OK, I'm in the market for a new trolling motor in the 55# thrust area.  I'm looking at the Minn-kota Maxxum in the variable speed.  My boat is 18' long and the current trolling motor is an older 40# thrust Minn-Kota that came with the boat when I bought it new in 2003.  I always thought the trolling motor was undersized to push my boat around and I finally managed to crack the housing back enough to replace it.  Does anyone have any thoughts about what would be the best choice and where to pick one up.  I was at the BPS in Vegas yesterday, but the store was out of stock of that model.  As a matter of fact, the online store is also back ordered.  Cabela's is about $80 cheaper for the Maxxum, so I may go that way unless someone can suggest a Motorguide alternative?  Thanks.

If I were you I'd go with the Minn Kota, the composet shaft will take much more abuse than the Motorguide. I had a motorguide on my Skeeter and had to get the inter shaft replaced twice they bend very easy. Right now I have a Minn Kota Maxxum Pro on my Triton, it's a 36v 101 lbs of thrust and it had taken some pretty good hits and keeps on going. IMO you can't beat Minn Kota.

Thanks for the input.