Minn Kota's® New Transom-Mount Vector™ Trolling Motor

Features Precision Boat Control

RACINE, Wis. (July 2003) - Minn Kota's® new Vector- transom-mount trolling motors are designed to deliver virtually unmatched precision boat control compared to conventional tiller models.

Select Vector models feature Minn Kota's new, exclusive 3X™ Steering system. With 3X Steering, the lower unit of the motor turns three degrees to every one degree of tiller rotation. This means the direction of the motor can be easily turned a full 180 degrees by turning the tiller just 60 degrees.

"Precision boat control can be very critical in certain types of fishing applications," said Sam Heaton, Minn Kota's Field Promotions Manager and member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. "The new 3X Steering is so responsive you can get pinpoint placement when you are presenting bait to fish. And, it also eliminates tiller interference with your outboard engine."

Vector models with 3X Steering can also be easily converted for backtrolling. Simply pull the spring-loaded pin, and the tiller is easily rotated to the backtrolling position.

All Vector models include Min Kota's new Tilt/Extend Tiller. The entire head tilts 20 degrees, allowing for comfortable steering whether sitting or standing. The tiller can also be extended five inches (from 7.5" to 12.5"), making it easy to control the motor over the splashwell and around the outboard.

"When you're out on the water a long time, little things like the Tilt/Extend Tiller make a big difference," Heaton said. "You can stand up to run the motor without having to bend over. It also makes it easier to work around the big engine."

All Vector models come with the push-to-test battery gauge, the patented Weedless Wedge™ prop and Minn Kota's guaranteed for life composite shaft. Vector models are available with 40, 46, 55 and 65 lbs of thrust. Vector models with 3X Steering are available with 55, 65, 74 and 101 lbs of thrust.

For more info:   800-227-6433   www.minnkotamotors.com

Minn Kota's® New 3X™ Steering and Tilt/Extend Tiller

Provide Precise Boat Control in Saltwater

RACINE, Wis. (July 2003) - Three times greater steering response and a new Tilt/Extend Tiller are featured on select models of Minn Kota's Riptide® hand-control saltwater trolling motors for 2004.

"Waves and current can make it tricky to maneuver your boat in many saltwater fishing situations," said Sam Heaton, Minn Kota Field Promotions Manager and avid in-shore angler. "The 3X Steering feature allows you to react in difficult conditions and quickly adjust your direction. The precise boat control also allows you to get into spots to present bait when you might not be able to otherwise."

With 3X™ Steering, the lower unit of the motor turns three degrees to every one degree the tiller is rotated. This means the direction of the motor can be turned a full 180 degrees by turning the tiller just 60 degrees. And, the new illuminated directional indicator makes it easy to determine the lower unit position.

With the new Tilt/Extend Tiller, the tiller can be extended an additional five inches (from 7.5" to 12.5" ) and the entire head can be tilted 20 degrees. Combined with 3X Steering, this system provides substantially increased range and convenience when operating the motor.

"The 3X Steering and Tilt/Extend Tiller are basically safety features when fishing in saltwater," Heaton said. "You don't have to hang out over the bow of the boat to steer and worry about being thrown out in rough water conditions."

Riptide bow-mount motors available with 3X Steering and Tilt/Extend Tiller include 101,74, 65 and 55 lb thrust models. Riptide transom-mount motors available with 3X Steering and Tilt/Extend Tiller include 101 and 74 lb thrust models.

All Riptide trolling motors with 3X Steering and Tilt Extend Tiller come standard with the Weedless Wedge™ prop, guaranteed for life composite shaft and Maximizer™ (not available on 65 lb thrust model) technology that provides up to five times longer run time on a single battery charge.

For more info:   800-227-6433   www.minnkotamotors.com

 Minn Kota® New Riptide® AutoPilot™

With More Power and Faster Steering Response

RACINE, Wis. (July 2003) - Minn Kota® is offering inshore saltwater anglers a more powerful electric-steer trolling motor with the introduction of a 74 lb thrust model in its Riptide® AutoPilot™ product line. In addition, the steering system on all Riptide AutoPilot models has been re-engineered to respond 40 percent faster than previous models.

"Today, many saltwater anglers are running larger bay boats for inshore fishing," Minn Kota Motors Brand Manager Joe Brown said. "These boats are longer and heavier than traditional skiffs, and need additional power and faster steering response. Riptide AutoPilot's new 74 lb thrust level, along with the re-engineered steering system, gives anglers the power and boat control they need in tough saltwater fishing conditions."

Riptide's newly designed MicroTouch™ electric steering system responds 40 % faster than previous models. This new system provides additional power to overcome steering torque, allowing for quick steering adjustments at low or high trolling speeds.

Key Features Include:

● AutoPilot 74 lb thrust model

● AutoPilot™ navigation system

● Advanced corrosion protection

● Patented, replaceable zinc sacrificial anode

● Maximizer™ technology for longer run time on a single battery charge

● Variable speed control

● Patented MicroTouch foot pedal

● New electric steering system with 40 % faster response than previous models

● 24-volt system

● Comes in 54" or 60" composite shaft (guaranteed for life)

● 3-year warranty

● CoPilot™ remote control accessory (optional)

For more info:   800-227-6433   www.minnkotamotors.com

New Steering Features on Minn Kota® Maxxum® Hand-Control

Motors Provide Precise and Convenient Boat Control

RACINE, Wis. (July 2003) - Three times greater steering response and a new Tilt/Extend Tiller are featured on Minn Kota's® Maxxum®; bow-mount., hand-control trolling motors for 2004.

