compasses, and an advanced algorithm. All this is to make sure the anchor mode is very accurate in all conditions.

The system includes a wireless remote, so you can keep your focus on fishing, not fumbling with controls.

Other PinPoint GPS features include:

• Jog – uses a heading sensor to move your spot five feet in any direction.
• Heading Lock – allows anglers to lock in their heading, so they can focus on fishing rather than steering.
• Cruise Control – to maintain speed even in rough water.

Chartplotter Integration

One feature that most of the competition doesn’t offer is the ability to connect your trolling motor to a chartplotter.

The Tour Pro and Xi motors let you connect to Lowrance, Simrad, and Mercury displays. You can then control speed, steering, and prop on/off directly from your chartplotter.

Sonars and Transducers

The MotorGuide Xi Series and the Tour Series offer built-in sonar options:

• Xi Series 2D Universal Sonar – 83/200 kHz
• Tour Series HD+ Universal Sonar – 83/200 kHz + 455/800 kHz high-definition down imaging

The transducers are fully integrated with the lower motor section, which means there are no additional cables or connectors involved.

MotorGuide sonars are compatible with many different fish finder models: Lowrance, Simrad, Mercury, Garmin, Humminbird, and Raymarine.

360º Breakaway Mount

The premium MotorGuide models, such as the Tour Series, have the impact protection mount, which resets when you hit something to prevent damage to your motor or shaft.

MotorGuide Freshwater Trolling Motors

As the name suggests, these motors mount to the boat’s bow with bolts and brackets.

The big advantage of this location is that the motor pulls the boat rather than pushes it, making steering very easy and precise.

Let’s start with the premium models:

MotorGuide Tour Pro

The MotorGuide Tour and Tour Pro, are both premium cable-steer trolling motors.

What sets the Tour Pro apart is the hybrid cable/electric steer. It gives you the responsiveness and precision of the cable, but a the same time it can be steered with a wireless remote or by the PinPoint GPS.

The Tour Pro comes with a Zero-G lift assist, which MotorGuide claims to be 40% easier to use than the systems used by the competition.

Unlike the Minn Kota Ultrex or Ulterra, the Tour Pro has a 360º breakaway mount, which prevents damage to the motor and shaft in case you hit an underwater object.

MotorGuide Tour

The Tour models come with the same powerful motors and the responsive cable steer as the Tour Pro.

What they don’t have is the electric steer with its remote control capability and the GPS.

MotorGuide Xi5 Freshwater

The Xi5 is one of the most popular motors in the whole range. It comes with a wireless remote and PinPoint GPS as standard.

The Xi5 is available in different power levels, from 55lbs up to 109lbs of thrust.

All models come with a composite shaft, which is roughly 50% stronger than steel.

MotorGuide Xi3 Freshwater

The MotorGuide Xi3 is smaller and less powerful than Xi5, making it a good choice for lighter boats.

Also, it doesn’t include the wireless foot pedal.

MotorGuide X5 Freshwater

The X5 is aimed at medium and large bass boats.

It is controlled with a cable foot pedal for precise and responsive steering.

MotorGuide X3 Freshwater

The X3 is a smaller and less powerful version of the X5.

MotorGuide R5 Freshwater

Just like other motors in this category, it has variable speeds and comparable thrust levels.

Its three-blade propeller helps with quick acceleration.

There are other things to like, such as the modern look and ergonomic tiller handle, which you can extend.

MotorGuide R3 Freshwater

The R3 is a smaller version of the R5.

The 30lb version with a 30″ shaft is a great choice for fishing kayaks.

MotorGuide Saltwater Trolling Motors

These trolling motors are specifically designed for saltwater and brackish environment.

They make use of strong marine-grade materials that protect your motor and its electronics from the damaging effects of salt water.

Each model comes with a sacrificial anode fixed to the prop. This will ensure your motor will last much longer. The anode is made of material that prevents your motor from rapid rusting.

MotorGuide Xi5 Saltwater

It takes all the good points of the Xi5 Freshwater trolling motor and adds saltwater capability. It’s built with high-grade materials and coatings and comes with a sacrificial anode to protect the motor.

The Xi5 can be controlled with a wireless remote as standard.

PinPoint GPS is available as an option.

MotorGuide Xi3 Saltwater

This MotorGuide trolling motor is the saltwater version of the very popular R3 model.

We found this MotorGuide to be one of the quietest we’ve tested so far. This could be in part thanks to the 3-blade machete-style propeller.

Controlling this motor is effortless. The digital speed control gives it the expected efficiency and increased run time compared to the simple 8-speed models.

MotorGuide X5 Saltwater

The X5 is a powerful motor for all fishermen who prefer hand control.

MotorGuide X3 Saltwater

It’s one of the simpler models offered by MotorGuide. That means it’s also less expensive.

It’s suitable for small to medium boats.

MotorGuide R5 Saltwater

R5 is one of the most powerful hand-steered trolling motors available on the market.

MotorGuide R3 Saltwater

Final Thoughts

When it comes to trolling motors, few brands are as well-known and respected as MotorGuide. For decades, the company has been manufacturing some of the best trolling motors on the market. And their commitment to innovation and quality has made them one of the leading trolling motor manufacturers in the world.

MotorGuide Trolling Motor FAQ

Are MotorGuide trolling motors brushless?

As of today, MotorGuide still uses brushed DC motors. While many newer trolling motors on the market have switched to brushless DC motors, which are more efficient and longer lasting, MotorGuide has yet to make the switch.