First Look: MotorGuide X5 Trolling Motor by Walker Smith December 20,2016

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First Look: MotorGuide X5 Trolling Motor

Walker Smith

December 20,2016

After using this new trolling motor this year, Managing Editor Walker Smith has been impressed by its toughness, power efficiency and smooth operation.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not easy on a trolling motor. I’m a shallow-water fisherman and my trolling motors usually look like they’ve been dragged down a gravel road after a few years of use. A trolling motor is a tool in my mind—and that’s exactly how I treat mine.

I had an opportunity to test the new MotorGuide X5 this year and I’ve put it through a lot of abuse thus far. I’ve slammed it into boat docks, hit the prop on submerged rocks and trees, banged into stumps at high speeds and wrapped a darn-near full spool of line in its prop (whoops).

So far, it’s still going strong and shows no signs of slowing down. Here’s what I’ve liked most about it:

  • Excellent boat control
  • Tough and quiet mounting bracket
  • The shaft has a lifetime guarantee against breaking
  • Easy on the batteries