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Picture this: you're out on the open water, chasing redfish or snook in brackish bays where saltwater bites at every piece of gear. The last thing you need is a trolling motor that quits on you mid-stalk or screams like a banshee, spooking every fish within earshot. That's where the Minn Kota Riptide SM shines—a battle-hardened bow-mount workhorse built specifically to conquer saltwater's relentless assault while delivering pinpoint control for those trophy catches.
This hand-steer model packs 55 pounds of thrust on a 12-volt system, with a beefy 42-inch shaft that dives deep enough for bigger flats boats or canoes slicing through choppy inlets. It's not loaded with bells like GPS or sonar, keeping things simple, reliable, and battery-friendly for all-day runs. Anglers swear by its whisper-quiet operation, letting you sneak up on tailing trout without a ripple of disturbance.
Saltwater isn't forgiving—constant exposure to brine, spray, and galvanic corrosion chews through lesser motors. The Riptide SM fights back with advanced armor: premium marine alloys grit-blasted and sealed in aluminum oxide layers, topped with tough TGIC polyester powder coat. A sacrificial zinc anode takes the hits, while fully potted electronics shrug off moisture like it's nothing. The result? A motor that laughs at corrosion, running cooler and quieter season after season.
At the business end, the Weedless Wedge 2 prop chews through grass, hydrilla, or oyster bars with swept-back blades that shed debris instead of hacking it. Pair that with Minn Kota's legendary composite shaft—flexible yet unbreakable, guaranteed for life against snaps or corrosion. It's why guides in the Keys or Louisiana marshes run these without a second thought.
Pair it with a Group 27 deep-cycle battery for optimal runtime; expect 4-6 hours at mid-speeds on a full charge. In heavy grass, bump to speed 3 to power through without bogging. For installation, level your bow platform first, torque bolts to spec (around 10-12 ft-lbs), and route cables away from bilge spray. Clean the lower unit post-trip with freshwater and a soft brush—your sacrificial anode will tell you when it's time for a swap (usually yearly in aggressive saltwater).
Fishermen love how it extends motor life with advanced cooling in the lower unit, minimizing heat buildup during long summer days. No Digital Maximizer here, but that raw, efficient power steering keeps amp draw honest at 50 max, stretching every electron.
In a sea of flashy tech motors, the Riptide SM stands out for simplicity and toughness. It's the choice for serious inshore warriors who prioritize reliability over gadgets. Tournament pros and weekend warriors alike report zero downtime, even after years of pounding surf launches and mangrove mazes. Backed by a two-year warranty, it's peace of mind on the water.
Absolutely. It's purpose-built for saltwater with advanced corrosion protection, including sacrificial anodes, sealed electronics, and marine-grade coatings to handle brine exposure without breaking a sweat.
Ideal for flats boats, bay skiffs, kayaks, or any vessel up to 18 feet where you need extended reach for shallow drafts or choppy conditions.
The tilt/extend tiller has a push-to-test digital battery meter that shows voltage levels instantly, helping you monitor charge without extra tools.
Yes, its swept-back, flared blades push weeds aside efficiently, reducing strain on the motor and preserving battery life compared to standard props.
It's effortless—lift to latch securely with no flex or vibration underway, then release the door for quick removal and storage.
While optimized for saltwater, its durable build performs flawlessly in freshwater, making it versatile for mixed environments.
Exceptionally quiet thanks to the cool-running lower unit design, perfect for stealthy approaches in spooky fish scenarios.
If you want to get to the fish, you'll have to go through saltwater first. Blow right past with Riptide Maxxum. Battle-tested toughness, quiet operation and corrosion-resistant design to take you where you want to be. End, meet means.
Riptide SM
Saltwater Bow Mount
Precision maneuverability. Accurate bait presentation. Meticulous speed control. You count on your trolling motor for a lot. And along the way, it has to fight corrosion, run quietly and perform with flawless reliability. Riptide® SM is the trusted powerhouse that meets those challenges head on, keeping you in position to make the catch of the day, every day.
Riptide SM Mount
Take to the water with the confidence to power through anything. Tournament-tested, the rugged mount on Riptide SM resists corrosion and performs with flawless reliability. When stowed, the SM mount won't budge, flex or vibrate.
Latch & Door Design
Latch & Door models feature non-binding nylon inserts and anti-seize lubricant for a lifetime of trouble-free use. It allows the motor to remove quickly and easily for safe storage.
5 Speed
This motor features five variable speeds (fwd, rev).
Quick-Lock Cam Depth Adjuster
Change depths simply and securely with the Quick-Lock cam adjuster. It makes depth adjustment simple and locks in tight to keep your motor right where you want it.
Tilt/Extend Tiller
Get the best of both worlds on your hand control motor with the new Tilt/Extend Tiller. It can both tilt (up to 45°) and extend (6") to fit the way you fish.
Push-to-Test Battery Gauge - Riptide SM
Get an instant "state of charge" with this easy-to-read gauge.
Weedless Wedge 2 Prop
Push weeds away and take on the thick stuff without battery-draining chopping and hacking. Weedless Wedge™ 2 features swept-back, flared blades for unrelenting, reliable prop performance.
Advanced Corrosion Protection
Riptide motors are impervious to saltwater's corrosive effects, thanks to premium-grade marine alloys and aluminum upper arms. Metals undergo a rigid multi-step cleaning process before being anodized or coated with a special zinc dichromate armor plating. All components are then finished with a durable 5-mil TGIC polyester, powder coat paint. When it's all done, you're left with unequaled corrosion protection.
Full Encapsulated Electronics
Marine-grade urethane fully encapsulates Riptide control boards to protect the electronic circuitry. Also, all electrical connections are sealed with liquid-tight heat shrink tubing to form an impregnable barrier against saltwater.
Sacrificial Anode
Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals come into electrical contact through saltwater. Riptide fights back with a sacrificial zinc anode, a composite shaft and properly balanced materials that are close in electrical potential. The result is a motor that's completely protected from saltwater's destructive forces.
Indestructible Composite Shaft - Guaranteed For Life!
Pound for pound, our composite shaft is stronger than steel. It flexes on impact and won't break, kink or corrode. That's why we're confident enough to make it the only trolling motor shaft that's guaranteed for life.
Two-Year Warranty
This motor is backed up with Minn Kota's two-year warranty.
Specifications
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (dehp) which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 14 - Aug 19
US$40
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