Minn Kota Introduces its Most Durable, Quiet Saltwater Bow-Mount Trolling Motor to Date: The New Riptide SF

Combining ruggedness with precision, Minn Kota’s new Riptide SF bow-mount trolling motor provides serious saltwater anglers with a motor that will perform in the most extreme conditions without fail.

The most visible trait of the Riptide SF is its new Mono Arm. The arm’s design incorporates fewer moving parts, and has a single main hinge point that has a surface area 20 times larger than conventional motor brackets. In addition, all metal-on-metal interfaces are isolated with composite bushings. This results in greatly reduced wear, extended motor life and virtually silent operation. 

Extruded from marine-grade corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum, the Mono Arm’s structural beam is lighter yet stronger, providing tighter tolerances and reducing twisting and racking by 75 percent.

The Mono Arm also employs Minn Kota’s exclusive Counter Tension Stabilizer (CTS) technology featuring an integrated spring arm that applies force in both the stowed and deployed positions – reducing steering torque, eliminating motor play and fish-spooking noise.

“To meet the demands of saltwater fishing, you need a trolling motor that can take a lot of punishment from both a corrosive environment and physical use standpoint,” said Joe Brown, senior brand manager for Minn Kota. “When we set out to build a new saltwater trolling motor, we were determined to build the most durable and quiet bow mount motor ever offered in this market, and we have delivered that with the new Riptide SF.”

Saltwater anglers will also find a revolutionary new tiller steering mechanism that allows the user to customize the handle to fit the way they fish. The tiller handle tilts up to 45 degrees while simultaneously extending from 9.25 inches up to 15.25 inches. In addition, the contoured tiller handle is ergonomically designed for comfort.

With the addition of Minn Kota’s patented Lift-Assist feature, stowing and deploying Riptide SF is significantly easier than standard trolling motors. Lift-Assist, a gas-charged spring integrated into the mount, reduces the effort required to lift the motor in and out of the water by 50 percent.

Riptide SF also comes with a new twist on Minn Kota’s patented Bowguard 360º. Not only does it “breakaway” on impact protecting the trolling motor and boat, it now features a new, updated design that allows for easy removal of the motor from the mount for security and storage.

In addition, Riptide SF has a new cam lock depth adjustment. Rather than the typical tension knob depth control, the angler controls the motor’s depth by flipping a lever. The cam lock provides consistent, even pressure and won’t work itself loose over time like a tension knob can. Once set, motor depth remains securely fixed in place with no slipping.Another feature is the new directional indicator-arrow. Raised from the motor head, the illuminated arrow is easy to see at any time of day.

Contributing to Riptide SF’s durability is its new motor head. The hybrid composite material construction provides a 500 percent improvement in impact resistance.The contemporary pull handle on the Riptide SF is ergonomically designed and constructed of non-marring soft rubber, featuring a new abrasion resistant rope designed for a lifetime of trouble-free use.

Riptide SF models are available with either 80 or 101 pounds of thrust, and shaft lengths of 52 or 62 inches. Suggested Retail prices range from $1029.99 to $1,139.99. The Riptide SF Series will be visible on our website in January 2009.

The Marine Electronics Group of Johnson Outdoors Inc. consists of the Minn Kota, Humminbird and Cannon brands. Minn Kota is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as offers a complete line of battery chargers, trim tabs and marine accessories. Trolling motors include Terrova, PowerDrive V2, Fortrex,Maxxum, Edge, Vantage, Vector3X, Traxxis, Endura, Riptide, Riptide SF, Riptide ST, Riptide SP, Engine Mount, E-Drive and Trim-N-Troll models. Humminbird is a leading innovator and manufacturer of fishfinders, fishfinder/GPS combo units, chartplotters, marine radios and digital depth gauges. Products in the Humminbird line include 1100 Series, 900 Series, 700 Series, Matrix Series, 500 Series, 300 Series, Fishin’ Buddy, PiranhaMax, SmartCast and ICE Series. Cannon is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories. Downriggers include Digi-Troll, Magnum, Uni-Troll, Easi-Troll, Lake-Troll and Mini-Troll.

Key Features of the New Minn Kota Riptide SF

• Mono Arm Design (eliminates motor play, reduces steering torque, twisting and racking, provides tighter tolerances, stays quiet for life-of-trolling motor)
• Single main hinge point
• Extruded Marine-grade aluminum structural beam design
• Composite bushings on all metal-to-metal interfaces
• Counter Tension Stabilizer Technology (CTS) featuring integrated spring arm

• Revolutionary tiller steering mechanism
• Grip handle extends from 9.25” to 15.25” and simultaneously angles to 45 degrees
• Ergonomically designed no-slip grip

• Lift-Assist with gas-charged spring
• Reduces effort to stow and deploy motor by 50 percent

• New motor head made of a hybrid composite material
• 500 percent increased impact resistance
• Directional arrow is raised and illuminated for easy direction indication

• Bowguard 360 Degree
• Breaks away at impact and resets automatically
• Updated design allows for motor removal

• Redesigned pull handle
• Constructed of non-marring soft rubber
• New abrasion resistant rope

• Steering Tension System
• Collar mechanism replaces set screws for better adjustments and tighter stowing

• Indestructible Composite Shaft – guaranteed for life

• Digital Maximizer – delivers up five times longer run time on a single battery charge

• Weedless Wedge 2 Prop

• 3-Year Warranty

• Available with either 80 or 101 pounds of thrust and shaft lengths of 45, 52 or 62 inches

• Suggested Retail Prices range from $1029.99 to $1,139.99