Minn Kota | Edge Trolling Motor | Foot Control | Latch Door | 12V | 45lb Thrust | 36" Shaft | 1355946

Product Overview

The Minn Kota | Edge Trolling Motor | Foot Control | Latch Door | 12V | 45lb Thrust | 36" Shaft | 1355946 is a rugged, highly responsive bow-mount trolling motor designed specifically for small-to-midsize fishing vessels, jon boats, and aluminum skiffs. Operating on a single 12-volt battery system, this motor delivers 45 pounds of dependable thrust, providing the ideal amount of power to maneuver through wind, mild currents, and shoreline structures without overloading your boat's weight capacity. The hallmark of the Edge series is its ultra-tough construction, featuring an extruded, anodized aluminum mount that offers an unmatched strength-to-weight ratio. This model includes a high-impact composite foot pedal that uses a mechanical cable-steer mechanism, giving anglers instantaneous, heel-toe directional control with zero lag. The low-profile foot pedal features an easy-to-read directional indicator on the motor head, a variable 5-speed speed control dial, and a convenient momentary/constant activation switch.

The package comes complete with the bow-mount assembly, the cable-steer foot control pedal, an integrated directional indicator head, a Power Prop propeller designed to push through heavy cover, a durable hold-down strap to secure the motor during high-speed transit, and all the necessary marine-grade mounting hardware. The 1355946 model features a compact 36-inch shaft, making it the perfect choice for shallow-water applications where a longer shaft would awkwardly stick up above the deck or strike underwater obstructions. Built with Minn Kota's legendary indestructible composite shaft, this motor absorbs impacts from underwater rocks and stumps without bending, breaking, or corroding, ensuring your vessel stays operational season after season.

Key Features

• Thrust Capacity: 45 lbs (12V)
• Shaft Length: 36"
• Latch and Door Mounting Architecture: Designed with a non-flexing extruded aluminum arm and an easy-access latch and door mechanism that makes removing the motor for security, storage, or maintenance incredibly simple.
• Ultra-Responsive Mechanical Cable Steering: Features a heavy-duty dual-cable system connecting the foot pedal directly to the motor head, providing immediate, mechanical feedback and precise tracking along shorelines.
• Indestructible Composite Shaft: Built with a proprietary fiberglass-composite formulation that flexes upon impact with rocks or timber, completely guaranteed for life against cracking, snapping, or rusting.
• Five-Speed Mechanical Control Matrix: Outfitted with 5 forward speed settings, allowing you to easily adjust your speed to match ambient wind, current, and fishing conditions.
• High-Clarity Directional Indicator: Features an easy-to-read, illuminated arrow indicator directly on the top of the motor head to keep you fully aware of your motor's direction in low-light morning or evening hours.
• Ergonomic Foot Pedal Interface: Offers a textured, slip-resistant surface with an integrated speed selection wheel and a side toggle switch for alternating between momentary and constant power modes.
• Weed-Slicing Power Prop: Ships with a heavy-duty prop engineered with sweeping, extra-wide blades to deliver maximum thrust through thick pads, weeds, and heavy freshwater vegetation.

Compatibility Information

The Minn Kota Edge 45lb 36" trolling motor is engineered exclusively for bow-mount installations on freshwater vessels. Its 36-inch shaft length makes it highly compatible with low-profile watercraft, including small aluminum jon boats, bass skiffs, multi-species fishing boats, and compact pontoon platforms where the distance from the top of the bow deck down to the water line does not exceed 16 inches. This short shaft keeps the motor head low to the deck, preventing obstruction of your casting arcs.

Electrically, this motor is a pure 12-volt system. It is fully compatible with any single 12V deep-cycle marine battery, including traditional flooded lead-acid, maintenance-free, and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) configurations. For maximum on-water runtime, a battery with an Amp-Hour (Ah) rating of 100 or greater is recommended. This motor requires a clean DC power connection and is compatible with standard 50-amp circuit breakers to protect the internal wiring from overcurrent damage. It can also be seamlessly integrated with Minn Kota's MKR-21 AC Power Port for easy battery charger access.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I operate the Latch and Door mount to remove the motor from my boat deck?

The Latch and Door mount is designed to make removing your motor quick and easy. To remove the motor, simply loosen the oversized plastic ergonomic T-bolt screw on the side of the mount collar. Once backed out, open the hinged door panel on the side of the mount bracket. This allows you to lift the entire motor head, shaft, and lower unit assembly straight out of the base mount, leaving only the low-profile aluminum bracket base bolted to your boat deck. This feature is highly valued for preventing theft during storage or when trailing your boat long distances.

Is the 36-inch shaft long enough to keep the propeller submerged in rough, wavy water?

The 36-inch shaft is designed specifically for low-profile boats with minimal bow-to-water clearance. On a small jon boat or low skiff, a 36-inch shaft provides plenty of depth to keep the lower unit fully submerged in normal, calm-to-choppy freshwater conditions. However, if you regularly fish in large, open bodies of water prone to heavy swell and boat roll, or if your bow sits higher off the water, you should opt for the 45-inch shaft model to prevent the propeller from cavitating or breaking the surface of the water when waves pass under the hull.

Can I safely use this Minn Kota Edge freshwater motor in saltwater or coastal bays?

No, the Minn Kota Edge series is designed and clearwired strictly for freshwater environments. Using this model in saltwater, brackish water, or tidal bays will void the manufacturer's warranty. Saltwater environments cause rapid galvanic corrosion on the exposed aluminum components, mechanical steering cables, and internal hardware of freshwater motors. For saltwater applications, you should look into Minn Kota’s Riptide series, which features fully encapsulated marine electronics, sacrificial anodes, and specialized powder-coated finishes to resist salt damage.

What gauge wire and size circuit breaker do I need to install for this 12V 45lb motor?

For safe and optimal performance, Minn Kota requires installing a manual-reset 50-amp circuit breaker on the positive (+) lead of your trolling motor line, placed as close to the battery terminal as possible. Regarding wiring gauge, if the distance from your battery to the trolling motor is less than 15 feet, standard 8 AWG marine-grade copper wire is sufficient. If your run extends between 15 and 25 feet, you must step up to thicker 6 AWG wire to prevent excessive voltage drop, which can cause the motor to lose thrust and generate excess heat in the wiring harness.

What is the difference between cable steering and electric steer trolling motors?

Cable steering systems, like the one used on the Minn Kota Edge, utilize physical, high-tensile steel cables that mechanically connect the foot pedal directly to the gears inside the motor head. When you move the pedal, the motor turns instantly, providing direct feedback and exceptional control for tight maneuvers around timber and docks. Electric steer motors, on the other hand, use digital signals and internal electric servo motors to turn the shaft. Cable steering is favored by traditional bass anglers because it responds instantly to foot movements and lets you feel the position of the motor without looking at the head.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.