Minn Kota | Edge Trolling Motor | Hand Control | 12V | 55lb Thrust | 52" Shaft | 1355963

Product Overview

The Minn Kota | Edge Trolling Motor | Hand Control | 12V | 55lb Thrust | 52" Shaft | 1355963 delivers the absolute maximum amount of maneuvering power available for a single-battery, 12-volt marine electrical system, paired with a clean-deck hand-control interface and a deep-water shaft. Pumping out 55 pounds of continuous thrust, this high-performance bow-mount motor is engineered for serious anglers who demand heavy-duty performance to fight wind and currents, but want to avoid the added weight, cost, and compartment space of a multi-battery 24V setup. Instead of a foot pedal, this model utilizes an ergonomic tilt/twist tiller handle that extends up to 6 inches and pivots up to 45 degrees, allowing for comfortable standing or seated operation while leaving the front deck completely open and free of cable clutter. The Edge 55 is built around an incredibly durable extruded aluminum mount, utilizing a non-flexing structural design that effortlessly handles high-torque acceleration and rough underwater impacts.

The 1355963 model pairs this powerful 55lb lower unit with an extended 52-inch shaft length, providing the perfect depth profile for high-clearance hulls, large aluminum deep-V boats, and multi-species vessels. This long shaft configuration ensures the propeller stays deeply submerged to prevent cavitation and noise when fishing in rough, wavy open water. Built with Minn Kota’s legendary indestructible composite shaft, it flexes naturally upon striking underwater obstructions to prevent expensive damage to your boat’s hull. The motor comes fully equipped with the telescoping hand tiller, the extruded aluminum bow mount with a hinged latch and door collar, an aggressive weedless Power Prop, a secure transport tie-down strap, and high-strength marine installation hardware.

Key Features

• Thrust Capacity:Maximum 12-volt power output. Generates 55 pounds of continuous thrust from a single 12V battery configuration, offering maximum single-battery power to save weight and compartment space.
• Shaft Length: 52". Custom-designed for high-profile hulls, keeping the propeller deeply submerged below the surface to eliminate cavitation and motor noise in rough chop.
• Ergonomic Tilt/Twist Tiller Handle: Features a telescoping handle that extends 6 inches and tilts up to 45 degrees, providing precise steering and multi-speed throttle control from any position.
• Clear-Deck Casting Design: Hand-control layout eliminates the bulky foot pedal and steering cables, maximizing casting space and removing tripping hazards on the bow deck.
• Rugged Extruded Aluminum Bracket: Built with a heavy-duty, marine-grade aluminum mount arm that prevents flexing and rattling, even when running the motor at maximum speed through heavy chop.
• Hinged Latch and Door Collar: Outfitted with an easy-access locking door that allows you to quickly remove the entire motor from the bow bracket for safe storage or added security.
• Multi-Speed Mechanical Transmission: Equipped with 5 precise forward speed settings and 3 dedicated reverse speed settings built directly into the twist-grip handle for effortless navigation.
• Indestructible Composite Fiberglass Shaft: Built to absorb heavy impacts from underwater rocks and stumps without bending, buckling, or rusting, backed by a lifetime warranty.

Compatibility Information

The Minn Kota Edge 55lb 52" hand-control trolling motor is designed exclusively for freshwater bow-mount installations. The extended 52-inch shaft length makes it highly compatible with large aluminum deep-V hulls, multi-species fishing boats, Walleye rigs, and high-clearance pontoon configurations where the deck-to-waterline distance ranges between 22 and 26 inches. This ensures the propeller stays fully submerged at the perfect operational depth in wavy open water.

Electrically, this motor is engineered for a 12-volt DC system, requiring one high-quality 12V deep-cycle marine battery (flooded lead-acid, maintenance-free, or AGM). Because a 55lb motor pulls higher amperage at maximum speed, it must be installed with a 60-amp manual-reset circuit breaker to protect the internal wiring harness. It is fully compatible with standard marine wiring networks and interfaces perfectly with Minn Kota's quick-release mounting plates for easy deck removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would an angler choose a long 52-inch shaft combined with a hand-control tiller instead of a foot pedal?

This specific combination is highly popular among multi-species and open-water anglers who operate large deep-V aluminum or fiberglass boats. High-profile boats require a long 52-inch shaft to keep the propeller deeply submerged when the bow pitches over large waves. By pairing this long shaft with hand-control steering, the angler eliminates the clutter of a foot pedal on a deck that is already rocking in rough water. It allows the operator to sit comfortably in a raised bow pedestal seat and steer with the tiller handle, maintaining perfect visibility and precise control without having to balance on one foot to press a pedal.

What capacity battery is recommended to handle the high amp draw of this 55lb 12V motor?

Because a 55lb thrust motor represents the absolute maximum power limit for a 12V electrical system, it draws more current (amperage) at high speeds than lower-thrust models. To ensure a full day of fishing, you should pair this motor with a high-capacity Group 27 or Group 31 deep-cycle marine battery. Look for a battery with an Amp-Hour (Ah) rating of 100 or higher, or a Reserve Capacity (RC) rating of at least 180 to 200 minutes. Choosing a high-grade AGM battery will provide the cleanest and most consistent power delivery, preventing voltage drop during long runs at top speed.

How do the 3 reverse speeds work on this hand-tiller model?

Operating this motor in reverse is incredibly simple and intuitive. The twist-grip tiller handle features a clearly marked mechanical indexing system. Turning the handle clockwise engages the 5 forward speed settings, allowing you to gradually speed up. To back the boat up or slow your forward drift against a strong current, simply twist the handle counterclockwise past the center "off" position. This engages the 3 dedicated reverse speed settings, instantly reversing the rotation of the propeller without requiring you to turn the entire motor head around, making tight dock maneuvers effortless.

Can the shaft depth be adjusted easily if I move from deep open water into shallow bays?

Yes, adjusting the shaft running depth is incredibly fast and requires no tools. The Edge bow mount features an integrated quick-adjust depth collar positioned directly on the composite fiberglass shaft. If you are moving away from deep, wavy open water and pulling into a shallow bay, flats area, or weedy creek mouth, you simply loosen the ergonomic collar knob, slide the shaft upward to your desired running depth so the lower unit clears the bottom, and tighten the knob back down securely. This allows you to protect your propeller from bottom strikes while maintaining stealth.

What is covered under Minn Kota's lifetime shaft warranty, and how durable is it really?

Minn Kota's lifetime warranty covers the proprietary composite fiberglass shaft against any structural failures, meaning it is guaranteed for life never to bend, warp, crack, snap, or rust for as long as the original purchaser owns the motor. The shaft is engineered from a specialized high-tensile fiberglass blend that allows it to act as its own shock absorber. If you run into a submerged log, rock, or stump while traveling at fishing speeds, the shaft will flex naturally to absorb the impact energy, protecting your boat's bow from cracking before springing back perfectly straight.

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.