"Anglers are going to be amazed by these new steering features because of the great convenience and boat control they provide," said Sam Heaton, Minn Kota Field Promotions Manager and a member of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. "Boat control is critical when you're trying to maneuver around docks, pilings or other structures, or when you're trying to get precise bait placement in certain fishing applications."

With 3X™ Steering, the lower unit of the motor turns three degrees to every one degree the tiller is rotated. This means the direction of the motor can be turned a full 180 degrees by turning the tiller just 60 degrees. And, the new illuminated directional indicator makes it easy to determine the lower unit position.

With the new Tilt/Extend Tiller, the tiller can be extended an additional five inches (from 7.5" to 12.5") and the entire head can be tilted 20 degrees. Combined with 3X Steering, this system provides substantially increased range and convenience when operating the motor. The Bowguard 360® breakaway mount allows the motor to break away on impact from any direction and then automatically resets itself.

"This steering system is great when you're out on rough water because you don't have to hang out over the bow of the boat to steer" Heaton said. "And, with the head tilted up and the handle extend~ you don't have to bend way over just to turn the motor."

The 3X Steering and Tilt/Extend Tiller features are available on Maxxum bow-mount, hand-control motors with 101, 74, 65 and 55 lbs of thrust.  Includes Maximizer™ technology that provides up to five times longer run time on a single battery charge.

Standard features include:

● Bowguard 360® breakaway mount

● Comes in 52" composite shaft (guaranteed for life)

● Variable speeds (55 lb thrust model has 5 speeds)

● Illuminated directional indicator

● Push-to-test battery gauge 

● Weedless Wedge prop

● New Tilt/Extend Tiller handle

● Maximizer™ technology for longer run time on a single battery charge

For more info:   800-227-6433   www.minnkotamotors.com

Minn Kota® Introduces More Power for PowerDrive™ Line

More Responsive Steering Included on All PowerDrive Models

RACINE, Wis. (July 2003) - Minn Kota® is giving anglers more power on one of its most popular trolling motor models by adding a 74 lb thrust motor to its PowerDrive™ product line. In addition, the steering system on all PowerDrive models has been re-engineered to respond 40 % faster than previous models.

"Today, more and more anglers are running bigger boats," Minn Kota Motors Brand Manager Joe Brown said. "These bigger boats need more powerful thrust levels and more responsive steering. PowerDrive's new 74 lb thrust motor, combined with the redesigned steering system, delivers the power and boat control that anglers have been asking for."

PowerDrive's newly designed MicroTouch™ electric steering system responds 40 % faster than previous models. This new system provides additional power to overcome steering torque, allowing for quick steering adjustments at low or high trolling speeds. The result is a steering speed that is closer to the response of cable steer foot control motors.

Includes Maximizer™ technology that provides up to five times longer run time on a single battery charge, and an optional Universal Sonar integrated transducer, compatible with most major fishfinder brands.

Standard features include:  

●Variable speed control

● 24-volt system

● Comes in 54" or 60" composite shaft (guaranteed for life)

● New electric steering system with 40% faster response  than previous models

● Patented MicroTouch foot pedal

● Maximizer™ technology for longer run time on a single   battery charge

● Push-to-test battery gauge

● CoPilot™ remote control accessory (optional)

● AutoPilot™ navigation system (optional)

● Universal Sonar integrated transducer (optional)

For more info:   800-227-6433   www.minnkotamotors.com

About Minn Kota Motors

Minn Kota is the oldest manufacturer of electric fishing motors in the world with 68 years of hard-earned experience in the lab and on the water. Throughout our history, Minn Kota has led the way in product innovation and cutting edge technology.

The Minn Kota electric trolling motor began its life in 1934 in Fargo, North Dakota. Mr. O.G. Schmidt, inventor of the trolling motor, was known to be a man of many diverse ideas. Prior to the trolling motor, Schmidt invented, produced and sold a copper soldering torch from his home in Wheatland, N. Dakota. Due to its success, manufacturing operations were then moved to Fargo. Because of its proximity to the MINNesota-North DaKOTA border, Mr. Schmidt named the business The Minn Kota Manufacturing Company.

Although the brand Minn Kota has become synonymous throughout the world with trolling motors, many other products have also carried the name. The Minn Kota Manufacturing Company manufactured utilitarian products such as commercial vacuum cleaners, rock pickers, and straw choppers. Some of the earliest Minn Kota trolling motors produced used Ford Motor Co. Model A starter motors. Unlike today’s motors, these first units were designed with the motor out of the water.

During WWII Minn Kota joined the war effort by producing parts for automatic pilots installed in fighter planes. In February of 1946, the company moved its operations to Moorhead, Minnesota.

Upon Mr. Schmidt’s death in 1965, Ole Rommesmo took over Minn Kota Manufacturing Company and concentrated on recapturing the electric fishing motor business. In 1969, Johnson Reels of Mankato, Minnesota, purchased the company. Trolling motors opened a whole new realm of related product possibilities for Johnson Reels, already known for its fishing rods, reels and lures.

In 1970, Johnson Reels and Minn Kota trolling motors were acquired by a subsidiary of Johnson Wax, Johnson Diversified Inc., known today as Johnson Outdoors Inc. Minn Kota motor production moved to Mankato, Minnesota in 1979, where it is still located.

Today, Minn Kota is the unquestioned leader in the trolling motor industry, enjoying dominant market share in both bow-mount and transom-mount motors.